Gas Station Rip Offs
Tonight ABC News filed a story about how some gas stations are ripping off credit card user at the pump with the old bait and switch.
How this works is posting a price per gallon on the reader board to lure customers into the station. Once the credit card is swiped the price per gallon goes up. In one New York station, as much as 50 cents per gallon.
Given that people are cutting back on fuel consumption, many gas stations are hurting. So they are passing on the discount rates the credit card companies charge them. I don’t like it, but it is fair.
The example ABC used was visa card, charging 2% per purchase, translates into an 8 cent increase per gallon on gasoline that is $4.11 a gallon. Raising the price to $4.19.
The best way to protect yourself from this abuse is to look at the meter after you have swiped your card and after the purchase check your receipts. Many of these stations know people seldom check the receipt and that enables these crooked merchants to get away with larceny.
Those that will be traveling this summer, you are even more vulnerable, there isn’t always another station around the corner on the highway. Protect yourself by taking American Express or travelers checks with you. They as good as cash and accepted most everywhere. Unlike cash, they can be replaced if lost or stolen.
As gas prices continue to rise, so will the gas scams by stations that are not honest. This is not to say all petrol stations are practicing this gas scam. Just be aware that some are. Practice due diligence at the pump and hit the clear button when done filling the tank.
We are the only ones that can protect our selves from gas scams. These stations cannot get away with price rip offs with out our permission.
Andrew Berkey
http://www.scoretouchdowns.com
May 26 2007 11:10 am | Story
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