Beware of Flying J

[Mr__Pinky]

We are 1/3 of the way through a 7500 mile X country trip. I have used FJ exclusively and have had no problems until yesterday. At exit 95 on I 65 south of Indianapolis, IN, the diesel sign indicated $3.89 9/10 (cash) and with my Good Sam Reward card I thought I would be paying $3.83 9/10 to fill my DSDP, HA!!! I failed to look at the price at the pump at the RV island, and when I was finished, saw that I was being charged $4.14 9/10 per gal. This is over 30 cents per gal., or in my purchase, $22.00 more. When I complained, I was told that if I checked the price listed on the interstate sign, I would see that it said "tax exempt trucks only". They were right, and you could see it if you had strong binoculars.

I have always paid the price which was shown on the hi way sign so this is a new gimmick. I don't know if this is exclusively in IN or if this is going to be nationwide. Has anyone else experienced this?

[koda55]

According to the 2013 rv friend/truck manual, Indiana gas tax is 29 cents per gallon, diesel is 27 cents and biodiesel is also 27 cents.

Pa diesel is 38.1 cents per gallon, biodiesel is 38.1 cents and gas is 31.2 cents.

Ohio all taxes are 28 cents.

New York diesel is 40.05 per gallon and gas is 41.8 cents

[shaneperch]

I like speedway's fountain soda setup and they have all kinds of flavors they are not bad in St Louis. tho

[CG_Dawson]

In Indiana, Ohio & Michigan Marathon Oil (Speedway) has a virtual monopoly and absolutely controls the prices, including all other brands as well. This has been written up in the newspapers in Ohio. So if at all possible I do not buy fuel for the MH in either of these states. We know Speedway as Greedway. I realize this thread is primarily about FJ and diesel, but just had to toss my 2 cents worth in.

[sjholt]

When I leave for Pa. I always fill up in Missouri before Indiana and then fill up in Ohio to go in and out of Pa without buying fuel there. In fact I have a paper with the map of the sales tax per state and try to make it to the states with lower fuel taxes.

[WILDEBILL308]

On the last trip I had to pre pay at loves and could pay at the pump at FJ using the FJ card with no limit. I like Kroger and use my fuel points when ever I can but they are only good for 35 gal then you have to restart the pump.
Bill

[CA_Traveler]

In AZ the truck price is $0.08/gal more so you need to make sure that you are paying car/RV prices.

I don't understand the use of the FJ/GS card which gives $0.08/gal discount. Instead I use the FJ Frequent Fueler Advantage RV card which gives $0.03/gal discount plus I use a Amex card with 5% cash back.

The PefFed/Vista Cash Rewards card with 5% cash back is also popular but no cash back at the truck lanes.

[whistlebritches]

It seems more and more like everyone is figuring out ways to get more money out of us. This fuel thing, then campgrounds who now charge extra if there's more than 2 people in the rv. And, campgrounds requiring a one night stay for a deposit to hold a site, and some will not refund it, even if you call a few days ahead and cancel. I'm to the point where I won't even make a reservation unless it's a very popular area and at the height of a season.

[randallb]

Instead of condemning FJ you need to ask the legislators of IN why they allowed this practice. The first time I filled up in IN I was surprised at the amount of tax added at the register. I received a legitimate explanation from the cashier about the states fuel tax law as it pertained to price posting. I never filled up in IN again.
Randy

[INBellbuoy]

Definitely NOT Hoosier Hospitality, but unfortunately some of the previous posters are correct, the advertised prices are for exempt trucks, not "auto" diesel. When traveling in along I-65 in this area, Kroger in Columbus, IN is usually among the cheapest in the state and it fairly accessible for LARGE rigs. Gas Buddy app on a smartphone will help you, too.

[luvlabs]

I had this happen back in 2006. This is normal Indiana fuel tax laws. Truckers prepay their fuel taxes and the price you see advertised for truckers has no fuel tax added. RV's and other non-commercial vehicles who do not pre-pay fuel taxes have to pay them at the pump.

Best advice - buy diesel in another state.

