Gas Price Bait & Switch

A few years ago, in California anyway, it was illegal to charge a different price for cash and credit, and yet it still happens!! I think it is total BS that the gas stations can do such things. The gas companies are making more money now than they ever have, so its just another way to screw the American citizens!!

I know this is a "wacky" request, but the mods would really be doing their members a huge favor if they stickied this thread for a while.

Alot of people regularly use their "debit" cards to buy gas namely because it is easy (just swipe and pump), but we are being robbed.

I fell for this before and it is not a fun feeling finding out after you pumped your gas that you just got ripped off.

This was a HUGE scam during the hurricane's down here a few years back. The problem was since most places didnt have power it was nearly impossible to get cash at an ATM.
Therefore you were stuck using your Credit Card at the pump.

"Section126 wrote:

I know this is a "wacky" request, but the mods would really be doing their members a huge favor if they stickied this thread for a while.

Alot of people regularly use their "debit" cards to buy gas namely because it is easy (just swipe and pump), but we are being robbed.

I fell for this before and it is not a fun feeling finding out after you pumped your gas that you just got ripped off.

I feel that way everytime I buy gas

whats the scam? hidden credit card fees? I can't watch the video.......

The article on this I saw earlier didn't really touch on this, but I think it only increases if you use credit. I think Debit pays the same price.

I find this to be a FINE-LINE bait and switch at best...in the video (and in most of the states I travel through) when the price is listed with a CASH notice, you can use common sense to know CC could be higher. I don't see the BAIT and SWITCH when you as a consumer are not using the equal equivalent to an advertised promotion.

That isn't bait and switch to me.

I recommend the concept of paying attention, but I don't think we should grab pitchforks/torches and set up, en-mass, and march on the local filling station either over this logical capitalist economy method. Supply & Demand, and buyer beware, etc.

I use a debit card all the time and the price is the same on the pump, my receipt, and my monthly bank statement. Still a crappy deal that gas stations/companies use however.

"unluckyluciano wrote:

whats the scam? hidden credit card fees? I can't watch the video.......

Same for me. Info would be appreciated.

8 cents x @ 18 gal. = $1.44 ...its cheaper than taking out money from most ATMs

I think its ridiculous that this happens. It should be noted on the machine that you pay more using a card if they don't want to put both prices.

"Stitches wrote:

Same for me. Info would be appreciated.

The video is an investigative report about NY area gas stations promoting a CASH price on the marquee, but if you use a CC at the pump the new CC price displays and charges higher since you aren't using CASH.

They mention the rates some stations charge for CC over CASH can be up to 50 cents higher, and point out that the CC company only charges 2% to the Station for using CC service. Sometimes that leads to a significant windfall to the Gas Station owner, etc.

The also suspect the CASH and pay inside method is an attempt to increase Counter service impulse buys.

that's the message!

"Outtawack311 wrote:

I think its ridiculous that this happens. It should be noted on the machine that you pay more using a card if they don't want to put both prices.

It is noted at the pump, as the price on the screen, since you selected credit instead of cash....you can cancel the transaction at that point if you dont want to pay.

That said, I am not defending the attempt, I just dont like the argument that you are being cheated out of $$$.

No one is cheating you! (and not you specifically if you dont feel this way, just the tone of some folks viewpoint).

maybe I am in the minority here!:hi5:

It happens EVERYWHERE HERE in Miami.

you see 4.22 as the price per gallon. You swipe.....and AFTER it is AUTHORIZED and the gas is ready to pump does the sign flash 4.38...by then..it is too late really.

"Outtawack311 wrote:

I think its ridiculous that this happens. It should be noted on the machine that you pay more using a card if they don't want to put both prices.

Its your garden variety marketing ploy. There are hundreds of sales ploys currently in use that we dont even notice. If you think about it you could probably figure out quite a few.

"Section126 wrote:

It happens EVERYWHERE HERE in Miami.

you see 4.22 as the price per gallon. You swipe.....and AFTER it is AUTHORIZED and the gas is ready to pump does the sign flash 4.38...by then..it is too late really.

Only if you refuse to hit CANCEL and drive to some other option for gas.

Now, if they ever start charging a fee to CANCEL a transaction, they I would be up in arms!

"BigDogsHunt wrote:

Only if you refuse to hit CANCEL and drive to some other option for gas.

Now, if they ever start charging a fee to CANCEL a transaction, they I would be up in arms!

That is a nuasance and a waste of time. I personally get MORE upset if my "time" is impacted.

I's rather you waste my money than my time.

"BigDogsHunt wrote:

The video is an investigative report about NY area gas stations promoting a CASH price on the marquee, but if you use a CC at the pump the price displays and charges higher since you aren't using CASH.

They mention the rates some stations charge for CC over CASH can be up to 50 cents higher, and point out that the CC company only charges 2% to the Station for using CC service. Sometimes that leads to a significant windfall to the Gas Station owner, etc.

The also suspect the CASH and pay inside method is an attempt to increase Counter service impulse buys.

that's the message!

if it's 50 cents...then there is a problem but if the average is 8 cents...it's not that big of a deal

"Section126 wrote:

That is a nuasance and a waste of time. I personally get MORE upset if my "time" is impacted.

I's rather you waste my money than my time.

Yeah, I feel the same way in most instances....I can always make more $$$ but I am stuck with only 24hrs in a day.

That said, I still think common sense and knowing your options out weighs the nuisance factor....you know exactly what will happen the 2nd time if you didn't know it the 1st time....find a new option if necessary to save your desired time, and not fall victim to the money side either.

:hi5:

"Cuban Dave 9 wrote:

if it's 50 cents...then there is a problem but if the average is 8 cents...it's not that big of a deal

Only if you let it be. I hear ya though...them even trying to get away with it sucks (they are the suckee), but you dont have to be the victim (or the sucker)!:hi5:

I also seen a different news story that alot of mom 'n pop gas stations are no longer taking credit cards because the fees are costing them too much.

"ILPhinFan88 wrote:

I also seen a different news story that alot of mom 'n pop gas stations are no longer taking credit cards because the fees are costing them too much.

At the pump or in general? You would figure the average cost when someone fills up is high enough to cover those fees.

"Cuban Dave 9 wrote:

8 cents x @ 18 gal. = $1.44 ...its cheaper than taking out money from most ATMs

You need a new bank if that is the case.

Problem is when you have to fuel 15 company vans each morning,8 cents per gallon adds up very fast.8x10 is only 80 cents x 15 vans 12.00 a day x 5 days a week is $60 per week in extra costs that I should not have to pay, just because I don't have time to fuel each van myself or go down with each guy to fuel his van for the day.

I'm only going by 10 gallons per day.some days, they have to put 20 gallons, just depends on how much driving they have to do each day.so I have to pass the difference to the customer,which in return,cuts back the amount of customers I have each week. its the ol trickle down effect.