Shell pump attendants

[Wildcat45]

I’m sure about 10 years ago, my local shell garage had pump attendants. Dressed in yellow and red Shell uniforms. Nobody I talks to remembers them. We’re they a short lived experiment? Have I just imagined it?

[bobtail4x4]

possibly 40 years ago

[WelshRich]

The Shell garage in Lichfield had them until Covid but I don’t think they’ve returned since…

[scorcher]

I served petrol 36 years ago in Texaco. Even then most were self service.

[FeelingLucky]

Wildcat45 said:

I’m sure about 10 years ago, my local shell garage had pump attendants. Dressed in yellow and red Shell uniforms. Nobody I talks to remembers them. We’re they a short lived experiment? Have I just imagined it?

No, you're completely right. I remember being reluctant to hand over control as I'd not encountered attendants since I was 17 or so. Apparently it was a "customer service" push. didn't last long.

[RTPT]

They still have them in some foreign countries.

[Caddyshack]

FeelingLucky said:

Wildcat45 said:

I’m sure about 10 years ago, my local shell garage had pump attendants. Dressed in yellow and red Shell uniforms. Nobody I talks to remembers them. We’re they a short lived experiment? Have I just imagined it?

No, you're completely right. I remember being reluctant to hand over control as I'd not encountered attendants since I was 17 or so. Apparently it was a "customer service" push. didn't last long.

Yeah, I remember it…was a bit weird

They still have attendants in Some Barbados garages. I think they live off the tips.

[Wildcat45]

FeelingLucky said:

No, you're completely right. I remember being reluctant to hand over control as I'd not encountered attendants since I was 17 or so. Apparently it was a "customer service" push. didn't last long.

Glad it’s non my memory playing tricks on me.

[aturnick54]

Wildcat45 said:

I’m sure about 10 years ago, my local shell garage had pump attendants. Dressed in yellow and red Shell uniforms. Nobody I talks to remembers them. We’re they a short lived experiment? Have I just imagined it?

Common sight in Turkey. I've never had to pump my own fuel there, always attendant that does it. Then they give a receipt and you pay inside while they clean your windscreen for you which is great.

[HasToBeV8]

Yea I remember this about 10 years ago, at the Shell near St Albans / Chiswell Green anyway. Like the other poster said, only seemed to last a few months. I also didn't feel comfortable letting them do it (car at the time needed v power, or was it still called optimax back then, and I didn't want them putting the wrong one in)

[James P]

aturnick54 said:

Wildcat45 said:

I’m sure about 10 years ago, my local shell garage had pump attendants. Dressed in yellow and red Shell uniforms. Nobody I talks to remembers them. We’re they a short lived experiment? Have I just imagined it?

Common sight in Turkey. I've never had to pump my own fuel there, always attendant that does it. Then they give a receipt and you pay inside while they clean your windscreen for you which is great.

Also common in Italy. Although they want 50c/litre for the service so I always use my local unattended fuel station.

[BananaFama]

Yes ,in Italy you drive into the forecourt thinking you are going to pay E1.50 a litre ,the attendant pops up ,presses a button on the pump and you have now paid E1.50 and a fair bit more .cheeky !

[Smint]

I worked on the pumps (probably a bit illegally) around 1966 when i was 11, also did some weekends on the pumps when 18 for extra dosh for car costs.
Don't think i've had attended pump service in Britain since the early 70's.

[The Moose]

I remember that. It wasn’t every shell station - I think there was one near Heathrow.

[andygo]

There was a guy at Shell Stacey Bushes, Milton Keynes up until about 18 months ago. He used to potter about keeping the forecourt tidy and often ask if you wanted to pump your petrol for you.

Disapeared now, I dont think the station can afford it, given the price of fuel and the tight margins they have.

Oh, I might have got that wrong, they are profiteering gits at that station...

[Mr Squarekins]

Yes, our local Shell had them for a while, maybe 5 or so years ago. They approached you and asked if you wanted them to operate the pump for you. I can't imagine why anyone would say yes. Didn't seem to last for long.

[vaud]

Mr Squarekins said:

I can't imagine why anyone would say yes.

Some people like to be "served". Some have arthritis, etc. Some prefer to sit in a warm car as they don't feel great that day, etc...

[rcspeirs]

The Shell at Erskine (near Glasgow airport) had a friendly chap (in Shell uniform) on duty most day times. Not a flash in the pan, he was there for years until Covid hit. I haven't seen him recently, but changed circumstances mean I don't often use that garage now.

[soad]

News to me. Local one certainly didn’t have them, and been using it since 1996, on and off.

[StescoG66]

My local shell in Kirkintilloch was same. Nice guy, but seemed to go about Covid time and hasn’t returned