Ice machine refills

[thirtyeyes]

The asking for a to go cup and a soda refill before leaving a restaurant thread got me thinking. How do people feel about going for some free ice? I have a thing for super cold beverages.

Example 1: You are in an airport and pass by a food court, do you go in for some ice? Do you pay for it. This one is tricky because you were forced to abandon all liquids at security.

Example 2: You are on the road and duck into McD's or BK for a restroom break, do you go for the ice? Only if you buy some food?

Example 3: You are on the road and buy a lot of gas. Do you feel you are entitled to some free ice from the Bev Fountain?

Personally, I've gone for free ice at the airport because I can't bring it through security, I blame TSA (and terrorists) for this, and many other discomforts. If I ever meet a real terrorist I will beat him down with my 1 quart bag of 3 oz liquids. I always buy food at fast food places, and usually a soda and then go for extra ice.

How about you? Any other places to swoop down on some ice?

[jamieeats]

my strategy is pretty simple: i ask at the counter for a cup of ice. if they give it to me, it's free. if they tell me how much it costs, i pay for it.

[Karl S]

Correct answer.

Always ask before doing so. To the extent that the answer you hear back is not 100% Yes in all cases, then it's wrong to do so. Very simple. The avoidance of asking is your moral brain warning you that the answer might not be Yes - which is is the moral brain's way of telling you it would be wrong to do so without asking. The kind of basic lesson in moral reasoning parents are supposed to train their children in.

It's the business owner's decision about whether to recoup the marginal overhead and material costs involved in cash or by creating goodwill with the erstwhile customer. It's not the customer's decision to make.

[akq]

Example 2: You are on the road and duck into McD's or BK for a restroom break, do you go for the ice? Only if you buy some food?
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Wait...you're using the resto's bathroom without buying anything? Whoa. At least buy a drink (or cup of ice)!

[kcshigekawa]

I always ask. At the gas station across from the shop where I work, sometimes they charge and sometimes they don't. (I almost alway have my own container.) If I'm buying something else, like a bag of nuts or some chips, they're more likely to give me the ice, but it's not a guarantee and I always expect to pay something. They pay for the water, the electricity to run the machine, maintenance on teh machine and maybe other costs I don't know about.

[escondido123]

I couldn't imagine taking ice from someplace without asking and/or paying. Seems like stealing to me.

[Hobbert]

I'm confused. Do people travel around with lukewarm drinks just waiting to scavenge for ice? I just buy a cold drink and drink it right away. If I'm traveling, I bring a cooler...with ice. Either ice from my house or ice I bought at 7-11 (or whatever) in one of those bags in the big coolers.

[carolinadawg]

"Example 3: You are on the road and buy a lot of gas. Do you feel you are entitled to some free ice from the Bev Fountain?"
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No, and if I buy a Big Gulp, I don't feel entitled to some free gasolins either.

[suzigirl]

Lol. So glad I wasn't drinking something.

[joe777cool]

Sums it up about right!

This thread reminds me of the people that load up their purses with all the "free" ketchup, sugar, salt, pepper etc. Then they are the first to complain when prices go up......well then stop helping yourself to a 3" stack of "free" napkins!

[suzigirl]

I work for that guy.

[cleobeach]

Example 3: You are on the road and buy a lot of gas. Do you feel you are entitled to some free ice from the Bev Fountain?

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The two gas station/convenience stores I frequent both have signs taped to the bev machine that list a charge for ice and cups. One charges 15 cents, the other 35 cents. (seperate corp. owners) There must be enough people wanting ice and cups that the stores need to address the issue.

[davidne1]

I simply can't believe some people are so cheap!

[HoosierFoodie]

I can't believe that anyone would even question whether its right or wrong. If you have to ask the question the answer probably won't change anything.

[ipsedixit]

In all of your examples, unless I am buying something, I will pay for my cup of ice.

Cups are not free.

Water is not free.

Electricity is not free.

And, for what it's worthy, labor is not free.

[thirtyeyes]

Good points, but at the airport I use their electricity waiting for the plane. I use their water at the water fountain and in the restroom. I do get your point and I always buy food if I go for the ice at fast food.

BTW, in all cases, I was talking about using my own water bottle.

[ipsedixit]

There are gas stations (along I-5 between Los Angeles and SF, for example) that will charge you for ice even if you BYOB.

[ipsedixit]

And I'm not sure you are using the restaurant's water when you use the water fountain or the restroom -- you are using the city's or airport's facilities.

And last I checked, there were no ice dispensers in most restrooms. :-)

[thirtyeyes]

True. But in many cases food courts are run by the airport authority. Also, you are trapped in the airport and unable to bring your own stuff.

[ipsedixit]

No. The Airport Authorities are the master leasors. The individual operations (e.g. Subway, Chipotle, etc.) are individual leasees, and under their agreements with the Airport Authorities will bear their own costs of water, electricity, etc.

[thirtyeyes]

Not always. Ask. Some are individual leasee businesses others are owned by the airport authority.