Some of the ARCOs here in AZ are fairly nice and I can stop in there to use the facilities. I do buy some gas there but usually don't top it off. I prefer either Shell, Chevron or Costco. Had an experience with a Chevron that I topped it off at and went in to use the bathroom when they told me that they close them down in the evenings. I understand that the reason they do this is to prevent homeless people from using it to take a "birdbath" in the sink and/or shoot up and possibly die in there. I was told that I could go to a QT down the road. At the end of it all I never buy gas at the chain anymore as this experience soured me on them.
Grumbling at franchise gas stations
- Thread starter Donald
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SammyChevelleTypeS3
$50 site donor 2023
We have these large places called RaceTrac that are very similar to some truck stops minus the trucks. Many gas pumps across the front. Lots of food , drinks and snacks inside. I use SHELL gasoline or EXXON only so I do not use their fuel. I do go in the RaceTrac for daily papers, coffee , tea , restrooms (real clean) or their great , all day long fresh baked pizza one can get by the slice or an entire pie if wanted. Fair prices on everything from what I have seen.
I too wonder what the real margins are on retail gasoline sales.
If they aren't pretty healthy, then how can grocery chains like Kroger offer as much as a buck discount on up to thirty five gallons with fuel points?
How can Sheetz sell their E15 product for thirty cents less than E10 RUG and offer even larger discounts on some holidays?
There are a host of other examples which might well lead one to think that the retail margin must be higher than the commonly quoted ten or fifteen cents a gallon.
We all know what the wholesale prices are in various areas, so even tacking on delivery costs and distributor's margins it would seem that the retail margin must be pretty healthy.
I'd doubt that any of these retail sellers are operating as non-profits merely to benefit the driving public.
If they aren't pretty healthy, then how can grocery chains like Kroger offer as much as a buck discount on up to thirty five gallons with fuel points?
How can Sheetz sell their E15 product for thirty cents less than E10 RUG and offer even larger discounts on some holidays?
There are a host of other examples which might well lead one to think that the retail margin must be higher than the commonly quoted ten or fifteen cents a gallon.
We all know what the wholesale prices are in various areas, so even tacking on delivery costs and distributor's margins it would seem that the retail margin must be pretty healthy.
I'd doubt that any of these retail sellers are operating as non-profits merely to benefit the driving public.
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Corn syrup is good as it is primarily glucose which is exactly what your brain and muscles need. High fructose corn syrup has had the glucose converted to fructose which is sweeter and cheaper than glucose. Remember that normal "sugar" is a dimer of glucose and fructose. Our bodies can convert fructose to glucose through fructose-1=phosphate as needed for metabolism by brain and other cells.
CleanSump
Site Donor 2026
The state shuts them off when they fail here. They get a yellow bag over the handle and it has to be fixed or fuel pass before they're allowed to use it.
GON
$175 Site Donor 2026
Interesting timing of this thread.
Just read a article stating the fuel being sold at these independent convenience stores is a loss leader/ front. The article pointed out the primary business these independent convenience stores are in is converting SNAP/ EBT entitlements to cash. The article stated the independent convenience store would give .50 on the dollar to convert SNAP/EBT benefits to cash. So, the store receives $100 in EBT/SNAP funds, and gives the person entitled to SNAP/EBT $50. That is a vastly profitable transaction for the independent convenience store (although illegal and morally repulsive).
If what the article states is accy, no reasons to have pumps working or receipts in the pumps printers. No reason for a clean /servicable restroom. The key customer is a ebt/snap entitlement individual. Those individuals are not caring if the pump gives a receipt, not going to another location to exchange their ebt/snap entitlement for cash because of a nasty restroom.
Just read a article stating the fuel being sold at these independent convenience stores is a loss leader/ front. The article pointed out the primary business these independent convenience stores are in is converting SNAP/ EBT entitlements to cash. The article stated the independent convenience store would give .50 on the dollar to convert SNAP/EBT benefits to cash. So, the store receives $100 in EBT/SNAP funds, and gives the person entitled to SNAP/EBT $50. That is a vastly profitable transaction for the independent convenience store (although illegal and morally repulsive).
If what the article states is accy, no reasons to have pumps working or receipts in the pumps printers. No reason for a clean /servicable restroom. The key customer is a ebt/snap entitlement individual. Those individuals are not caring if the pump gives a receipt, not going to another location to exchange their ebt/snap entitlement for cash because of a nasty restroom.
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If your goal is to skim SNAP benefits, a small indie grocery would make a lot more sense than a gas station as a facade as well as being cheaper and easier to set up and operate. An outlet located in the hood could also do a pretty god legit business, since these areas are typically food deserts. There are also increased costs due to crime, of course, which is the reason that larger chain grocers have abandoned these areas.
It would be so easy to investigate and bust a little convenience store for engaging in such a scheme.
For one, their purchasing would be unlikely support the dollar volume of SNAP sales claimed.
GON
$175 Site Donor 2026
A google search suggests it is a common business practice.
Here is an example from the DOJ:
Convenience Store, Owner Resolve Charges Relating to Food Stamp Fraud Scheme
According to information presented to the court, Imran was the owner and operator of A to Z Convenience Store, Inc., a gas station and convenience store located on West Street in Homestead. A to Z participated in the United States Department of Agriculture’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as the Food Stamp Program. Food stamp recipients could purchase eligible food items at A to Z using food stamp benefit cards. The defendant was aware that Food Stamp Program rules prohibited the exchange of food stamp benefits for cash. Despite this knowledge, on multiple occasions, Mr. Imran and employees of his exchanged food stamp benefits for cash on a discounted basis, usually giving his customers only 50 cents on the dollar for food stamp benefits. A typical exchange would involve the customer purchasing a bottled drink and a snack food item and then providing $100 in food stamp benefits for which he would receive $50 cash.
https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdpa/p...olve-charges-relating-food-stamp-fraud-scheme
GON
$175 Site Donor 2026
Drug dealers regularly get busted, doesn't imply whatsoever the illegal drug dealing business is running out of dealers to conduct the illicit sales.
There is no legal cover for a street dealer and they're pretty easy for street cops to spot and bust.
The store at least has cover. It's still likely to get busted sooner or later.
No shortage of well documented and infamous dishonesty in the financial world either, although the stakes are much higher.
I agree with you in that there is no shortage of liars, cheats and thieves.
What they all have in common is a future life in prison and to me the risk/reward ratio doesn't work although for some it obviously does.
SNAP fraud is very common. I don't know how common it is at the retail level as described. Its usually more like they give someone they know or that comes looking - there SNAP card and pin, and they get cash for it - usually much, much less than its face value.
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From what I understand this kind of personal transaction is quite common. The buyer usually makes the seller come to a participating retail site with him before giving any cash to verify the value of the benefits as well as the validity of the PIN.
The distinction being that this is much harder to detect and prove.
I believe you - the direct transactional details I have only heard of in vague terms. But I can tell you for absolute fact that even with all this SNAP money we spend, the only food many kids get is Breakfast and lunch at school, and the schools run summer meal programs under the guise of education, and certain very caring teachers shove snacks into certain kids bags on Friday afternoon because thats all there likely to get until monday.
Bad parenting and neglect are found at all income levels, from SNAP beneficiaries to quite wealthy families.
I believe that most of those parents receiving assistance are honest and do the best they can for their children and the same is true of most higher income parents.
I think that most people are honest and do the best that they can.
Maybe I'm living in a fantasy world?
I've been stiffed by all types, even cops. Usually because they would rather buy a ticket to a concert or sporting event than pay me. Gender wise, more likely to not get paid or field complaints by an entitled female.
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