My grandparents just shut down there full service gas station today because the new (massive) sheetz put them out of buisness.
I cant seem to understand why people go to big chain like places where the service is crappy, Where at my paps place he would pump your gas, wash your winshield, check your tires and oil, and his price of fuel is the same as the sheetz.
The same goes with allmost everything poeple would rather drive out of there way to go to Wall Mart than to shop at the local store.

Just had to rant

 

Did he have practically a full grocery/"convenience" store, too? If not, there's your answer. People want to buy all the tooth-rot crap when they get gas (not me).

Jason

 

Yup full store he even sold some auto parts, belts, hoses, spark plugs ect.

 

That is the exact place I miss. Sorry for pappy's lose.

 

Did he sell cold beer too?

 

people are so brainwashed by big chains here it is beyond comprehension. you could take two equal stores and make one a local store and one a big national chain and everyone will flock to the national chain store.

i see it everyday, there is a local gas station here with gas supplied by midnight oil, right across the street there is a shell station, the shell is always full even though it sells gas for 8-10 cents more than the other place.

same with about anything, like restrauraunts, shopping, etc..., the thing i liked about the northeast is there still is lots of nice local places to eat, i liked san francisco for that also, i am sure other places have it but where i live all the local places have all been driven out of business or whatever by these national chains.

i do not blame national chains one bit, they are doing what they should be doing, but i blame the consumer.

and remember, these same people vote!! (well, maybe they do, probably don't even do that).

 

hows the location?

 

Did he accept credit cards? How many pumps did he have? Was the building in good shape and clean, or outdated looking? Could people be in and out in the same amount of time as the bigger place?

I personally would rather pump my own gas, I'd feed kinda bad to have an old man doing that for me when I'm only 23 and perfectly capable. I also bet it took a little longer there, and most people want in and out...

Tim

 

Its not the customers fault. Find out why they prefer the national chain and duplicate it.

Example, here Quicktrip is all over the place. I'll take it over a local station across the street even if it were slightly higher in cost.

Why?
1. Its always clean, inside and out.
2. The bathrooms aren't scary and can accomodate more than one person at a time.
3. Its well lit.
4. They always greet me as I come in.
5. They always thank me after I give them my money.
6. The pumps are new, fast and process my credit card instantly (must have a satellite link).
7. They offer free air and water. Few places still do these days.
8. It always has at least 2 people on staff (usually more) any time of the day. Much safer for me and my family.
9. They have Wachovia bank ATM, not a no-name ATM which charges outrageous fees.
10. They have a huge selection of soft drinks at a reasonable price.
11. They are roomy without the cramped isles you see in many mom and pop shops.
12. Their locations are usually better. Even if they aren't, the exits/entries are big and easy to use. The station lot size is huge too.

Lastly I don't need or want full service. I do those things myself. I'd rather pump my gas and get out of there than wait for someone. And I especially don't want anyone leaning over the paint to clean the windows after he's leaned over dozens of other vehicles.

I'm sorry to hear his shop closed... but there is validity in the saying "if you can't beat them join them" in a situation like this. I'm guessing if his shop was a much older building it was missing the majority of the things above.

 

That's kinda what I was getting at...But you said it alot better than me...

Tim

 

I agree and I am not one for jumping on that bandwagon...I rather support a local family run Mom & Pop store any day before support a Corporate Pig

 

I'm all for the mom and pop stores too...IF they can give me the same service at a competitive price.

Tim

 

For the most part an honest Mom & Pop shop can be competitive..Some are and some are not just like the big corporations can be out of the ball park on there pricing also...Shopper beware

 

That kind of sucks. But for me, i would avoid that kind of place because
1. Someone pumps teh gas, cleans the windshield, checks the oil, etc
2. thats a service i feel like i should tip for
3. im not tipping for that

So, id go where it did not make me feel uncomfortable, that being a gas station that is probably cheaper and i can do it myself.

The fact of the matter is, this is not 1954 in Mayberry. Times change, and you don't keep up, then that's what happens. Its sad. I can sort of understand the gas station thing....what i cannot understand is where the soda fountains went and why i cannot find a good chocolate malt everywhere. thats a serious issue for me. :P

 

mom and pop store dont have ther own store credit card like shell,mobil,ect. watch the folks nowadays most use cards instead of cash. why would the wana max out there visa card on gas when they can max out a shell card