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Costco gas

JTsyo

JTsyo

Lifer
So the Costco close to me opened a gas station. 3.12 for regular (-3% rebate for AmEx). Last fill up was from BP for 3.28 (-5% rebate for BP card). Seems like a no brainer since it's on the way into work. Gas should be just as good as other stations right?
 
Costco is the shit pretty much for everything. If I can buy something there, I do it. Their return policy is stellar on electronics (eg, flat panels).
 
Too long of lines to save a few pennies over the corner stations.

If I'm at Costco and lines are short - sure I'll fill up but never drive to Costco just for gas.
 
All gas comes from one Central location within your area.

Some (like Shell) for example add some BS and try to sell you on "look ours is better".
 
Costco has the best price by me (and I have their 3% card) but apparently you are only supposed to use 'tier 1' gas in my car 🙁
 
I've been using Costco gas for years. Never a problem. Our Costco has a gas attendant there and sometimes he gets a little pushy. I remember on a cold December day getting back in my car while the gas pump was going. He came running up to my car telling me that I must stand next to the pump while its going.
 
I drive enough that the gas would pay for the membership alone, except they have restricted hours, so I always end up getting gas down the street at the 24-hour station. Working odd hours sucks.

That said, I also use a lot of toilet paper, etc. So I'm a member.
 
Vdubchaos said:
All gas comes from one Central location within your area.

Some (like Shell) for example add some BS and try to sell you on "look ours is better".
Click to expand...

A girl's SUV I know was filled up with Shell about a year ago. It started acting funny. I don't know the specifics, but after much investigation by the dealer, they finally narrowed it down to the gas, and had to pump it out of the entire car and fuel system. Very costly. I completely agree with the statement that all gas is pretty much the same. Costco all the way.
 
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well there are warning labels on the pumps that do not enter vehicle while gas is pumping. the movements on and off your seat can produce static.

i hate people that smoke while pumping gas

i use bjs gas, no costco down here. no issues with it
 
The differences in gas come down to 2 things. The first is additives. Additives and detergents have been shown to increase trouble-free driving over the lifetime of the vehicle, so its not a moot point. Second is the station itself. The "corporate" type stations tend to not only have better on-site filtration, but are generally better kept stations which can contribute to better gas.
 
costco has signs around the pumps that say they clean their filters all the time and have well over the minimum amount of detergents. i have no reason to doubt them. other than chevron you usually have to buy the highest octane grade to get the most additives and detergents from the station anyway.
 
I wish they sold gas without ethanol in it. Such a PITA to find gas stations like that. I knew where they were in New Mexico but so far haven't found any in Colorado Springs area. 🙁

Fuck you ethanol and corn subsidies. fuck you so hard.
 
CNBC had a special on Costco and at least for the products they sell, their margins are razor thin (14 - 15% gross) vs. much higher overhead at say super market (I forgot the number, I think it was 20 - 25% gross margin).

Most of their profit is apparently made on membership fees.

So they probably have lower overhead vs. gas station and use the cheap gas to draw more people into their warehouses.


The special also said that some of the high end stuff they sell is grey market, because founder directly said on special, he felt regular distribution channels were charging too much.
 
The lines at the Costco are always ginormous around here. If it's ten cents cheaper than down the street (which is about average), I'll save just over two bucks on a fill.

Guess what, I'm not sitting in line for 15-20 minutes to save two bucks.
 
dainthomas said:
The lines at the Costco are always ginormous around here. If it's ten cents cheaper than down the street (which is about average), I'll save just over two bucks on a fill.

Guess what, I'm not sitting in line for 15-20 minutes to save two bucks.
Click to expand...

How about gas that won't destroy your engine?
 
Nintendesert said:
I wish they sold gas without ethanol in it. Such a PITA to find gas stations like that. I knew where they were in New Mexico but so far haven't found any in Colorado Springs area. 🙁

Fuck you ethanol and corn subsidies. fuck you so hard.
Click to expand...
But you're helping to support the corn lobbying industry.
Why do you hate corrupt private industry? :colbert:
 
Nintendesert said:
I wish they sold gas without ethanol in it. Such a PITA to find gas stations like that. I knew where they were in New Mexico but so far haven't found any in Colorado Springs area. 🙁

Fuck you ethanol and corn subsidies. fuck you so hard.
Click to expand...

www.pure-gas.org

Had a quick look, doesn't seem like there are a lot in Colorado. There are a few around here, but some are just for boats and because it is on the water they charge a lot. The regular gas stations that sell ethanol-free charge about a dollar more per gallon.
 
I must be missing out, the Costco near me generally sells gas for about the same price as regular gas stations, so I see no reason to go there when I can get 5% cash back elsewhere.
 
I've heard stories where dealers (yes, I know) will claim "bad gas" messed with the fuel system/engine. Additives are not all equal. One time we came upon a station that had a huge sign that said "gas is gas" and only beaters were filling up there.

So where does Costco stand? I'd only do the small stations once in a while. A Sunoco happens to be the cheapest around here other than a BJs which is miles away.
 
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I've purchased my gas at Costco exclusively for nearly a decade. It's much cheaper than any of the gas stations in a 20 mile radius. Never had any issues. It does get very crowded, though, so I always go at off-peak times.
 
Fortunately both of my cars have their fuel filler hoses on the passenger's side (BMW does this on all their cars so you aren't hit by a passing car if you have to refuel on the side of the road in an emergency). There is never a line at my Costco for the pumps that feed the right side of the car, since many/most American and Japanese cars seem to have their fuel filler hoses on the driver's side.
 
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