"WHY DO THEY CHOOSE A STATION THE FIRST TIME?" 1950s SINCLAIR SERVICE STATION TRAINING FILM XD75974

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Intended to be shown to Sinclair Oil Co. service station managers this 1950s film, "Why Do They Chose A Station The First Time?" showcases the company's policies and practices for keeping customers and generating business. Sinclair Oil Corporation was one of the major integrated petroleum companies of the early mid-20th century. It was founded by Harry F. Sinclair, an American oilman who was born in 1876. This film was directed by Louis J. Marlowe and shot in Illinois.
Why do they choose a station: the first time? + Why do 66% Keep Coming Back? Become Loyal Customers of our dealer?

The film starts with street signs for Maple and Pleasant St at 0:36. A slide appears that says “Our Town” at 0:45, and the narrator explains why a person would choose a gas station near their home. The film shows a man, Mr. Adams, leaving for work in his 1955 Chevy Bel Air at 1:29 and looks at his Hamilton wristwatch at 1:33. The film shows a closed gas station near his home at 1:58. The film then shows Mr. Adams pulling into a gas station a long way from his home, but which was still on his way to work at 2:53.
The film’s first section on Brand begins at 3:12. The narrator asks what makes drivers prefer one gas station over another 3:23. Close up on a car radio 3:28, television set knob adjusted, 3:25. An advertisement for Sinclar’s Power-X Gasoline is heard on screen at 3:34. The narrator explains that one of the best forms of advertising is by word of mouth, and then shows two men talking about Sinclair’s gas by the company coffee vending machine at 4:20.
A billboard for Sinclair is shown at 4:41.
The next section of the film is about community, it begins at 4:55. The narrator says one of the biggest reasons why a driver might choose a station is the dealer’s influence within their community, which is shown at 5:20. The dealer Jones is shown giving a can of house oil to someone in his community for free at 6:10. He also gives away matchbooks 6:28. The film shows all the different ways that Dealer Jones gets his good reputation at 6:36. The film then shows another dealer at a barber’s shop, talking to the barber about the station, this is shown at 7:15. A girlie calendar is also one of the station's giveaways. The narrator explains that picture advertisements are a great way to advertise at 8:07. The film shows a Mr. Smith, who runs the Sinclair Gas Station for a community, helping children with their bikes. The film then shows one of the kids telling her father about Mr. Smith at 9:13.
A new section on Station Appearance starts at 9:39. The film shows a driver passing a gas station because it did not look good to him at 10:00. The narrator then starts to list the reasons why a customer might choose one station over another at 10:49. The narrator also says the strongest attraction is the dealer and their station at 11:43.
End of the first part at 11:58. Part two begins at 12:08.
Part two begins by showing Henry, driving a 1950s Buick convertible, stopping at the same station at 12:32. The narrator explains that the main reason why customers come back is because they like the service at 12:46. The film showed the service-men at the station fixing the customer’s car at 13:30.
Section titled “They become loyal customers because they like the dealer” at 14:34. The narrator explains the reason that the family chose that same gas station is because of the dealer at 15:18. The film shows the dealer treating his customers extremely well at 16:19.
The next section: “They become loyal customers because of clean stations” begins at 17:11, with a Sinclair jeep pulling up to the station. The film shows an earlier customer that went back to the same station because she likes how clean it is at 17:33. Odometer moves at 19:37. Narrator says women especially notice details like cleanliness, this might be triggering to some at 17:46. The film shows the inside of the station at 18:06.
The next section: “they become loyal customers because of one-stop service” begins at 18:38. The film shows people explaining one-stop service at 18:47.
The concluding narration begins at 20:11. The film ends at 21:15
Produced for the Sinclair Refining Company by Atlas Film Corporation.
This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit www.PeriscopeFi...

[@Nunofurdambiznez]

Clicked "like" 30 seconds in, just based on that fabulous musical intro! Update: That fabulous musical intro was just the start to what became an absolutely fantastic video!! Thanks once again, Peri, for these marvelous vintage videos - they are truly the best of their genre!

[@jacobromans3464]

👍🙂👍 Agreed

[@greglivo]

Jim was really hoping that Mrs. Hampton would let him put it in her garage.

[@mollybell5779]

I really enjoyed this. I love the color film from the 50s. Especially the cars. I imagine this was a motivational film for Sinclair station owner/operators.

