Expiring Car Washes ? ! Rant

[RickB]

I don't know how many I have lost .

I am surprised you could not figure it out after once or maybe twice. SMH

 

[Sigarms]

I am surprised you could not figure it out after once or maybe twice. SMH

In complete honesty, that's about what I did:laughing: I didn't lose the receipt, but found it in my car. Looked at the date, forgot that I had it, and I spent that money on a car wash and now I couldn't use it. After that, ALWAYS get it done when I pay for it

 

[Oaktree]

In general, I believe the stations in our area that offer the promo from the grocery stores are the BP stations. Honestly, I don't see them being the highest price in gas around. On the last stop using that card when I was with my wife filled the Pilot up around 15 gallons for $15 (.99 a gallon, and the gas station was ironcially enough exactly on the way were were going). The station we stopped at is on what we call "gas row" where there is like 10 gas stations were we check out the going rate for gas, and this BP was more than competitive on their gas price.

I've also noticed that the supermarkets that offer these "deals" are often the more expensive ones in the area too. So buy a lot of overpriced food to save 10¢/gal at a gas station whose prices are 12¢/gal higher than everyone else seems like false economy.

I do use the Irving rewards card at their stations...buy 50 gallons, save 10¢/gal on your next visit. I think it may accumulate so if you get 100 gal the discount goes up, but I've always used it right away. Added bonus, their prices are usually the lowest in town to begin with.
Dunno how common Irving stations are outside the northeast...like supermarkets, gas/convenience store chains tend to be regional.

 

[MossRoad]

...

And there has to be a very elaborate computer system to run all that.

It's probably just tied into their point of sales system. What used to be very complicated stuff can now be run for pennies.

 

[oosik]

Good Lord, Sigarms. Your post# 20. Are you saying that regular gas is $0.99 per gallon there in NC? I gassed up the Taco Wagon yesterday. Mid-range gas - $2.79 per gallon here.

 

[Sigarms]

I've also noticed that the supermarkets that offer these "deals" are often the more expensive ones in the area too. So buy a lot of overpriced food to save 10¢/gal at a gas station whose prices are 12¢/gal higher than everyone else seems like false economy.

Re read my quoted post of yours. The gas station is more than competitive in gas price, added it was the lowest around to boot. So, making the comment that the gas station is .12 higher than everyone else is incorrect.

On step ahead of you as I decided to look at Harris Teeter's prices. Honestly, they aren't the lowest priced, but they are also not the highest price. However, one thing I did read was that Harris Teeter in general has higher ratings per the quality of what they are selling.

Thing is, I consider my wife a gourmet cook, and cooking for 5 people for dinner is no easy task (and she can get peeved to know end on how quick the boys will eat their meals). Point being, I completely trust my wife to know the difference between quality and price, and in general when it comes to food, she will always choose quality over price (only to an extent of course). Thing is, she has particular products that she will only buy at certain supermarkets because it's her prefered choice of product.

Personally, I can't stand all these saving cards business's offer you. I just look for the best price I can find and don't really care about quality when it comes to food (if I'm cooking it) and gas. Apparently that's why I must make a face while I'm driving when my wife mentions to stop at a BP to use the fuel card because she has points saved LOL

However, my wife is actually very smart in both her work and as a homemaker, and I trust her completely (I'm verty sincere in making that comment). I plan on this being my first and only marriage

 

[Sigarms]

Good Lord, Sigarms. Your post# 20. Are you saying that regular gas is $0.99 per gallon there in NC? I gassed up the Taco Wagon yesterday. Mid-range gas - $2.79 per gallon here.

LOL HECK NO!

Gas was $1.99 but using the fuel card, she had actually accumlated $1.00 off per gallon, so to fill up the tank only cost .99 at the time of fill up.

 

[Oaktree]

Re read my quoted post of yours. The gas station is more than competitive in gas price, added it was the lowest around to boot. So, making the comment that the gas station is .12 higher than everyone else is incorrect.

On step ahead of you as I decided to look at Harris Teeter's prices. Honestly, they aren't the lowest priced, but they are also not the highest price. However, one thing I did read was that Harris Teeter in general has higher ratings per the quality of what they are selling.

jAs I noted in my previous post, gas station and supermarket chains tend to be regional. I'm not familiar with the stores in your area...I live nearly 1000 mi away from you. Never heard of Harris Teeter or the gas chain you mentioned. Just going by my own experiences...in this case Shaw's or Price Chopper (supermarkets)...both of whose "rewards" programs were tied in with Sunoco gas stations.

 

[Sigarms]

jAs I noted in my previous post, gas station and supermarket chains tend to be regional. I'm not familiar with the stores in your area...I live nearly 1000 mi away from you. Never heard of Harris Teeter or the gas chain you mentioned. Just going by my own experiences...in this case Shaw's or Price Chopper (supermarkets)...both of whose "rewards" programs were tied in with Sunoco gas stations.

Understood.

My only point is both my wife and I agree with the concept that nothing in life is free.

