Full Serve!
July 23rd, 2008 by Joe Bardi in Urban ExplorationsAfter getting denied service at the Mobil station on the corner of Fourth Street N. and Ninth Avenue in St. Pete this morning (the pump told me to “See Attendant” and I don’t do that), I drove up the road a few blocks to the Bob Lee Mobil at 1631 Fourth Street N. Though Bob Lee Tires has been in this location since the 1940s, I think the gas station has been recently renovated. In truth, I have a hard time keeping up with all the Fourth Street development these days.
Upon pulling in, I noticed that the rows of pumps were really close together. So close, that only one vehicle would fit between them at any one time. Odd layout, I thought. Despite their close proximity to one another, the pumps were shinny and new, and the gas was cheap by local standards ($3.89 a gallon), so I decided to fill up. I had popped out of my car and was digging in my pocket for my wallet when the heavy-set man in the blue workman shirt that cried out “I work on cars!” spoke up:
“May I help you, sir?”
“Um, no thanks. I’m just getting some gas.”
“All our pumps are full serve, sir.”
I was flabbergasted. Had I awoken in the 1950s or in New Jersey? And which one would be worse? (I lean modern-day Jersey, myself.) To be honest, I wasn’t even sure what to do. Do I just stand here? Do I get back into the car?
“You can get back in your car, sir.”
So I did. As I waited, the oddest thing happened: The two attendants cleaned my windows! A small tear may have escaped the corner of my eye, descending down my reddened cheek in recognition of a simpler time, when my grandparents were kings of the world and America was a benevolent superpower drowning in cheap crude.
Tank full, the attendant screwed the gas cap back on, handed me a receipt and sent me on my way with a friendly, “Have a nice day, sir.”
Some quick searching online turned up a story that indicates that Bob Lee has been doing free full serve for some time. I guess they consider it a loss leader, and hope that you check out the new deli while the attendant gases up your whip.
As soon as I drove off, I wondered if I should have tipped the guy. In the end, I decided no. Two reasons: #1. I am an incredibly cheap bastard capable of all kinds of mental gymnastics to justify not spending money, and #2. I was willing to pump the gas myself, and was already out of the car when I leaned of the full serve, so why pay extra? (See: #1.)
I have no idea how long Bob Lee can keep up the double-whammy of full serve and the cheapest gas around, but as long as they do I will keep gassing up from the comfort of the driver’s seat.
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July 23rd, 2008 at 12:21 pm
I have images of the fine feature film “Private Eyes” flashing through my mind as I read your story.
“Your ssstanding in horsssshhht.”
I think you are lucky to experience such fine service.
July 23rd, 2008 at 12:25 pm
Look out for those Wookalars! You can spot them because of their pig snouts.
I have to see that movie again as an adult. Or maybe I shouldn’t. It looms so large in my imagination.
July 23rd, 2008 at 3:07 pm
The pumps at the 4th Street Mobile station are always telling me to “See an attendant.”
According to the woman who works there, “It’s on the rainy days that the machine don’t work.”
As for the full service up the road. I LOVE full service. Even when the gas is more expensive. The guys in Sarasota (at Reese’s Chevron) have been filling up my car for a year now … pumping air in my tires too. Reese’s is the only full service station in town, and like Bob Lee’s they’ve been doing it for years.
I think it’s just the way these guys are wired. Until the day they close up shop and Exxon buys the lot it’ll be full service, window cleaning and all.
Also in Oregon it is illegal to pump your own.
July 23rd, 2008 at 4:12 pm
I think New Jersey and Oregon are the two states that by law do not let you pump your own fuel. I was in NJ years ago, had to top off a rental car (about $4), and felt silly having the attendant pump such a small amount (during a snow storm, no less). I tried to tip him and he would not accept it!