Cash/credit at the gas pumps..RANT !

[only1alphafemale]

We have to go to UCSF every few weeks to my cardiologists. We always try to gas up at the flying J truck stop just before we take the turn off to head for Frisco off of 99~ ( Frisco has one of the highest rates per gallon for gas in the nation )

The last time we were there, my hubby used his atm card to purchase our gas fill up. Thinking he was getting the advertised low "cash" purchase ~

Now, here is the rub ~

He wanted to make it an atm purchase on his atm card. He was told inside that since they didnt issue or "allow" cash back transactions, they had to run it as a credit purchase. He didnt realize that by doing it that way he gave almost 10cents more per gallon!!!
By the time it dawned on me what had happened, it was from something he said right after we left, so it was too late for me to go in and make a "fuss" or object ! which I sure would have done!!! :confused:

Am I wrong in feeling "railroaded" or "ripped off" here???? I thinks its bogus but I dont know exactly who to report this too? or if there even IS anyone to report this too? :mad:

[Mysteefied]

From what I understand it's illegal for businesses to charge a fee for using your credit card, not sure if that means they can charge higher prices instead. I have no clue who you would report it to, but when you find out, please share the info, I'm sure there are many of us who would like to know.


We have to go to UCSF every few weeks to my cardiologists. We always try to gas up at the flying J truck stop just before we take the turn off to head for Frisco off of 99~ ( Frisco has one of the highest rates per gallon for gas in the nation )

The last time we were there, my hubby used his atm card to purchase our gas fill up. Thinking he was getting the advertised low "cash" purchase ~

Now, here is the rub ~

He wanted to make it an atm purchase on his atm card. He was told inside that since they didnt issue or "allow" cash back transactions, they had to run it as a credit purchase. He didnt realize that by doing it that way he gave almost 10cents more per gallon!!!
By the time it dawned on me what had happened, it was from something he said right after we left, so it was too late for me to go in and make a "fuss" or object ! which I sure would have done!!! :confused:

Am I wrong in feeling "railroaded" or "ripped off" here???? I thinks its bogus but I dont know exactly who to report this too? or if there even IS anyone to report this too? :mad:

[Sandman]

The way I understand it is that credit companies, such as Visa or Mastercard, will not allow businesses to charge a fee for the use of a card with their logo. That is part of the agreement a merchant has with them. So I would report it to Visa or Mastercard if that's the card you used.

Merchants are allowed to charge a fee for ATM.

I may be wrong on this, but this is what I was told several years ago.

[Godschild]

You are right...businesses can not charge a fee on a credit card purchase. The way that businesses get away with that is by saying they are giving a discount for a cash sale, instead of actually saying they are charging more for a credit card sale. They just don't post any signs explaining that. It's usually in small print someplace in their store/station.

[only1alphafemale]

Thanks for everyones input here.

Sandman? Its an ATM card through is bank on his checking account, so it may be different since its not issue directly through visa/mc?

Does anyone know who? or what branch of government or legal agency may handle this? or look into it?

Next time we go to UCSF, we wont play this game. He will draw the cash out of the ATM for our fill up ahead of time.....live and learn ! :eek:

[cattledoggiemoon]

San Francisco shouldn't get the rap for this practice.
I say this for two reasons.

I travel to UCSF SF for my mom and The East Bay regularly since I grew up in the area.

And two, Yosemite Gas in Oakhurst does the same thing.

You just have to know where to buy gas. When I am in the Bay Area I buy from the Valero on Washington Blvd. in San Leandro. It has the lowest price in all of the East Bay and is off of the 880.

Recently I pumped gas at Yosemite Gas and thought I was getting the price advertised. When I went in... it was much higher per gallon because I used my debit card. I was angry too and felt ripped off and only get gas at Vons or Valero locally. When I pointed it out to the employee they stated the price was only for cash- the higher price is what he has to charge for debit or credit card.

[only1alphafemale]

San Francisco shouldn't get the rap for this practice.
I say this for two reasons.

I travel to UCSF SF for my mom and The East Bay regularly since I grew up in the area.

