Beware Pilot in NJ

Let us know if the manager takes any action.
It's going to be your word against the word of the pump attendant.

pilots primary business is selling diesel not unleaded gas.
they make x amount per gallon usually about the same per gallon be it leaded or premium. i am sure it was an honest mistake as it would not benefit the clerk no matter what they sell.

donkeydew wrote:
pilots primary business is selling diesel not unleaded gas.
they make x amount per gallon usually about the same per gallon be it leaded or premium. i am sure it was an honest mistake as it would not benefit the clerk no matter what they sell.

I agree. It very well could have been a honest mistake, seeing how busy the OP said they were.

Even owners pumping their own fuel make mistakes. Mistakes far worse than that like pumping gasoline in a diesel truck or visa versa. :E

donkeydew wrote:
pilots primary business is selling diesel not unleaded gas.
they make x amount per gallon usually about the same per gallon be it leaded or premium. i am sure it was an honest mistake as it would not benefit the clerk no matter what they sell.

But OP got roughly 6 gallons LESS fuel for his $50

vjstangelo wrote:
On the way home from the NE we stopped at the Pilot along I78 in West Clinton,NJ. I don't come this way often, and forgot that one cannot self_serve gasoline in NJ.

Anyway, I dutifully pulled up as the attendant directed, passed him my card, and said clearly "$50 regular unleaded". At some point I walked down to the pump which had stopped. I was asked if I wanted a receipt and I stated yes.

When I pulled away, I looked at the receipt and it clearly showed he had put in premium unleaded which was about 60 cents a gallon more than regular. Since we were already away from the station which by the way was packed, I just moved along. I even tipped the guy before I noticed the receipt.

My advice in NJ is watch the attendant like a hawk to ensure your the selection is honored. I feel like this is a racket at this Pilot and intend to call the Manager Monday.

Not to take sides here you might just say "unleaded" in the future. When the fella heard two words his mind might have thought he heard "premium".

By the time the attendant shows up, I have already put my card back in my wallet and selected the grade. In general, I have noticed people don't take as much pride in their work anymore and my watching is often a part of the service.

I am from NJ and I think they and OR. do not allow you pump your own gas Here is an article in Fortune regarding way



Gas in nj

we in rural Oregon still have attendants pump our gas. we are allowed to pump our own gas only at card toll island pumps. we had a rural gas guy lobby the oregon legislature to not allow people to pump their own gas back about 25 years ago, he won. he saved many jobs by doing so. most stations have young high school kids pumping gas for them. it helps the kids buy their own school clothes etc.

Old-Biscuit wrote:

donkeydew wrote:
pilots primary business is selling diesel not unleaded gas.
they make x amount per gallon usually about the same per gallon be it leaded or premium. i am sure it was an honest mistake as it would not benefit the clerk no matter what they sell.

But OP got roughly 6 gallons LESS fuel for his $50

Depending on how you look at it, he could have received 6.6 more gallons for the same $50.00 or paid $12.40 less for the same volume of fuel.

The fuel prices at the Hampton, NJ Pilot are $1.879 and $2.499 today.

I think the attendant just screwed up.

Yea, Oregon is one of only two states where you can't pump your own (except diesel) and I'm very happy about that. Our fuel prices are very near those states around us that 'claim' they have cheaper fuel. Just not true. And we have thousands of people employed doing it too.

I often see people fighting to fuel their cars in bad weather too often spilling. The attendants here are experienced, capable, and ready for the weather so that seldom happens.

The best part is that for nearly the same cost, I get someone who pumps my gas for me! HAH! And I can keep my clothes clean at the same time. And stay warm and dry inside my car.

Those who voted for self serve in Washington several years ago, for instance, saw the fuel prices drop for six weeks after the vote, and then they slowly crept up to OVER what we typically pay in Oregon. So much for savings when you pump your own.