do they still exist? locations please. i remember some essos it charges 25c, then at petro it's 50c, now last night i saw at a shell it's $1. all used to be free.
gas stations with free air pump
- Thread starter SkyRider
- Start date
My local Shell station still has free air.
bombshelter13
Well-known member
If you look at most of the machines, a lot of em have an indicator that free air is provided for some purposes (usually beside a series of pictures including a bicycle, rubber ducky and beach ball). You have to go inside and ask them to turn it on if you want to take advantage of this.
If the pump isn't clearly visible from inside the station, you'd probably have no issues bringing along a beach ball in your tank bag, holding it up in front of the attendant and asking them to turn the pump on. If it's visible, I suppose they could turn it off when they see what you're actually up to, but I'd be willing to bet there's still a good chance you'd get away with it.
If the pump isn't clearly visible from inside the station, you'd probably have no issues bringing along a beach ball in your tank bag, holding it up in front of the attendant and asking them to turn the pump on. If it's visible, I suppose they could turn it off when they see what you're actually up to, but I'd be willing to bet there's still a good chance you'd get away with it.
It started gradually, but within the last ~3-4 yrs free air has all but disappeared. I have my own air, but there are still times where you might be out riding (or maybe bicycling) & notice that you're low. Those times now suck big time. To me, a quarter seems fair, but a dollar just kind of reminds me that I'm dealing with a gas station!
These fees wouldn't even be necessary (or at least significantly lesser) if people weren't so hard on the equipment requiring them to pay for frequent maintenance & repairs on them.
jolomatic
Well-known member
Hahaha!
mma01
Well-known member
Blame the teachers (well, the ontario teachers pension plan, anyways). My work colleague used to work for OTPP and told me that one of the things they did when they started taking a more activist investor role with Petro Can was to look at low hanging fruit to boost revenues. They started off by charging 25c for air and realized that consumers were price inelastic to increases - there has been no change to demand despite the bump up to $1.
I do it the other way around. I'll ask for air when I need gas, if I don't get it I move on to the next station. Sometimes they hassle you "don't you have a loonie?" and I'll just tell them I'm not willing to pay for it.
It truly is ridiculous that not one of the gas stations think they might be able to squeeze free air into their operating budgets for the sake of customer service, increased sales, loyalty, and uhhh... safety!!!
Yeah, non-free air pi**es me off too. At least sometimes it goes to charity but I usually don't bother bringing change with me when I'm out on my bike and then I'm kinda SOL if I notice I'm low. I should probably get a small compressor/pump and patch kit sometime and find somewhere to hide it on the bike.
Malks
Well-known member
When it hit $1.00 I went and bought a one-gallon compressor at Canadian Tire. I have two cars, a motorcycle and a couple of bikes so I figured the cost per pump would even out in no time. It works better on my ST as well because the compressor came with a better fitting that actually puts in more air than it lets out.
mccarthy
Active member
Ya like some others were saying all you have to do is ask them to turn it on. I have never once had them say no. Esso, petro can, shell... dunno about husky but i can only assume its the same
2500Express
Well-known member
There's one at the shell at erin mills and the QEW, just south of the sheridan mall that gives free air still.
SweetOnion
Well-known member
I recall in the last year or two this was talked about on the forum... and I recall that it is required, BY LAW, for a gas station to provide air, free of charge. Sometimes you have to look damn hard for it, but everywhere there is fine print on a sign that says to ask the cashier for complimentary air.
I was told by a Shell gas station attendent that Shell has policy to provide air, free of charge. You just have to walk in and ask the attendent to turn the pump on for you, its free whether you buy gas from there or not. This policy is in effect at all Shell stations (at least in theory) lol.
