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Author Topic: How to respond to people asking for money at the gas station? Post a Reply Back to Topics
Saab93turbo

Veteran Author
Washington

Posts:485
Points:85,235
Joined:Dec 2012
Message Posted: Feb 19, 2013 4:31:20 PM

How do you respond to people asking for money at the gas station?

Refuse? Give them money?

Recently, one woman asked me for money saying that she ran out of gas. Her big SUV was at the pump so I presume it still has a little gas in it. She seemed like a character to be suspicious of so I declined.

Once someone asked for a loan and said they would paypal me. I accepted their plea and they did paypal me the money back.
REPLIES (newest first)
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forestghost07
Veteran Author Miami

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Joined:Apr 2013
Message Posted: May 19, 2013 2:43:22 PM

"I dont carry cash, now MOVE ON"
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RadarIN
Champion Author Indiana

Posts:5,102
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Message Posted: May 19, 2013 7:21:44 AM

get a job
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valby
Champion Author Massachusetts

Posts:2,916
Points:428,140
Joined:Jan 2005
Message Posted: May 19, 2013 7:00:20 AM

Never encountered this.
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QueenMother
Champion Author New Hampshire

Posts:7,398
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Message Posted: May 19, 2013 6:36:05 AM

What part of NO don't you understand? The N or the O?
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Seekingone
Champion Author Louisville

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Message Posted: May 19, 2013 6:35:15 AM

i say no
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cv
Champion Author Raleigh

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Message Posted: May 19, 2013 4:22:14 AM

Sorry, I wish you good luck.
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steffy628
Champion Author Pennsylvania

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Message Posted: May 16, 2013 5:00:51 PM

Get a job
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Firedawg99
Sophomore Author California

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Message Posted: May 16, 2013 2:26:58 PM

just tell them i don't have extra cash.
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MikeCapeCoral
Champion Author Cape Coral

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Points:420,820
Joined:Feb 2012
Message Posted: May 16, 2013 1:45:55 AM

Its called pan handling here and is illegal. With a badge in my pocket I just keep on walking.
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gus8441
Champion Author Baltimore

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Message Posted: May 16, 2013 12:20:25 AM

i literally walk right around them and ignore
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estroh
Champion Author Indiana

Posts:3,614
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Joined:May 2011
Message Posted: May 16, 2013 12:16:29 AM

In my world or area this type of gas station does not exist
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huey715
Sophomore Author Texas

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Points:209,625
Joined:Aug 2012
Message Posted: May 15, 2013 9:32:14 PM

Just put all I have in the tank
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mnrick041
Champion Author Twin Cities

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Message Posted: May 15, 2013 7:38:23 PM

Never had this happen to me.
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blckwolf
Veteran Author North Carolina

Posts:290
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Message Posted: May 15, 2013 7:27:18 PM

Usually I refuse. If they have a car, kids, and are obviously desperate or upset about the situation, then I'll help if I can, but not with money. Otherwise, I just say sorry, I don't have any cash (a big reason I use only my debit/ATM card at the pump - it reinforces the idea).
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Boyrr
Champion Author Allentown

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Message Posted: May 15, 2013 7:03:10 PM

Hit the road Jack!
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krazkar
Veteran Author Calgary

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Message Posted: May 15, 2013 6:25:55 PM

I don't recall anyone asking me for money at a gas station.
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mybigtruck
Sophomore Author San Jose

Posts:136
Points:199,875
Joined:Oct 2009
Message Posted: May 15, 2013 4:19:25 PM

I just say I can't help them. If they insist, I say I only have credit card.

But the new creative excuse is a dude walking around with an empty gas can asking for change so he can fill it.
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PassmyGas
Veteran Author North Carolina

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Message Posted: Apr 26, 2013 5:33:38 AM

sorry, don't have any to spare
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BulletRC
Sophomore Author Mobile

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Joined:Jun 2012
Message Posted: Apr 26, 2013 5:20:20 AM

I have gotten to the point, I just say NO. The last time I got approached at the gas station, this guy pulls up to the pump just about the time I parked to go inside. He approached me holding up a sign that said, he could not talk & could I spare some money so he could get gas. I just shook my head no. About 15 years ago, I was in Houston, Texas, this radio station interviewed this panhandler. He said that he could collect about $400 dollars a day. That ended my charity to all.
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gus8441
Champion Author Baltimore

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Message Posted: Apr 26, 2013 12:07:32 AM

i tell them to screw off
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estroh
Champion Author Indiana

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Message Posted: Apr 26, 2013 12:05:58 AM

Of the many gas stations I have been to this type of gas station does not exist
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jonjon57
Champion Author Raleigh

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Message Posted: Apr 25, 2013 11:38:39 PM

Drive off
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fire025
Veteran Author Michigan

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Message Posted: Apr 25, 2013 8:36:41 PM

Never had anybody ask at a gas station
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smile100
All-Star Author Illinois

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Message Posted: Apr 25, 2013 6:26:22 PM

No!!!
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bluenvoy
Champion Author Nashville

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Message Posted: Mar 10, 2013 12:42:56 PM

Try not to buy gas there again.
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metalhat73
Veteran Author Wilmington

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Message Posted: Mar 10, 2013 12:39:24 PM

Never had anyone ask for money at gas station.
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inventorymaster
Champion Author KW

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Message Posted: Mar 10, 2013 11:43:19 AM

ignore
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stlhawk
All-Star Author St. Louis

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Message Posted: Mar 10, 2013 11:27:04 AM

Case by case for me. Almost always no though.
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theyrobus
Veteran Author Ontario

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Message Posted: Mar 9, 2013 6:05:42 PM

never had anyone ask for money
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Patty7841
All-Star Author Boston

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Joined:Sep 2012
Message Posted: Mar 9, 2013 1:25:31 PM

I do not have enough money for my own gas tank; if someone was driving a tank, such as an SUV, they have the money to spend on gas. I would never lend anyone money, as you will never see it again.

