OT: Shopping in the convenience store…while parked at the gas pumps

[BriantheLion]

It is very common, when pulling into our local Sheetz, to have trouble finding an available pump… I am fine with waiting my turn while others are actually pumping gas…or cleaning their windshield… but it infuriates me that so many people inconsiderately leave their car at the pump while they are inside for several minutes, finally emerging with a bag full of sandwiches, snack foods, or whatever… I will, and believe everyone should, always move the car to a parking space to enter the store….

…recently, to add insult to injury, the screen on the pump says “Lock your car when unattended.”… seemingly condoning this practice!

I am interested to see the thoughts of others.

 

[BobPSU92]

More human a$$holery. How many of these a$$holes leave their car at the pump and bring their dog into Sheetz?

 

[s1uggo72]

It is very common, when pulling into our local Sheetz, to have trouble finding an available pump… I am fine with waiting my turn while others are actually pumping gas…or cleaning their windshield… but it infuriates me that so many people inconsiderately leave their car at the pump while they are inside for several minutes, finally emerging with a bag full of sandwiches, snack foods, or whatever… I will, and believe everyone should, always move the car to a parking space to enter the store….

…recently, to add insult to injury, the screen on the pump says “Lock your car when unattended.”… seemingly condoning this practice!

I am interested to see the thoughts of others.

OTOH maybe they have to go back inside to pay, and the line is long. Maybe they are concerned if they move their car they may be considered a drive off for not paying, so they keep their car where it is. Maybe there are any parking spaces near the entrance so they stay where they are.

 

[s1uggo72]

More human a$$holery. How many of these a$$holes leave their car at the pump and bring their dog into Sheetz?

on a hot day , I would hope they would!

 

[PSU_Lions_84]

When we drove out West last summer, we stopped at the new Buc-ee's in Sevierville, TN. It was PACKED! Dropped off the fam and proceeded to the pumps. Ran into exactly what you described. Literally sat behind a vehicle for 20 minutes, only to see the driver come back to his vehicle carrying several bags of stuff.

Am sure convenience stores don't want to police their pumps, but obviously Joe and Jane Sixpack don't give a crap about others. And am also sure if you confronted the a-hole, YOU would be the bad guy.

Maybe this is a job for environmentalists: Monitor gas pumps to keep traffic flowing at them. I can't imagine most of us shut off our cars while waiting for a pump to open - more bad emissions being pumped into the environment by something that is totally preventable.

 

[PSU_Lions_84]

on a hot day , I would hope they would!

I doubt if most people do their weekly shopping at a Sheetz/convenience store. Crack the car windows, have a bowl of water for Fido, and get in and out in 20 minutes.

 

[Midnighter]

Parking at the pump is fine IMO if there isn't anyone waiting and you are only grabbing a drink or snack or something. Who is in that much of a hurry that they can't sit in their car for a couple of minutes while someone gets out to get something? If you're gonna go in and get a bunch of things, you should re-park.

 

[yeahtoasty]

I asked this question a different way on social media. I posed it as "If a convenience store has 20 pumps, how many of those need to be full before you pull your car into a parking space after pumping and before going into the store."

My thinking (and practice at the time) was that if four or five pumps are full and the rest empty, it's ok to just leave your car at the pump and run in for your your items. (Provided you're not ordering a sandwich or something made to order. I'm thinking like a pee and a Kit Kat here.)

I was surprised at how roundly I was condemned for this. I thought everyone did it. But nope, almost nobody did (or would confess to it) so now I always move to a parking space.

 

[LaJollaCreek]

Depends on the time of day and size of the gas station. Buccees has a 100 pumps so people do it all the time. Smaller stations that are crowded it’s not illegal to do this but just poor form if it’s crowded. Good news is if you have this issue you aren’t in NJ so take that as a positive.

 

[laKavosiey-st lion]

It is very common, when pulling into our local Sheetz, to have trouble finding an available pump… I am fine with waiting my turn while others are actually pumping gas…or cleaning their windshield… but it infuriates me that so many people inconsiderately leave their car at the pump while they are inside for several minutes, finally emerging with a bag full of sandwiches, snack foods, or whatever… I will, and believe everyone should, always move the car to a parking space to enter the store….

…recently, to add insult to injury, the screen on the pump says “Lock your car when unattended.”… seemingly condoning this practice!

I am interested to see the thoughts of others.

Bro, try doing that at the local WAWA driving a huge truck with a Chevy Metro parked at one of four diesel pumps. I get pissed off

 

[NittPicker]

Here's another gas pump complaint - people who drive through the pumps as if it's the trafficway. I've seen a few near misses when someone tries to go to the pump for gas but needs to jam the brakes when some bonehead is driving between the pumps to enter or exit the parking lot. Is it really that much of an inconvenience to drive AROUND the pump island??

