Do you avoid gas stations that charge higher prices to use cards?

[TurboDan]

I do. I make it a point never to patronize any gas station that charges extra to use a card.

The worst part is that they justify their price gouging by saying it's due to the credit card companies charging transaction fees, but do we know what these fees are? I've seen some stations charge only a few cents more per gallon, and other charge up to 20 cents more per gallon. Which is it? Also, I never use credit cards to purchase gas anyway, I use my debit card which does not carry nearly the transaction fees credit cards do. Yet debit users are charged the same amount as credit users.

Personally, I think these gas stations need to be investigated and this practice has to be stopped. For now, I vote with my wallet and refuse to fill up anywhere that has these surcharges. Here in South Jersey, Wawa has now started a huge ad campaign advertising their prices are the same.

[SVT666]

No gas station does that around here.

[Atomic]

I have stumbled upon this once or twice, but fortunately do not see it often. If so, I would definitely try to avoid these stations. I rarely carry cash, but this could change with such tactics. I am planning a road trip and will keep my eyes open, especially on the NYS Thruway. BTW, are the businesses at rest stops maintained by the state (at least here in NY) governed by the state in any particular way that might differ from gas stations located elsewhere. Seems like this would be illegal  .

[TurboDan]

I have stumbled upon this once or twice, but fortunately do not see it often.

In New Jersey, the majority of gas stations (probably 75%) now do this.

I am planning a road trip and will keep my eyes open, especially on the NYS Thruway. BTW, are the businesses at rest stops maintained by the state (at least here in NY) governed by the state in any particular way that might differ from gas stations located elsewhere. Seems like this would be illegal  .

I know in New Jersey, the gas stations at the highway rest stops are only allowed to change their prices once a week. It's legal because it's part of the contract the state and company agreed on. New Jersey just switched its contract to Sunoco from Lukoil.

[MrH]

It just started around here.  Now I get a $1 charge every time I fill up.   Just started last month, and every one I go to now does it.

[Atomic]

It just started around here.  Now I get a $1 charge every time I fill up.   Just started last month, and every one I go to now does it.

Shocked those scam artists have not yet advertised a sale when using cash... Spinning it 

[93JC]

No gas station does that around here.

The only places around here that add surcharges for using a card are little mom-and-pop convenience stores.

[AutobahnSHO]

The worst part is that they justify their price gouging by saying it's due to the credit card companies charging transaction fees, but do we know what these fees are? I've seen some stations charge only a few cents more per gallon, and other charge up to 20 cents more per gallon. Which is it? Also, I never use credit cards to purchase gas anyway, I use my debit card which does not carry nearly the transaction fees credit cards do. Yet debit users are charged the same amount as credit users.

"If we assume a Discount Rate for a Merchant of 2.05% + $0.15 Transaction Fee, then for a $100 Visa charge the amount the Merchant would pay their Merchant Services Provider will be $2.20. "

"Typically, a Merchant pays a third-party routing fee to connect to American Express or Discover. This fee can be as high as $.25 per authorization. "
http://www.shift4.com/fees_rates.cfm

Debit and Credit cards which say Mastercard or Visa are charged the same ...
http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/04/18/in-fight-over-debit-card-wipe-fees-banks-still-trying-to-blame-merchants/

[AutobahnSHO]

BTW wasn't aware of this, and it will only get worse.

I know for a long time Visa forbid merchants from charging fees to customers for charging or Visa wouldn't do business with them. Wonder what changed recently??

[dazzleman]

I just go to the gas station closest to my house.  I think they charge extra to use a credit card, but I'm not sure how much.  I don't pay much attention to be honest.  I only fill up once every 2-3 weeks.

[Raza]

I can't remember the last time I saw that. 

Wait....I think I passed one that had a cash "discount".

[AutobahnSHO]

Noticed on my roadtrip the truckstops had seemingly changing prices for diesel. It was like $3.77 cash and $3.83 credit at one...

[Payman]

I go to the Indian reserve every 2 weeks to load up on smokes and $.10/litre cheaper gas.

[Byteme]

I do. I make it a point never to patronize any gas station that charges extra to use a card.

