I can’t stand Pre-pay, for several reasons.
First, it assumes that I’m not going to pay afterwards, so I need to pay first in order to safeguard the retailer against getting ripped off. Now I know there are people who do this, but I gotta believe that it’s a small minority, especially in todays world of constant video surveaillance. The fact that I am assumed to be dishonest before ever even lifting the nozzle pretty much pisses me off.
Second, I can only make an estimated guess at how much I’m going to spend. It’s a real pain in the as either way. If I pre-pay too much, I’ve gotta go back in for my change, resulting in two trips into the store as opposed to one. I know it’s insignificant, but let’s face it, I’m lazy. Or, I don’t pre-pay enough, resulting in a tank that ain’t quite full, which is also a pain in the ass.
Either way, it feels pretty much like the recording industry alienating their own clientele, only we’re all so addicted to gasoline that most of us don’t even notice this kind of shit. I mean, think about it. Here’s another example: If you walked into Wal*Mart and they frisked you before you entered the store, and then demanded a deposit against any purchases you may make while in their store, would you still go there?
Didn’t think so.
So why is pre-pay okay at the pump?