 

[BobPSU92]

I doubt if most people do their weekly shopping at a Sheetz/convenience store. Crack the car windows, have a bowl of water for Fido, and get in and out in 20 minutes.

That reminds me that I often see people bring their dogs into Starbucks. Many dog owners ask for a small cup of whipped cream for the dog. The baristas always oblige, free of charge. Of course, most dog owners feed the dog whipped cream in the store.

By the way, Starbucks’ official policy is NO DOGS ALLOWED (Peanuts voice) unless it is a certified emergency dog. I never see the policy enforced.

 

[BobPSU92]

How did we get from a$$holes and their cars left at the pump to a$$holes and their dogs?

 

[Nitt1300]

people<dogs

 

[haveyoumethoward]

Common courtesy, along with other things, is a practice of the past.

 

[Woodpecker]

Common courtesy, along with other things, is a practice of the past.

Most ************* **********s wouldn't know common courtesy if it ****** them up the *******

 

[LionJim]

Common courtesy, along with other things, is a practice of the past.

Yes, it’s very rare nowadays for people to say “Be right back.”

 

[s1uggo72]

That reminds me that I often see people bring their dogs into Starbucks. Many dog owners ask for a small cup of whipped cream for the dog. The baristas always oblige, free of charge. Of course, most dog owners feed the dog whipped cream in the store.

By the way, Starbucks’ official policy is NO DOGS ALLOWED (Peanuts voice) unless it is a certified emergency dog. I never see the policy enforced.

and their rest rooms are for customer only

 

[WVilleLion23]

When we drove out West last summer, we stopped at the new Buc-ee's in Sevierville, TN. It was PACKED! Dropped off the fam and proceeded to the pumps. Ran into exactly what you described. Literally sat behind a vehicle for 20 minutes, only to see the driver come back to his vehicle carrying several bags of stuff.

Am sure convenience stores don't want to police their pumps, but obviously Joe and Jane Sixpack don't give a crap about others. And am also sure if you confronted the a-hole, YOU would be the bad guy.

Maybe this is a job for environmentalists: Monitor gas pumps to keep traffic flowing at them. I can't imagine most of us shut off our cars while waiting for a pump to open - more bad emissions being pumped into the environment by something that is totally preventable.

Yeah, at Buc-ee’s people definitely should park in a spot after pumping gas. I cannot get out of Buc-ee’s within 20 mins if I try because I want to look at everything and buy everything. That place is dangerous.

 

[Bkmtnittany1]

Sheetz sucks!

 

[SleepyLion]

It is very common, when pulling into our local Sheetz, to have trouble finding an available pump… I am fine with waiting my turn while others are actually pumping gas…or cleaning their windshield… but it infuriates me that so many people inconsiderately leave their car at the pump while they are inside for several minutes, finally emerging with a bag full of sandwiches, snack foods, or whatever… I will, and believe everyone should, always move the car to a parking space to enter the store….

…recently, to add insult to injury, the screen on the pump says “Lock your car when unattended.”… seemingly condoning this practice!

I am interested to see the thoughts of others.

It's a d!<k move.

Maybe I'd give a pass if all the parking spaces were filled, maybe.

 

[SleepyLion]

How did we get from a$$holes and their cars left at the pump to a$$holes and their dogs?

too many $1 scones and lattes.

 

[TheBigUglies]

Parking at the pump is fine IMO if there isn't anyone waiting and you are only grabbing a drink or snack or something. Who is in that much of a hurry that they can't sit in their car for a couple of minutes while someone gets out to get something? If you're gonna go in and get a bunch of things, you should re-park.

It is infuriating that people leave their cars at the pump while they go inside. Mostly when the place is full and there are no open pumps. Sheetz/Wawa at lunch time or during morning rush hour usually. The place I run into this most is the Wawa of the I-80 exit to get on the NE Extension of the PA Turnpike(I 476) up there in the Poconos. Out here in Happy Valley I don't normally run into it. The Sheetz on 322 in Duncannon it happens a lot as well and that place is usually full anyway. I have done it on occasion but usually late at night when they are not busy, otherwise I take the extra min to start my car and pull into a parking spot instead of leaving it at the pumps.

 

[Eric_M]

Civility and accountability are at an all time low in this country. It was always on a downslope but leadership and MSM in 2009 started a campaign of victimization propaganda that has caused a rabid sense of entitlement and anti social behavior the likes we have never seen.

Lazy asses claiming wheelchairs to pre board planes, don’t return a shopping cart, shoplift whatever we want, littering, etc. etc.

 

[JohnJumba]

Park at the pump, and run in to crap.

Same thing at the liquor store. Park in the fire lane, because you're too lazy to walk 25 yards.

