Glen Korstrom
Northern News Services

NNSL (Nov 27/98) - Arctic Esso owner Dennie Lennie has ventured into a market for residents that even Yellowknifers have no access to.

His credit card operated gas pumps enable vehicle owners to refuel anytime day or night.

He installed the pumps to be operational in August as part of his station's move down Distributor Street, a short distance to its new location.

Lennie says he believes his credit card- operated gas pumps are unique for the NWT.

Allan LaFrance, who is the service manager at an Esso station in Yellowknife, confirms his station has no such pumps and he knows of no other stations in the NWT capital that have the access Lennie is offering.

"It's too expensive," Lennie offers as an answer to why other stations shy away from the credit-card pumps.

"There is one down the Dempster Highway in Yukon at Pelly Crossing. And tourists coming up here could use the pumps if they're getting gas really early in the morning."

Next in store could be debit card compatibility -- something to democratize ease of access to those who don't own credit cards.

Lennie jokes that one option could have been to install pumps that accept cash bills, but that would make them a target for vandalism.

"I'm hooked up to an Esso system," he says to explain why he does not already provide access to those with debit cards.

"They keep saying 'next month, next month.'"

As with anything, there are pitfalls.

The pumps could wound people's pride if it rejects their planned gas ups.

When customers insert their cards, the pump automatically seeks authorization for $75, the maximum possible fill-up, and that could put some people over their credit limits.

Lennie assures owners of extraordinarily large gas tanks that they need not fret as they are free to refuel another $75 by inserting their card a second time.

What does gas station attendant Roderick Simon think of all this?

"It's warmer. I can stay inside more," he says.

"Some days (credit card pumps) outsell the full- service pumps because it costs two cents less per litre."

The station still has two full-service pumps. One credit card pump is for gasoline while the other is for diesel.