[@canadagood]

Mrs Hampton is in fine shape.

[@calbob750]

Back in the day,when on the road for vacation, the gas station was one of the few places to stop with rest rooms. How clean and orderly the station looked from the outside was often an indicator of clean restrooms. Most station restrooms were filthy.

[@alangray9117]

I remember us getting stuffed dinosaurs etc at Sinclair in the really early 70s 😊❤.

[@garyquail4996]

Watching these old films brings back happy memories especially this Sinclair promotional film this is great😂😂😂😂!!!..

[@PeriscopeFilm]

Glad you enjoyed it! Consider becoming a channel member or join us on Patreon.com/PeriscopeFilm

[@DMBall]

Oregon just two months ago made self-service gasoline sales legal in that state.

[@davidc8735]

I guess that leaves NJ as the last bastion of full-service with no option for self-service!

[@jonmeek3879]

Miss these days

[@listprice889]

The evolution from true "service stations" to gas stations started around the mid-eighties. Now you are the one pumping your gas, checking your oil and putting air in your tires. There's basically no difference between stations, except price.

[@richardludwig4860]

as it should be - pumping it your self - all "service" does ENCOURAGE stupidity AND laziness AND entitlement - and for people to become a lower form of plant life known as a KAREN

[@nouseforaname5378]

I pumped gas after high school for a bit in the mid 90’s. We were a full service station and I would wash every window of every car no matter if they got a fill or 3 dollars. If it were a fill I’d always offer to check their oil. (Funny side note: people got pissed when we raised the price from 1.10 to 1.14 per gallon lol, those folks must have gone nuts by now 😂) we also had a tire shop and would patch any tire for 7.99

[@mollybell5779]

I think the transition from full service to self service started in the 70s. The last full service station I remember was a Phillips 66 station on hwy 25 in Fletcher, NC, circa early 80s. 🤷‍♀️

[@richardludwig4860]

​@@mollybell5779fletcher, nc not too far from me - hendersonville, nc

[@PlasmaCoolantLeak]

I remember when the guy pumping your gas could also be the mechanic who would point out something on your car that needed attention, just by the way it sounded.

[@kennethjohnson9370]

I grew up in the sixies we always stopped in a Sinclair All the time the owner of the gas station had 6 fingers on each hand iin Milwaukee and used to sell Dishes with The gas

[@TestECull]

0:40 That's 99.995% of what has driven me to choose a station since I started driving 15 years or so ago. If I have to go out of my way to get there I'm probably not going to get there. Gas all comes out the same wells anyway, from the same refineries, my engine doesn't give a shit which station it comes from. And the 'service' side doesn't exist in the 21st century, so there really aint' much else to influence the choice BUT convenience. I won't even go to a station I have to left into if I can get to one with a right turn. Left in left out is harder than right in right out.

[@manhoot]

I miss the days of pulling in and asking for a fill up with hi test.

[@JosePlata]

I noticed no signs with prices displayed... I did see the one guy got 9 gallons for $3.25.

[@AnaPaulinacom]

They're EMBEDDED on the pump, at pump-price shock.

[@marmaly]

Mrs. Hampton. Hubba hubba.

[@jlacob]

Mrs. Hampton puts out...and it pays off! Just ask Jim Wilson.😮

[@mh53j]

I would have told Carl to pick me up in about an hour and a half....

[@brentschmitt3338]

Audrey Meadows from the Honeymooners… What a hottie.

[@nouseforaname5378]

Woulda look at that beautiful pump 19:46

[@cameronsatterfield14]

Is there anyone, anywhere, at any time, who actually said things to their friends and co-workers like we find at about 4:00 to 4:30 in this video?

[@STho205]

Yes there were. Today's office though is not pulling staff from the same neighborhood...so no common references.

[@jacobromans3464]

Men in their 20s or 30s as service attendants - earning a wage sufficient to support a wife a d maybe kids. THOSE were the days!

[@STho205]

Most made 60c to $1 an hour. Expenses were lower as lifestyle expectations and subscription services were lower or non existent. Rent/mortgage, groceries, light, water and gas were the bills. Phones were often optional, especially for bachelors living in apartment houses. A movie once or twice a week at 25c to 50c tickets and a frugal cafe date. Lunch by bag or the 40c diner. Most didn't have piles and piles of cheaply made, disposable import clothes. About 4 changes of clothes that lasted years. No Netflix, Paramount+, Spotify, iPhone contract, Amazon addiction, insurances for everything, student loans for unused degrees in whims completed or not, trips to fill boredom, TV cable bills, .... That's where the cash goes flying.