The worst part is that they justify their price gouging by saying it's due to the credit card companies charging transaction fees, but do we know what these fees are? I've seen some stations charge only a few cents more per gallon, and other charge up to 20 cents more per gallon. Which is it? Also, I never use credit cards to purchase gas anyway, I use my debit card which does not carry nearly the transaction fees credit cards do. Yet debit users are charged the same amount as credit users.

Personally, I think these gas stations need to be investigated and this practice has to be stopped. For now, I vote with my wallet and refuse to fill up anywhere that has these surcharges. Here in South Jersey, Wawa has now started a huge ad campaign advertising their prices are the same.

I've never seen that.  I always pay at the pump and the price is the same regardless of the method of payment I choose.  I always pay with the same credit card since I get a 10% rebate on the first $200 of gas purchases each month.

[Byteme]

I go to the Indian reserve every 2 weeks to load up on smokes and $.10/litre cheaper gas.

The last time I bought gas on a reservation it was about 15% higher than on private land.

[giant_mtb]

There's like one gas station in this area that, instead of charging extra for using a card, they'll give you 3 cents off per gallon if you pay with cash.  Their regular price is the same as everywhere else, so you don't end up paying more if you use a card, but you CAN pay less if you've got cash.

[Cookie Monster]

I don't mind if they charge a flat $.15-.20 fee, but if it's per gallon I usually get cash or go elsewhere.

[280Z Turbo]

I kind of wish credit card companies would just charge a monthly fee for their services instead of passing it onto retailers or (worse yet) fucking poor people up the ass with ridiculous interest rates and fees.

[Speed_Racer]

I haven't found a gas station in Vegas that doesn't have a separate per gal price for debit & cash vs. credit. Frustrating.

[nickdrinkwater]

Can't remember the last time I paid cash for fuel.  If you consider how much a tank costs here, it's not the kind of money you tend to carry around day-to-day.

[MrH]

I kind of wish credit card companies would just charge a monthly fee for their services instead of passing it onto retailers or (worse yet) fucking poor people up the ass with ridiculous interest rates and fees.

There's a reason why they're poor...

[Payman]

Can't remember the last time I paid cash for fuel.  If you consider how much a tank costs here, it's not the kind of money you tend to carry around day-to-day.

I use debit. Exact same cost as cash.

[TBR]

"If we assume a Discount Rate for a Merchant of 2.05% + $0.15 Transaction Fee, then for a $100 Visa charge the amount the Merchant would pay their Merchant Services Provider will be $2.20. "

"Typically, a Merchant pays a third-party routing fee to connect to American Express or Discover. This fee can be as high as $.25 per authorization. "
http://www.shift4.com/fees_rates.cfm

Debit and Credit cards which say Mastercard or Visa are charged the same ...
http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/04/18/in-fight-over-debit-card-wipe-fees-banks-still-trying-to-blame-merchants/

It should depend on whether the debit card is run as a debit card (PIN required) or as a credit card (no PIN required). I have certainly heard that running it as a debit card is significantly cheaper for the retailer.

I have never run across a non-truck stop that charged more for using a credit card.

[Atomic]

Can't remember the last time I paid cash for fuel.  If you consider how much a tank costs here, it's not the kind of money you tend to carry around day-to-day.

So true and then to have to walk in the store, stand in line with people buying hundreds worth of lottery tickets -- never fails having one in front of me, then estimate how much gas you need and pay in advance, sometimes needing to get money back.

[Raza]

I go to the Indian reserve every 2 weeks to load up on smokes and $.10/litre cheaper gas.

There's a place by my office that give 20 cents off per gallon on premium on Tuesdays.  Works for me, I take premium.  Holla.

[Onslaught]

I didn't even know they did that. So I'd have to say no to the question.

[Lebowski]

I don't know of any fillin' stations around here that charge a different price for cards.

[AutobahnSHO]

Seems to be a "take advantage of people who are uneducated in ways of the world" regional thing..

[ifcar]

I'm seeing an increasing number of those. I normally avoid the stations on principle even if their credit price is competitive.

[Soup DeVille]

How do you know they're charging extra for the card?

They are more likely giving a discount for cash.