As gas prices near four dollars a gallon, some gas stations could be in a little bit of a pickle. Old mechanical pumps only go up to $3.999, so once gas hits four dollars a gallon, their pumps will not be able to register the price. We caught up with one station owner to find out how the price of gas could have him paying the price.

Nationally there are about 8500 mechanical gas pumps. Converting those pumps to handle the soaring gas prices could cost more than $700 per pump--that could put a family owned station in Cobb out of business.

Nestled in the small town of Cobb, population 442, is a good old fashioned service station. Roger Fingerson used to own the business before selling it to his son Mark. However, Roger hasn't retired, he still helps out at the station along highway 18. "It's about 53 years I've been in business," smiled Roger.

Roger's son Mark has been involved with the business for 31 years. He started working with his dad as soon as he graduated from a vocational school. Six years ago Mark took over the day to day operations. "We have very good local support which we're really happy with," Mark said.

However, times are changing. "You get to the point where you wonder, why am I still doing it," said Mark.

Our record high gas prices are taking their toll, literally, on the pumps at the Fingerson's station. "Originally they (the gas pumps) went to $2.999. Well when gas got over 3 dollars, they made a kit--that was not expensive--if you put a kit on it it could go up to $3.999 and that's what's on there right now. So when it does go over 4 dollars I don't know what we're going to do," Roger said.

Since the mechanical will only go up to $3.999 a gallon if gas goes up about another quarter per gallon, the Fingerson's will be forced to make a change. "In order for us to go over the four dollar mark we have to buy new computers for the pumps. Each one of those computers installed would be a minimum of 700 bucks," Mark explained.

In all that would be about $3500--a big chunk of change for a small, family owned, business. "It's something we're going to have to stop and think about. Either do it or get out of it," Mark stated.

The Fingerson's have already shut their diesel pump down and it's likely they will have to shut their premium unleaded pump down soon, since that price is already at $3.95 and is expected to climb.

The chief of Wisconsin's weights and measures department says gas stations are prohibited from half-pricing. Meaning the gas station only displays half the price of a gallon of gas and doubles the number when it rings up the sale. In addition, Wisconsin inspectors will only allow station owners 30 days to update pumps once the price goes to four dollars or more.