Gassing up and paying with helmet on?

[gijoe1313]

Only came across this once before, Caltex Morrinsville in the middle of the night "Sir, can you please remove your helmet?" Sure. No prob. Did that and I had my balaclava on underneath!

She didn't ask me to remove it either! Ah well, no probs from me - if'n I need the gas, I need the gas!

I usually never have a prob ... I guess the red camo ninja look just screams Obvious!

That's what I used to have a flip face for heh ... with the balaclava still on underneath!

[sunhuntin]

I only take mine off it's late, single attendant etc..

ditto. took mine off for the first time in 2 years after filling up today as it was before 7am, and i could only see one person inside. however, by the time i got there, another had appeared. ive never been told to remove my lid, and theyd be told quite nicely to shove it if they did. course, having an open face lid might make a difference.

i worked at bp for just over 2 years, and never once requested either removal of lid or that a rider stands next to the bike as opposed to straddle. i was more interested in car drivers who thought that lighting a smoke on the forecourt was a good idea. much prefer to pick my battles, and, from my view, a customer wearing a helmet isnt likely to be dangerous. however, it did get a bit sad when i recognise my old customers from helmets and bikes and not faces, lmfao.

[tigertim20]

We have a BP here in Whakatane, yep just one. More recently I have been having issues with paying for my gas. There's this old fella in there thats a stickler for protocal and every time a coconut he insists I take my helmet off to pay for my gas, even when it is cash. I've had a gutsful of him.
When I try to tell him to let up he nuts off at me and wants to call the cops. He sees me every 2 or three days, my bike has a very easily remembered personalised plate, I dont have (many) tatoos or a long ZZ-top beard and up until recently I have been a polite biker.
Is it just BP that has this helmet policy like the banks or are any other KB'ers out there getting hassled in a similar way at different service stations?
The last thing you want to do is take your bloody helmet off just to give some geezer a $20 buck note ay?! If I was going to do a runner why would I even bother about coming inside the store? What? Counterfit bank notes I hear you say?
Is this happening to others out there?

Hasnt happened to me yet, I sometimes keep the lid on if Im in a hurry.

Id say fuck him, if you are there 2-3 time a week youre paying his bloody wages for how many years now? Just top up with a precise amount, make sure you have the exact cash on you and throw it on the counter and walk out. with your helmet on.
It one thing if you're passing through a town, but when you go there all the time and he knows damn well who you are, well hes just being a wanker. he knows you. he knows the bike. The point of taking the helmet off is ONLY to capture a facial image on cameras in case of theft, he clearly knows you.

This whole oh its manners thing is bullshit. Fuck I remember when you go to a servo, and theres a guy waiting there asks you how much you want, theyd fill ya up, check your oil if you wanted etc, now you have to do it all yourself. why? cos a) theyre fuckin lazy and b) the time they spend SERVING YOU (and being freindly and helpful eg MANNERS) could better be spent vleaning or doing stock.
I say screw him, hes clearly just being a prick. Does he run outside and make people turn their cellphones off when they pull into the station? I doubt it. There a signs saying you should do that all over the place too.

Or write a polite letter to management about how long youve been going there etc etc and see what happens.

[Waxxa]

I have a flip-face helmet and have never had to remove it at a gas station.

Was asked to remove it at a post shop though...

[CookMySock]

Is this happening to others out there?

Not for me. I fill up at our local, and half the time I take my helmet off - mainly because I am worried about giving someone a fright there. I'll leave it on when they are not busy, or if I recognise the person behind he counter, and they are all happy with it, but they know me and my bikes, and I am always really good to them (and I spend 15k a year with them) so I have no problems.

I know which old coot you are talking about though. Next time you see him, tell him to get fucked, for me will ya? ta. It's time he gave up working and went an rotted under a log somewhere.

Steve

[Bend-it]

I only take mine off it's late, single attendant etc..

You only take yours off if it's night time and the attendant's single?

[Max Preload]

Silly old coot.

Get hold of a burka to wear under your helmet and walk in with your visor shut. When he tells you to remove your helmet, oblige his request.

If they had EFTPOS at the pump then the problem would be solved. Mobil used to have it but they never had it working because they wanted you to go inside and impulse buy. I guess that works on stupid people.

[Drogen Omen]

I have the same issue at the Mobil Silverstream... the young scruffy geek with the glasses wont let me pay without taking my helmet off.

It's realy fucking me off especialy the last coulpe days that it has been raining.

[Mystic13]

Plan B

I'd go for the polite call through to the company, polite. And let them know the situation, politely, and seek to have them talk with the guy.

Plan A

I'd have a nice discussion with the guy and see if I could get him to accept me leaving the helmet on because I'm in their so often and it's actually quite a drama to remove.

Plan C

Come in on a rainy day. Go to the counter to pay. Remove your wet gloves and put them on the counter. Remove said helmet and drop the dripping thing on the counter. Then remove at least one ear plug to hear him okay. Then pay. Then stand at the counter while you reverse the process. If any customers have an issue apologise and say you're in there twice a week and this guy knows you and your bike well he just insists that you remove your helmet before he takes the money.

I never remove my helmet unless I'm wanting to use my mouth for anything other than talking (coffee, food, and kisses (pillion) spring to mind). Unless I forgot to stick me ear plugs in.

Plan D - like someone else said only buy the exact minimal gas and go elsewhere.

Plan E - post it on KB and ask every biker you know to stop in and buy 5 bucks of gas. And have them follow plan C (rain optional).

You may find a well reasoned call to the fuel company fixes it, if you can't sort it with him.

[xwhatsit]

Ever forgot and walked into a bank with your helmet on?

I won't do that again.

[BiK3RChiK]

This guy is real 'speshul!' though... Been there for years, has a bad day and takes it out on everyone who comes near the place! Hmmm... time for a word to his boss methinks... Actually, his boss owns the Shell out our way too, where none of the local bikies take their helmets off!

[Griffin]

This is one of the reasons I got a Flipface (Shoei Multitech), cos I hate the idea of having to take my helmet off for a 2 minute transaction.

As far as I know, if you go into a place you have received a service from, and for whatever reason... they refuse to accept your payment, you are free to walk out and leave. You havent intentionally stolen the goods or services, you had every intention of paying and even offered to - they refused your cash or offer of payment.

It will be recorded on camera that you went into the shop and held out money or a card in offer of payment for the transaction to be completed so they cant claim you stole it. The attendant obviously wants you to have it on the company... nice guy in my books.

[awayatc]

The signs are there on almost all, it not all, petrol stations

But I dont normally bother to ditch my lid

And I have never had anyone go off at me, or refuse payment, service etc

Maybe its a Norff Island thing...

It seems to be.....
had first time ever somebody in wanganui telling me not to sit on my bike......(only way to fill it...)
And i had my helmet etc off....

Also a fair few prepay only stations up "Norf"
Hope it never catches on down Souf....

[Oakie]

Plan E - post it on KB and ask every biker you know to stop in and buy 5 bucks of gas. And have them follow plan C (rain optional).

... all at the same time. Imagine 20 bikers doing that one after another. Do it in large enough numbers and the servo would start losing revenue ... and that is something they do take notice of.

You could even have a bunch of bikers monopolising all the pumps (well perhaps not diesel) and filling up their bikes ... but $5 at a time ... so when when they have paid they go to the back of the queue and do it again. You could play that game for hours. Cagers would see the pumps all being used and go elsewhere ... servo takes a hit in the pocket blah blah blah.

[Slyer]

How about you take your helmet off when they ask you to? It's their business, they can refuse service to you if they like.
When you are in their building you follow their rules.

Go somewhere else.