Compressor does not run for free either, you have to plug it, charge it, buy it etc..
There are $1 stations around here, and there is one that is free, HESS.
But the bastards from other stations always come around and cut the hose, and finally hess decided to make it screw on/off, so you can leave your ID and get the tip and then pump air, then return it to get your ID back. Would this stop the bastards from cutting it? NO.What they should do is just make it free for people who buy gas, no matter how little or more, That I can understand.
$1 is just WAY too much. Quarter is very reasonable, and 50c is just about right.
Compressor is nowhere near those pumps at the stations. They pump from 20psi to 40ps in like 30 seconds.