Discounts for volume or cash....for fuel?

[ivbinconned]

In 2012 buying gas in Washington I asked and got a lower price when paying gas with cash.
Is this something that is common. Heading south in a week. Should we bring cash for fuel?

[DutchmenSport]

jnharley wrote:
Keep in mind in Indiana when you see the cash/credit prices for diesel that it is for the truck pumps and they do not get taxed at the pump, paying their fuel taxes separately. We encountered one Love's truck stop that would not allow us to fill at the truck pumps because of the tax issue. Point is, you see the advertised cash/credit price and think you are getting a decent deal and then get a big surprise at the pumps when they add tax. Sometimes their big roadside signs advertising fuel prices say "exempt trucks" but not all do and I doubt that most visitors know what that means.

You are sooooooo very correct with this! I've lived in Indiana most of my life. Born here and will probably die here too. Trucks stops and such are VERY confusing because of the "exempt" fuel tax for commercial vehicles. This is one of the biggest reasons why I avoid truck stops (especially in Indiana). In 61 years of life, I am now OK with this. I know what to look for now and get by just fine. The problem arises when we travel to different states. I never know what to expect from diesel (taxed or not, or whatever). That's why (for me), getting diesel at normal, regular auto gas stations works so much better. There's never any problem pumping from a "car diesel" pump.

In Indiana, I've not seen very many fuel stations that give discounts for paying cash over using a credit card. HOWEVER! They do usually post the price of fuel on their big signs, then in very small letters they have "members only price." Yea! Cash or Credit, doesn't matter, but having the fuel station convenience card does.

[jnharley]

Keep in mind in Indiana when you see the cash/credit prices for diesel that it is for the truck pumps and they do not get taxed at the pump, paying their fuel taxes separately. We encountered one Love's truck stop that would not allow us to fill at the truck pumps because of the tax issue. Point is, you see the advertised cash/credit price and think you are getting a decent deal and then get a big surprise at the pumps when they add tax. Sometimes their big roadside signs advertising fuel prices say "exempt trucks" but not all do and I doubt that most visitors know what that means.

[mgirardo]

Every state varies. I know in NJ gas stations are allow to charge a different price for Credit Cards only if the price difference is posted. In some southeastern states that does not seem to be the case. There have been a few times in North and South Carolina when only one price was advertised, but at the pump it would charge more for credit card.

I haven't encountered a gas station in GA that charges extra for credit card, however at a lot of gas stations around here, they charge a lower rate for "club" members.

-Michael

[korbe]

And, out in our neck of the woods many stations post in large numbers the cash price and we never even see the little posted credit card price. I don't like to be fooled with marketing.

[ivbinconned]

Thanks gentlemen. Yes that running back in for change can be a pain.

[Chuck_thehammer]

most, the difference was 3 cents per gallon,, my last trip 1,800 miles.(Gas engine) . 2 stations charged extra.
$410.00 total in Gas.

I do not like going inside and pay.. then go back inside for change.. and both times there is a line.. for lotto tickets and cigarettes, I do not use ether.

I have 2 credit cards.. One just for gas and stuff at gas stations, low limit.

[Dave_H_M]

ktmrfs, that cash back adds up over a year if you drive a gas guzzler.

We use that for taking the edge off rental car prices or sometimes even completely paying for a rental, like we plan on in AK this summer. :C

[ktmrfs]

ivbinconned wrote:
In 2012 buying gas in Washington I asked and got a lower price when paying gas with cash.
Is this something that is common. Heading south in a week. Should we bring cash for fuel?

Interstingly I've been to many stations that have a cash and credit price and I just pull out my pen fed credit card, swipe it at the pump and end up getting the cash price and the penfed 5 percent discount.

Maybe I have been lucky, but I have yet to have the pump switch to the credit price.

And in every case the cash discount was less than the 5 percent cash back I got from penfed at the end of the month.

So, I just pull out the pen fed card.

[ScottG]

Many times they will have both prices, credit $ cash, posted.
I would not carry that much cash anywhere anymore because of theft or the reason Gordon gave - which is very real.

[GordonThree]

Bring lots of cash, you could make some small town police very happy. Google civil forfeiture for more information.

[imgoin4it]

Very common almost every place / state nowadays. Laws changed and allow everyone to charge to recover the fees credit card companies charge the retail operation.