[l001952119]

westernrvparkowner wrote:
Standard operating procedure in Indiana. Not just Flying J, but most every station. Indiana is the only state we have seen it in, which doesn't mean it doesn't occur elsewhere. It is a quirk in Indiana tax laws, not a scam buy the fuel stations.

X2, Indiana does not post the price with taxes. I always try to avoid Indiana and Illinois (high taxation)for fuel.

[shaneperch]

zman-az wrote:

shaneperch wrote:
I wish the CC companies would do something as it is not fair to CC holders or debit card holders to pay more.

You do realize that every retailer out there that takes credit cards pays around 2-3% to the credit card processor for you to use your credit card. When you pay cash at a gas station the retailer does not pay the 2% so they are giving you an option to save money.

That being said I think all fuel prices posted on signs should post the highest fee one would pay and then offer discounts after they suck you in.

I know I take credit cards myself. But when I take credit cards for stuff I sell on Craigslist I sell to a lot more people than the cash only crowd. I accept that as a cost of business. They do the same thing with debit cards. I understand that the charge %ages. but I would rather take a 2% hit than not have that sale then I take a 100% hit which really bites.

[Nomadac]

Mr. Pinky wrote:
We are 1/3 of the way through a 7500 mile X country trip. I have used FJ exclusively and have had no problems until yesterday. At exit 95 on I 65 south of Indianapolis, IN, the diesel sign indicated $3.89 9/10 (cash) and with my Good Sam Reward card I thought I would be paying $3.83 9/10 to fill my DSDP, HA!!! I failed to look at the price at the pump at the RV island, and when I was finished, saw that I was being charged $4.14 9/10 per gal. This is over 30 cents per gal., or in my purchase, $22.00 more. When I complained, I was told that if I checked the price listed on the interstate sign, I would see that it said "tax exempt trucks only". They were right, and you could see it if you had strong binoculars.

I have always paid the price which was shown on the hi way sign so this is a new gimmick. I don't know if this is exclusively in IN or if this is going to be nationwide. Has anyone else experienced this?

If you had paid attention when turning into the service road to the Flying J, there is a very large sign with all prices listed and the Car/RV Diesel price posted. All Truck Pumps in Indiana have the Exempt Tax price posted, which means that you need a specific number as being Tax Exempt and you pay your fuel tax on a monthly basis.

As to pre-paying before you pump at the Truck Islands, that is not unusual at many Truck Stops, based on my experience, i.e. Love's if they do not have RV pumps. Some Pilot's I have used also charge more that the Truck Pumps vs. the RV Pumps.

It is the responsibility of the driver to check the price before they pump and not blame the station, for your ineptness, IMO. I don't use small stations as I want fresh fuel vs. fuel that has been in a regular small station that probably does not pump much diesel.

[Sully2]

Mr. Pinky wrote:
We are 1/3 of the way through a 7500 mile X country trip. I have used FJ exclusively and have had no problems until yesterday. At exit 95 on I 65 south of Indianapolis, IN, the diesel sign indicated $3.89 9/10 (cash) and with my Good Sam Reward card I thought I would be paying $3.83 9/10 to fill my DSDP, HA!!! I failed to look at the price at the pump at the RV island, and when I was finished, saw that I was being charged $4.14 9/10 per gal. This is over 30 cents per gal., or in my purchase, $22.00 more. When I complained, I was told that if I checked the price listed on the interstate sign, I would see that it said "tax exempt trucks only". They were right, and you could see it if you had strong binoculars.

I have always paid the price which was shown on the hi way sign so this is a new gimmick. I don't know if this is exclusively in IN or if this is going to be nationwide. Has anyone else experienced this?

Its been that way for over a decade. Its not FJ's fault that you dont read the fine print

[BarbaraOK]

shaneperch wrote:
I don't like Flying "J" they have only pre-pay pumps I hate prepay as it is an inconvenience to me when I want to buy something in the store. .

Not true at all Flying J or Pilot if you have the RV Card from them that will start the pump for you - - you pump and go in and get the discounts when you pay for your purchases.

Barb