I didn't pay for my gas today.

kelle017 · October 2011

I'm so embarrased. We (dh & I) stopped at the gas station to fill up my car because gas is cheap ($3.25) before heading to artprize (huge art competition; biggest in the world, I think. Very cool)

So I slid my card and started pumping gas. I wasn't sure if I hit pay inside or pay here credit so I waited until I was done and then the screen said sale completed. So I was like okay, I did pay for it.

I walked into the gas station, and we got soda, and a few misc. things. The cashier even said do you have gas, and I said no I paid at the pump.

So we went to artprize and on our way home dh got a message from the neighboor saying the cops we looking for my car. So he called them and sure enough that's what it was. So we went to the gas station and he went in and took care of it.

He said it was fine, they were nice and totally understood it was an accident, espc. because we went into the store and got other things. I just feel so stupid though. I've never done anything like that, and while it was just an misunderstanding (not sure why the pump said sale completed, it would usually say pay inside after I put the pump back), I just feel dumb and kind of never want to go back.

I will though because I love this gas station.

Anyone else ever do this?

kayash · October 2011

Scout2005:
Around here you have to pay first before the pump will activate, so I'm not sure how this would even happen. I would double check your card that you weren't charged twice.

This is the norm at most of our stations too. Definitely watch your statement. It seems odd though that they didn't say anything to you when you said you had paid outside if that hadn't actually happened.

BallSox · October 2011

kayash:
Scout2005:
Around here you have to pay first before the pump will activate, so I'm not sure how this would even happen. I would double check your card that you weren't charged twice.

This is the norm at most of our stations too. Definitely watch your statement. It seems odd though that they didn't say anything to you when you said you had paid outside if that hadn't actually happened.

This. If there is a random place that you don't have to pay first, the cashier comes over **the intercom** and reminds you to pay inside. "Welcome to Shell, pump#3, please remember to come inside and pay once you're done pumping!"

That is really weird.

Firefly9 · October 2011

Not related to your gas issue, but I'm hoping to go to ArtPrize next weekend! How was it?

laurynfaerie · October 2011

My mom and I saw some guy in a minivan intentionally take off without paying for gas last night. My mom went in to pay for her gas (after a certain time most gas stations around here won't let you pay at the pump), and asked the girl at teh counter if she needed to make a statement or something, but since the guy (or girl) tore out of there so fast I didn't catch the plate #, and my mom didn't catch it because she can't see worth crap at night.

They got away with $95 worth of gas, and there's nothing anyone can do about it.

People suck.

Excitedtostart · October 2011

I understand how it could have happened (The unintentional OP, not the DB Laurynfaerie saw).

I've never done it with gas, but a GF& I were shopping at a store once and walked out wearing something. We'd been trying on fleeces and sweatshirts, the sales people were super helpful, but we couldn't decide. We finally decided to go grab dinner and then come back and make the decision on what to buy. We even asked the security guard on the way out which restaurant to go to for dinner. Halfway through dinner we realized my friend was wearing the sweatshirt. We rushed back and paid for it. They were fine, but I was mortified!!!

curlylocks3 · October 2011

It seems weird to me that they didn't say anything more specific when you were in the store. I know they asked if you got gas, but by me the cashiers are watching pretty closely and always know which pump you're coming from before you even get inside. I agree about double checking your credit card statement.

WaitingOnTwoPinkLines · October 2011

Scout2005:
GhostMonkey:

Scout2005:
Around here you have to pay first before the pump will activate, so I'm not sure how this would even happen. I would double check your card that you weren't charged twice.

That's not true everywhere. Prepay only are by the interstates, otherwise the majority you can pump then go inside and pay.

Huh, interesting. Around here, even the local (not on the highway) stations have you prepay before the pump turns on.