[@larkatmic]

Why is the music always light and cheerful pre 80s. I wish it would make a return. It seems non existent today. Now it’s all ear assaulting or bleak

[@AnaPaulinacom]

I don't know but slightly pre-covid it all became mute.

[@jojobeans64]

Wish i can go back in time

[@destry232]

What planet was this filmed on? Those days are long gone.

[@johncox2284]

A uniformed service station attendant wearing a bow tie and 8 point cap coming out to clean your windows, pump gas and check the fluids. Seems like a long time ago. I remember those times. I also remember when service stations quite often had a jeep or push truck to bring a disabled car back to their place. We had one near where i grew up that had a 3 wheel motorcycle with tools in the back to do repairs on the road.

[@marktwain622]

I remember too. Back when a man could make a living working at gas station.

[@vicepresidentmikepence889]

2:00...Why didn't he just use his debit card????

[@tholmes2169]

Funny how the average person nowadays is allowed to handle without much care one of the most flammable and explosive materials commonly available. I miss full service stations.

[@AnaPaulinacom]

It's no longer "Full-Service". People like to take advantage of servants.

[@frankgarrett242]

Now they’re just variety stores with gasoline pumps.

[@AnaPaulinacom]

and coffee. I love coffee from a gas station. 🤔

[@frankgarrett242]

@@AnaPaulinacom Actually this is correct. Every time I’ve have coffee from my local gas station it’s pretty good.

[@jeanbonhacher6016]

Did he say Mr Adams needs to fill up at least twice a week? Whats is mpg? 3

[@tholmes2169]

Time to trade the Olds in.

[@STho205]

About 15. Most used to fill up at 1/2 to 1/3 tank so 150 miles or 25 a day. Depends on his job. If a salesman he probably did more like 300 miles a week.

[@WVgrl59]

I think the 1990s was the last time I had a gas station attendant.

[@AnaPaulinacom]

There really isn't much profit for the fueling station owner other than the good ole nickle-dime and the products that are sold as convenience.

[@LuciFeric137]

I like the plastic dinosaurs

[@a1wireless1964]

Gee, I wonder why Jim is so friendly?

[@greglivo]

He's always friendly when Mr. Hampton is away playing golf.

[@brentschmitt3338]

Audrey Meadows?

[@SahilThakor-mx5tm]

😊 1:13 😊

[@tombob671]

No more service stations, all have been replaced by gas stations self serve with convenience stores attached.

[@jojobeans64]

Now a days got to do everything your self an still pay more😅

[@Papa-vq3fv]

One of those station operators I don't know if it was Smith or Jones charged my wife's father to change the air in the tires .

[@marmaly]

I remember this story, but it now seems like some kind of utopian fiction.

[@jacobromans3464]

Ignoring the racial attitude of the 50s, it's one of my favorite eras to wish to have grown up, to become a young adult starting adult life in. 1, because even a service station attendant could earn a living wage and had plenty of realistic opportunity to advance upward. Unlike today where so many jobs don't even provide a wage to rent a studio apartment, let alone live on and with little if any, room to advance anywhere above cashier. 2. Men had style. Wore jackets and hats whenever going out for dinner or socializing. Women, even the 'thin' ones mostly had a sexy healthy physiques and little concern about weight. 3 food was way more natural and healthy and probably better tasting. 4. Streets were safer. Kids played. Music was awesome, whether you liked rock n roll or jazz. The economy was climbing!

[@RobCamp-rmc_0]

Not to mention that the service station attendant appeared to have some dignity. While wages stagnate, respect for people in the service industry also plummets. It gets to the point when the guy working there looks like he doesn’t care, but I can’t say I blame him, people look at/treat him like he’s a pimple on society’s ass, and he gets paid jack all for it. WSJ supergenius: “you’re never gonna get that raise, and here’s why that’s a _good_ thing” Also WSJ supergenius: “guys how come millennials and zoomers don’t want to work anymore?”

[@uwantsun]

power HEX, even in those days....

