Gas prices differ from sign to the display on the pump..

[El Guaraguao]

Was going out of town with my girl and before we jump on the highway, we pull into a gas station to fill up. I stayed at the pump while she went inside to pay and get snacks. Im sitting here waiting for the OK to pump and I glance at the display and notice the price is different. It was more expensive at the pump than what was advertised on the board. I bust out my cellphone and took a shitty video recording of the difference and walk inside and ask the cashier what the hell was going on.
She tells me something about a law passing that if you use your credit card at the pump, you pay more for fees or some bullshit. Naturally, /facepalm comes into play. So I kept it calm and ask for the contact information of the manager who runs the place.

After we filled up, yes we paid because we were in a rush and went down to the next gas station and asked the cashier about this "law" that was passed and she laughed and said she didnt know anything about it. Just like the rest of the other gas stations, price were as advertised.


What do you guys think? Keep in mind, no cash was involved in the transaction and my girl paid inside for the gas, not at the pump.


****Update****

I just reviewed the video and noticed a big ass sign under the prices, CASH PRICE. Im usually the type of person to pay attention to detail (hence the video, getting as much info, etc...) but damn... Seems like when I dont, I end up making a fool of myself! lol

Also, this is the first time Ive come across this (obviously) and Ive been driving for a good 12 years!

 

[Alone]

Seems like false advertising to me.

 

[Atty]

I know of a few gas stations in my area (central florida) that have different prices for credit or cash, some of which have electronic boards that advertise the difference. I first heard about it from a friend who lives up north, since then I've come a cross it only a handful of times.

I don't think its a law as much as it is something some gas stations can "legally" get away with.

 

[El Guaraguao]

I know of a few gas stations in my area (central florida) that have different prices for credit or cash, some of which have electronic boards that advertise the difference. I first heard about it from a friend who lives up north, since then I've come a cross it only a handful of times.

I don't think its a law as much as it is something some gas stations can "legally" get away with.

Heh, might be a Florida thing. We were at a gas station in the north florida area...

 

[bhanson]

I haven't seen it in a while, but as a kid I remember the gas station signs mentioning something about CASH on them.

 

[LTC8K6]

Charging more for using credit cards at the pump has been common for a very long time.

 

[Sinsear]

Charging more for using credit cards at the pump has been common for a very long time.

This

 

[Soundmanred]

Charging more for using credit cards at the pump has been common for a very long time.

Yup. Not near where I live, but pretty common in other parts of the country.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

legally you cannot charge more for using credit, you can however offer a cash discount.

 

[zokudu]

Happens at some stations around me in NJ. I know we frequent the local station that does not charge extra though.

 

[DrPizza]

Some members here would scoff at the idea of paying with cash though. They only use a credit card for all purchases.

 

[LTC8K6]

legally you cannot charge more for using credit, you can however offer a cash discount.

We charge more for using a credit card. Have been doing so forever. We say it right up front. 2% more to use a credit card. We aren't giving any cash discounts. We don't even take cash in our business. The government is our most frequent credit card customer.

We aren't selling fuel, though.

 

[Soundmanred]

Some members here would scoff at the idea of paying with cash though. They only use a credit card for all purchases.

Gotta get that 12 cent reward!

 

[Leros]

legally you cannot charge more for using credit, you can however offer a cash discount.

To my understanding, that is the law here as well. I see gas stations with 3 cent cash discounts all the time.

 

[Soundmanred]

A real man admits when he's wrong.
Kudos.

 

[SandEagle]

this has been going on in detroit for years. they typically charge 10 cents more per gallon if you use a credit card

 

[thebestMAX]

When credit cards became more universal stations used to post both a cash and credit card price. I predicted the cash price would disappear and slowly but surely only one price was posted so now everybody who pays cash is penalized for those who use cards.

I paid cash only for gas (easier to manage my expense account) until I moved to Floriduh in 1996 and then said frack it, if Im paying for it Im going to use it.

Ive seen those places that give a few cents a gallon off if you use cash but none close by. Not worth bothering with IMHO unless you just happen on one. usually off brands of gas though.

 

[blinblue]

To my understanding, that is the law here as well. I see gas stations with 3 cent cash discounts all the time.

I doubt its a law, it is however an agreement that merchants must agree to to use the Visa/Mastercard networks. I believe the rules for Discover state that they can charge more for credit transactions, but if the store also takes Visa/Mastercard then their rules apply for Discover as well (I forget what American Express states)


Why I remember is because I was at the DMV and they charge a 1.5% surcharge for using a credit card. I never did find out if it was technically allowed or not...

 

[bobdole369]

There is no law. There are retarded gas stations attendants.

This is common practice in some parts of the USA (not sure about other countries as I live in the USA and have not driven/needed to purchase fuel anywhere but the USA).

Its not common where I live (the purple mushroom tip of America's Wang), but I've seen it in Orlando/Tampa/JAX. Also California and Nevada.

I have recently learned that nearly all surcharges and "you must buy $10 for credit card" are all disallowed by merchant agreements for visa and mastercard. (note that there is no such thing as law about what a CC company or retailer can charge in most cases). You should be calling Visa or Mastercard directly to report these merchants and drive them right out of business!!!!

 

[Blackjack200]

I love gas stations that give a cash discount, the ones that don't are just embedding the CC costs in their $/gallon price. Screw subsidizing these skeezics with their 'rewards'. I wish every merchant gave a cash discount.