How can less than a gallon at the pump...

[mrsilv04]

be MORE than a gallon on the sign?

For some odd reason today, the nozzle kicked off at .999 gallon. Last time that I checked, that's less than a gallon. The pump read $3.60.

However, the posted price was $3.599.

Shouldn't have the pump still read $3.59? I had not yet pumped one full gallon.

I guess I shouldn't be surprised that the pumps round up, and they're cheating us every time that we buy gas.

Well, they're cheating us in more ways than this one, but that's a discussion for another day.

 

[Quattro Pete]

$3.599 x 0.999 = $3.595401. Rounded off, it is $3.60. That's how rounding works. I would not call it cheating. Typically, if something is above x.xx5 it'll get rounded up to the next penny. It's common practice.

 

[JHZR2]

Nothing new here. Digital pumps are more exact than the old analog spinner ones at least...

 

[RiceCake]

Lol, gas price rounding questions become `the Government is evil and slowly killing us off with inflation and you're hopelessly screwed`. Makes a ton of sense.

 

[jmsjags]

yeah i don't understand how politics came into play here...

some people are grasping at straws

 

[Spazdog]

Maybe it was a PEMEX run station and they are selling "chicolitros" or whatever it's called. It's 900ml.

 

[Donald]

The bureau of weights & measures (different names in different places) does visit gas stations, and pours exactly 1 gallon in a container and checks the pump. If its a little off you are told to fix it, if its a lot you could get fined. It can be off either way.

I think between rounding and pump measurement, it was as close as you should expect.

 

[Kruse]

Originally Posted By: Donald
The bureau of weights & measures (different names in different places) does visit gas stations, and pours exactly 1 gallon in a container and checks the pump. If its a little off you are told to fix it, if its a lot you could get fined. It can be off either way.


The real tricky cheaters have learned to be accurate on the first gallon and then cheat the customers after that. Some of them have finally been caught.

 

[Loobed]

I never understood why gasoline was priced to 3 decimal places. If it says 3.599, then it is 3.60.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: Loobed
I never understood why gasoline was priced to 3 decimal places. If it says 3.599, then it is 3.60.

It's a psychological thing. Human mind has been conditioned by retailers to think it's a better deal if something is priced at $3.599 than at $3.60. That third decimal place is usually not shown on the sign or shown in some obscure manner.

Same thing with items costing $9.99 instead of $10 at most stores. By the time you add tax, it's way over $10 anyway.

 

[itguy08]

Originally Posted By: Loobed


I never understood why gasoline was priced to 3 decimal places. If it says 3.599, then it is 3.60.



I believe it has to do with one of the federal gas taxes which is taken in fractions of a penny per gallon.

 

[default]

Are you really complaining over a penny?

 

[mechtech2]

Most people buy more than a gallon. @ 10 or more, the difference would still be only $.001.

 

[Chris142]

Originally Posted By: default
Are you really complaining over a penny?
It would be 40 pennies if I filled my pickup

 

[Quattro Pete]

Even if you bought 1,000 gallons, it would still only be half a penny short change at most.

 

[antiqueshell]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: Loobed


I never understood why gasoline was priced to 3 decimal places. If it says 3.599, then it is 3.60.


It's a psychological thing. Human mind has been conditioned by retailers to think it's a better deal if something is priced at $3.599 than at $3.60. That third decimal place is usually not shown on the sign or shown in some obscure manner.

Same thing with items costing $9.99 instead of $10 at most stores. By the time you add tax, it's way over $10 anyway.


I think folks have gotten way past that thing. I have seen more and more companies not bothering with that kind of strategy these days.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Yes. I'm glad some stores are finally doing away with this silliness.

 

[Kestas]

They say a good way to check is to stop at exactly 10 gals when filling up, and see if the price matches (easy math). Then continue until full.

 

[The_Jeff]

If you really want to feel cheated watch when the pump starts. Start it as slowly as you can. It'll jump up to $0.03 or $0.04 before smoothly carrying on.

I get it back by draining the hose when I'm done.