[@TheDieselbutterfly]

No one in history ever told their freind that they got better power with the sinclair x super high test gasoline,and definitely not at the vending machine at work

[@thomasgoodwin2648]

Full service, book matches, manners, and Big Oil the loving god... You know you're getting all when most of the things you grew up with are relatively extinct. Also seems a bit excessive in the advertising dept. Short of screaming "SINCLAIR!" directly into everyone's ears 24/7 you really can't get much more aggressive. (Seriously, way too much good material to list every joke here. PhD s in Comediology to be had here!) ✌🙃👍 P.S. Have you accepted gasoline into your life?

[@davestewart2067]

No dinosaurs clearly evident. When did they become part of the sales pitch?

[@thomasgoodwin2648]

@@davestewart2067 I should have added more separation between '.... extinct.' and "Also..." as they are intended as parts of 2 separate ideas. Apologies for any confusion from my poor editing.

[@davestewart2067]

Lol, was referring to the use of the large green dinosaur prominent in apparently later Sinclair marketing. Btw most petroleum is derived from plant matter not dinosaurs!

[@Splungeworthy]

.35/gallon. WooHoo!

[@AnaPaulinacom]

Laughing: $60.00 for a fill- up a week on mine. However, I did just get a great deal for my new Snow-Tires. ✨

[@chuckschafer942]

AND YOU EARNED $1,25 AN HOUR

[@PlasmaCoolantLeak]

I remember decades ago one of the so-called "experts" saying consumers would never pay a dollar a gallon for gas. Yeah, right, LOL

[@vicepresidentmikepence889]

You CLEARLY don't understand inflation. Yes, gas was 35 cents a gallon, while $5,000 a year was a great salary

[@chuckschafer942]

@@vicepresidentmikepence889 WHEN I WAS A BOY THE $10.000 A YEAR MAN WAS A SALARIED SUCCUSS

[@mikepotter6426]

Mr Snyder is a raging closet drunk. Gets drunk and kicks his dog

[@SnepperStepTV]

The closer the gas station is to something like this, the more likely I am to stop. i hate 21st century stations, they're bland, they have those annoying screens that play stupid commercials, and they always have LEDs and those things should have just stayed individual indicator lights, they're so harsh and sterile when they're used as area lighting. Very inhospitable.

[@jacobromans3464]

As number of people increased, the importance of brand loyalty became less important to owners and corporations because there was always more people. Owners and corporations cut overhead by stagnating wages, reduced services they provide, cut benefits, opened more budget stations and raked in a greater and greater percentage of profits for themselves as opposed to increasing employee wage& benefits

[@tyket5929]

Poor baby

[@rexoliver7780]

I use a “fuel” station right in my garage-I have an electric car so it’s “gas pump”is an electric outlet! My car is charging right now!

[@tyket5929]

Big Coal thanks you

[@rexoliver7780]

@@tyket5929 electric cars charging from utility power-the power can come from ANY ‘prime mover-not just coal. The “fuel or mover can be coal,oil,natural gas,wind,solar.

[@eyeh8theleft]

the refining of gasoline takes a Huge amount of electricity, it does not come out of the ground ready to put in your tank. Now what was your point?.@@tyket5929

[@1978garfield]

@@rexoliver7780 It could be solar, wind or unicorn farts but most of the time it is coal. Reminds me when it came out that some of the Tesla charging stations in CA were powered by diesel generators. Yup, CA Tesla owners really showed Big Oil when they went electric.

[@rexoliver7780]

Suppose if you drive a gas or diesel powered car big petroleum thanks you. It’s going to be a long time before electric goes mainstream. I may trade my electric car towards a hybrid. Best of both worlds. Liked hybrids used them before. The convenience of “fueling” the car at home is nice,though.

[@lestersabados1306]

Nairy a non-white in the entire city.

[@STho205]

Must be Vermont

[@davestewart2067]

A big reason Bernie Sanders struggled so much on the national stage. He couldn’t relate well to those outside his exclusive state.

[@lestersabados1306]

@@davestewart2067 Actually Killary Clinton and Demorats scuttled his campaign.

[@operatorjeffdeathstar7759]

This NEVER happened...Lol

[@STho205]

Yes it did. There were full service stations from greasy dumps to spiffy clean in the 60s and 70s. The 50s was the peak as most stations were newly built after WW2 by returning vets starting businesses.