It's the same here. Even if you are paying cash, you have to go in & prepay before the attendant will turn the pump on.

danlexi04 · October 2011

If you're filling your tank and don't know how much it will be, how to you pre pay? I'm from NJ and we legally aren't allowed to pump our own gas so I have no idea how it works. Twice DH and I have been in another state staring at eachother because we didn't know wtf to do.

kelle017 · October 2011

GhostMonkey:

Scout2005:
Around here you have to pay first before the pump will activate, so I'm not sure how this would even happen. I would double check your card that you weren't charged twice.

That's not true everywhere. Prepay only are by the interstates, otherwise the majority you can pump then go inside and pay.

I live in a smaller town of about 4,000 people. The gas station I was at doesn't require you to prepay, but some in the area do, especially the closer you get to the 'big city' (Grand Rapids).

kelle017 · October 2011

MrsMcB926:
Not related to your gas issue, but I'm hoping to go to ArtPrize next weekend! How was it?

It was sooo busy. But it was a really nice day out. We went outside the B.O.B., in the building next to it (50 monroe?), and in/around the Ford museum, the Devos Place, and the Amway (my uncle has an entry there so we checked that out). We tried to go to the Art Museum but the line to get in was really long.

kelle017 · October 2011

danlexi04:
If you're filling your tank and don't know how much it will be, how to you pre pay? I'm from NJ and we legally aren't allowed to pump our own gas so I have no idea how it works. Twice DH and I have been in another state staring at eachother because we didn't know wtf to do.

Our gas stations are all self serve here.

kelle017 · October 2011

Thanks for making me feel better ladies.

+diana82+ · October 2011

danlexi04:
If you're filling your tank and don't know how much it will be, how to you pre pay? I'm from NJ and we legally aren't allowed to pump our own gas so I have no idea how it works. Twice DH and I have been in another state staring at eachother because we didn't know wtf to do.

You swipe a card at the pump or you go inside and tell them to put X amount on tank # whateverthenumberis.

BallSox · October 2011

+diana82+:
danlexi04:
If you're filling your tank and don't know how much it will be, how to you pre pay? I'm from NJ and we legally aren't allowed to pump our own gas so I have no idea how it works. Twice DH and I have been in another state staring at eachother because we didn't know wtf to do.
You swipe a card at the pump or you go inside and tell them to put X amount on tank # whateverthenumberis.

If you overpay with cash, you go back in and get your change. If you overpay with a CC, idk, I always low ball if I have to pre-pay and only have a CC on hand.

+diana82+ · October 2011

BallSox:
+diana82+:
danlexi04:
If you're filling your tank and don't know how much it will be, how to you pre pay? I'm from NJ and we legally aren't allowed to pump our own gas so I have no idea how it works. Twice DH and I have been in another state staring at eachother because we didn't know wtf to do.
You swipe a card at the pump or you go inside and tell them to put X amount on tank # whateverthenumberis.
If you overpay with cash, you go back in and get your change. If you overpay with a CC, idk, I always low ball if I have to pre-pay and only have a CC on hand.

I do the same thing b/c I'm afraid of looking stupid for not knowing what to do if I overpay with a card. LOL

kelle017 · October 2011

GhostMonkey:
laurynfaerie:

My mom and I saw some guy in a minivan intentionally take off without paying for gas last night. My mom went in to pay for her gas (after a certain time most gas stations around here won't let you pay at the pump), and asked the girl at teh counter if she needed to make a statement or something, but since the guy (or girl) tore out of there so fast I didn't catch the plate #, and my mom didn't catch it because she can't see worth crap at night.

They got away with $95 worth of gas, and there's nothing anyone can do about it.

People suck.

I know this one did because they had a picture of the back of my car. That's how they found me.

What gas station doesn't have cameras?

StatlerWaldorf · October 2011

I used to work at a gas station. I'd say about once a week people would come back after forgetting to pay for their gas. We didn't have cameras outside. We would have to write down each license plate before hitting a button that would allow you to pump your gas without prepaying.

randomlurker2 · October 2011

I have heard of a few stations where running a card will activate the pump but it would not always charge it. I got a receipt one time but it never went through.

