That's because it was eff'n Alaska and Alaska is eff'n awesome. 

It still works this way here in many places in Wisconsin.

This is a concept that eludes me. There are almost no stations near me that requires to prepay. I always fill, then pay. So that being said, our card readers always work, because they don't get used. What's weird is the stations that are literally just gas pumps. No buildings or anything. Just 2-4 pumps and a credit…

Woah woah woah is that not how it works in the states? Like every pump in canada is like that. Those are your options, pay at pump or pump first then pay what you took.

“how it used to be”

Are all gas pumps in the U.S. pay first? The ones that are pay first I have come across here in Ontario, Canada, are the pumps on either end of the row.

Welcome to the rest of America. 

A lot of gas stations in rural america still allow fill then pay. My dad exclusively goes to Holiday stations in northern Minnesota because they are the only one left that allow it. The fury that courses through him when he has to go to a different station that you have to scan card first, or worse, prepay inside, is…

I can’t remember the last time I used a pre pay pump. Mostly in sketchy neighbourhoods and America.

But that’s when you’re walking down the boulevard looking good though, right?

“Perhaps there’s something to expecting the best of people instead of the worst.”

Come to think of it, me either, but I’m not going inside to pay, if another pump at that station doesn’t work for cards, I’ll go without. I never let my tank get too low to be able to afford to drive to the next station

Not always. Shell does it as you describe. Another chain in my area, a decent place, makes you come back in to get a refund for the difference. Guess how often I go there.

extreme caveat: depends on the place you pump your gas. many places will just straight up never refund you the unused difference. QuikTrip is a prime example of that.

Sometimes networks go down.

Me too. Damned lonely truckers.

yea they arent supposed to guess how much you have to put in. Say 100 more than you think youll need and then come back and get your change.

never have i ever seen a pump with the card reader not working, but the pump still working. it’s either all or nothing.

But I need to fill my car to full.  Can you tell me how much fuel that will take and how much money that will cost?  Can I get my change back if I give you $40 and I only need $39?