Originally Posted by
ajax
Same in Arizona, as I noticed during my last trip. Everywhere wanted you to pre-pay. Makes it very inconvenient if you want change - you have to wait in the queue twice.
I guess it minimises drive-offs, but it's not very convenient for the customer.
In some stations in Georgia, at least, you can get a 'cash customer' card. You give them some contact information, and they give you a card you can swipe that identifies you at the pump. If you do a drive-off then, they have your license information. Normally you just swipe, it activates the pump, and you go and pay inside afterwards.
That'll work for people who don't have privacy issues, and just don't have a credit card or prefer using cash for whatever reason.