AND THOSE DAYS WERE BETTER!
When you arrived at a service station, you would run over an air hose that could cause a bell inside to go “ding-ding”. One or two attendants would run out to your car and begin with a welcome greeting. The attendants usually wore uniform pants and shirt, a crew hat and there would probably be a red rag hanging out of a back pocket. The service station attendant would pump your gas, wash your windows, check your oil and battery, and check your tires at no additional cost. You would pay for your gas while still sitting in your car. Yes, those days were better!
George Schire
Oakdale, Minnesota
Nice memories George. Generally speaking, while we no longer have full service stations, we have no service businesses in every other regard no matter the product. A friend's father had a Texaco Station in the fifties which was a hang out for us guys and we would take care of customers when we were available for no pay but he would let us use the lift if it wasn't being used by a paying customer.
Yes I was one of those guys. Dad owned a Gulf Station on Long Island while growing up and when I was able to start work which was around 14 I was one of those guys pumping gas. It was nice in the summer, but when winter came, not so nice.
The attendance pay was included the price of the gas. Today their pay is too high to include with the price of the gas. A very few stations offer full service but the gas price is raised +-.05 per gallon. I believe N.J. may still require attendant to pump your gas. Most stations today don't offer repair work so they don't offer an attendant to look for things that need fixing.
Yes, those were the days when the customer was considered, as compared today, you are just another number.
Try talking to a human when calling You Tube. I was able to find 5 different phone numbers but they were all answered by computer with noway to talk to a human. Well, they would text you BUT, I do not have a phone capable to text not to mention I don't know how. My *itch is today it is necessary to have a computer and or a cell phone or do without what ever you were trying to do. Most under "help" give a few common question answers but if your question was not there you are left with nothing. Give me the '50's & '60's please, you didn't get dozens of phone calls trying to sell you something and companies appreciated you calling.
My days as a young teenager working at local gas stations is filled with fond memories. Once again, I ask when that time machine is going to be finished!
My days as a young teenager working at local gas stations is filled with fond memories. Once again, I ask when that time machine is going to be finished!
I too, spent some of teenage youth working at a gas station. I filled the tank, checked the tires, wiper blades, oil and battery. Not to mention washing the windows, giving a balloon to the kids in a car, and S & H green stamps to the customer. The customers who came in were my neighbors and other people in the city I knew. Oh yes Jack, if a Time Machine were to be offered, I'd be first in line for a "One Way Trip".
George Schire
Oakdale, Minnesota
