Save money by using cash for gas?

Neph · 06-16-2008, 05:28 AM

Heard this on the radio this morning, so I googled around. Some gas stations only advertise their "cash rate". But when you get to the pump and swipe your card, you end up paying ~7 cents more per gallon than what was on the sign. Apparently this is to offset the hit that retailers take when you use your credit card.

CNN Money

So what do you all do? Shrug off the extra cost and keep swiping for points / cash back? Or do some of you carry cash specifically for the pump?

I personally didn't know about this, but I doubt the extra dollar or two I get charged for using my credit card will make me stop using it.

Ashes Emberblade · 06-16-2008, 06:05 AM

Shell rewards card gives 5% off at shell stations... that's what I use.

AladainAF · 06-16-2008, 06:43 AM

Amex Blue, 5% off gas.

(In Texas, I believe if they do that "cash price" crap, they have to actually tell you its the "cash price", so there is no difference where I go, as all stations are the same, cash or credit.)

Warrian · 06-16-2008, 06:49 AM

Is this really something to be worried about?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hardekopf

Very few retailers will charge more for credit cards, because they're such a big part of society.

Desidero · 06-16-2008, 06:52 AM

Credit card companies have rules in place that do not allow stores to charge more for using a credit card to offset the fees. Does this not apply to gas stations? There was a thing on the news a while ago about small stores getting busted for adding fees for using a credit card and they were forced to change their practices.

spronk · 06-16-2008, 07:46 AM

actually visa/mc allow gas stations to give a cash-only discount, its fairly recent (<1 year for open door policy). Some of the older contracts gas stations have with their banks don't allow a cash-only discount, but they are slowly expiring.

The gas stations are pretty much fucked, cc take 2-4% as their fee, which is usually the profit margin for the gas station. A lot of times they actually lose money on credit card pumps, usually a few cents. Its rare here to see cash discounts, but I think you'll see it more and more.

They take a 30 cent hit on debit cards btw, and AMEX has the highest fee, so if you really wanna fuck your gas station do $1 transactions with your debit card and/or always pay with AMEX cards, pretty much means you are the worst customer for them and always cost them money.

The Ancient · 06-16-2008, 08:06 AM

Liquor stores have been charging extra for using non-cash for as long as I can remember. Those bastards.

EmpireF4i · 06-16-2008, 08:33 AM

Some gas stations (not sure if its the same in other states) advertise their cash price and their credit card price. The cash price is 5-10 cents cheaper some places.

Taloo · 06-16-2008, 06:47 PM

Driving from NW Florida to Orlando I stopped at a few gas stations on the way that had huge "5cents per gallon off for paying with cash" stickers on all theri pumps. Definatly the first time I have seen that though. Was pretty sweet since they were already lower than I payed most of the way.

Oh this was some time last week.

Zarcath · 06-16-2008, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Desidero

Credit card companies have rules in place that do not allow stores to charge more for using a credit card to offset the fees. Does this not apply to gas stations? There was a thing on the news a while ago about small stores getting busted for adding fees for using a credit card and they were forced to change their practices.

There was also some "rule" about how stores can't have minimum total purchases ($20 or whatever) before they'll accept your CC, but there's a lot of mom and pop places that still do that.

brekk · 06-16-2008, 07:23 PM

Hess station near me does this, save 10c on 87oct, and 15c on 93octane.

kegkilla · 06-16-2008, 07:44 PM

don't these people have to notify you before they add a surcharge? if not, bs

Simas · 06-16-2008, 08:05 PM

Yea in portland it seems like almost every random gas station or coffee bar etc has not only a min. amount to use a credit card but also a fee, sometimes as much as 70 cents.

Ive just started filling up to save money, I dont drive alot so I usually just get 1/2 tank but the way prices are going cheaper to just buy a full tank before they rise again.

brekk · 06-16-2008, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kegkilla

don't these people have to notify you before they add a surcharge? if not, bs

at the pumps they have prices displayed for both using a credit card, and paying with cash.

