Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 7:40 pm Post subject: Re: Non-Acceptance of Credit Cards at Gas Pumps
Re: Non-Acceptance of Credit Cards at Petrol/Gas Pumps
I have experienced this at some petrol/gas stations myself, where you can only pay cash, or you see a price advertized, but when you go to pay with a credit card, you realize that you are being charged more than the stated price. Sometimes the cash price is in tiny prints, and you don't realize that there are two stated prices for the same grade of petrol/gas until you are charged.
The reality is that not everyone can afford to pay cash or are willing to pay cash when they have more pressing bills. So where does this leave the consumer? The oil companies make all the profit, with little to be made by the petrol/gas station owners to begin with. Also, considering the oil companies dictate which concessions petrol/gas stations may sell or how to display them, one can understand the predicament of station owners.
Gas station owners will need to press the oil companies for bigger breaks and the credit card companies for less charges, since it is true that it doesn't cost more to process a $100 charge than it does a $10 charge. Merchants need to be encouraged to do business, not discouraged. Most petrol stations are permitted by oil stations to make less than 10 cents a gallon in profit, regardless of their operating costs, while the ones who may have been long established can be lucky enough to make 10 - 12 cents per gallon. It may look like great profit, but after operating costs, this is not much, or might actually still leave them at a loss.
I also feel sorry for those who get robbed or killed in line of business. In a recent story from Los Angeles, an Exxon station was robbed when a tanker pulled up and drained the oil from their underground tank overnight. With 4000 gallons sucked out, how is this merchant supposed to recover even if he has insurance? His insurance company will raise the fact that there was no camera on site while they were closed, and even if he is covered, it would still be a pain for the business owner.
With the oil companies making billions of profits and their investors equally laughing all the way to the bank at most consumers expense, it is difficult for all affected consumers and merchants not to complain when gas at $5 at the pump is affecting us severely.
_________________ May we be strengthened with the ability, willingness and capabilities to be good ambassadors of Nigeria contributing to its uplifting, rather than its detriment. - Cxsm
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