Mishawaka station tries to ease burden of high gas prices

by Samuel King (king@wsbt.com)

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William Vandygriff is the manager at Swifty's in Mishawaka — one of the few full-service gas stations left in our area. (WSBT photo)

By WSBT News1

Story Created: Apr 23, 2008 at 2:29 PM EST

Story Updated: Apr 25, 2008 at 4:11 PM EST

MISHAWAKA — Prices for regular gas have hit $3.65 a gallon around the area. We've never seen gas prices this high, but one station is trying to ease the burden in more ways than one. Swifty's in Mishawaka is one of the few full-service stations left in our area.

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William Vandygriff is the manager at Swifty's. Often he's the only one on duty, taking cash from self-service customers and filling up the tanks for full-service ones.

Many people continue to go with full service even though the prices are just a little bit higher.

“When you're in a hurry, it's a little bit less of hassle,” said Rod Creech, a customer.

“He pumps your gas and you don't have to do it yourself,” said Maxine Sroda, a longtime customer. “I'm a lady and I appreciate him doing it. He's very nice, I've been coming here for years.”

“I like it, I like to handle everything outside,” Vandygriff said. “You're more involved with the community if you're actually out there, instead of being inside the building behind a counter.”

And he hears an earful from customers about high gas prices, so he gives full- and self-service customers paying cash a break — five cents off each gallon.

That has reduced the number of credit card customers. Some other stations encourage people to use cash, so fees charged by credit card companies can be offset and prices can be kept down.

Many drivers feel they have no choice but to pay up.

“Big chunk, everybody's gotta buckle down to make it work, but it definitely puts a strain on the budget,” Creech said.

Everyone here says Vandygriff's personal touch helps take away some of the sting.

“You just be nice to your customers and do your job, they'll come to you,” he said.

Other gas station operators, including Marathon and Speedway, offer rebates or rewards programs that can help drivers save money.

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