76 / Circle K

Cheap gas across from ⁷⁄₁₁. It’s usually lower priced than other gas stations around the area. Never packed. The only dislike I have is that sometimes there are random strangers and bums that will approach me for money… Gets kinda scary but other than that no complaints so far.

I don’t understand the business model at this place. The owner tries so hard not to sell gas to you. Here is how the most bizarre gas station experience went:
I was in dire need of gas and I pulled into the first 76 I saw.
I swiped my credit card at the pumping station as usual.
Flashing message tells me I have to go see the cashier.
I walk in and hand over my credit card to an old dude inside who I perceive as the owner.
He looks at the card.
He keeps looking at the card.
I tell him I want to fill up at pump x.
He says I can’t, I have to pay first.
I tell him I just handed over the credit card to him.
He looks confused.
He says I have to pay first.
I tried to say, most gas stations let you fill up after handing over the credit card.
He looks confused.
I said never mind, give me $ 60.
He looks confused.
I said $ 60 on pump #x
He hands over the card to me and tells me to swipe it on the machine at the counter.
(At this point, I couldn’t help but to think he’s a sxxthead but I needed gas…)
I swipe the card.
He asks me what kind of gas I want.
(I was starting to get really pissed at this point but I needed gas…)
I said high octane.
He says he doesn’t have it.
I said the pump shows three kinds of grade, whatever the highest.
He looks confused.
I said 91.
He says 92?
I said what?
He says 91 or 92?
I said, I don’t care whatever the highest indicated on the pump.
He says 91.
I said, OK, YES, THANK YOU.
He asks me to sign the receipt.
I signed it and walked back to my car to pump gas.
I filled up my tank; then, drove away with twilight zone soundtrack playing in my head …

It is right across the street from a gas station that is consistently $.10 cheaper. If you go in there for a snack, buyer beware, most everything is outdated, so they are useless for my emergency Diet Pepsi situations. They don’t even sell lottery tickets! What Circle K doesn’t sell lottery tickets… oh, this one! It isn’t in the best neighborhood and I giggle how the employees always look at you with suspicion! haha