$1 to put air in my tire today.

[Cyrano]

In the old days, they used a mask and a gun. Today, they just put a sign on a machine telling you how much you have to fork over.

I had a low tire, pulled into the fist service station I came to and had to pay a buck for air. I know that many places are now charging 75 cents which is outrageous enough, but a buck is really pushing the limits. Today, it's air in our tires. Tomorrow, we'll probably be charged for every breath we take.

I really believe it all comes back to the green light that Bush has been giving to businesses for seven years now. "Squeeze every last cent out of the peasants. I won't stop you."

Then again, maybe it was imported air from Saudi Arabia.

[LakeSamish706]

1. More like China, and you better watch out for lead in it! n/t

[ingac70]

2. Spend ten bucks...

And buy a cheap little compressor that plugs in your cigarette lighter.

[flvegan]

3. Makes a great gift, too.

I've had one for years, and I gave my mom one two years ago.

[Liberal In Texas]

14. Yep, I carry one in the truck I use for business, saved me in the middle of BFE East Texas where

I must have picked up nail causing a slow leak. It got me to the job and home.

[zorahopkins]

4. Bastards!

That's right, I said Bastards.

Those money-grubbing, greedy bastards.

It's not enough that they charge more than $3.00 for a gallon of gas.

But $1.00 -- FOR AIR?

That's too much.

They make me sick.

[Cyrano]

10. Actually, it ended up costing more than a buck. I tore one knee of

my slacks on the concrete while kneeling down. I can't blame Bush for that, but maybe I can sue car designers who make us kneel to use an air compressor. (Maybe it's a fundie plot to get us all on our knees?)

On edit: Welcome to DU.

[Thothmes]

31. Why?

They had to buy the air compressor, they pay for the electricity that operates the compressor, they may have to pay for the cooling water that cools the compressor. Why are they not entitled to make something from their investment.

[zorahopkins]

40. They Are Charging For Air!

They are charging people for AIR!

For Air!

Even if they are "entitled" to "make something" from their "investment", $1.00 -- FOR AIR! -- is excessive.

They are bastards!

[SweetThingy]

44. they are charging for compressed air

which involves machinery, electricity and space. All of which costs money.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

5. And the the compressor always shuts off as I'm getting to the last tire

I paid 75 cents the other day and had to deposit 75 cents more. Tomorrow it might be $2.00 and the compressor is a laid-off American worker with a straw and good set of lungs, who's being paid $1.25 an hour.

[Dont_Bogart_the_Pretzel]

23. You say it shut off too soon?

didn't you know that you got a deal! I think it was supposed to be $1.00 PER tire! and don't forget the spare!
:silly:

[in_cog_ni_to]

6. If you can, get one of these! Worth every cent. Don't pay the vultures for AIR.

I have one similar to this one and it's fantastic. It pumps all kinds of tires with included attachments....and balloons for b-day parties.:)


http://reviews.northerntool.com/0394/2000426/reviews.htm



http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200312890_200312890

[Tesha]

7. For another $0.50, you could have bought the Perri-Air instead of the ordinary stuff.

BTW, air's still free at the Hess station Mr. Tesha
often fills up at, and Hess gives money to the Democrats.

Tesha

[Cyrano]

12. Didn't know that. Thanks for the info. Now, if only I could train my tires to

go low only when I'm near a Hess station.

[piedmont]

8. Build yourself a roadside emergency kit.

Get a few things at the store and you'll save time, money and stress later:
a bottle of Fix-A-Flat,
12 volt compressor,
jump-box,
Flash-light
sockets, wrenches, and pliers
fire-extinguisher
Haynes repair manual for your car

Keep these in a box in the trunk, and familiarize yourself with how to use them.

[sinkingfeeling]

9. I had to do the same thing this week... because my little, plug-into the lighter compressor blew up!

Tried to use it last Friday night and it ran about 3 seconds and started making an awful sound, but no air!

[DS1]

11. Really?

I just walk in and go "Hey man, can you turn the air on for me" and they'll go "Yeah, you got it"

and that's that

[Cyrano]

13. Sounds like MA is still civilized. Enjoy before the insanity going on in

the country catches up with you.

[The Straight Story]

21. They do that here in Bakersfield at the fast trip IF you buy something in the store

always a good excuse to pick up some beer ;)

[LostinVA]

34. Yeah -- Haruka was shocked when she had to pay for air in VA

Now we're back in NJ, where she can resume getting free air.

[lpbk2713]

15. Try telling the clerk about it when it doesn't work and it takes your money.

"That's not ours. You'll have to call the 800 number that's written on the air pump."

So you go outside to use their pay phone to call the frickin' 800 number about the damn air compressor that took your money and the damn pay phone takes your money. You go back inside to tell the clerk about the damn pay phone that took your money and of course the clerk says "That's not ours. You'll have to call .... "



I don't think anyone could pay me enough money to work in a convenience store. Sometimes I think the reason they get held up so much is purely out of revenge.

[Lint Head]

16. Water use to be the big money maker.

Now we will have to pay for air. Air is the next substance to be defined as a utility. You will be billed based on your age and lung capacity. Also some consideration will be given to the measurement of methane expelled against the amount of air inhaled. :dem:
:sarcasm:

[Cyrano]

17. Do you suppose rates will be based on the quality of the air?

[taterguy]

18. Why should people who don't need air subsidize you?

Air pumps cost money and they require electricity.

But since you're used to getting something you feel like you deserve it for perpetuity.

The free ride is over pal.

