h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Whilst not such a common sight at UK petrol stations as it was, surely no article about the filling station is complete without a mention of free gifts?

Usually these came in the form of a single, or set of (four generally) drinking glasses. Occasionally there would be a tie-in with a football World Cup where a series of coins of the members of the squad would be issued after a certain number of gallons of petrol had been bought.

These days the free gift has become more sophisticated. First came paper tokens that could be redeemed for gifts from a catalogue (who remembers Green Shield stamps?). Now you hand over a plastic card to have points added. Where has the romance gone?

Regular customers at the station I work at get discounted meals at our coffee + 'bakery'(pies, pasties and fried food). Now we're getting a new reward card which means another machine to understand.
Well, after not putting points on the old cards properly in my first 3 shifts; I would gladly welcome a more 'romantic'free gift.
We might even get a lottery machine to encourage people to part with more money.You need to take out a mortgage to buy stuff from our 24shop+garage.