I guess Gasbuddy really wants people to use their app…

Carmudgeon

Carmudgeon

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Apr 26, 2005
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…and the way they've tried to accomplish that was by turning what was a pretty useful information resource, into a dumbed-down, poorly conceived and implemented website that looks like the work of a novice. Intermittently functioning controls, lots of wasted space, and poor information density. A great example to point to when describing how not to craft a good UX.

Was never a member, or deeply invested into the site, but it's a shame that it's no longer simple and easy to get an overview of the local geographical area by playing with the URL.

But at least they do present some information to web users unlike a certain popular business shakedown reviews site.
 
The app isn’t too bad. It still lets you check and update prices without needing to sign in. The only annoying thing is the whole points system stuff. If I’m updating 10 stations along my commute, I want to be able to do it without looking at the screen. The pop-ups saying how many points I am missing out on are annoying and intermittent.
 
Yea, I liked the old way of comparing rather than listing only the top ten. If my station is not in the top ten,then i am Screwed. Thanks Gas Buddy.
 
Never used gas buddy, I’m not driving out of my way to save a tiny bit of money.

I once visited the website and the lowest priced gas was in some very sketchy neighborhoods….
 
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SC Maintenance said:
Pretty much everyone has an app for that, and you need to sign in so they collect all your data. Want the deal at the fast food place, or grocery store, or whatever, you must first log in to their app.

Peak stupidity. I simply have stopped shopping at all these places. There loss.
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I always try to use a webpage first. If I have to use an app most permissions are turned off, especially location.
 
I use the Gasbuddy app whenever I drive to report prices. It really is bad unless you have at least 2 bars of reception. So a lot of times you have to drive 4 or 5 miles to get a signal. It counts anyway if you're within 5 miles.

The first year I started entering prices I won the $100 draw twice. Been nothing since though.
 
SC Maintenance said:
Pretty much everyone has an app for that, and you need to sign in so they collect all your data. Want the deal at the fast food place, or grocery store, or whatever, you must first log in to their app.

Peak stupidity. I simply have stopped shopping at all these places. There loss.
Click to expand...

Some folks will put all their personal data on some website to save $1
 
SC Maintenance said:
Pretty much everyone has an app for that, and you need to sign in so they collect all your data. Want the deal at the fast food place, or grocery store, or whatever, you must first log in to their app.

Peak stupidity. I simply have stopped shopping at all these places. There loss.
Click to expand...
I've felt this way for almost-decades.

Say we all agree to speak English. That's the internet and web browsers.

But forever companies have been wanting you to learn to speak GasBuddynese or Toyota-ese and download their app just to obtain information that could just as easily be communicated through an already-agreed-upon standard like the internet.

So, much like specialty tools for Ford or BMW you wind up with 50 apps to do what one web browser could do.

I resist apps whenever possible, it just gets out of hand.
 
Triple_Se7en said:
Does gasbuddy offer best prices for Premium Fuel (93 octane)?
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I only use the GasBuddy map on a website. Yes you can toggle the price view between reg/midgrade/premium. Since the postings are dependent on buyer's input, the midgrade and premium prices are often missing on many stations. Not sure on the app version.
 
I have no idea if the app works any better, but I doubt it, and don't intend to find out.

I only used the website to get a read on the general price climate, not unlike consulting a weather site.

And part of the beauty of it was that it could be customized to "map" a specific area of one's personal choosing, by adding the "&area=" variable for each of the cities one wished to include in the survey.

One customized bookmark, and a nice custom overview of the area you wanted covered was generated. Dated looking, but did the primary job of conveying information. Not the "Website Design for Dummies" version offered now.

Before
After
 
Carmudgeon said:
I have no idea if the app works any better, but I doubt it, and don't intend to find out.

I only used the website to get a read on the general price climate, not unlike consulting a weather site.

And part of the beauty of it was that it could be customized to "map" a specific area of one's personal choosing, by adding the "&area=" variable for each of the cities one wished to include in the survey.

One customized bookmark, and a nice custom overview of the area you wanted covered was generated. Dated looking, but did the primary job of conveying information. Not the "Website Design for Dummies" version offered now.

Before
After
Click to expand...
What they did was eliminate all of the individual city/area specific sub sites like www.NewYorkGasPrices.com and forced everything to the central www.gasbuddy.com site where you have to drill down to specific major cities. I also hate the new site since it limits you to the top 10 cheapest stations. However, the site can still be useful if you use the drop down Gas Tools menu and search your area map by City or Zip Code (see below for NYC).
1727442566746.webp
 
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Ha I like the browser sites on my phone so it's easy on the passwords...... I don't know if I've ever used the web version of GB.
 
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