The reason they claim you can't pump your own gas in New Jersey:
"Because of the fire hazards directly associated with dispensing fuel, it is in the public interest that gasoline station operators have the control needed over that activity to ensure compliance with appropriate safety procedures, including turning off vehicle engines and refraining from smoking while fuel is dispensed."
The actual reason:
In 1949 everyone was selling gas for about the same price, 21.9 cents a gallon. And then along came an entrepreneur by the name of Irving Reingold who opened a 24-pump self-service station in Hackensack offering the discount price of 18.9 cents per gallon. Angered by this intruder who didn't adopt to the pricing collusion that everyone else did, the Gasoline Retailers Association lobbied the state legislature, the result of which was the 1949 legislation that still applies today.
I guess the other 49 states feel drivers on their highways are competent enough to pump their on gas - believe me the rock scientist pumping the gas here and who took possession of my credit card was so lethargic and stolid it was almost creepy to the point that I actually wanted to stay inside my vehicle.
Hints:
Be sure to tell the attendant what grade of fuel you want or you may end up getting the highest grade at the highest price.
Be sure you get a receipt so you can verify the charge on your credit card statement.
Be prepared to wait and wait and wait it's not uncommon for a service station to have only one attendant tending multiple pumps to save labor cost while maximizing their profits. read more