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We make credit card payments on a daily basis. Nowadays, hardly anyone uses cash. Remember how all shops asked people to pay with their cards during the pandemic to avoid contact? We become accustomed to using our phones or cards to make payments as a result. For gas, too?
Wait, though, because it’s now more expensive to swipe your card after filling up the tank! Many gas stations in Florida are charging extra for credit payments, gallon after gallon!Fuel is over a $1 more per gallon!
Is this, however, lawful? Yes, according to the fine print, and it is permitted by state law. This is what’s happening.
Gas stations are taking advantage
Numerous users have voiced their displeasure with this trap, including the story’s protagonist Igo, who discovered that his total increased significantly when he paid with a credit or debit card. Worse, some gas stations were attempting to conceal the fee!
Even worse, most states allow businesses to levy a premium to customers who pay with a credit card as long as they notify the customer in advance that they will be charged more.
And this is where the trick is!
Gas stations zealously enforce this restriction in order to exploit their patrons. Igo spends around $3,000 a month refueling his fleet of twelve trucks.
He discovered that the pricing on the pump differed from the sale price when he went to fill up one of his trucks. Customers who paid with a credit card had to pay an additional $1 per gallon, according to a sign with very small characters.
Naturally, he approached the window to inquire with the manager about the error. The manager informed him that the gas station purposefully put the sign there, and worse, they are free to charge whatever extra they want! Cheers to the free market!
Impact on household budgets
Paying with a card may result in a weekly increase of up to $780 for a car with a 15-gallon tank.
The bill for business fleets can reach five-digit figures! Additionally, this practice is not limited to a few stations. Therefore, it is true that we are giving gas stations money.
But is it legal?
Indeed! It’s lawful! In addition to being lawful, it is also widely accepted and common throughout the nation. Is it just? No, particularly for individuals who work on the road every day, and it’s even harder for those with modest incomes who watch their money disappear each time they fill up
How to avoid overpaying
Examine the digital screen and the stickers next to the card reader before reaching for the nozzle. You are subject to a fee if the price differs from the one shown on the outside sign. Either find another station or switch to cash.
- There are now apps that show both the cash and card rates and let you filter for the most convenient one. Even if it s just a few cents less per gallon, it s worth driving a couple extra miles.
- Some pumps also offer gas rebates, so you ll have to choose wisely to avoid losing money.
- Another option is to look for stations that offer membership cards. The discounts aren t huge, but they ll help a bit.
Therefore, when you go to fill up, make sure you have cash on hand or pay close attention to the signs surrounding the pump because this practice verges on deceptive advertising and life is too costly to be giving away free money to businesses, isn’t it?