[Cyrano]

20. Jeeez, you're right. My guilt now runneth over. How will I live with myself?

[taterguy]

22. Now you want free psychological counseling?

Geez, it never stops

[Trillo]

43. There's a little history missing from investment deserves recompense post

In the old days, most filling stations were also car repair facilities. One of the most used tools in any car repair facility is an air compressor. Not the type the turns on the electricity then pumps air on demand, but the type that stores it in a huge storage tank. Most repair tools common with automobiles are air powered due to the explosive nature of gasoline, hence, they're much safer to use around gasoline fumes.

So, in the old days, there was this repair infrastructure at most gas stations that had excess compressed air capacity because it was needed for lifts, tools, and many other uses. The air pump would run until the tank reached a maximum pressure, usually above 120 PSI (or more), then switch off. When the tank reached a lower pressure of about 90 PSI, or thereabouts, the motor would switch on to compress more air into the tank. When air was needed for any purpose, the amount of air available in a minute was not related to the pumping capacity of the compressor, but rather, the size of the pipe and hoses leading out of the storage tank, and the size of the tank itself. When you wanted to fill a tire, it would fill rather quickly using commonly designed systems.

Enter the food mini-mart and exit the repair facility. Now, you rarely see a station that sells retail gas that also has a repair facility, instead they sell chips, snacks, drinks, and gasoline. In these types of facilities, creating compressed air for tires is likely a burden, so, the need to charge extra for air, and the inability to have the type of compressor that fills tires quickly, but instead has a coin-operated machine that pumps air slowly upon demand. These systems do not use a storage tank, but the compressor is creating the higher pressure as it's needed. Consequently, it often takes longer to fill the tires because larger on-demand air compressors cost more money and use larger motors (until you get the storage tank type systems that don't compress-on-demand, then they start costing less, surprisingly enough.) With these systems, you'll often find that it takes several minutes to fill a tire, rather than 10 seconds from the storage tank type systems.

Management at these types of places probably know more about where to buy chips, and how to create ledger entries or count beans, than they know about how to use a screwdriver or wrench.

These days, it's probably best to get one of those 12-volt mini air compressors and carry it in the trunk of your car.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

26. It never was a free ride to begin with

There used to be people who came out and pumped your gas, cleaned your windshield, checked your tires, checked your water, battery, oil, brake fluid, and clutch fluid and gave you free dishes or drinking glasses. It was part of the cost of doing business and businesses were still able to make money and attract even more customers by doing this. Now there's a guy selling potato chips and cigarettes in a little store who has no idea about cars and just takes your credit card to let you pump your own gas. This latest charge for air is just another sign that the quality of life in America has gone down.

[The Straight Story]

28. Cause it will help save the planet - air in tires, better mileage

:)

[Mika]

19. Buy a large barrel bike pump. You'll get some exercise too.

:puffpiece:

:hi:

[taterguy]

25. But before you do that make sure it will work with your style of hubcap

Mine doesn't work on my Jetta.

[DemGa]

29. Yes, that's what I did

I keep it in my trunk of course. Easy enough to add a few of pounds of pressure if needed.

[rug]

24. If I spend that much I'll put the nozzle down my pants.

[goodgd_yall]

35. I see a DUZY award in your future n/t

[BrotherBuzz]

27. By law, air and water must be provided free in California.

Often you have to go inside and ask for a token or have them actually turn the air on. Point being, in California it's free if you ask for it.

Oh, my token effort for good tire wear and better fuel consumption was to acquire a quality pressure gauge. My tire store dude gave me a nice one and told me to use it often.

[stevedeshazer]

30. I was recently filling up at a truck stop in Washington state.

A car towing a small trailer pulled in, and one of the tires on the trailer was low.

Three women got out of the car, which had British Columbia license plates. They looked at me incredulously; one said "You guys have to pay for AIR?"

I told them if they thought that was bad, wait until you get sick or hurt!

They were laughing derisively by then.

[Ravy]

32. Every one I have ever used can be operated by tokens

that the station will give you if you buy something or even ask nicely.

[MagickMuffin]

33. You should consider purchasing a portable air compressor

I have one that I keep in my car at all times. Believe me it has come in handy on several occasions. My tire pressure tends to have a very slow leak. So, I whip out my compressor and presto, I have a fully inflated tire and it didn't cost me a cent. I've had it for a long long time. Really has paid for itself over the years.

Maybe you could ask for one for xmas. Mine has emergency lights, compressor, and flashlight.

And of course it's outrages that you are charged for air. Back in the old days of full service stations they would check your tires, air them up if they needed it, and it was free.

[Kingshakabobo]

36. Next time, put your lips together and blow; it's free.

[AllieB]

37. In Massachusetts, it's illegal to charge to put air in your tire

that does not stop some station owners from charging, however. I usually patronize Hess stations and have not run across one that charges for air. I also heard that they were the only Blue oil company too. :-)

[SweetThingy]

38. it's called being paid for a service

Do you expect to go the movies for free? To go to a restraunt for free?

[lildreamer316]

41. Who is providing the service?

YOU are filling your tires. They, are simply providing the machine to pump what we exist IN into our tires. It's not processed, drilled, or refined. Once the machine is paid for, then it should be free.

Enjoy your stay.

[SweetThingy]

42. ummmmm the gas station

you pay them when you get a giant slurpee, don't you?

[seriousstan]

45. If your car is paid for, you won't mind me using it for a while. You buy the gas.

Get the idea yet?

[WillowTree]

39. I had a low tire this week, too.

I pulled in at a Firestone store and asked them nicely if they would help me out and they said "Sure! Pull right in to that first lane" The second fella filled the offending tire and checked the other three for me while he was at it, though I hadn't asked him to. And I didn't even have to get out of the car in the rainy, sleety weather.

And I'll remember how well I was treated there when I need new tires, too.