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

  • viking@infosec.pub
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    7 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.

  • marzhall@lemmy.world
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    7 days ago

    Do me a favor, when you’ve got a minute, go by a Wawa and grab an Italian hoagie and enjoy it for me? I miss them every day, man. Gas pump ads, shitty gas station hoagies, it’s rough movin across the Sheetz/Wawa line

  • Bytemeister@lemmy.world
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    7 days ago

    I’d say this is a point for electric cars, but it’s only a matter of time until those start playing ads… And you’re gonna be there for 10-30 minutes…

    • GoodLuckToFriends@lemmy.today
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      6 days ago

      They’re already putting in ads on the dash screen in Jeeps… I’d imagine electric cars (well, teslas, anyway) are going to start getting grumpy that radio stations and spotify get so much ‘free’ ear time, and start putting in their own ads in the speakers that will play when they feel like it.

  • BMW_stick@lemmy.world
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    8 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

        • xtr0n@sh.itjust.works
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          7 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🌵🍄 @lemmy.world
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          7 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.

  • Machinist@lemmy.world
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    8 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.

    • Doc_Crankenstein@slrpnk.net
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      4 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.

      • Machinist@lemmy.world
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        4 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.

    • ouRKaoS@lemmy.today
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      8 days ago

      12345 works as a default a surprisingly large amount.

      2580 is another one I’ve used with success.

      • Saber_is_dead@lemmy.world
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        7 days ago

        12345 works as a default a surprisingly large amount.

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

      • FrChazzz@lemmus.org
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        8 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.

  • Empricorn@feddit.nl
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    8 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!

    • Dozzi92@lemmy.world
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      8 days ago

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

    • Darleys_Brew@lemmy.ml
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      8 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?

      • Empricorn@feddit.nl
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        8 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…

  • captainastronaut@seattlelunarsociety.org
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    8 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.

    • TBi@lemmy.world
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      8 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”

    • this@sh.itjust.works
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      8 days ago

      Have them play cgp Grey and kurgzkazat videos and the world will become a better place.