I’m from a US state where we don’t pump our own gas. Since I don’t pump my own gas regularly - only when I’m out of state - I’m not exactly sure when this happened, but all gas pumps seem to play ads now while the pump runs. At least the states adjacent to mine. Like can I not even pump gas in peace? Stop trying to manipulate my purchasing decisions 24/7.

Edit: ok I get it, there’s a mute button. I appreciate the tip, but people are already reporting that it only sometimes works. Knowing there’s a mute button that sometimes functions doesn’t make me less infuriated

    • sunzu2
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      427 days ago

      Look at this pedon thinking that he is entitled to dignity

      Cute

    • @[email protected]
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      36 days ago

      Use ads negatively, it makes ads fun.

      See an ad? Pledge to never buy that product. My black book is full of spite.

    • @[email protected]
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      26 days ago

      Unfortunately gas stations don’t actually make much money from selling you fuel. Most of the money is made from the attached convenience stores.

  • @[email protected]
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    857 days ago

    You sound tired. You should try Lipton ‘pick me up’ teabags. A refreshing way to soothe the soul. Available now at most retailers. /s

      • ...m...
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        36 days ago

        …where all the women are strong, all the men are good-looking, and all the children are above-average…

        • @[email protected]
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          16 days ago

          You sound like one of them Lake Wobegone types. We don’t cotton to that around here, too uplifting.

  • @[email protected]
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    176 days ago

    There’s one near my house, and it has no mute button whatsoever. No buttons at all, in fact. You tap your card to the reader, then lift the pump of whichever variety you need, and that moment the ads start. With sound on full blast as well.

    I’ve left a negative google review and make sure to update it monthly so that it stays on top, and drive to another station quite a bit further off just to avoid this crapshoot.

      • Possibly linux
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        17 days ago

        Please don’t do this

        It won’t end well for you. A better option is a boycott

          • Possibly linux
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            5 days ago

            I think the credit card frees are now a percentage

            I like the way you think though

        • @[email protected]
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          15 days ago

          I default to having a meltdown, smashing the screen, yelling “where is the goddamn mute button”.

          Is this unhinged, yes. But if we all did it, they would eventually get the message.

          Really though, I mostly get gas at Costco cuz it’s cheaper and they don’t do that shit.

        • 🍄🌵Psychonaut1969🌵🍄
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          16 days ago

          If you can’t boycott, maybe some noise canceling headphones to wear while you pump, and Instead of looking at the screen, wash your windows, and dump all your car trash into their bins.

  • @[email protected]
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    597 days ago

    So, most pump POS used to have a labeled or unlabeled mute button. That has become rare.

    So far, I’ve been able to kick all of them into a diagnostic/trouble menu by pressing pairs of keys on each side of the monitor in sequence from the top.

    Some of them have a timeout on this screen, but the counter resets when you hit a key.

    Passwords can be entered from the keypad, with ok/enter also working. I bet the passwords are the manufacturer default, probably a 5-7 digit number. I was able to find partial training manuals and setup docs from one of the POS vendors but I didn’t find a default password or deeper technical docs for the one brand I looked into.

    Fucking ads in my face fucking piss me off.

    • @[email protected]
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      23 days ago

      I just have a rubber handle icepick in my glove box that works wonders on gas station speakers.

      Can’t play an ad if there isn’t a speaker.

      • @[email protected]
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        13 days ago

        Very true, and more efficient.

        For now, I can mute all that I’ve found, it also looks like the pump has crashed, which is fun.

        It quits working, I may adopt your method.

    • @[email protected]
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      157 days ago

      12345 works as a default a surprisingly large amount.

      2580 is another one I’ve used with success.

      • @[email protected]
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        57 days ago

        Had an Android tablet that sat in a lost and found for like three years with no claims. Finally decided to mess around with it. After charging it up there was a password screen. Tried 1234. No dice. 2580 and it opened right up.

      • @[email protected]
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        15 days ago

        12345 works as a default a surprisingly large amount.

        That’s amazing! I have the same combination on my luggage!

  • @[email protected]
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    216 days ago

    Grab a screwdriver and stab the shit out of the speaker, that shuts them up fairly reliably.

    But in all seriousness I refuse to go to a gas station with ads on the pumps because fuck that shit. Old gas stations are the way to go (for now).

  • @[email protected]
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    286 days ago

    Lol, imagine thinking you’re allowed a momentary reprieve from advertising in this hellscape of a world we’ve built.

  • @[email protected]
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    7 days ago

    I’m from a US state where we don’t pump our own gas.

    You can just say New Jersey. After Oregon lifted its ban in 2023, it’s the only one left!

    • @[email protected]
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      97 days ago

      Yes, just say “I’m from the best US state” next time instead, OP, people will know what you mean.

    • @[email protected]
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      37 days ago

      Do petrol station attendants who have to pump fuel get paid better than those who don’t? I’m assuming that they need some kind of license?

      • @[email protected]
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        57 days ago

        That’s funny. Maybe they just didn’t notice? When I was there and started to pump my own gas (being from out-of-state), they stopped me and took over, but it wasn’t like the pumps were locked or anything. I did see that stations turned off the pumps after-hours, when they didn’t have anyone to pump fuel…

  • MikeyU
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    267 days ago

    I could almost stomach the ads if they weren’t blasted at max volume; it’s like being assaulted at the pump. I feel sorry for anyone who lives in proximity of those stations and have to hear this crap at all hours.

    • @[email protected]
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      86 days ago

      Most have a mute option it’s hidden but every one I have seen has a mute button… You might have to press some random button… Pro tip have a sharpie so you can label said mute button

      • @[email protected]
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        66 days ago

        They used to, not so much anymore. Most of them I’ve been to (I travel A LOT for work) no longer mute at all no matter which button you press.

        • @[email protected]
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          15 days ago

          I wonder if that could be considered an ADA violation since some autistic folks may be overwhelmed by the super sudden and loud noise?

        • @[email protected]
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          16 days ago

          The new ones I’ve seen still do… Maybe it’s the area but even the newer touch screen ones allow you to turn the volume all the way down

    • nocturne
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      397 days ago

      A lot of them have been updated so that no longer works.

      • @[email protected]OP
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        107 days ago

        I bet a piece of duct tape over the speaker would work. Also, whatever money they are paying the gas stations, they would probably still get that money even if you manually muted the speaker. Really feels like a win win 😀

        • @[email protected]
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          107 days ago

          Hmm, maybe someone could make some stickers with anti-advertising/anti-capitalist slogans on them for the next person to see specifically for this purpose

    • @[email protected]
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      177 days ago

      Yep. Most of the time someone has marked it somehow because it’s immensely annoying. That being said, there are a few stations that aren’t able to be muted, so I intentionally make a point to note whatever is being advertised and never buy it.

    • @[email protected]
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      37 days ago

      The gas station I prefer has a mute button labeled on the pumps. Their ads are also less annoying because it’s mostly just promos for stuff in store.

  • @[email protected]
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    327 days ago

    Or… hear me out here … we could weaponize them. Most of them are operated by a company called GSTV who sell the ad slots. They could be purchased by activist groups to un-brainwash people who can’t mute them. They could read banned books out loud. Teach science. Explain what’s wrong with the electoral college.

    GSTV also offers very precise targeting at specific zip codes or stations. So you could play an ad at your local station about whatever stupid thing your HOA is trying to do.

    • @[email protected]
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      157 days ago

      “We are sorry. We cannot show your video as it against the terms and conditions. Please note we will keep your money though”