Burchie wrote:
In Oregon it's against the law to pump your own gas? What is the thinking behind that, and do you have to pay "full service" prices?
-mark
Well, the law has been around since like the 30's. It was originally put in place to prevent fires - I think the actual codes were instituted by the Fire Marshalls. (Portland has a rich and vivid Fire Department history - so they were pretty advanced with fire codes)...
But when pumps were finally made "safe" for the common man, they just kept the law on the books.
Some people don't like it, some people do. I personally don't really care. It is nice in bad weather, but bad when you are in a hurry....
As far as prices - opponents claim it raises prices. I have not found that to be true. And here is why:
Prices in Portland tend to be a few cents higher than across the border in Vancouver, Washington. Opponents claim this is because the pump law.
I don't think so because not only are taxes different, but if you shop around it is possible to get prices in Portland lower than in Vancouver. In fact, prices around Portland tend to vary drastically based on neighborhood. I once found prices as varied as 30 cents a gallon - at the same company (Chevron).
Additionally, when you leave Portland gas prices drop as well - for instance in Sandy, Oregon just east of the city prices are usually 10 to 20 cents cheaper, and they have to pump the gas there too...
And then the prices in Seattle are higher than Oregon's.
So I think price is just an easy target...
Of course, you don't actually get "full service". They just pump for you. Thats it.
Motorcycles are exempt from the law, as of 2001. And they usually let me pump in my boat.
To use the "cardlock" pump I had to be "trained" (read a pamphlet) - and only am allowed to pump Diesel. Gasoline is too flammable (according to the law).