Re: Dry Dipstick and memory lane - long rant


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Posted by Tug Boat Lonnie on Thursday, November 14, 2002 at 2:05PM :

In Reply to: Re: Dry Dipstick! posted by Todd Wilson on Thursday, November 14, 2002 at 0:04AM :

Wow, sounds like the 5 qt jug was short about two quarts. Strange doings. Its a shame to get shorted when you buy something that saves on packaging, better price, and is better on the enviroment. Guess it's back to buying case lots of 1 qt plastic bottles.

Let me get in my rocker before I start this rant.

As I rub my grizzled chin, I remember back in the old days (fade to music) The service station I worked at had reusable 35 gallon drums of the most popular weights with a hand pump in the service bay. When we did open a 1 qt can, we would save the can and put it in a funnel to drain the last drop out. The oil would then be used for other purposes (like my car). The empty cans were not reusable except for oddball stuff such as on the end of the restroom keychain.

I can remember asking "detergent or non-detergent?" of customers. We also sold "white gas".

When the car was on the lift, we often took the customer under the car to show them potential problems.

The approved method of cleaning out brake dust from drums was to use the high pressure hose and hold your breath. Not a good thing.

The 1 qt oil cans were opened using a church-key, penetrating spout or screwdriver punched through if needed.

The painted shop floor was washed and mopped nightly by me. The tools were sorted and cleaned daily by everyone.

The approved method of cleaning wheel bearings was to soak them in a solvent tank and then dry them by spinning them up with the high pressure hose to a simulated 1000 mph. They made a great whizzing noise like a party favor.

If memory severs me well, we also had a super cheap parafin based oil that was made from recycled oil. This was only bought by people with the "beater" cars. Havent seen the stuff in years. I can't remember the oil prices, but gas was about 28 cents.

We carried a wide selection of hoses, belts, and tires, hung high around the service bay.

A trip to the service station included washing the front and rear windows, checking the oil and battery. We would check the tires if asked. The pay was $1.75 per hour. Flat repair was $2 off the car, one dollar more for mounting.

There was a unfolded street map on the window. If asked for a street, we would walk the customer to the map and point out the best route to get there.

Went through the promotion wars, "Free 18 oz glass tumbler with any purchase of 8 gallons or more." 10 times blue chip stamps, etc.


Most people around the neighborhood drove till the tires were pretty bald. It was rare to sell a set of four tires.

Everyone would come out when a new car came in the station to "check it out"

You could tell a car's make, model, and sometimes the year viewing it from down the street.

Times have changed, some for the better, some for the worse.


Best Wishes
Lonnie





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