General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Why Self-Checkout Is and Has Always Been the Worst [View all]MineralMan
(146,308 posts)Back in the 60s. If you needed tires, an oil change, or other minor services, like a car wash ($2.50), I did that, too, all for $2.50/hr. During the day, there were three of us working in that station, so it cost the owner $7.50/hr. to staff the service station.
We had a Coke machine and a rack with chips and stuff on it, but that was the extent of our other offerings. Mostly that stuff got purchased by the employees, mostly. Now, stations have a mini-mart, and the three employees work in there, making about $12.50/hr. But more money is made on what's for sale in the store than at the pumps. Out there, customers are on their own. Gas costs more, the car wash costs a LOT more, the food is lousy in the mini-mart, and you have to go elsewhere to get your car serviced, but that's how we do it in 2019.