Mildly Infuriating

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.

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!

The US never stop to amaze me

You sound tired. You should try Lipton 'pick me up' teabags. A refreshing way to soothe the soul. Available now at most retailers. /s

Ads are like a gas (the physics kind). They expand to take up all available space.

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.

May I introduce you to the wonderful japanese ads on the toilet?

I never go to those gas stations

The button second from the top on the right hand side of the screen is the mute button(usually).

One of the side buttons mutes it. It varies though as far as I know.

Good god... Worst I've seen so far here in Canada (granted I'm on an island stuck 20 years behind everyone else) was the pump screen flashing to show a loyalty program like AirMiles or PC Optimum or something and none of them have audio.

If I can't mute them (usually one of the unlabeled buttons on the right), I'll go to another station. I really hate those. God damn Cheddar TV or whatever. Fucking Maria Menounos, ugh.

The local one doesn't play ads. They get my business for it. I live in a not so good place. I've had weapons pulled on me several times. The ads make me jumpy.

They're loud as hell too. Makes me want to put a shishkabob skewer through either my eardrum or the speaker. That my be an exaggeration, but I'm not exaggerating when I say that I actively the avoid gas stations in my city that have this "feature".

I'm boycotting Valero because of it. None of the gas stations around me seem to do it, it's just them. So fuck them.

In my neck of the woods, gas station owners have sharpies which of the 10 buttons is the mute button.

So as soon as the ad plays you just press mute.

It is God awful though.

Am I the odd one out, because I find it incredibly easy to ignore ads.

Never understood this. Sincerely hope that any place trying out here is shunned.

EVs will hopefully put the tactic out of business forever. 'Plug in and fuck off somewhere else for half an hour' is not a position you can really advertise in.

Unless it becomes 'watch ad to enable charger' 😬