Tipping Full-Service Gas Station Attendants

[jamesglewisf]

Believe it or not, these puppies still exist. I just got this question emailed to me:Are you supposed to tip full service gas attendants?? And how much??

[jamesglewisf]

Here was my response:This varies. If you get service (clean windshield, check fluid levels, etc.), the tip varies from $1-5 depending upon how much they do. $1-2 for a good job on the windshield, and $3-5 for windshield and fluid check. If you have to ask the person to do these things or they do a poor job, then I wouldn't tip anything for windshield only or $1-2 for the full whammy.

There is one big exception. If the price of gas at the self-service pumps is $1.70 and the price for full-service is $2.50, then they are already charging you for the service.

[jamesglewisf]

Do they still have full-service stations where you live? You can't really find them anymore in Dallas.

[theyeti]

I was at one in Manitoba a couple years ago, but I don't know of any where I live. We tipped but I don't remember how much...

[Alec]

I can't remember the last time I saw a full-service gas station.

[Grimey]

I don't remember seeing any of these lately either. It almost seems lazy to have someone else pump your gas. Most gas stations now are covered and pay at the pump, so you don't have to get wet. I guess if it was 10 below, I might feel differently.

[Pamella]

We don't have them here, but they do in New Zealand.
Seeing as I run a service station, I was fascinated! We'd pull up and someone would come running out from inside. If all the attendants were busy and you had to start yourself, they did come over as soon as they could and offer to finish up for you.

We never tipped though - it's not expected.

I have a friend in Toronto who has mentioned a full service station over there - she drives out of her way in winter so she can stay in a warm car.

[CuriousG]

New Jersey is full of them. Half the people I know from New Jersey who move down here to Florida have no idea how to pump their own gas!

[rawa13]

FYI, in New Jersey full-service gas stations are a law, not an option.

[jamesglewisf]

I didn't know that. Thanks for the info.

[Justawoman]

We haven't had a full service station in years. I miss them.

[CuriousG]

There's still one hanging on back in my hometime up north.

[dizzy]

So in states like NJ and OR, where gas stations are only full service by law, is tipping the attendants proper? I've asked different attendants while travelling in OR and received different replies.

[tface]

I have family in Oregon, and by state law, all gas stations are full service, which I'm not used to. They filled my tank, checked the air in my tires, cleaned my windshield, and checked my oil. I threw them a fiver. I thought that was appropriate. I hope I was right.

[jamesglewisf]

So in states like NJ and OR, where gas stations are only full service by law, is tipping the attendants proper? I've asked different attendants while travelling in OR and received different replies.
My research says it is appropriate to tip. $1-2 for pumping gas. $2-5 if they do the extra stuff.

[dreuby]

FYI, in New Jersey full-service gas stations are a law, not an option.

Is that for safety? We don't have any in the UK now.