Pump prices are misleading

Last year the Mobil station on the corner of Michael and Borchard became an independent gas station and is now Valero. It has gone through many changes and this weekend I was appalled at the latest change.

They advertised on their most visible sign (on Borchard) that unleaded gas was $2.57, which was cheaper than the Chevron across the street so I pulled in.

I used my debit card but selected the credit feature to purchase the gas. After putting in over $12, I noticed the price was $2.63 in the window. I looked around to see if I missed something and on a tiny sign over by the farthest driveway on Michael I saw two different prices, one for cash and one for credit.

I stopped my purchase and restarted using the debit feature this time. Now the pump asked me if I accepted a $0.35 fee using debit. I’m already trapped there so I finished my purchase.

I asked the man behind the counter if he was the owner and he said he was. We tried to discuss this even though he spoke limited English. After a while it was obvious that this was not going to be resolved but I let him know that it is dishonest to advertise a low price and then stick people with hidden fees that work out more expensive than the advertised price.

He tried to justify that after 15 gallons with the debit fee it works out cheaper than the credit price.

This is still more expensive than the advertised price and we shouldn’t be charged a fee at all when he gets paid electronically and immediately.

Is there something wrong with this picture or does it just seem unethical? Isn’t this the bait and switch trick?

I, for one, will not get gas there anymore and recommend others do the same until they learn to clearly state the price of their gas and charges. Ian Maxwell Newbury Park