A man in Alabama has been charged with attempted murder and resisting arrest after allegedly driving his truck into a gas station. According to Jefferson County police, the suspect was angry that the only pump available was pre-pay only. [More]
gas stations
Citi Mysteriously Closes Scads Of Mastercard Accounts Nationwide
By 10.20.09
Without warning, Citi decided to close a swath of gas-station co-branded Mastercard accounts nationwide. The trouble seems to have started October 15. Quan was one of the affected customers and the credit card company was pretty disingenuous about it when called.
Gas Station Writes "Big Fat Black Lady" On Customer's Receipt
By 9.27.09
The gas station clerk needed some way to identify a customer who was returning after being shorted $10 at the gas pump. Before scrawling “Black Lady – Big – Fat” on her receipt, however, he probably should have realized that she would be taking the receipt with her.
Customer Complaint Leads To Sincere Apology, Actual Change At HyVee
By 9.11.09
Matt complained to his local Hyvee grocery/gas station about the excessive holds they place on gas customers’ debit cards. The company apologized, offered him a gift card, and changed their signage to prevent further customer frustration.
WaPo Devotes Five Pages To Wawa/Sheetz Epic
By 8.27.09
We thought our love for Wawa was deep and true, then we read this lengthy column in the Washington Post about people getting married at a Wawa or flocking to the stores on 9/11 to regain a sense of community and normalcy.
10 Things You Should Know About Gas Stations
By 7.7.09
MSN Money has a list of 10 secrets about gas stations that could cost you money if you don’t know about them. The best ones are about why you shouldn’t use a debit card. For example, some stations will ask banks to place a hold on some of the cash in your account to cover your purchase, and won’t report the real purchase amount for a few days, leaving your cash in limbo.
Watered-Down Gasoline Damages Cars Near Baltimore
By 6.18.09
Rain water, not fraud or sabotage, is behind the bad gasoline sold at stations near Baltimore early this week. Hess, the supplier, is covering any damage to customers’ cars caused by the diluted fuel. So, how does this happen?
So, Why Is The Price Of Gas Rising Now?
By 1.19.09
I just don’t get it. Does Consumerist know of a good media source that has a *current* (i.e., in the last week or two) breakdown of why the heck gasoline prices are rising 10 cents a week and more in the last month?
ExxonMobil Gift Card Results In Higher Prices At Pump
By 12.29.08
ExxonMobil says their gift cards are “better than cash.” They also say, “This cash card is not a credit card.” But Rob in NY was hit with a credit card surcharge when he used his.
Why Was Gas So Expensive?
By 10.13.08
Did you know that gas price gouging almost never occurs as prices rise? Rather, it’s most often when dealers keep prices artificially high even as their costs fall. As gas costs were near $5 a gallon until falling and oil companies earn around $100 billion each year, it’s a good time to question what really goes into the price of gas. The numbers on the gas station sign hide a complex set of transactions. Before gas can power your car, it must be discovered as crude oil, traverse three markets, and be refined from crude into gas. Inside, we’ll explain the three markets, walk you through the role of refineries, and show how oil companies use creative tactics to manipulate gas prices…
Find Out Where Your Money Goes When You Buy Gas
By 10.7.08
Want to know where your fifties go when you fill up your car with gas? GOOD’s latest chart breaks down the assorted costs, and compares them with other places around the globe. You can grab a free printed copy at any Starbucks, or go here to check it out in bright RGB goodness.
NY Attorney General: 25% Of Gas Stations "Engage In Deceptive Practices"
By 8.29.08
New York’s Attorney General, Andrew Cuomo, is warning consumers after an undercover investigation found that 25% of gas stations are engaging in “deceptive practices, including wrongfully surcharging credit card customers.” The AG says that under New York state law, retailers are not allowed to impose surcharges for using a credit card.
Pump Gas In The Morning To Save Money? Nah.
By 8.12.08
Consumer Reports wants you to know that it’s OK to sleep in, because you’re not going to save money by pumping gas in the early morning. Why not?
Always Print Your Gas Pump Receipt As Proof Of Purchase
By 8.11.08
I pulled out of the lot, turned left, and I wasn’t more than 200 yards away when a cop comes up behind me, lights flashing. I knew I couldn’t have been speeding so I was genuinely confused. He said the woman at the United Dairy Farmers said I drove off without paying for gas.
Can Prayer Lower Gas Prices? These People Think So
By 7.8.08
Some people think we don’t have a prayer of gas prices dipping below $3.00 for a good long haul. These parishioners holding hands around a Shell station beg to differ. They’re part of a group called “Pray At The Pump,” organizing prayer-circles at various DC area gas stations, hoping to goad divine intervention into lowering gas prices. I wonder if they carpooled to the rendezvous point.
Buy Super-Cheap Costco Gas Without Costco Membership
By 6.28.08
Costco sells gas for $0.10-0.15 less per gallon than retail stations, but only to members who pay annual dues. Blueprint For Financial Prosperity claims to have found a way for non-members to access the bargain gas…
350 Of New Jersey's Gas Stations Are Violating State Regulations. Here's A Map Of Them.
By 6.25.08
A recent sweep of New Jersey gas stations by state and local inspectors resulted in over a third of them receiving citations for posting the wrong gas prices on road signs, changing the price of gas too often, and other other violations. The New Jersey Star Ledger made a very helpful map of the violator stations, available inside.
Gas Station Bans Credit Cards Because Of High Fees
By 6.19.08
It’s not only the customer who is taking a hit from high gas prices, some gas stations’ profits are being entirely mitigated by credit card interchange fees. The AP reports that gas station manager Roger Randolph was fed up with losing money on credit card fees. His solution was to place new signs on his Chevron gas pumps that read “No more credit cards.” Details, inside…
