The Gas Station Shakedown
I hate having airheaded moments that cost me lots of money. But to follow them up with quick witted moments that mitigate the damage… well, at least that’s something.
Our Prius needed oil. And gas. They have places for that kind of thing – the gas station. So, while I was filling it up with gas, I went inside and bought the oil. I then put the oil in.
And then, done with that, I got in the car, and pulled away.
With the gas nozzle still in my gas tank. It pulled from the pump and clanked the top of my car before it landed on the pavement. Perfect. Now, I’m not the kind of guy who will just drive away from a situation like this. I mean, I’m the kind of guy who would be tempted to, but no. I went inside.
And was immediately told me they had to charge my card $600.
No. I asked for a receipt from their vendor proving that it would cost that much. He took me into a back room and called some dude, asking how much it would cost to repair a broken hose, the breakaway part, and the nozzle. The man on the other line said $550. I said that sounded like way too much, and that there was nothing wrong with the hose or the nozzle – just the part that is designed to be broken away that needed to be re-attached. He said he’s sorry it was $550.
Now, interestingly enough, I had read about this happening to someone online just a week earlier. This person had been asked for $800, and had posted their situation online. People had chimed in, and one person who owned a gas station wrote that the replacement breakaway part costs about $150, and that many gas station operators try to rip people off, because this happens all the time.
Now, this was my trump card. I told the manager that I knew someone who owned a gas station, and that he had told me this part only cost $150, and that anything above that was a scam and should be reported to the police. At this point the man said that yes, actually, he did have a part he could use and it was $135 plus tax. I said that I was willing to pay for that.
He then said it wasn’t fair for people to expect the gas station owner to cover all the cost. I replied that I hadn’t – I came inside, and was willing to pay what was fair. He said that of course I had to come inside, there were cameras and they would have seen it. I said that I had no idea there were cameras and I came in anyway, not because I was afraid I’d “get caught.” He considered this and then said he’d waive the tax.
So still a very stupid moment that cost me a big chunk of change, but at least it wasn’t the disaster it could have been.
And that gas station owner is somewhat of a scoundrel. I won’t be using it anymore.
Oh my gosh, that is so annoying. But after the initial $600 they wanted to charge you, $135 doesn’t sound so bad, I guess! Way to stick to your guns.
This is a remarkable story! First of all, isn’t it amazing–and sounds like a God thing–that you had just “happened” to read about this kind of situation recently so you knew you were being scammed! Glad you were determined NOT to be scammed. I don’t think I would have thought of figuring out how much I should have been charged.
I’m glad you stood for justice.
Amazing!!! Just this very morning Nathan drove away with the pump still on the van and ripped it down.
Given that Nathan is bit the most respectable looking guy and the fact that there were 7 of us in the van howling with laughter, I thought we would be in big trouble for sure. The manager said that it was no problem, that it happens a lot and that the hoses are designed to break away like that and can be easily reattached. He just laughed and sent us in our way without charging us anything.
I also did this once and wasn’t charged. Did you break something that doesn’t normally break? Those hoses are designed to snap off and snap back in.
I’m going to stop by and see if the “attachment” part is the shiny new or old, and if it’s old I’m going to file a police report on the owner. But I do know that sometimes it does have to be replaced, for environmental reasons.
I’m always glad to hear these kind of stories because I would be the sucker who would feel so bad about breaking it that I would pay the $600. Good to know you don’t have to…not that I’m glad you had this experience of course. Just glad that you shared it so I would know better if it ever happens to me : )
Yikes, Jase! I am glad it turned out better than it could have.
Wow – I definitely would have been taken by that scam! Why does everyone have to be so crooked? Why do we live in a fallen world, Jason? Why, why, why? Thanks for giving us a heads up.
I would have refused to pay anything. At a public place like that it IS the responsibility of the owner and I am sure that they have insurance because it is such a common thing. I hate people. Sorry, having a bad day.
I just noticed a sign at my local Arco last week that states…”Replacing the gas nozzle is the sole responsibilty of the customer”…I thought that was a given…I guess they are trying to be proactive.