Juan Zamora fed his 1994 Chevy Camaro $26 worth of gas, a transaction for which PayPal charged his debit card $81,400,836,908. Unsurprisingly, PayPal saw nothing wrong with the charge and demanded that Juan prove that he didn’t actually buy $81.4 billion worth of gas.
gas
Obama Auto Task Force Team's Cars Fail CAFE Standards
By 2.26.09
After it was pointed out that most of the cars owned by members of President Obama’s Task Force on the Auto Industry were imports, our friend Mark made another interesting discovery: nearly all of the cars fail current CAFE standards.
Is This Gas Company Lying About Reading Meters? Nope!
By 2.16.09
Update: As several readers have pointed out, there’s a simpler explanation for the confusion: both the OP and I were misreading the meter. The first digit should be rounded “down” to 9, so the meter in the photo actually reads 997.4 MCF—which is more in line with the previous bill. Thanks to everyone who caught this and wrote in or commented! We hope this helps you out, Michael.
By 1.26.09
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President Obama has ordered the EPA to allow states set their own fuel-efficiency standards (fourteen states had begun the process when President Bush put a stop to it a couple of years ago.) He’s also asked the DOT to “develop higher fuel-efficiency standards automakers would have to follow.” [USA Today]
How Would You Feel About A New National Gas Tax?
By 1.14.09
Don’t worry, there’s not one in the pipeline just yet, but Flexo at Consumerism Commentary asks whether now—with fuel prices relatively low again, at least compared to the recent past—is a good time to consider one.
Video: Oil Speculators To Blame For Record Gas Prices After All
By 1.12.09
If you thought oil speculators as the reason behind the historic gas prices spikes of this summer was debunked, think again. From ’07 to when the price of oil collapsed, supply increased and demand dropped. According to basic economic theory, this should’ve meant the price went down. But all of a sudden an influx of capital, an infusion that brought the total at play from $13 billion to $300 billion, brought to market by large investment bankers, exploiting de-regulation and trading in black box private exchanges made possible by Enron, drove the price of oil from $69 to almost $150. A new 60 Minutes report explores the issue. Video inside.
Make Your Driver's License A Debit Card And Save 3 Cents Per Gallon Of Gas
By 1.12.09
If you live in or around Austin, Texas, you can save 3 cents or more per gallon by turning your driver’s license into a debit card.
Utility Bill Surprisingly High? Check Whether It's 'Estimated'
By 1.12.09
Paul wants to know how his gas company can get away with estimated meter readings instead of actual numbers, especially since they lead to much higher bills. “This is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard of,” he writes, “And we are hoping that The Consumerist will be able to help us out.” It’s pretty common practice, actually, and the solution is to call the company and request a real reading as soon as possible.
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.
Now That Gas Prices Are Lower, You Have Money To Buy Stuff, Save
By 12.24.08
Even though real incomes are dropping and people are worrying about their jobs — a drop in gas prices has lead to a push in retail spending, says the New York Times.
Despite OPEC's Best Efforts, Oil Prices Have Slipped Below $40 A Barrel
By 12.18.08
Oil prices have fallen below $40 a barrel, a 4 year low, despite OPEC announcing that it would cut production by 2.2 million barrels a day.
What Would $40 A Barrel Oil Mean For Travelers?
By 12.4.08
Oil is now nearing a 4-year low as the world’s economic crisis keeps on truckin’, says the Wall Street Journal. Light, sweet crude (don’t you just love that term?) is now trading at 44.56 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. “The price was the lowest since January 2005 and more than $100 below oil’s record close July 3,” says the WSJ. So, what does that mean for travelers?
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.
Write Carmax Car Review, Get Chance To Win $250 Gas Card
By 10.7.08
You can enter to win a chance for a $250 gas card by submitting a review of your car to CarMax, an online used-car retailer. 8 winners will be chosen over 8 weeks, and of those people submitting a review with a picture, an additional $300 gas card winner will be chosen. Even if it’s a long shot, who couldn’t use even just a possible free gas card? Plus, writing words is fun. [CarMax]
Gas Station Owner Accidentally Sells Gas For $0.35, But Is Glad To Have Made People Happy
By 10.2.08
Mimi Zidan owns the Lucky Mart in Pekin, IL, where a pricing mistake resulted in a mob of gas thirsty customers, rushing to take advantage of pumps that were dispensing gas for only $0.35 per gallon. You’d think she’d be upset about losing so much money, but she’s not.
Two More Weeks Of Gas Shortages In The South?
By 9.30.08
The New York Times has quoted an expert from Rice University who thinks that the gas shortages in Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee could continue for two more weeks.
Desperate Atlantans Use Twitter To Find Gas
By 9.29.08
There’s a gas shortage in Atlanta, GA, so consumers are using Twitter to help each other find gas. They’re tagging their posts #atlgas whenever they spot some and letting others know the price and location, as well as tossing out requests for information. The tag was created by Tessa Horehled who writes the DriveAFasterCar blog.
