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gazol Sophomore Author California Posts:210 Points:89,380 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: Feb 14, 2013 6:00:28 PM Ignore gazol Report Abuse Usually, filling my fuel tank costs me More than $40. I prefer not to pay with cash mostly because it cannot be done at the pump. But, I really don't like carrying a lot of cash with me when I am not in a familiar setting. While the long-suffering moderators of Gas Buddy have opted for reporting cash prices, I think that Credit prices would be more useful to most participants using Gas Buddy. I wouldn't mind knowing if a gas station charges less for cash purchases, but I think that stations should post prices for credit card sales because most of their sales are to folks who use credit cards. (Posting cash prices when credit card prices are higher is deceptive! But, that's a whole new forum topic!) What do you think about this? What do you need to know before you choose a station where you will buy fuel? Would you prefer the credit-card price, or the cash price? [Edited by: gazol at 2/14/2013 6:02:33 PM EST]

gazol

Sophomore Author
California

Posts:210
Points:89,380
Joined:Oct 2004

Message Posted: Feb 14, 2013 6:00:28 PM

Ignore gazol Report Abuse

Usually, filling my fuel tank costs me More than $40. I prefer not to pay with cash mostly because it cannot be done at the pump. But, I really don't like carrying a lot of cash with me when I am not in a familiar setting. While the long-suffering moderators of Gas Buddy have opted for reporting cash prices, I think that Credit prices would be more useful to most participants using Gas Buddy. I wouldn't mind knowing if a gas station charges less for cash purchases, but I think that stations should post prices for credit card sales because most of their sales are to folks who use credit cards. (Posting cash prices when credit card prices are higher is deceptive! But, that's a whole new forum topic!)

What do you think about this? What do you need to know before you choose a station where you will buy fuel? Would you prefer the credit-card price, or the cash price?

[Edited by: gazol at 2/14/2013 6:02:33 PM EST]

