Gas Prices have gone really silly now

[ryna 132]

In my case when it was used as a debit there wasn't an NSF (insufficient funds) fee

(which can be a big GOTCHA in cases where the account isn't protected by overdraft),

but interest charged when the debit was charged to my checking account having a

zero balance, which then kicked in the overdraft protection which charged interest.

Now I understand... I was thinking of a Point-of-Sale fee for using the debit card. What happened to you is even worse. The bank "loaned" you your own money and charged you interest for it.

In any event, I don't see why the gas stations should be allowed to place a hold on any account once you've completed the sale.

Oh yeah.. I guess the whole point is that gas prices have gone up so much that they now view $100 as what they need to be able to set aside ahead of time to let someone fill their tank.

[ryna 132]

I have started using cash at gas stations ever since gas stations reintroduced (in the last 2-3 years) the practice of charging a higher price for credit txns.

Haven't seen that yet on a large scale here. There are the occasional stations that have always done that.

But, if it becomes normal again around here, I'll be paying cash only. I would do cash only now but I prefer pay at the pump and leave instead of waiting in line to pay, pumping the gas, then waiting in line again to get any change..

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

Very Interesting, Bernanke today state that if petrol approaches 5.00 USD we can expect the economy to reverse into another recession.

[^_^ 5,021]

Haven't seen that yet on a large scale here. There are the occasional stations that have always done that.

But, if it becomes normal again around here, I'll be paying cash only. I would do cash only now but I prefer pay at the pump and leave instead of waiting in line to pay, pumping the gas, then waiting in line again to get any change..

Right. This is a full-service state (NJ), self-service is illegal here. So there's no real difference in how long it takes to pay by cash or card.

[웃 910]

Right. This is a full-service state (NJ), self-service is illegal here. So there's no real difference in how long it takes to pay by cash or card.

That is silly.

[^_^ 5,021]

That is silly.

Not allowing self-service is silly? I agree.

[웃 910]

Not allowing self-service is silly? I agree.

There is a gas station around me that is always jam-packed. Has 12 to 20 pumps (can't recall exact number).

Sometimes you might have to wait for a car to leave the pump to get a spot.

What would happen in this scenario? You'd have to have at least 4 attendants to cover that many pumps. Seems like a waste of money.

Do people tip them too?

[^_^ 5,021]

There is a gas station around me that is always jam-packed. Has 12 to 20 pumps (can't recall exact number).

Sometimes you might have to wait for a car to leave the pump to get a spot.

What would happen in this scenario? You'd have to have at least 4 attendants to cover that many pumps. Seems like a waste of money.

Do people tip them too?

No tips.

And waiting for a car to leave is not uncommon. Most stations around me have 4 pumps, 1 attendant.

[N M 96]

I'm currently paying $3.14 here for regular (northern Colorado). Which for us is outragous.

That may seem good value compared to many states, but due to the altitude we have lower octane fuel (our mid grade is the same as most people's regular), so we should be paying way less.

Regular was just $2.55 a gallon back in October.

As for the UK/ US comparison debate (earlier in this thread) - yes the average Brit drives less miles. But don't forget that Britain wasn't built for the car and its roads (in comparison to America) are awful. Rush hours in urban Britain are often gridlocked jams that guzzle horrible amounts of fuel - and at $9 a gallon, that's not fun.

Edited March 1, 2011 by N M

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

The latest thing now, is when I fill up the truck, the pump shuts off before I get a full tank, at either 75 or 80 dollars.

[^_^ 5,021]

75 or 80 dollars

Edited March 1, 2011 by \

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

75 or 80 dollars

Yep.

[^_^ 5,021]

That is insane. I whine about 40.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

That is insane. I whine about 40.

The last fill-up on the 4Runner was almost 60.

ETA: When the 4Runner finally gives up, I will seriously look at something like a Prius.

Edited March 1, 2011 by Some Old Guy

[^_^ 5,021]

The last fill-up on the 4Runner was almost 60.

You should go steal Madame Cleo's bike.