Aetos · 06-16-2008, 09:40 PM

I saw this in jupiter florida back in april and was amazed, I see it done all the time on gunbroker.com. 90% of sellers say that the price reflects a 3% discount and if you want to use credit card you have to add 3% to the price

06-16-2008, 05:28 AM	#1 (permalink)
Neph Late to the party Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 643 +0 Internets	Save money by using cash for gas? Heard this on the radio this morning, so I googled around. Some gas stations only advertise their "cash rate". But when you get to the pump and swipe your card, you end up paying ~7 cents more per gallon than what was on the sign. Apparently this is to offset the hit that retailers take when you use your credit card. CNN Money So what do you all do? Shrug off the extra cost and keep swiping for points / cash back? Or do some of you carry cash specifically for the pump? I personally didn't know about this, but I doubt the extra dollar or two I get charged for using my credit card will make me stop using it.

06-16-2008, 08:05 PM	#13 (permalink)
Simas Say word Join Date: May 2005 Location: PDX Posts: 1,268 -26 Internets	Yea in portland it seems like almost every random gas station or coffee bar etc has not only a min. amount to use a credit card but also a fee, sometimes as much as 70 cents. Ive just started filling up to save money, I dont drive alot so I usually just get 1/2 tank but the way prices are going cheaper to just buy a full tank before they rise again. __________________ Destroyer

06-16-2008, 09:40 PM	#15 (permalink)
Aetos Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: New Haven Posts: 236 -12 Internets	I saw this in jupiter florida back in april and was amazed, I see it done all the time on gunbroker.com. 90% of sellers say that the price reflects a 3% discount and if you want to use credit card you have to add 3% to the price __________________

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06-16-2008, 06:05 AM	#2 (permalink)
Ashes Emberblade Better than You Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: NOLA Posts: 1,394 -18 Internets	Shell rewards card gives 5% off at shell stations... that's what I use.

06-16-2008, 06:43 AM	#3 (permalink)
AladainAF Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 1,673	Amex Blue, 5% off gas. (In Texas, I believe if they do that "cash price" crap, they have to actually tell you its the "cash price", so there is no difference where I go, as all stations are the same, cash or credit.)

06-16-2008, 06:52 AM	#5 (permalink)
Desidero Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 74 -2 Internets	Credit card companies have rules in place that do not allow stores to charge more for using a credit card to offset the fees. Does this not apply to gas stations? There was a thing on the news a while ago about small stores getting busted for adding fees for using a credit card and they were forced to change their practices.

06-16-2008, 07:46 AM	#6 (permalink)
spronk nerd Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 1,367	actually visa/mc allow gas stations to give a cash-only discount, its fairly recent (<1 year for open door policy). Some of the older contracts gas stations have with their banks don't allow a cash-only discount, but they are slowly expiring. The gas stations are pretty much fucked, cc take 2-4% as their fee, which is usually the profit margin for the gas station. A lot of times they actually lose money on credit card pumps, usually a few cents. Its rare here to see cash discounts, but I think you'll see it more and more. They take a 30 cent hit on debit cards btw, and AMEX has the highest fee, so if you really wanna fuck your gas station do $1 transactions with your debit card and/or always pay with AMEX cards, pretty much means you are the worst customer for them and always cost them money.

06-16-2008, 08:33 AM	#8 (permalink)
EmpireF4i Right as the mail Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: So Cal Posts: 1,256 -18 Internets	Some gas stations (not sure if its the same in other states) advertise their cash price and their credit card price. The cash price is 5-10 cents cheaper some places.

06-16-2008, 06:47 PM	#9 (permalink)
Taloo Fires of Heaven WoW Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 536	Driving from NW Florida to Orlando I stopped at a few gas stations on the way that had huge "5cents per gallon off for paying with cash" stickers on all theri pumps. Definatly the first time I have seen that though. Was pretty sweet since they were already lower than I payed most of the way. Oh this was some time last week.

06-16-2008, 07:44 PM	#12 (permalink)
kegkilla Sultan of Swingin on niggaz Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: killadelphia Posts: 1,527 -130 Internets	don't these people have to notify you before they add a surcharge? if not, bs