Pump-and-Run
You wouldn't think the rising price of gas at the pumps would encourage some elements of society to criminal acts of 'pump-and-dash'. Evidently this is just what is happening with increasing, although still relatively-rare frequency. Serious enough in and of itself, made all the more so when gas station attendants have been physically harmed in the process.
The amount of money concerned isn't that great, likely between $50 and $80. But for people who haven't the ready cash perhaps it's enough to convince them that it's worth the risk to pump gas into their guzzlers and speed the scene. Perhaps because the honour system is there, has been in effect ever since self-pumping has been in effect, makes those gambling they can get away with it, think less of it.
The reasoning usually goes that it's not a big deal, they're only ripping off big corporations. Who don't give a damn after all, about the consumers. Aren't they the ones who change the pump prices at a whim; one price in the morning, another in the afternoon? Pricing that doesn't really reflect the cost of a barrel of oil, since when that rises there's still cheaper oil in storage facilities.
Perhaps the reasoning goes that if the big oil producers can rip off the public with impunity, some members of the public can get back at them, taking what they've already paid for in over-pricing. Except that it's unlawful, it constitutes property theft, and it endangers the lives of other people. And, of course, it steers those who are impacted by profit loss to consider pre-charging.
It's already done routinely throughout the United States, which faced this phenomenon of pump-and-flee before it became a problem in Canada. People found it offensive at first, the implication being that they weren't trustworthy. No way to treat customers, to insult them and grab their money before allowing them the product.
But, in fact, that's how commerce usually works. You pay first for what you're shopping for, then you're allowed to take possession of it. Of course in the case of gas pumping you don't know in advance what a fill-up will total. So you hazard a guess, and come in low, pay the freight and off you go.
The amount of money concerned isn't that great, likely between $50 and $80. But for people who haven't the ready cash perhaps it's enough to convince them that it's worth the risk to pump gas into their guzzlers and speed the scene. Perhaps because the honour system is there, has been in effect ever since self-pumping has been in effect, makes those gambling they can get away with it, think less of it.
The reasoning usually goes that it's not a big deal, they're only ripping off big corporations. Who don't give a damn after all, about the consumers. Aren't they the ones who change the pump prices at a whim; one price in the morning, another in the afternoon? Pricing that doesn't really reflect the cost of a barrel of oil, since when that rises there's still cheaper oil in storage facilities.
Perhaps the reasoning goes that if the big oil producers can rip off the public with impunity, some members of the public can get back at them, taking what they've already paid for in over-pricing. Except that it's unlawful, it constitutes property theft, and it endangers the lives of other people. And, of course, it steers those who are impacted by profit loss to consider pre-charging.
It's already done routinely throughout the United States, which faced this phenomenon of pump-and-flee before it became a problem in Canada. People found it offensive at first, the implication being that they weren't trustworthy. No way to treat customers, to insult them and grab their money before allowing them the product.
But, in fact, that's how commerce usually works. You pay first for what you're shopping for, then you're allowed to take possession of it. Of course in the case of gas pumping you don't know in advance what a fill-up will total. So you hazard a guess, and come in low, pay the freight and off you go.
Labels: Social-Cultural Deviations
posted by Pieface @ 1:54 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home