WTF? My local Exxon now charging more for credit card purchases!

[isasir]

Last night, I went to get gas at the Exxon station I normally go to on my way home. The large sign says $2.19/gallon, but while pumping, I noticed I'm being charged $2.23/gallon. I look up and I see the sign that indicates CC transactions are 4 cents more per gallon!! Is this something new that gas stations are doing, or is it just a few stations that are doing this? I'm definitely going to switch stations now. :| BTW, this was in Long Island, NY.

 

[beer]

that's against their card acceptance agreements and probably won't last more than another day or so :mad;

 

[isasir]

Well I think this has been going on for at least a week now. I had refilled over a week ago, and noticed that I was being charged more at the pump, but I was filling up at like 11 PM, so in my semi-tiredness, I assumed that maybe they didn't change the sign yet and prices went up. I paid attention this time though.

Is this really illegal for them to do? The large sign does say "CASH" at the bottom, indicating those are the cash-prices.

 

[Engineer]

I wonder how long it will be before other retailers start passing on the credit card fees (2% or so) to the consumer. I'm suprised that more aren't doing it already.

I think that many are afraid to pass it right now, but as credit card use becomes much more mainstream, the retailers might pass the buck to the consumer with the confidence that the consumer would rather have the convenience of the card vs cash, regardless of higher price.

If anyone charges a cc fee, switch to another retailer. If everyone did this, the gougers would notice and retract their fees.

 

[Anubis]

i always use my speedpass at the exxon/moble station

never noticed this but ill keep my eye oout

 

[TerryMathews]

Originally posted by: beer
that's against their card acceptance agreements and probably won't last more than another day or so :mad;

Technically, it is not against the TOS if the business offers a cash discount. You can't charge extra for credit card, but you can charge less for cash. I know it's effectively the same thing, since gas stations only accept the two forms of payment, but that's how the world works.

 

[EvilPaper]

Originally posted by: TerryMathews

Originally posted by: beer
that's against their card acceptance agreements and probably won't last more than another day or so :mad;

Technically, it is not against the TOS if the business offers a cash discount. You can't charge extra for credit card, but you can charge less for cash. I know it's effectively the same thing, since gas stations only accept the two forms of payment, but that's how the world works.

Its not, but they are required to be clear about it being a discount from the standard price. Here's the info from the watered-down merchants guide to Visa's policies:

No
Surcharging
Always treat Visa transactions like any other transaction; that is, you may not
impose any surcharge on a Visa transaction. You may, however, offer a discount
for cash transactions, provided that the offer is clearly disclosed to customers
and the cash price is presented as a discount from the standard price charged
for all other forms of payment.

 

[OutHouse]

Amoco used to do this for many years. but you would get a 4 cent discount if you paid cash. thier signs listed the credit card price. you got the discount when you went inside to pay.

 

[Reel]

While driving, I stopped to fill up at a gas station that seemed extraordinarily low. I realized their advertised price was the cash discount price or their credit card only. I had already committed to using my Citibank Dividend Platinum Select credit card. At first I was a bit upset that I was being overcharged about 3 or 4 cents a gallon but then I remembered that I got 5% back so I was still coming out about 6 cents a gallon ahead of anyone using cash or the gas station's credit card.

 

[HiTek21]

Arco stations charge a .35 or .45 cent surcharge if you use a debit/credit card to fill up. Not sure if its nation wide but at least here in So. Cali

 

[isasir]

Originally posted by: Reel
While driving, I stopped to fill up at a gas station that seemed extraordinarily low. I realized their advertised price was the cash discount price or their credit card only. I had already committed to using my Citibank Dividend Platinum Select credit card. At first I was a bit upset that I was being overcharged about 3 or 4 cents a gallon but then I remembered that I got 5% back so I was still coming out about 6 cents a gallon ahead of anyone using cash or the gas station's credit card.

Yeah, I'm using my Dividends card as well, so I'm still coming out ahead, but now I need to automatically add 4 cents to the larger sign at this Exxon to see which of the local stations is giving the best deal.

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: beer
that's against their card acceptance agreements and probably won't last more than another day or so :mad;

No. Gas stations are allowed to have a cash discount. This goes way back. 20 years ago or so, all gas stations had cash discounts.

 

[beer]

Originally posted by: Vic

Originally posted by: beer
that's against their card acceptance agreements and probably won't last more than another day or so :mad;

No. Gas stations are allowed to have a cash discount. This goes way back. 20 years ago or so, all gas stations had cash discounts.

cash discount != advertised price on big sign + credit card surcharge

As stated above, they would have to advertise the CC price, THEN offer a cash discount.

 

[cavemanmoron]

Originally posted by: TerryMathews

Originally posted by: beer
that's against their card acceptance agreements and probably won't last more than another day or so :mad;

Technically, it is not against the TOS if the business offers a cash discount. You can't charge extra for credit card, but you can charge less for cash. I know it's effectively the same thing, since gas stations only accept the two forms of payment, but that's how the world works.

Exxon has to pay for the oil they spilled in Valdez Alaska somehow!

I go to Hess.

Exxon/Mobil uses oil from the mideast,where Hess doesn't.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: Vic

Originally posted by: beer
that's against their card acceptance agreements and probably won't last more than another day or so :mad;

No. Gas stations are allowed to have a cash discount. This goes way back. 20 years ago or so, all gas stations had cash discounts.

Yeah we recently found a Chevron which was about $0.10 cheaper than the competition. Pulled up ready to get some gas, handed them my CitiBank cc and was denied! Had to pay with cash!

 

[NeoPTLD]

There are a few gas stations around here with different prices for cash and credit/debit.

 

[isasir]

^

 

[cchen]

Most, actually all, businesses have the credit card fee factored into their business models. If they're trying to charge more for CC purchases..... aviod them.

 

[Gibson486]

lots of gas companies do this. No biggie.