Gas Pump Bait & Switch?

If you are among the many people that haven’t stepped inside a gas station in years and always pay at the pump, then listen up. There is a concerted effort by gas station owners to charge you a different price per gallon depending on if you pay with cash or credit card. There is now a cash price and a credit card posted for gasoline. Keep a look out for signs posted to signify the different price levels.

The reason for this price change is two parted. The owners want you to stop in to pay in person with cash so you are lured to buying a snack while you check-out. Also, it costs the owners more for the monthly credit card transactions and they want to pass the fees on to you. The next time you travel to the gas pump, pay attention to the price per gallon after you swipe your credit card, the price per gallon could change.

Do you think it’s fair companies are now charging different prices for gas based on purchase method?

MSN Gasoline Meter

If you are feeling the gas crunch, this is a pretty sweet tool. Just enter your zip code in the site below, and it tells you which gas stations have the cheapest prices (and the highest) on gasoline in your zip code area. It’s updated every evening.

http://autos.msn.com/everyday/gasstations.aspx?zip=&src=Netx

How can I beat gas prices?

A Join Fuel Perk Reward Program
1) Wholesale Club or Grocery Store Chain

B Sensible Maintenance on your vehicle
1) Check tire pressure
2) Try to accelerate too fast
3) Don’t slam on brakes
4) Unload unnecessary items in your vehicle (lighten load)
5) Don’t drive with windows open, just run fan
6) Schedule Routine Oil Changes

C Use common sense
1) Phone ahead to see if place has what you need or is open
2) Chart your course before you go
3) Trade in your gas-guzzler for fuel-efficient car
4) Don’t buy premium gas unless needed

What are you doing to save money on gas?

Finding Lowest Gas Prices

I was recently talking to a friend of mine about gas prices. He told me that his Grandpa was so concerned about finding the lowest priced gas, that he learned how to use the Internet. Then I came across an article in our local newspaper the next day about “Silver Surfers” [Thanks to Nearside for the term] and how they are taking the Internet by storm.

Some senior Internet users just want to get up to the minute information on gas information while others are looking for medical information. The bottom-line is that elderly Internet users are on the rise and the fuel crisis could be a catalyst.

If you are a triple A member, then you can login to AAA site and find the lowest price. If you just don’t want to bother looking up your membership information or if you are not a member just try Gas Buddy.

http://www.gasbuddy.com/