Gas Pumps Reach Their Limit

Thirty years ago when many old-fashioned pumps were being made, paying four dollars for a gallon of gasoline was unimaginable. Those pumps were not designed with dials over $3.99. A price were quickly approaching. Lamar Spillers, a gas station owner, said, "Ive been in the gas business since 1964 and its the worst its ever been as far as the gasoline cost. Now you got a good volume because everybody burns gas but still its a lot more investment." Digital gas pumps can cost anywhere from 10 to 15 thousand dollars. And even more when you add in the credit card slots. Spillers says for mom and pop business owners, thats just not feasible. "They think were making it, were really not getting rich, were just trying to survive," Spillers said. Tina Emfinger manages the Pardue Four Forks gas station in Mangham and says her owner isnt paying for a new pump right now. She said, "He just wants to stay with the old pumps since they cost so much now." "Theres going to be a lot of us either walking or riding bicycles or a lot said horse and buggy," Emfinger continued. Spillers said he agrees. He said, "There will be a lot of stations that shut down because they cant get the equipment in." Hes not one of those owners though. Spillers says he ordered new computers for his pumps weeks ago and theyre all on back-order. Currently his diesel dials are stuck, but famers still have to purchase the fuel. Fred Lamar, a Choudrant farmer said, "This is the second time I bought diesel today and it was cheaper this morning than it is now...we cant keep paying the price were paying, the high price for fuel." -Candace Miers, NBC 10 News