KENNEBUNK, Maine ? A few gasoline retailers in this town are hanging on to the old ways: checking tire pressure, washing windshields and pumping gas for customers, the Biddeford Journal Tribune reports.
?Our loyal customer base is what?s really supported us through the years,? said Bill Guay, who has owned the full-service Guay?s Sunoco for two decades. His station also offers auto repairs and mopeds for sale.
He started repairing cars at his father?s garage in 1966, developing a loyal following. One customer has been coming to see his family for repair work since the 1940s, while another has been a customer since he opened his current location 20 years ago.
?Neighborhood garages are becoming minimized by the big companies,? said Guay. He said he makes most of his money from car repair and moped sales, using the gasoline pumps to entice customers to stop by his shop.
?A lot of people are surprised when they come in,? said Alex Bergeron, who manages Holly?s gas station, which debuted in March.
The cash-only business pumps gasoline for customers for free. ?It costs about a couple thousand dollars a month in credit card fees that would have to be paid to the credit card companies,? said Bergeron. Holly?s also fixes wipers, too, for free.
Over at Alfred Gas, gasoline is pumped for the drivers, in addition to checking fluids and handing out dog bones and lollipops to customers. ?They [children of customers] know when they?re coming in that they?re going to get the lollipops,? said Ethan Gilman, an Alfred gas attendant.
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