REPLIES (newest first)Ignore Short Messages

davisadm All-Star Author Los Angeles Posts:567 Points:409,625 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: May 2, 2013 10:40:43 PM Ignore davisadm Report Abuse Keep posts with the lowest prices. Usually debit card purchases are same as cash, if you want to use a card. I want to know the lowest price.
TxJeans Champion Author Tampa Posts:3,538 Points:368,830 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: May 2, 2013 8:40:49 PM Ignore TxJeans Report Abuse Around here I can beat the cash price at the next station over using my 5% cash back card. So far, I have yet to find a cash discount that beats my cash back card.
gazol Sophomore Author California Posts:210 Points:89,380 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: May 2, 2013 4:54:54 PM Ignore gazol Report Abuse MITO5: I use a credit card where and when credit price=cash price. I like using a credit card (usually AMEX) because I get 4% back on all gas purchases. That is my way of reducing the price/gallon.
MIT05 Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:4,162 Points:1,390,350 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: May 1, 2013 3:55:23 AM Ignore MIT05 Report Abuse I try to use a station that offers the same for cash or credit.
twt Champion Author Virginia Beach Posts:8,732 Points:996,885 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: May 1, 2013 3:49:53 AM Ignore twt Report Abuse I always pay at the pump.
scottmccarrick All-Star Author Boston Posts:756 Points:135,575 Joined:Dec 2012	Message Posted: May 1, 2013 3:42:29 AM Ignore scottmccarrick Report Abuse use a debit card. same price as cash
mybigtruck Sophomore Author San Jose Posts:125 Points:197,925 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: May 1, 2013 3:35:35 AM Ignore mybigtruck Report Abuse If they don't take credit card, I don't stop for fuel. I've wasted a couple of trips using gasbuddy to find out stations are cash-only
olympusman2004 Champion Author Maryland Posts:1,671 Points:368,805 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: May 1, 2013 1:15:52 AM Ignore olympusman2004 Report Abuse y
pbarbee All-Star Author North Carolina Posts:581 Points:1,386,865 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: May 1, 2013 12:29:10 AM Ignore pbarbee Report Abuse I use my credit card even though most station that offer cash prices are anywhere from 6 cents to 10 cents cheaper
zardoz74 Veteran Author Houston Posts:261 Points:21,950 Joined:Apr 2013	Message Posted: Apr 30, 2013 10:02:35 PM Ignore zardoz74 Report Abuse I like the cheapest price (cash).
kjSC Champion Author South Carolina Posts:3,377 Points:681,375 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Mar 8, 2013 7:36:46 AM Ignore kjSC Report Abuse Definitely agree that credit card prices should be posted as its a shock when you see the posted price I'd different than the pump price.
OilerFan Champion Author Tulsa Posts:14,040 Points:2,446,600 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Mar 8, 2013 7:24:09 AM Ignore OilerFan Report Abuse I pay at the pump, but for me, the price is the same. In all the places I've driven in other states, I've not had to pay a different price with a credit card. So the cash price being posted doesn't bother me.
MIT05 Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:4,162 Points:1,390,350 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Mar 8, 2013 7:15:36 AM Ignore MIT05 Report Abuse No your prices.
FocusFree Veteran Author Ottawa Posts:451 Points:983,590 Joined:Dec 2009	Message Posted: Mar 8, 2013 6:38:14 AM Ignore FocusFree Report Abuse Credit transactions usually cost the merchant 2% so that is the amount that I can accept as a surcharge...gas stations generally work on tight margins it is the suppliers that make the dough. What should occur is this transaction fee being added to the cost post purchase rather than in the actual price; thus if I buy $40 worth of fuel I pay 40.80 on credit.
beachd8 All-Star Author Orange County Posts:749 Points:114,560 Joined:Oct 2012	Message Posted: Mar 8, 2013 1:38:54 AM Ignore beachd8 Report Abuse I buy scrip at the local high school for gas purchases. Therefore, I only use the cash price. If two prices are posted for a station, I report neither. I don't shop at stations with double prices.
2Tall Champion Author Maryland Posts:12,772 Points:2,940,405 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Mar 8, 2013 1:12:39 AM Ignore 2Tall Report Abuse credit
gazol Sophomore Author California Posts:210 Points:89,380 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: Feb 15, 2013 3:55:58 PM Ignore gazol Report Abuse GASBUDDY: Of course, you're correct in your comment about how frequently I post prices. I'm in my 77th year of life and, quite frankly, I don't drive around as much as I once did. (Sometimes I forget to post the prices I see at stations, but that's another problem I have that seems to loom prominent in my daily efforts!) Some stations, but not most, do post both cash and credit prices. And some stations, again not most, do not have different prices for cash and credit purchases. A few stations (and all ARCO stations) charge extra for purchases made with debit cards. mr_thumper: I usually shop at Shell, Chevron, and a few others that sell diesel fuel; some post both cash and credit prices. Most show only cash prices for all grades (and diesel when available). When the prices are posted, usually the prices are for cash purchases. If the credit card price is not the same as cash, the difference is nearly always 10-cents more per gallon. Costco doesn't sell diesel fuel in California. Inasmuch as all diesel fuel is the same in the United States, I buy the cheapest I can find. But, I never pay cash. Very few stations permit cash purchases at the pump. Most require a visit to the cashier before dispensing fuel to a motorist. Thanks much for your responses.
rex0000 Sophomore Author Indianapolis Posts:164 Points:176,160 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Feb 15, 2013 3:34:29 PM Ignore rex0000 Report Abuse im same
mr_thumper Sophomore Author Fresno Posts:216 Points:77,660 Joined:Aug 2012	Message Posted: Feb 15, 2013 3:10:27 PM Ignore mr_thumper Report Abuse PithyOpiner, I would like to know where you shop? I live near Fresno and I don't ever recall seeing any California station which only posted one price..unless you are talking COSTCO and I don't shop there. Please fill me in!
GrumpyCat Champion Author Alabama Posts:2,606 Points:788,810 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Feb 15, 2013 2:29:04 PM Ignore GrumpyCat Report Abuse I believe the primary value to this site is consumer education. The informed consumer knows prevailing prices and plans accordingly. This site is a good step in that direction but isn't advancing. Prices need to be tagged as to whether there is a cash discount. Many states tolerate advertising "tax exempt" prices, especially for diesel. When numbers are copied on to this site the informed consumer really needs to know if it is the tax exempt price or full tax consumer price. Those who are familiar with a particular station will know if the advertised price is tax exempt, but not those passing through. Bought fuel at one major truck stop chain in Indiana. Pump was plainly labeled, "Price Includes All Taxes" but inside they added taxes. Wrote nasty letters including photos but got no reply.