Recently I pumped gas at Yosemite Gas and thought I was getting the price advertised. When I went in... it was much higher per gallon because I used my debit card. I was angry too and felt ripped off and only get gas at Vons or Valero locally. When I pointed it out to the employee they stated the price was only for cash.

I go to UCSF every 6 week to 3 months now for over a year and half.


You miss-understand me if you think I am giving UCSF the "rap" for this. I didnt mention anything other than the higher gas prices in San Francisco which has even made the national news btw ~

I was however talking about what you just affirmed is going on, with that "bait 'n switch" of gas prices when using an ATM card ~ To me thats just plain WRONG no matter where your at. My complaint is that the truck top we used to gas up on the way to UCSF pulled the same thing on us, with the exception of them telling hubby they had to charge him for a CREDIT CARD purchase and NOT the atm/cash option ~

Sorry if I wasnt clear on this~ :D

[monkey]

On our way back from Veags last week, we stopped at a station that would not take any credit cards, just cash and debit. They said credit cards fees are too high.

[cattledoggiemoon]

No I didn't take any offense.. I was just saying don't give SF a bad rap for high gas prices or a bait and switch game alone. Locally I see us get gouged all the time during tourist season.

Yes, they are higher but there are also competitve prices in the Bay Area too and this bait and switch is happening everywhere including here in Oakhurst on Hwy 41.


this link has some price per gallon options in varying areas for travel.

http://www.californiagasprices.com/

http://www.fresnogasprices.com/


http://www.californiagasprices.com/index.aspx?s=Y&fuel=A&area=Oakhurst&tme_limit=48&site=California&srch=0&list=0


You'll see on the Oakhurst link the (-.7 cents) for cash or debit... But I can tell you I chose debit and they charged me the higher price.

http://www.sanfrangasprices.com/

[BGW]

We too noticed on our trip that ARCO did not take credit cards only cash and debit.

[Dodgergirl]

I paid cash for most of my recent 1800+ mile journey, but what we found interesting was the prices at Exxon/Mobil varied between stations by .10 - .15, sometimes only across the street from each other... aren't they the same company?

[only1alphafemale]

[QUOTE=cattledoggiemoon;55219]No I didn't take any offense.. I was just saying don't give SF a bad rap for high gas prices or a bait and switch game alone. Locally I see us get gouged all the time during tourist season.

Yes, they are higher but there are also competitve prices in the Bay Area too and this bait and switch is happening everywhere including here in Oakhurst on Hwy 41.


cattledoggiemoon?
I wish we new SF better! ~ but I know the route from the highway to UCSF with certain main streets being the ones we stick too, so we get kind of "locked" in or risk getting lost ! <sigh> Like trying to find a "cheap" motel to stay in over night there~ ...its been an impossible task! These trips are just very costly to us, so gas prices really matter :( Glad I did offend you :grin:

[cattledoggiemoon]

I can understand that... especially if you are not familiar with the area.

I don't know if I can help but you can PM me to ask for areas I am familiar with. I drive up to San Leandro, stay overnight at my parents and then do the drive to UCSF when necessary. It only takes about 30-40 minutes from SL to UCSF - depending on traffic. Places are expensive to stay.. I can't think of anything under $100-120 a night . There is a place in San Lorenzo called :

Hilton Garden Inn
510 Lewelling Boulevard, San Leandro, California, USA 94579
Tel: +1-510-346 5533 Fax: +1-510-346 5544

I like it because it is 5 minutes to my parents house ( for when their house has other guests and I have to stay at a hotel ) and includes a nice continental breakfast but also has a full kitchen to ask for omeletes etc if you like.

Sometimes the prices are pretty inexpensive ( relatively) in The City. I have found good deals on The Wharf believe it or not at the Holiday Inn.

The hotel is on the border of San Leandro and San Lorenzo right off of the 880 freeway.

You can then hop on the 880 north to the Bay Bridge and go over to Fell Street to 3rd and then Parnassus. If that is the UCSF medical building area you travel .... there are alot of them in SF

[only1alphafemale]

I can understand that... especially if you are not familiar with the area.