As far as the loan you gave someone and they paid you back via paypal, you took a huge risk. I do not know how much it was for, but I would never do it again. You were lucky this time.
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grim_farva
Champion Author Kansas

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Message Posted: Mar 9, 2013 1:03:19 PM

ignore them
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TULL
Champion Author Fresno

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Message Posted: Mar 9, 2013 12:46:30 PM

Most often they don't ask me. When asked I say No
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sagnat
Champion Author Riverside

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Message Posted: Mar 6, 2013 5:18:46 AM

Generally, I put it on my gas card and tell the panhandler I had to use my card as I have no cash.
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All_Wheelin
Veteran Author Twin Cities

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Points:502,510
Joined:Mar 2011
Message Posted: Mar 6, 2013 12:36:38 AM

Haven't had it much at a station, but the general policy I follow is call 911 - it is illegal, and often enough just a front to get you to get your wallet out for a grap-and-run or worse.
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ace12012
Champion Author Phoenix

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Message Posted: Mar 5, 2013 7:27:58 PM

have not been asked.

[Edited by: ace12012 at 3/5/2013 7:29:01 PM EST]
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BartandLisa
Champion Author Newfoundland

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Message Posted: Mar 5, 2013 7:03:32 PM

Have never been approached for money at a gas station
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grim_farva
Champion Author Kansas

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Joined:Jun 2008
Message Posted: Mar 1, 2013 9:13:07 AM

ignore them

[Edited by: grim_farva at 3/1/2013 9:13:26 AM EST]
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OceanArcher
Champion Author Mississippi

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Joined:May 2004
Message Posted: Mar 1, 2013 9:03:15 AM

Had another "honey" hit me up for gas at the pump last night. Offered to contact the local rescue mission for her, and was told that "she doesn't accept charity" ... HUH ?????
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giwan
Veteran Author Michigan

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Message Posted: Feb 26, 2013 7:19:38 AM

Pull out the gun and tell them to move along
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vikings80
All-Star Author South Dakota

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Message Posted: Feb 26, 2013 7:14:37 AM

no
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DanFMA
Champion Author Massachusetts

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Message Posted: Feb 26, 2013 6:54:34 AM

Say no.
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RNF
Champion Author Indiana

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Message Posted: Feb 26, 2013 6:21:01 AM

Refuse.
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Jef4ers
Rookie Author Dayton

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Joined:Feb 2013
Message Posted: Feb 25, 2013 1:08:03 PM

If you look around and can see that they appear to have a real problem (forgot wallet etc)then help them out. Some scams involve a frail women wanting you to buy her a gallon of gas and then taking her to her car......where a gang of 'criminal minds' are waiting to reward you.
A good deal of the dopers that are on a mix of battery acid paint thinner and cough syrup are not in the mood or mind to just get flipped off. Beware!

If it does not feel right....go into the station and call the cops. Most towns have organizations to help folks out and the go between is the police.
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traffic cop
Champion Author Boston

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Message Posted: Feb 25, 2013 12:03:36 PM

"I've already given away my extra money."
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RadarIN
Champion Author Indiana

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Joined:Mar 2009
Message Posted: Feb 24, 2013 6:57:14 AM

Get a job!!!!!!!!!!!
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cv
Champion Author Raleigh

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Joined:Oct 2003
Message Posted: Feb 24, 2013 6:46:05 AM

Just decline the request.
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tdioiler
All-Star Author Detroit

Posts:892
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Joined:Jul 2011
Message Posted: Feb 23, 2013 12:34:07 PM

I like Hemond's tack, but really to see if they scrunch up or are eager to say yes.

Those with the yes, Absolutely nothing more from me.

Those who scrunch, they might be telling the real story.

Those that walk away were looking to fulfill their educational expenses on panhandling.
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gvan
Champion Author Chicago

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Message Posted: Feb 23, 2013 9:27:11 AM

I have a different perspective about some of these "unfortunate people" after learning about seminars you can attend to learn how to panhandle.
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Dennis783
Champion Author Des Moines

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Message Posted: Feb 23, 2013 8:18:46 AM

never had it happen
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Banjoe
Champion Author Winnipeg

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Message Posted: Feb 23, 2013 7:39:17 AM

If they're wearing a mask, I hand over my credit card and say Pump #3.

If they're street urchins looking for their next fix, I pass.

Fascinating folks with fascinating lines will actually get a buck or two but it's got to be real entertainment or truly inventive.

The latest dude with a sign that said "Need Beer" actually got a quarter just for the smile he put on my face.
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