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Try using a pump in Israel. I had to ask for help every time. Not only is Israel still using mag stripe, there's also some sort of national ID # you have to ent

by js2 9y ago

Try using a pump in Israel. I had to ask for help every time. Not only is Israel still using mag stripe, there's also some sort of national ID # you have to enter into the pump. And the license plate # too I think. I think tourists are supposed to be able to use all 0, but I couldn't navigate it. This is from 2012 but seems pretty close to what I dealt with there last year: https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g293977-i1733-k5730382-Buying_fuel_for_the_car_in_Israel-Israel.html https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g293977-i1733-k5730382... Which is to say: every country has its weird thing. :-)

sjwright 9y ago
In Australia, we have this weird thing where you pump the fuel then walk into the shop to pay. It's just a ruse to get you to buy energy drinks and two chocolate bars.
- KozmoNau7 9y ago
  It used to be like that here in Denmark, but due to a rash of fuel thefts, now it's all pre-pay at the pump. It was so odd going to Germany last month, and actually being able to pump and then pay in the shop afterwards.
- js2 9y ago
  In New Jersey (and I think Oregon), you can't pump your own gas. Full service only. Years ago (this predated energy drinks by a couple decades) I filled up at a rural station in GA that had old mechanical pumps. I went inside to pay, having not taken note of the cost. When the cashier asked me how much I'd purchased and I told him I'd have to go check, he waved me off and pulled out a pair of binoculars to read the charge off the pump. I like to think now he foresaw the coming age of skimmers and wanted his pumps to remain immune.
- legohead 9y ago
  That's how it was in the US about 15+ years ago (in Oklahoma at least). I don't think there was any kind of law about it, it's just how it was done. You pumped, then when inside to pay. Occasionally, you'd come across a gas station in a bad area, and they had a sign to pay inside before you pumped (due to people pumping and then speeding off).

by js2 9y ago

sjwright 9y ago

In Australia, we have this weird thing where you pump the fuel then walk into the shop to pay. It's just a ruse to get you to buy energy drinks and two chocolate bars.

KozmoNau7 9y ago
It used to be like that here in Denmark, but due to a rash of fuel thefts, now it's all pre-pay at the pump. It was so odd going to Germany last month, and actually being able to pump and then pay in the shop afterwards.
js2 9y ago
In New Jersey (and I think Oregon), you can't pump your own gas. Full service only. Years ago (this predated energy drinks by a couple decades) I filled up at a rural station in GA that had old mechanical pumps. I went inside to pay, having not taken note of the cost. When the cashier asked me how much I'd purchased and I told him I'd have to go check, he waved me off and pulled out a pair of binoculars to read the charge off the pump. I like to think now he foresaw the coming age of skimmers and wanted his pumps to remain immune.
legohead 9y ago
That's how it was in the US about 15+ years ago (in Oklahoma at least). I don't think there was any kind of law about it, it's just how it was done. You pumped, then when inside to pay. Occasionally, you'd come across a gas station in a bad area, and they had a sign to pay inside before you pumped (due to people pumping and then speeding off).