So I’ve seen this now at two gas stations: You drive up and see a great price on gasoline (ok, maybe not great but better than the competitors in the area). You’re about to start pumping and then BAM! you realize that great price is for cash only! How do you know it’s cash only? There’s a very small sign attached to the price sign that says so, located in such a way that you don’t notice it from far away.
I usually pay for gas with either my credit card (to get points) or with my debit card (as credit). I rarely have enough cash on me to buy a tank of gas. Especially not now when a full tank costs more than ever.
GasBuddy is a site that can tell you cheap gas prices in your area. MapQuest also has a resource that will map out gas prices.
As I mentioned in a previous gasoline post you have to pay attention. Retailers and such will do whatever they can to get you in their doors (or in this case to their pumps). Make sure you read the fine print and understand the prices.
How are gas prices by you?
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photo by debaird
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Holy deceptive marketing Batman!
That’s enough to make me boycott that gas station, since I never have enough cash for a full tank either and that type of advertising really pisses me off.
I haven’t seen this bad, but I do pass a Mobil station on my home from work everyday and they have a sign advertising a “Free travel cooler with a fill up.” I don’t see too many people using that station despite the free cooler…. must be because there’s an eXtra Mart down the road that’s 15 cents cheaper, and people just don’t need coolers…
Yeah, one of the gas stations has done the price thing for a while and I now know not to go there. The other is recent. Now I’m paranoid any time I see a decent gas price.
That’s one of the reasons I refuse to use Citgo..they are famous for this…except I think you only get a discount if you use their gascard.
@ Military Wife – It’s tough keeping up with every stores details isn’t it? I guess if you have their card it’s worth it but otherwise it’s probably deceptive.
There’s a Mobile near us that has a sing that shows the gas to be $0.10 a gal cheaper. It’s only when you read the smaller print on the sign that says “with a car wash”.
@ Mark – I’ve seen things like that too! I guess it could be worth it if you wanted a car wash too. But still they need to make it more obvious for the driver passing by!
We have had that in many places in Erie, PA. You could try some gas station gas cards or gas credit cards – figure 5% back is like 20 cents off a gallon.
@ Loren – I guess a gas card could have it’s benefits but you’re giving a loan to the gas company against a future purchase.
I’ve noticed a lot of stations doing this too. I actually work for a consumer credit advocacy group and just to let you know they aren’t allowed to charge you more for credit card use – that is against the agreements they have with the credit card companies. Usually it’s just the mom and pop shops that try this. I recommend reporting it to the number on the back of your card.
By the time you drive into the gas station, stop, get out of the car, get ready to pump, and then realize the deception, you’re almost “stuck” into buying their gas, unless you’re stubborn (as many frugal people are). Their dual pricing system should be boldly posted on their large signs unless they are trying to be deceptive (and perhaps they are!) Thanks for pointing this out to us so we can be extra-aware!
These people should have their green cards revoked.This dual pricing is a Sikh joke.
@ Tom – This is just a racist remark! There’s no reason for a comment like this. Does this make you feel better?!? Sad. It’s attitudes like yours that hold our country back from fulfilling it’s potential.
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