Holy Gas Pumps, Batman!

I'm currently out on the most extensive route I will probably ever pull as a mystery shopper. Details to follow.

But I did want to comment (again...as it would turn out) about the state of Montana's apparent fetish with gas pumps.

It's the 3rd least-populous state in the country, yet they must totally lead when it comes to gas pumps per capita.

There are stations with dozens and dozens and more dozens of pumps at the same intersection with the same store brand but a different gas brand and their dozens and dozens of pumps.

That being said, I found myself wishing for some pump overkill today as I was doing a remote Exxon with only 8 pumps and a major road rally was coming through town. Took twice as long as a normal stop to grab the fuel island picture with multiple pumps not obscured.

Have synthesizers, will travel...

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I always like your on the road stories!

Is the land that much cheaper out there?

I am curious to know why they do this.

These locations were spirit breakingly tedious back when a photo of every single pump was required. It can still take a while to check every pump despite not needing a photo of each one. I am imagining that they make lots of money in their casinos and and use that to reinvest in the stations. Travel and tourism is hugely variable based on season in different areas of the mountain west. There could be times when a location has 40 pumps and only one or two are already used. And then there are times when almost all of them are in use.

Try doing a Buckees, if they are shopped, they have over 100 pumps at each one.

Buc-ees aren't shopped. I used to dread doing the 20+ pumps Shell stations and only did them after they were very well bonused. Now my mobility is so compromised that 4 or 6 pumps is all I can manage on a good day, so I mostly just let my son do the Shell stations. The only other stations near me that have more pumps than Shell stations are QT & Circle K, and they don't require pump pics.

Buc-ees will *never* be shopped. Beaver Aplin maintains tight control over his stores, and any shopping/auditing programs are handled in-house.

Not all Buc-ees locations are the "gargantuan" stores; if you go to my old stomping ground of Brazoria County, TX (where Buc-ees started), you'll find stations that have 6-8 pumps and a regular-sized convenience store.

edited to add: But omg, those "gargantuan" stores! I have to wear blinders to go from the car to the toity and back, otherwise I'm spending $100 and a couple of hours looking at all the STUFF! -lol-

If your path dictates you walk through hell, do it as though you own the place. -unknown

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/22/2025 01:35AM by drdoggie00.

My last time through Montana was back when Exxons were up to 24 pump pics. OY! I could not have done any this trip if that were still the case.

I lost a day of apartment shopping due to Juneteenth and had to shift my schedule around considerably, and the Cenex stores can only be shopped between 8AM and 5PM, adding further time restrictions with long stretches on the road between stops.

Have synthesizers, will travel...

Buc-ees (speaking of the ones on I-95) only in America can a gas station become a tourist destination lol.

Last month we stopped at Buc-ees in SC and had to wait for a pump...and there were about 99 of 'em. The Pulled Pork sammies are so good. It was so crowded and they have a system where the wait isn't even long. Don't think my hubby wants to go there again though.

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The more I learn about people...the more I like my dog..

Mark Twain

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