Open Air Versus Coin Operated Air At The Gas Station: Why $ 0 Is The Future Of Business

If this totally frustrates you, here is my recent experience. It was Saturday morning, May 22, 2010, and she had some errands to run. As I got into my car, I noticed that my left front tire looked like it needed air. I pulled out my tire gauge and sure enough, it did. I didn’t want to drive a long distance in that condition, so after my first errand, I walked into a Shell station and they charged me a fee to use the air. Can you imagine paying for the air? I refuse to do so unless I am traveling on the highway and have no alternative.

I went and stopped at a Sunoco and they also charged me a fee. This particular station used to be another brand station in the last 2-3 years. I don’t remember the name, but the air was free at the time. I made my way to the Chevron across the street. There is also a fee to use your air. I got out and drove about 2 miles to get closer to another Shell station. I was in the left turn lane and could see the air pump and it looked like it was coin operated. I didn’t bother to stop.

As I continued to my next destination, I realized I was near a Wawa station and made a quick left turn before crossing the traffic light. I knew 2 other Wawa locations offered great outdoors and would have gone to one of them, but they were both off my route and I didn’t want to back down. I got into the Wawa, used the air pump and was on my way when I finished. I wasted a lot of time that morning trying to find fresh air.

In this economy, why would they keep charging us to use their air while gas prices rise? I am an internet marketer and I need to emphasize offering something for free because that’s what we do. Why do you think Wawa offers free air? In my opinion, they offer us something for free so we can get the sale later. In other words, we will not charge you to fill your 4 tires and spare, because we will offer you our gasoline at a reasonable price and you will enter our convenience store to buy food for breakfast, sandwiches, salads, snacks, coffee or a soft drink. drink a total of 3-4 times the amount that air will cost. They don’t need to charge us.

I’ve gone inside to pay cash for gas and there’s almost always a line of people buying early morning coffee and breakfast. Lunch is no different. This business decision is one that will really pay off for years to come. Way to go Wawa. Perhaps others will develop the good business sense to do the same.