I don't know if I can help but you can PM me to ask for areas I am familiar with.


Hi,

Sent you a PM Cattledoggiemoon ~ :)

[Ironhorse]

San Francisco shouldn't get the rap for this practice.
I say this for two reasons.

I travel to UCSF SF for my mom and The East Bay regularly since I grew up in the area.

And two, Yosemite Gas in Oakhurst does the same thing.

You just have to know where to buy gas. When I am in the Bay Area I buy from the Valero on Washington Blvd. in San Leandro. It has the lowest price in all of the East Bay and is off of the 880.

Recently I pumped gas at Yosemite Gas and thought I was getting the price advertised. When I went in... it was much higher per gallon because I used my debit card. I was angry too and felt ripped off and only get gas at Vons or Valero locally. When I pointed it out to the employee they stated the price was only for cash- the higher price is what he has to charge for debit or credit card.

Yeah, and Yosemite Gas's sign out front by the street says the debit price is the same as the cash price, so they're guilty of false advertisement. I didn't get a chance to call Weights and Measures today, going to try to call tomorrow.

[only1alphafemale]

Yeah, and Yosemite Gas's sign out front by the street says the debit price is the same as the cash price, so they're guilty of false advertisement. I didn't get a chance to call Weights and Measures today, going to try to call tomorrow.


Cool Buzz, let me know what happens when you talk to them please? :yes:

[Ironhorse]

Well, I got tired of being on hold, so I sent an e-mail to the Dept of Weights and Measures for the County. Will let you know what they say back. Here's their site: http://www.madera-county.com/agcommissioner/weightsandmeasures/

[only1alphafemale]

Well, I got tired of being on hold, so I sent an e-mail to the Dept of Weights and Measures for the County. Will let you know what they say back. Here's their site: http://www.madera-county.com/agcommissioner/weightsandmeasures/


Thanks Buzz, hold buttons are one thing that I have never been very sure that I really appreciate them very much ~ :( too easy to forget about someone ! ) Thanks for the link but my complaint would be out of Madera County ~

[Ironhorse]

Whatever county you are in, the Department of Weights and Measures is the appropriate agency to report gas pump problems to such as this. My complaint was investigated and I was told I made a mistake, that the pump did give the option of debit or credit card. I still say it did not (was that option given before or after I made my complaint to the owner?) Anyway, at least maybe it won't happen to someone else.

[only1alphafemale]

Whatever county you are in, the Department of Weights and Measures is the appropriate agency to report gas pump problems to such as this. My complaint was investigated and I was told I made a mistake, that the pump did give the option of debit or credit card. I still say it did not (was that option given before or after I made my complaint to the owner?) Anyway, at least maybe it won't happen to someone else.


Go figure huh ! I am sure that when I make my complaint I will be told I was in "error" also~! But! Hubby's mistake wasnt done at the pump, he was told at the counter they didnt accept atm/cash payments! So we shall see! Thanks very much for the info!!!! :)

[Coyote]

On our way back from Veags last week, we stopped at a station that would not take any credit cards, just cash and debit. They said credit cards fees are too high.
yes, the fees credit card companies charge is criminal. i was thinking about not taking credit cards in my business anymore as well.
one month i processed about 500. dollars in credit card sales, and was charged 240.00 for using them. that minus the gas,labor and material i used. i actually gave any profit i had plus a little extra to the credit card company. i could have stayed home and had more money in my account.

[monkey]

That's a crazy percentage. You should be paying about 5% at the most. You may want to check around for a different merchant processor. We pay 2-3% plus a small transaction fee 15-20 cents per transaction. It can be higher or lower depending on the type of card we are accepting. American Express is the most expensive.

[Coyote]

i am signed up with transfirst credit. i know as soon as my contract is up with them i will close that account. i have considered not taking cards altogether, but maybe i will take a look at another company. the rates you are getting seem to be acceptable.

[Coldwolf]

Just stopped at the Kwik Serve accross from McD's. They charge 7 cents per gallon for credit purchases on gas. Or 7 cents less for cash as they state it.