Firefly9 · October 2011

kelle017:
MrsMcB926:
Not related to your gas issue, but I'm hoping to go to ArtPrize next weekend! How was it?

It was sooo busy. But it was a really nice day out. We went outside the B.O.B., in the building next to it (50 monroe?), and in/around the Ford museum, the Devos Place, and the Amway (my uncle has an entry there so we checked that out). We tried to go to the Art Museum but the line to get in was really long.

I'm looking forward to it--the forecast is making it look like Saturday is going to be GORGEOUS. I'm sure it will be busy, but it'll be nice to enjoy one last weekend outside. I know someone who has an entry, I don't know if it's making it to the next round, though. Glad you had a good weekend to go!

staycee · October 2011

GhostMonkey:

Scout2005:
Around here you have to pay first before the pump will activate, so I'm not sure how this would even happen. I would double check your card that you weren't charged twice.

That's not true everywhere. Prepay only are by the interstates, otherwise the majority you can pump then go inside and pay.

ours are all pre-pay. I honestly can't remember the last time I saw a station where you could pump first around here. Even in HS (20+ years ago) we had to pre-pay.

MrsT2008 · October 2011

danlexi04:
If you're filling your tank and don't know how much it will be, how to you pre pay? I'm from NJ and we legally aren't allowed to pump our own gas so I have no idea how it works. Twice DH and I have been in another state staring at eachother because we didn't know wtf to do.

up here, you go in, tell them you want $x on pump # and the pump will automatically shut itself off when it hits the amount you paid.

To the OP - I'd also be watching your statements, the fact that you swiped your card before you started pumping, it wouldn't surprise me if you got charged twice.

All pumps here are pre-pay (I pay by CC at the pump, I can't remember the last time I went inside a gas station)

kelle017 · October 2011

MrsMcB926:
kelle017:

MrsMcB926:
Not related to your gas issue, but I'm hoping to go to ArtPrize next weekend! How was it?

It was sooo busy. But it was a really nice day out. We went outside the B.O.B., in the building next to it (50 monroe?), and in/around the Ford museum, the Devos Place, and the Amway (my uncle has an entry there so we checked that out). We tried to go to the Art Museum but the line to get in was really long.

I'm looking forward to it--the forecast is making it look like Saturday is going to be GORGEOUS. I'm sure it will be busy, but it'll be nice to enjoy one last weekend outside. I know someone who has an entry, I don't know if it's making it to the next round, though. Glad you had a good weekend to go!

the top 10 were announced last week. You can find them here on the main page. https://www.artprize.org/. We saw half of them.

sevans1975 · October 2011

I was a "drive off" a few years ago...completely by accident. I normally pay at the pump, but I wanted to go in and get something to drink. I told the clerk "Pump 5" and she never rang it up. I'm not a low-talker, so I don't know how she didn't hear me.

I got back to work and looked at my receipt and panicked, called the gas station and said I would be right there.

Went back in and the manager said, "Did we forget to ask you if you pumped gas?"
"No, in fact I SAID I did and wasn't charged."

It was pretty embarrassing...5 minutes of being a drive-off criminal.

PrincessFiona9 · October 2011

+diana82+:
BallSox:
+diana82+:

danlexi04:
If you're filling your tank and don't know how much it will be, how to you pre pay? I'm from NJ and we legally aren't allowed to pump our own gas so I have no idea how it works. Twice DH and I have been in another state staring at eachother because we didn't know wtf to do.

You swipe a card at the pump or you go inside and tell them to put X amount on tank # whateverthenumberis.

If you overpay with cash, you go back in and get your change. If you overpay with a CC, idk, I always low ball if I have to pre-pay and only have a CC on hand.

I do the same thing b/c I'm afraid of looking stupid for not knowing what to do if I overpay with a card. LOL

Typically when you use a CC to pay, it only charges $1 to verify your card is active. Then a day or so later the full charge shows up on the card for however much gas you got.

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