1OILMAN Champion Author Alabama Posts:2,075 Points:158,205 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Feb 15, 2013 2:18:32 PM Ignore 1OILMAN Report Abuse I just buy from one of my stations so I really don't have a dog in this hunt. But if your ultimate goal is to drive down prices STOP using credit cards. I pay the CC companies 3X what I make. Thus I could double my salary and still drop my prices without credit card fees. Imagine that.
iceywarm Rookie Author Greensboro Posts:18 Points:6,580 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Feb 15, 2013 2:14:24 PM Ignore iceywarm Report Abuse In North Carolina certain areas make that Illegal :( Sucks :D
OceanArcher Champion Author Mississippi Posts:5,703 Points:1,327,400 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Feb 15, 2013 2:08:37 PM Ignore OceanArcher Report Abuse Besides, they ran a poll here on GasBuddy recently ... the response showed that more than 3/4 of the drivers on the road pay either the "cash price", or "a couple cents more". Basically, ya can't even buy a sodapop with the difference
PithyOpiner Champion Author Stockton Posts:16,200 Points:1,596,570 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Feb 15, 2013 12:40:25 PM Ignore PithyOpiner Report Abuse I don't buy at stations where they post two separate prices. So, you will have to fight this battle without me.
tkawashima Champion Author Honolulu Posts:3,753 Points:908,150 Joined:Sep 2010	Message Posted: Feb 15, 2013 9:47:30 AM Ignore tkawashima Report Abuse credit
toms1120 Champion Author Maryland Posts:8,571 Points:1,811,895 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Feb 15, 2013 9:46:30 AM Ignore toms1120 Report Abuse Credit Card or noted otherwise.
grim_farva Champion Author Kansas Posts:1,490 Points:327,675 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Feb 15, 2013 9:02:36 AM Ignore grim_farva Report Abuse most places are the same for cash and credit
WES03 Champion Author Maryland Posts:4,838 Points:1,264,395 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Feb 15, 2013 8:46:48 AM Ignore WES03 Report Abuse GasBuddy is about saving money. I post whatever is the cheapest, which is usually the cash price.
MertieMan Champion Author Lexington Posts:14,788 Points:2,895,610 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Feb 15, 2013 5:12:14 AM Ignore MertieMan Report Abuse We report the cash prices in this area because they are the same as credit card purchases.
vulcan96 Champion Author Ohio Posts:26,916 Points:3,103,675 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Feb 15, 2013 2:43:03 AM Ignore vulcan96 Report Abuse debit
pbarbee All-Star Author North Carolina Posts:581 Points:1,386,865 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Feb 15, 2013 2:29:37 AM Ignore pbarbee Report Abuse Credit or BOTH
olympusman2004 Champion Author Maryland Posts:1,671 Points:368,805 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: Feb 15, 2013 12:25:25 AM Ignore olympusman2004 Report Abuse CREDIT
sjhman Veteran Author Atlanta Posts:410 Points:276,170 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Feb 15, 2013 12:20:45 AM Ignore sjhman Report Abuse it depends how much a different the cash/credit price is for me.
HeavyDuty_cache Champion Author Omaha Posts:12,975 Points:2,482,710 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Feb 15, 2013 12:13:35 AM Ignore HeavyDuty_cache Report Abuse A few stations around me give a discount for cash but their signs show the normal price for credit. Most of the truck stops on the interstate around here charge 5¢ + for credit on diesel fuel.
mr_thumper Sophomore Author Fresno Posts:216 Points:77,660 Joined:Aug 2012	Message Posted: Feb 14, 2013 11:08:59 PM Ignore mr_thumper Report Abuse gazol said, " I think that Credit prices would be more useful to most participants." I don't agree with that. I think more people are paying with cash our using a debit card than those using a major oil company card. I also think, as prices continue to rise, you will see the oil companies competing for card users.
Sneakers55 Champion Author Houston Posts:51,297 Points:2,143,175 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Feb 14, 2013 10:57:24 PM Ignore Sneakers55 Report Abuse Most of the stations around here don't have cash prices in the first place. They have gift card prices. Their cash prices are the same as their credit prices.
TxJeans Champion Author Tampa Posts:3,538 Points:368,830 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Feb 14, 2013 7:33:12 PM Ignore TxJeans Report Abuse First, there is a very obvious reason that the prices are CASH besides the fact that cash price is almost always the same or cheaper than credit. In MOST states other than CA, the price posted at the street is the CASH price if there is a cash/credit difference. In fact, around here, you rarely see more than the REG, or REG + Diesel. So, even if the PTB would provide two sets of fields - one for cash and one for credit there will still be a problem with wrong prices in the wrong field. Therefore, I have suggested that 1) comments are durable until actively erased by another poster (since many use the site and don't bother to post comments -- or even post), and 2) make a durable flag to show it is a dual priced station and buyer beware. The PTB at GB have responded in other threads and have pretty much said we are stuck with what we have. It seems the bulk of programming goes to silly AP awards these days, so don't hold your breath for any flag for these stations tied to the MSL. Just do your best to report as many accurate prices according to the site rules as you can.
Gas_Buddy Champion Author Maryland Posts:25,967 Points:3,033,090 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Feb 14, 2013 6:35:28 PM Ignore Gas_Buddy Report Abuse The simple reason that cash prices are posted is because, if you're looking for the lowest prices generally available, then cash prices are generally the lowest priced option. Nothing prohibits a credit card holder from paying cash in order to get the lowest price generallTy available. Posting the cash price and "knowing if a gas station charges more for credit" can easily be done by indicating a credit price difference in the comments sections. What you're asking for is what used to be the standard posting process, one the moderators thought less useful than the current cash price posting. But, because you wrote " I think that Credit prices would be more useful to most participants using Gas Buddy", let me be somewhat cynical for a moment. In more than eight years of membership, you've posted a little more than one gas price per week. If you want to help your fellow members, rather than continue the back and forth discussion (started in many other threads) about cash versus credit, post gas prices. Period. Post what the website asks for, and then wait for the (eventual) revamping of the website to accommodate what every member wants. At least you'll be adding to the knowledge base of other Gas Buddy members in the California area, enabling them to be smarter shoppers. But that's just my opinion.