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

        • 🍄🌵Psychonaut1969🌵🍄 @lemmy.world
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          1 month 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.

        • xtr0n@sh.itjust.works
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          1 month 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.

  • Baaron87@lemmy.world
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    1 month ago

    Every single gas station in my state has gas pumps with screens and ads. Honestly one of the most annoying things today.

    I have one gas station that I frequently use and found one of the pumps has a blown out speaker. Even though the ads still play, I hear nothing! The infuriating part comes when that pump is already in use when I arrive. I’ll have to try some of the other comments suggestions here about pressing a side button to mute it

  • ThePowerOfGeek@lemmy.world
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    1 month ago

    It started happening a few years ago in my area. Maybe like right before the pandemic?

    For a while some of the stations had a hidden option where you could hit one of the unmarked selection buttons and it would at least mute the ads. But starting around the end of last year they took that option away.

    The only stations I know of that don’t show ads are Costco (and I assume Sam’s Club too, but idk). Plus they have slight discounts on gas because they are member only. But my local Costco station is such a headache to get through these days - even at around 9pm after the main store closes - that I not just go to a local Shell or Valero and resentfully try to ignore the fucking ads that always play.

    • Mose13@lemmy.worldOP
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      1 month ago

      It’s crazy how there are just more and more reasons popping up to go to Costco (e.g. supporting DEI, infinite return policy). I’m gonna get a membership.

    • SybilVane@lemmy.ca
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      1 month ago

      Yes, you are the odd one. Ads are literally designed to be difficult to ignore.

  • Machinist@lemmy.world
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    1 month 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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      28 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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        28 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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      1 month 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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        1 month 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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        1 month 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.

  • foggy@lemmy.world
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    1 month ago

    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.

    • krashmo@lemmy.world
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      1 month ago

      Most have four buttons on the left and four on the right. The second or third button on the right side has been the mute button on every system I’ve tried.

  • BMW_stick@lemmy.world
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    1 month 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

    • PraiseTheSoup@lemm.ee
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      1 month ago

      This works on most I’ve encountered, but not all. New gas station near me built less than 2 years ago has no mute button, and the ads play 24/7 whether someone is there or not. If you are pumping gas late at night with nobody else around you get to hear 10 pumps all blaring ads to nobody and each milliseconds out of sync. It’s totally fucked.

      • FackCurs@lemmy.world
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        1 month ago

        Yo fuck that shit… Playing 24/7? Is the speaker visible at all or hidden in the machine?

        I’m glad I sold my car.

  • marzhall@lemmy.world
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    1 month 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

  • Greg Clarke@lemmy.ca
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    1 month ago

    That sounds frustrating, you should buy a pair or Ray Ban sunglasses to reduce the glare from the ad screens. Never hide - Ray Ban.

  • Alexstarfire@lemmy.world
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    1 month ago

    It’s still very rare for me to see a pump with ads. Mostly happens at stores with attached gas stations: Kroger, Walmart, etc. I don’t go to those places. Not because of ads though. That’s just a bonus.

    • Mose13@lemmy.worldOP
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      1 month ago

      Last I checked electric still required a significant amount of emissions for power generation. Only the car itself is “clean” energy. There is also a significant amount of emissions in manufacturing the electric car. I believe we should start phasing out gas cars asap and build a more green power grid. Personally, I bought a used gas car which I believe is more economic and better for the environment than a new gas car. And I live in a more walkable area now, so I do much more walking than I used to. I know I’m still contributing to the problem, but I’m trying to be better.