i live in nj and gas prices here are high (like everywhere else) but there seems to a new trick involved. the gas station i go to has the lowest prices in the area, even if only by a few pennies. i filled up yesterday and noticed the pump displayed a higher price per gallon than was posted on the sign by the road. i asked the guy and he said that was because they now offer a "cash discount" and that was the price displayed at the road. so they lure you in with the low price sign, and gyp you 6 extra cents a gallon at the pump!
anyone else have this experience lately?
2007-06-01 02:23:16 · 11 answers · asked by emaxpower100 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
sorry the cash discount price was displayed at the road ($2.899) and i was paying with my credit card and paid $2.959
2007-06-01 02:32:15 · update #1
my major beef here is why didn't they advertise a cahs price and a credit price. up until last week it was the same price for cash or credit.
shady i think
2007-06-01 02:33:52 · update #2
nah, sounds weird
2007-06-01 02:26:51 · answer #1 · answered by BeLiZe Gyal 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This used to be very common, but has gotten less common as more and more people use credit cards. The reason is that the credit card companies charge all merchants a commission on card transactions, so if a store takes credit cards, they are automatically losing 2-5%. American Express charges the highest and that's why not everyone takes it. So the gas station is trying to be helpful by allowing you to save money if you use cash b/c they don't have to pay the credit card fee. They need to charge the higher cost for credit cards b/c they lose part of the sale.
2007-06-01 02:30:17 · answer #2 · answered by lawmom 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It used to be common in the '80s and subsequently cash and credit prices merged in the '90s and up until recently. Now, with the high prices of gas throughout the country and especially in San Diego, CA, many stations have started charging a few cents higher for credit card purchases again and a few cents lower if you purchased additional products like car washes. Of course, using certain credit cards such as gasoline credit cards typically give you a few rebates afterwards.
2007-06-02 19:40:31 · answer #3 · answered by Every drop counts 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I live in Arkansas and this is pretty common. The guy at the station I use said it was because he had to pay the credit card companies every time he took credit cards; so he was offering a slight discount for cash.
2007-06-01 02:28:22 · answer #4 · answered by Jack S 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I use my debit card at the pump. But suddenly there's an outbreak of gas stations here that charge a much cheaper price if you pay in cash!
2016-04-01 09:06:59 · answer #5 · answered by Erika 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's interesting!! I have not seen such thing in my area but I have seen similar signs to buy cheaper Gas with a Car Wash. Many people dont realize they have to get a car was to get their Gas cheaper than else where but if they pulled in by mistake and bought the Gas, regular prices will be higher compared to other Gas Stations.
Recently I came across a website:- www.gasbuddy.com.
GasBuddy.com can help you find cheap gas prices in your city. It is a network of more than 179+ gas price information web sites that helps you find low gasoline prices.
Hope this will help you and other readers!
2007-06-01 02:35:08 · answer #6 · answered by megdhanusi 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
LOL
Just the opposite actually. I pulled in to the station showing a price of $2.07 per gallon yesterday. I used my gas credit card, and only had to pay $2.03 per gallon.
2007-06-01 02:26:01 · answer #7 · answered by kja63 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Common many places. It covers the charge from the credit card companies for using the service. Very common at truck stops for diesel.
2007-06-02 07:18:11 · answer #8 · answered by gone 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm in Texas and my station has a similar deal, but it clearly states on top of sign 'cash price'.
2007-06-01 02:29:21 · answer #9 · answered by Geneddly 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sounds like a switch and bait scam
2007-06-03 23:05:37 · answer #10 · answered by cheri h 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