 

[BriantheLion]

OTOH maybe they have to go back inside to pay, and the line is long. Maybe they are concerned if they move their car they may be considered a drive off for not paying, so they keep their car where it is. Maybe there are any parking spaces near the entrance so they stay where they are.

I get that OCCASIONALLY all the parking spaces are full, and that some people are still going inside to pay cash, but I believe most people these days are paying by card at the pump…

…. I’m complaining of the pervasive lack of consideration for other customers….

…my wife points out that I am retired and not usually in a hurry, and that not everyone was taught to be considerate… both are true…

… it STILL makes me mad!

 

[LaJollaCreek]

That damn rock and roll ruined those kids and they raised ruined kids....and it just keeps getting worse!!!!! Tom should just keep a running thread on this site now....old men crying.

 

[SleepyLion]

It is infuriating that people leave their cars at the pump while they go inside. Mostly when the place is full and there are no open pumps. Sheetz/Wawa at lunch time or during morning rush hour usually. The place I run into this most is the Wawa of the I-80 exit to get on the NE Extension of the PA Turnpike(I 476) up there in the Poconos. Out here in Happy Valley I don't normally run into it. The Sheetz on 322 in Duncannon it happens a lot as well and that place is usually full anyway. I have done it on occasion but usually late at night when they are not busy, otherwise I take the extra min to start my car and pull into a parking spot instead of leaving it at the pumps.

I would also not have a problem if the place is dead, but usually that laye at night I do not want to be walking through a dark parking lot if I can avoid it.

 

[LionJim]

I would also not have a problem if the place is dead, but usually that laye at night I do not want to be walking through a dark parking lot if I can avoid it.

Yeah, Rick’s wife might be lurking around, waiting to blow you away.

 

[1995PSUGrad]

OTOH maybe they have to go back inside to pay, and the line is long. Maybe they are concerned if they move their car they may be considered a drive off for not paying, so they keep their car where it is. Maybe there are any parking spaces near the entrance so they stay where they are.

I would add that if the pumps are as busy as you say, it's probably difficult to find a parking spot after driving away from the pump. While I don't like waiting in line behind someone who goes inside, I don't think there is anything wrong with it.

 

[1995PSUGrad]

Parking at the pump is fine IMO if there isn't anyone waiting and you are only grabbing a drink or snack or something. Who is in that much of a hurry that they can't sit in their car for a couple of minutes while someone gets out to get something? If you're gonna go in and get a bunch of things, you should re-park.

So you can go in and buy a few things but there's a limit to how much you can buy?

 

[saturdaysarebetter]

I dislike when people do that. I've found I usually have to use the restroom so I park close to the door and after the pit stop and buying a drink or whatever inside, I then move my car to the pumps, gas up my car and off I go.

 

[VicVaselino]

I would add that if the pumps are as busy as you say, it's probably difficult to find a parking spot after driving away from the pump. While I don't like waiting in line behind someone who goes inside, I don't think there is anything wrong with it.

I would add that if the pumps are as busy as you say, it's probably difficult to find a parking spot after driving away from the pump. While I don't like waiting in line behind someone who goes inside, I don't think there is anything wrong with it.

I have a big problem with it. When you're done pumping your gas, move your friggin car................and get the hell of my lawn!

 

[1995PSUGrad]

Most ************* **********s wouldn't know common courtesy if it ****** them up the *******

Most ************* **********s wouldn't know common courtesy if it ****** them up the *******

I think that my problem with "common courtesy" as you call it is that people have different ideas of what is courteous or what they expect from others. Often I think this varies by culture and generation.

 

[PSUJam]

Parking at the pump is fine IMO if there isn't anyone waiting and you are only grabbing a drink or snack or something. Who is in that much of a hurry that they can't sit in their car for a couple of minutes while someone gets out to get something? If you're gonna go in and get a bunch of things, you should re-park.

 

[PSUJam]

OTOH maybe they have to go back inside to pay, and the line is long. Maybe they are concerned if they move their car they may be considered a drive off for not paying, so they keep their car where it is. Maybe there are any parking spaces near the entrance so they stay where they are.

If you're not paying at the pump you and them are part of the problem.

 

[laKavosiey-st lion]

Yeah, Rick’s wife might be lurking around, waiting to blow you away.

F around and find out. Hop in the Mazda and see

 

[LionJim]

F around and find out. Hop in the Mazda and see

I’ll have to wait until I get a Mazda, I guess.

 

[Midnighter]

So you can go in and buy a few things but there's a limit to how much you can buy?

Yeah - if a couple of quick items that I know I want (coffee, snack, etc) sure. If more than that I’d re-park.

 

[Midnighter]

Problem with Americans is entitlement. Wait your turn like everyone else. Would help a ton with traffic, but individual stupidity reigns over the common good.