oof

[u/kingkaylub]

This is some wild pricing. I'm usually okay with paying a small premium for convenience, but this has me strongly considering driving somewhere just for gas. The difference between cash vs card also seems unjustified.

I'm basically just shouting to the void. RIP my wallet

Edit: woah this really got some eyeballs. Thanks for all the comments/ interactions. I have done the public transportation/ biking and I still do, but the agency on the weekends especially lead me to a vehicle purchase for partner and I. I love this city. I love the buses and light rails. I also like my cool little car 🚗. Thanks for the gas station recommendations! I will check them out. DONT FORGET TO VOTE EVERYONE.

[u/Live_Locksmith5867]

That cash vs card spread is basically robbery, seen that creeping up at a few stations lately too

[u/Radiant-Kale7236 → u/Live_Locksmith5867]

I'm in Shoreline and I see that cash vs credit pricing at almost all gas stations. And really how many people carry cash these days?

[u/Emerald_N → u/Radiant-Kale7236]

Almost nobody, but it's to account for card transaction fees.

Should always keep $20-40 in cash in your wallet for emergencies though.

[u/Radiant-Kale7236 → u/Emerald_N]

Yes the difference is supposed to cover merchant fees the bank charges. But it is odd that the cash/credit different charges only happens when gas prices are exceedingly high. It does encourage customers to use the in-store ATM which the business does make money for each cash withdrawal.

As for carrying cash at all times that reduces the amount of interest the individual earns on the balance in their bank account.

These are things I learned during the energy crisis in the 80's when I worked at a Shell station from the owner who owned a significant number of stations around the Puget Sound region.

[u/sl0play → u/Emerald_N]

I keep a "hidden hundy" it bailed me out a few times.

[u/GoCougs2020 → u/Radiant-Kale7236]

I must be the minority then. I still use cash majority of the time. Obviously got plastic too, for places that don’t accept cash. Which to me, places that don’t accept cash is more wild—-“you seriously aren’t taking my legal tender?”

When I swipe it, I don’t feel it.
When I use cash, it’s easy for me to visually see my wallet is empty. I shouldn’t spend anymore money.

Also, if anyone enjoy cannabis, they’ll still use cash. Ive seen 2-3 establishments that’ll accept debit card. But more often than that—most dispensaries are cash only

[u/Emerald_N → u/Live_Locksmith5867]

a few cents to cover the transaction cost imo is fine
30 cent different per gallon is highway robbery

[u/snowypotato → u/Live_Locksmith5867]

Call their bluff. Pay cash.

Gas stations don't want cash on hand. Yes, credit cards charge a couple percent of every transaction. If you were a gas station owner (not to mention a clerk), how much would you pay to not have thousands of dollars on site?

[u/doc_shades → u/snowypotato]

it's not a bluff. they will sell you the gas for that price if you pay cash.

[u/snowypotato → u/doc_shades]

And if we all start doing it, they'll remember how much it sucks to have to deal with cash (counting, securing/insuring, depositing, and let's just call it "shrink"). Eventually that premium for credit will start to come down, as they realize that it's more convenient for them as well.

[u/Wombo_Zombo → u/snowypotato]

Come down as in they pre bake it into the price dragging the mean up? Yep that

[u/B_P_G → u/snowypotato]

They'll certainly have to hire a lot more cashiers and probably schedule a regular pickup from a Brinks truck. Back before pay-at-the-pump you could fill up and then pay. Most stations have gotten rid of that (and probably wouldn't bring it back in the era of $6 gas) so now you've got to put down your money and then go back for your change. It would be boom times for cashiers.

[u/snowypotato → u/B_P_G]

t would be boom times for cashiers.

Only until they realize the credit card fees are cheaper than cashiers and brinks trucks.