Suspicion: Ripped off at the gas pump

elchrist · Posted: 29 Aug 2005 03:25 PM Post subject: Suspicion: Ripped off at the gas pump

I heard a rumor today about the price of gasoline going up about 20 cents because of the oil situation in Mexico with Hurricane Katrina shutting down the refineries and the price of a barrell of oil at $70. I had a about a half a tank of gas in my car, so just to be on the safe side I go fill it up while I'm in Brawley.

Now the subject title of this topic is about being ripped off, but I'm not referring to the act of being cornholed due to the already high gas prices. I'm talking 'bout being ripped off by the actual gas station for whatever reason.

I stopped at this Big Barn Market and Restaurant (and gasoline and car wash) because the advertised price for Regular Unleaded (87 octane) was $2.75.9 while the AM/PM and another on the way into town were advertising $2.79.9 for the 87. The place I stopped at looked a little shady to start as I actually had to walk inside to pay and there was no canopy to protect its customers from what is probably one of the hottest days this month. Screw it, I was already there, so I walked in.

This kid was talking to the female clerk in the most vulgar fashion and he doesn't seem to mind. Neither did the employee. He stepped aside and I give her my credit card and she tells me she's just opened the pump I was at. As I'm walking away, they both continue where they left off in their conversation. F'ing, f'ing, f'ing.

I take out the hose gun and noticed it leaked a few drops as the preset lock was on. I figured the customer before me wanted to play some trick on the next fool who came along, so I just went ahead and began to pump. As I pressed the lever, I noticed the meter was already passed 2 dollars. I stopped and then continued to fill it up since I was going to go inside anyway. This pump was a pain in the ass. Click. Click. Click.

Oh, the price of gas at this station was really $2.79.9, not $2.75.9.

I went back into the store to get the final tally and brought up the fact that it started at over $2. She tried assuring me that the price was right, since she said most of the other pumps' displays weren't even working. I told her she better be certain 'cause I was right about to call the County of Imperial's offices. She said it wasn't her problem, but the owners'.

Strangely enough another guy who was pumping gas came in pissed.

The girl then showed me how another customer pre-paid $30, but the total was $30.01. I guess the business lost a cent.

I was still pissed so I called the County and of course got a voice mailbox. Hopefully the person in charge calls me back.

realneo · Posted: 30 Aug 2005 08:46 PM Post subject:

gas went up ten cents in one day, that's bullshit. we are all getting ripped off, if it wasn't too fucking hot i would walk everywhere from now on. I think i'm going to trade by pick up and get a horse and just feed him grass and stolen haystacks, just like the good old days

locoinclx · Posted: 30 Aug 2005 10:32 PM Post subject:

elchrist · Posted: 31 Aug 2005 05:21 AM Post subject:

realneo · Posted: 31 Aug 2005 08:13 AM Post subject:

elchrist

locoinclx

realneo

carnicerodegiles · Posted: 01 Sep 2005 07:50 PM Post subject:

September 3 is National Don't Buy Gas Day. Let's unite and cause some serious financial damage to gas companies.

elchrist · Posted: 02 Sep 2005 05:02 AM Post subject: