CelticHeart

Champion Author
Detroit
Posts:138,538 Points:3,161,425 Joined:Aug 2004
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Message Posted: May 13, 2013 3:29:09 PM
Don't you love it when there are folks who have been members for over five years complaining about how there should be more ways of getting points? Their totals show they've left well over a million points on the table and they need more "incentive".
Guess I don't get it.
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TxJeans

Champion Author
Tampa
Posts:3,517 Points:366,280 Joined:May 2004
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Message Posted: May 12, 2013 9:38:05 PM
"If anything, one should get more points for post prices that aren't posted often, or at least in the last 24 hours or so. Post prices just hours after someone else isn't as useful unless there's a change. "
The points given the way they are currently given are fine. Any changes such as more for all grades (many ares of the country only post REG on the curb sign).
As for more points when the is a change - that is a false sense of value. By updating when you see it, regardless of if it changed shows how fresh and valid the price is at the time. If I see a stale price for 1 cent lower than a fresh price I might go for for the higher fresh price - especially when prices are trending up.
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scoutmaster

Champion Author
Pittsburgh
Posts:81,170 Points:3,249,620 Joined:Mar 2003
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Message Posted: May 12, 2013 8:46:17 PM
"not giving people incentive to post at least what's seen from the station sign is a bad move."
How about because it helps others?
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wakeele

Rookie Author
Montana
Posts:13 Points:154,035 Joined:Dec 2007
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Message Posted: May 12, 2013 8:41:07 PM
While I agree there should be a graduated scale for providing all, not giving people incentive to post at least what's seen from the station sign is a bad move. I'd rather someone on the road post at least that -- particularly in more remote and unpopulated areas -- than nothing at all. So often where this novelty of this service/app comes in is being able to plan ahead when to stop. Too many times not one station has the fuel I need posted between where I'm leaving and where I'm going. We must remember there are people that use this service that live and travel in much different areas than us.
If anything, one should get more points for post prices that aren't posted often, or at least in the last 24 hours or so. Post prices just hours after someone else isn't as useful unless there's a change.
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01Tech

Rookie Author
Washington
Posts:2 Points:19,795 Joined:Aug 2011
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Message Posted: May 10, 2013 2:51:12 PM
I drive an older Honda Accord for computer deliveries and am constantly driving by our 5 gas stations. I report the prices twice a day for all grades at all stations, I get 750 points per day.
I don't do it for the points, I do it to give back for all the nickels and dimes GasBuddy has saved me since I bought my first Android phone.
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TxJeans

Champion Author
Tampa
Posts:3,517 Points:366,280 Joined:May 2004
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Message Posted: May 9, 2013 8:23:59 PM
CelticHeart - I second that thought!
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CelticHeart

Champion Author
Detroit
Posts:138,538 Points:3,161,425 Joined:Aug 2004
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Message Posted: May 9, 2013 9:25:14 AM
How about leaving things the way they are and locking this topic? It's been beaten to death.
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islamophobe

Rookie Author
Louisiana
Posts:1 Points:54,870 Joined:Oct 2012
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Message Posted: May 9, 2013 9:04:07 AM
I would weight points awarded depending on how old the last reported price was. 50 points if you repeat a price that is less than 2 hours old; 100 points if you repeat a price that is between 2 and 23 hours old. 150 points for a changed price or one that is more than 23 hours old.
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wrmedic

All-Star Author
Nebraska
Posts:908 Points:336,050 Joined:Apr 2012
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Message Posted: May 8, 2013 12:13:08 AM
A lot of the stations in Nebraska only carry two grades of gasoline some don't even have diesel.
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tristeve

Veteran Author
North Carolina
Posts:250 Points:205,555 Joined:Jul 2012
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Message Posted: May 3, 2013 9:22:51 AM
You're just going to get more folks who post diesel prices at a station that doesn't even have diesel because it's still available in the mobile app. Until that is fixed, folks that actually report every price available at station aren't even getting credit for their "perfectionist" category. Why encourage it false price reporting?
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TxJeans

Champion Author
Tampa
Posts:3,517 Points:366,280 Joined:May 2004
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Message Posted: Apr 6, 2013 9:12:35 AM
MP (OP)<<Give 150 points per station, only if you list all grades they have. Too many times I pull into a station to find someone only listed one grade - the one they can see as they drive by.>>>
RS << And who is going to judge?
Sorry, bonus for reporting all grades just means more prices reported that members haven't seen. I mean, we have even had members STATE they post prices based on reg, mid as reg +10, and prem as reg +20, or variations thereof because they KNOW that is right even if they didn't see the pumps! >>>
Hate to beat a dead horse, but your comment along with the OP stating they only post one price is what I point to in regards to having 2 sets of fields - cash and credit. We will still have posting errors unless stations are force to do better posting of all prices curb side -- and that won't happen any time soon (and I really don't want our government becoming that granular in regulations) -- therefore the durable flag tied to the MSL for dual priced stations. ;-) Sorry - couldn't resist.
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scoutmaster

Champion Author
Pittsburgh
Posts:81,170 Points:3,249,620 Joined:Mar 2003
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Message Posted: Apr 6, 2013 8:09:50 AM
Correct rumbleseat. Giving a bonus for this type of reporting is asking for abuse.
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rumbleseat

Champion Author
Winnipeg
Posts:22,903 Points:3,526,800 Joined:Oct 2002
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Message Posted: Apr 6, 2013 1:29:07 AM
"I really like the bonus idea for reporting all grades of gas."
And who is going to judge?
Sorry, bonus for reporting all grades just means more prices reported that members haven't seen. I mean, we have even had members STATE they post prices based on reg, mid as reg +10, and prem as reg +20, or variations thereof because they KNOW that is right even if they didn't see the pumps!
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GoGoGoodyear

Champion Author
Los Angeles
Posts:2,046 Points:505,245 Joined:Mar 2010
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Message Posted: Apr 5, 2013 5:06:53 AM
aladdin9, "Yes there should be a bonus for reporting "ALL PRICES". If you accurately report EVERY SINGLE PRICE in the US & Canada for every single station in a single day you should win the $250 drawing automatically :^)"
Maybe Santa could handle that... after all he visits every home in one night!
But this gives me an idea for a contest between members to see how many station prices can be updated in one day or between X start time and Y ending time. Not for points or anything, just as a summer weekend road game with teams of members covering different areas.
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mcamera

Rookie Author
Toledo
Posts:25 Points:15,300 Joined:Sep 2012
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Message Posted: Apr 3, 2013 9:28:11 AM
I really like the bonus idea for reporting all grades of gas.
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aladdin9

All-Star Author
Tucson
Posts:632 Points:1,811,060 Joined:Apr 2006
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Message Posted: Apr 1, 2013 6:47:41 PM
Yes there should be a bonus for reporting "ALL PRICES". If you accurately report EVERY SINGLE PRICE in the US & Canada for every single station in a single day you should win the $250 drawing automatically :^)
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scoutmaster

Champion Author
Pittsburgh
Posts:81,170 Points:3,249,620 Joined:Mar 2003
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Message Posted: Apr 1, 2013 9:00:24 AM
"But a bonus for reporting all prices would be nice"
Reporting all prices??? All prices for what?
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palantir24

Veteran Author
Vermont
Posts:250 Points:106,925 Joined:Oct 2010
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Message Posted: Apr 1, 2013 8:39:40 AM
I like the current points per price model... But a bonus for reporting all prices would be nice
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joshou

Sophomore Author
Iowa
Posts:116 Points:93,130 Joined:Feb 2012
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Message Posted: Mar 31, 2013 12:20:36 AM
I think the 150 x5 points per day for each grade anywhere is just fine.. dont fix something that's not broken
[Edited by: joshou at 3/31/2013 12:27:09 AM EST]
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drgeeforce

Rookie Author
Los Angeles
Posts:22 Points:87,365 Joined:Oct 2011
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Message Posted: Mar 16, 2013 3:01:19 PM
The opposite is also a bad. I see many postings for stations that don't carry diesel I suppose they report false diesel prices to get the points.
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sarasotasingle

Sophomore Author
Sarasota
Posts:195 Points:232,035 Joined:Jun 2012
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Message Posted: Mar 5, 2013 8:00:23 PM
I agree
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TxJeans

Champion Author
Tampa
Posts:3,517 Points:366,280 Joined:May 2004
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Message Posted: Mar 5, 2013 7:50:06 PM
MiataPrincess - there is a difference between the points for posting that count for the "tickets" which has been worked out to a pretty well defined system that addresses both the rural and more urban posters. The problem is not those points, but the stupid APPS awards. That is where it seems most of the cheating comes from. And the criticism of your suggestion fits right in with the criticism of some of the awards categories -- something that encourages cheating. I don't think there is as much cheating for the points for tickets as I think most like the idea of getting a gas card, but realize that cheating will not improve their odds of winning enough to matter....but the APPS awards are a different beast - one that needs taming.
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Don

Moderator
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Message Posted: Mar 5, 2013 5:38:29 PM
If we simply did away with the points, there would be no prize draw contest, which is a major "selling point" to users joining our free services for the opportunity to win a preloaded $250.00 gas card.
-Don
[Edited by: Don at 3/5/2013 5:38:55 PM EST]
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MiataPrincess

All-Star Author
Des Moines
Posts:603 Points:96,300 Joined:Feb 2013
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Message Posted: Mar 5, 2013 12:05:28 PM
I totally agree...do away with points
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Zimcity

Champion Author
Twin Cities
Posts:65,346 Points:3,689,285 Joined:Aug 2001
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Message Posted: Feb 26, 2013 10:54:59 AM
"Too many times I pull into a station to find someone only listed one grade - the one they can see as they drive by.'
Yep, that's how it's supposed to work. You post what you can when you can. If you pull into the station post all the grades, otherwise better not to guess.
I assume being from Iowa, you'd like to see both the regular and the state subsidized midgrade prices that are often lower than regular.
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USMCturtlehead

Champion Author
Lexington
Posts:1,954 Points:99,700 Joined:Feb 2013
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Message Posted: Feb 19, 2013 4:09:19 PM
Most stations here post one Price. The other grades fall in line usually 10 cents per Grade. Diesel is another animal have to watch closely. Find it posted wrongly several times. Just remember if Price is higher than posed you can drive by and go to next station. Unless you run on "E" regularly.
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CelticHeart

Champion Author
Detroit
Posts:138,538 Points:3,161,425 Joined:Aug 2004
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Message Posted: Feb 19, 2013 9:45:47 AM
Ask not what you can do for Gas Buddy, Ask what Gas Buddy can do for you.
What a shame.
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scoutmaster

Champion Author
Pittsburgh
Posts:81,170 Points:3,249,620 Joined:Mar 2003
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Message Posted: Feb 19, 2013 5:07:46 AM
I totally agree CelticHeart. The purpose of this site is to have accurate and up to date prices so one can find the best price in their area.
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TxJeans

Champion Author
Tampa
Posts:3,517 Points:366,280 Joined:May 2004
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Message Posted: Feb 18, 2013 9:24:42 PM
agree Celticheart (I like your screen name by the way)
I just don't get the mindset of the APPS users and awards that only you know your status. Or, even if your status was trackable by the membership. I don't worry about my racing stripes -- I know I will lose them again do to LIVING life and not worrying about GB. I try to post prices when I can, and I have no need to make them up when I can't.
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maxstar

Champion Author
Chicago
Posts:18,459 Points:805,545 Joined:Feb 2011
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Message Posted: Feb 18, 2013 1:06:52 PM
I agree CelticHeart, it seems that the focus has turned from members collectively helping each other out by updating prices for the benefit of others, to members acting for the benefit of themselves. The result is a very different mindset with respects to frequency of updates or concern for accuracy so long as points are awarded.
[Edited by: maxstar at 2/18/2013 1:07:18 PM EST]
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CelticHeart

Champion Author
Detroit
Posts:138,538 Points:3,161,425 Joined:Aug 2004
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Message Posted: Feb 18, 2013 10:17:46 AM
Whatever happened to just posting prices for the benefit of others? Seems as if all folks are concerned with now is awards, more ways of getting points and stuff that doesn't matter.
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GoGoGoodyear

Champion Author
Los Angeles
Posts:2,046 Points:505,245 Joined:Mar 2010
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Message Posted: Feb 18, 2013 4:40:17 AM
Get rid of the app awards instead. Those seem to be the underlying reason for the increase in bogus price updates.
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mwjones

Champion Author
Dallas
Posts:10,848 Points:2,501,270 Joined:Nov 2005
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Message Posted: Feb 17, 2013 8:08:47 PM
When I was living in Houston, there was a few days I took the bus into downtown from home for jury duty (free to ride the bus for jury duty, whereas I would of had to pay to park at the courthouse). I was able to get all my points while on the bus, just by posting what was on the station marquees along the route. I didn't have an option to stop and walk up to the pump and get all the available grades.
Furthermore, we already know how bad it is for users of the mobile app, posting non-existent grades just to get the "perfectionist" award. This change would drive those bogus postings up tenfold.
I agree with others, leave the awarded points alone. This site is all about quality posts and not quantity posts.
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1stupedaso

Sophomore Author
Kentucky
Posts:197 Points:70,170 Joined:Dec 2012
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Message Posted: Feb 17, 2013 6:58:44 PM
the cheapest grade is usually posted but it gives you an idea on the other grades
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CelticHeart

Champion Author
Detroit
Posts:138,538 Points:3,161,425 Joined:Aug 2004
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Message Posted: Feb 17, 2013 3:35:53 PM
Just how would this give more accurate price.
The point system is fine the way it is.
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CampKohler

Champion Author
Sacramento
Posts:9,444 Points:1,561,975 Joined:May 2007
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Message Posted: Feb 17, 2013 3:10:22 PM
bicycler: Where I live, state law requires posting of all grades. Just out of curiosity, why do they post only one price in your area? I wonder if you could ask a couple of dealers the history behind that to see if there is a definitive answer or if it is only by tradition.
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buckeyecountry

Champion Author
Ohio
Posts:8,008 Points:696,205 Joined:May 2011
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Message Posted: Feb 17, 2013 2:37:41 PM
"If all they can see is one grade, then that's all they should post."
It happens more times then not, for me.
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bicycler

Champion Author
Ontario
Posts:14,815 Points:2,598,445 Joined:May 2005
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Message Posted: Feb 17, 2013 12:47:30 PM
Most stations here only post one price
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TxJeans

Champion Author
Tampa
Posts:3,517 Points:366,280 Joined:May 2004
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Message Posted: Feb 16, 2013 10:03:24 PM
Huh? Seriously? Do you pull in to the pump every time you post for a station? Do you realize that most folks on these boards don't drive for work, and don't fill up daily -- especially at more than one station.
What do you seriously expect to happen with that change? More made up prices, or less prices posted?
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Scrapheap

Champion Author
Virginia
Posts:14,524 Points:2,354,830 Joined:Sep 2006
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Message Posted: Feb 16, 2013 6:39:49 PM
I think people would just end up making up prices for the fuel not listed on the sign easily seen from the road. Hence, accuracy would go down rather than improve.
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rumbleseat

Champion Author
Winnipeg
Posts:22,903 Points:3,526,800 Joined:Oct 2002
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Message Posted: Feb 16, 2013 6:16:18 PM
"Too many times I pull into a station to find someone only listed one grade - the one they can see as they drive by." Then, since you have actually pulled in, YOU can post all the grades, right?
Your suggestion would entail pulling into any station you wish to post, to look at all the pumps. What a stupid waste of fuel, pulling into stations when one isn't going to be filling up! On the way to somewhere, I look at the pylons, and post the prices I see. If I am filling up, I can look at the other grades, but if the weather is bad, I just go straight inside to pay as soon as the fill is done, I won't stand in the rain, or in blowing snow, or in -30 temperatures to look at any price other than the grade I am buying, which is regular.
PLUS, and this is a biggie, what about the people living in small communities who only have 1 or 2 stations? You want to disadvantage them to the point they consider quitting? We need more people posting prices, especially in the rural areas. Your suggestion would hurt rural posters, and once they start quitting, the value of the site would go down.
PLUS, since the site would not know if a person actually verified all the prices, the likelihood of more bogus prices goes up.
These things have been talked about MANY times before. The bottom line is, the moderators have no plans to make changes in the point structure at this time, and will make changes only at such time as they will benefit the site, and have goals attainable by all members, not just those living in cities and large towns.
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scoutmaster

Champion Author
Pittsburgh
Posts:81,170 Points:3,249,620 Joined:Mar 2003
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Message Posted: Feb 16, 2013 4:31:23 PM
If all they can see is one grade, then that's all they should post.
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