Sunoco

I regularly pass this gas station on my way to work, and it’s convenient to both the I-​70 ramp and the Fisher/​Hague intersection.
* One of the benefits of this station is that, while the gas stations on Rome-​Hilliard road right down the street often change their gas prices almost simultaneously, this station tends to be a half a day to a full day behind the other stations in the area. This delay allows me to see spikes in prices elsewhere — sometimes 10 to 15 cents per gallon — and get in on the previously low gas prices; the savings can be significant if I time it right with a near-​empty tank.
* There are at least three driveways for entering and exiting, which means that you can often get back on the road in the desired direction of travel with only a minimal amount of delay. This can be challenging on some of the stations on Rome-​Hilliard, so I thought I’d mention it.
You’ll notice I gave this a three-​star, and I’ll explain a few of this station’s drawbacks here.
* The convenience store is a bit small/​cramped and I’m not 100% sure if they have a bathroom or not. They probably do, but I’ve never had the chance to use it. My fear is that I will have to use the bathroom here, and when I’m finally given the key, it will be more cramped than a small airplane’s lavatory and I won’t have any space. You know how sometimes you walk into a building and it seems larger on the inside than it does on the outside, like the TARDIS? This place is the opposite. I’m not sure what is actually taking up all the space, but I’ll bet if they knocked out a few walls and redesigned this station, it might be as impressive as a modern gas station. Perhaps there’s a spacious bathroom I’ve never seen that’s taking up 33% of the building’s total area, or a Stargate portal in the back? Who knows?
* The pumps are semi-​modern, with the vapor-​recovery, automatic cut-​off and pay at the pump when using cards; however, for some reason, these pumps feel older, not very well maintained, and dirty. They could sent someone out to clean them regularly, and this impression might be resolved, giving the station an overall improved first impression. The gas pumps, after all, are generally the first thing that someone sees at the station. That is except for…
* The gas price sign on the side that I drive in on is obscured by a big tree. I can’t see the gas prices until I get fairly close, and then I need to turn quickly into the driveway. Not a big deal, and most drivers are semi-​courteous in that area, but they really should consider either A) removing the tree or B) moving the sign.
* Paying at the pump is nice for those with cards but, as mentioned in previous service station reviews, I pay with cash 99% of the time. This is one of those stations where it’s always prepay when using cash which, again, is a little bit annoying. I know that service stations complain about drive-​offs, but if you have even a single camera on a single island service station, you could record the bays, get license plate numbers, and call the police if there’s a problem. In the State of Ohio, there’s even a drive-​off law where you can lose your license if you steal gas. The only nice part about prepaying with cash is that most of the service stations’ pumps will automatically cut-​off at the exact amount you’ve prepaid, which is nice if that’s all the money you have with you. This service station has this feature — whereas others don’t, making you pay the difference if you accidentally go over, which is a bit annoying.
* Lastly, the guys at the register joke around a bit with the customers, which is probably an interaction from days past that some of you miss, but I don’t. When I’m in a hurry, or tired from a long day at work, I want someone to be courteous, efficient and sometimes even helpful but not Jokey Smurf. «Oh, it’s extra for a receipt! *Laughs*» or «You want change back?» Yeaaaah. It’s annoying enough that I have to walk in to prepay, and then walk back in for my change, but the stand-​up comedy routine should probably be saved for open mike night. The jokes aren’t funny, there are repeats, and I don’t like to have to «fake it» each and every time I interact with a business.
Overall, I go to this gas station if my tank is close to empty and the price differential is enough that it pays me to fill my tank here. If the prices have «caught up» with the rest of the stations in the area, I will typically go to a cleaner, newer, larger, more professional station.