Reality is when it comes to car washes, I'll just pull out the pressure washer (using it very carefully of course LOL) at the house or throw $5 worth of quarters in the do it yourself car wash up in town over spending the money at the gas station for a automated car wash there. However, I do spend the money at the gas station for a car wash because it's quick and easy, and actually does a pretty good job (as mentioned, generally only for my dads car if I'm driving it so I can fill it up for him). Also like to note that that gas station that has the car wash also generally has the best gas pricing vs the other couple around them.

On the supermarket fuel deal, there are just some things my wife just likes at Harris Teeter for whatever reason, just as there are some things she likes better at Costco, Aldi or even spending more money at whole foods or trader joes. However, if she is going to spend money at a supermarket either way fuel scam or not, might as well use it as long as the particular gas stations are not the highest price in town.

Generally for gas, at least in NC, we actually try to fill up at Costco. However, my wife will tell you I don't like crowds or people, so she fills up there while I fill up wherever I see a halfway decent price LOL

 

[MossRoad]

Our local grocery chain offer points on some items that can be used as money off on gallons of gas at their gas stations. Their stations are always within a penny of the other stations in the area. There's a 15 gallon limit when you decide to take the points off. With my Suburban's 42 gallon tank, that's never a problem. I've paid under a buck a gallon many times thanks to that card. :thumbsup:

 

[Sigarms]

Our local grocery chain offer points on some items that can be used as money off on gallons of gas at their gas stations. Their stations are always within a penny of the other stations in the area. There's a 15 gallon limit when you decide to take the points off. With my Suburban's 42 gallon tank, that's never a problem. I've paid under a buck a gallon many times thanks to that card. :thumbsup:

The retort would be by many that what you saved at the pump, you've more than paid that at the gorcery store.

I had no feelings either way, but after this was brought up on this forum and looking at where my wife buys and what we pay for on gas, it doesn't really seem like a bad deal on our end when my wife uses the fuel savings from the supermarket. Perhaps I won't make a face anymore when she asks me to stop at a BP station:laughing:

I do like the fact that our "fuel saving program" offers a 35 gallon max vs your 15 gallon though (my wifes Pilot has a 20 gallon tank).

 

[MossRoad]

On the rare occasion I don't need gas in my Suburban, I'll take my three 6 gallon cans to get my 15 discounted gallons.

The gas points at our local chain are usually on heavily discounted items anyway. It's just another perk. I think we got 25 cents off a gallon just on the thanksgiving turkey. That was already down to something like 37 cents a pound. The 22 pound bird was about $8.25, plus another $3.75 off in gas... the turkey was under $5! :laughing:

 

[fidowanttobe]

I am surprised you could not figure it out after once or maybe twice. SMH

I didn't lose the receipt, (I tuck them under the garage door remote on the visor) I lost the PRIVELEGE of using the car wash that I paid for in the time allotted.
Some proms are 2 for 1 etc, so you get 2, and then time runs out before you use the second. Some are half price Mondays, etc.
I guess I just have a hard time understanding how they can just absorb your money without giving you what you paid for. Seems like theft.
I also don't get how paid vacation time can be "lost" if you don't use it by carrying too much time over to the next year. That is stolen wages! I earned those hours.

 

[MossRoad]

I didn't lose the receipt, (I tuck them under the garage door remote on the visor) I lost the PRIVELEGE of using the car wash that I paid for in the time allotted.
Some proms are 2 for 1 etc, so you get 2, and then time runs out before you use the second. Some are half price Mondays, etc.
I guess I just have a hard time understanding how they can just absorb your money without giving you what you paid for. Seems like theft.
I also don't get how paid vacation time can be "lost" if you don't use it by carrying too much time over to the next year. That is stolen wages! I earned those hours.

Because you might not take your 3 weeks vacation for 5 years, then be gone for 15 weeks. Try planning a business when at the drop of a hat, your employees announce they'll be gone from the Monday before Christmas and will return the Monday after Easter.

 

[fidowanttobe]

Can't imagine that scenario but I guess some people would try it. I'm not allowed to take more than 10 in a row unless extenuating circumstances like illness etc.

 

[Jstpssng]

If you go 5 years without a vacation or at least a day off, you are a lot more dedicated than I am.

 

[TheMan419]

Our local grocery chain offer points on some items that can be used as money off on gallons of gas at their gas stations. Their stations are always within a penny of the other stations in the area. There's a 15 gallon limit when you decide to take the points off. With my Suburban's 42 gallon tank, that's never a problem. I've paid under a buck a gallon many times thanks to that card. :thumbsup:

that reminds me the next time the wife's F150 needs a fill up we have like $1.80 off gas at that particular super market.

 

[MossRoad]

that reminds me the next time the wife's F150 needs a fill up we have like $1.80 off gas at that particular super market.

Better use it before gas drops lower than your discount. :laughing:

 

[MossRoad]

that reminds me the next time the wife's F150 needs a fill up we have like $1.80 off gas at that particular super market.

Also, have you ever used "that particular super market's" on-line shopping app? Works great. Drive up, they load, drive away. $4.99. :thumbsup:

 

[Sigarms]

I guess I just have a hard time understanding how they can just absorb your money without giving you what you paid for. Seems like theft.

Is there a note on your receipt when the purchase needs to be redeemed?

If the answer is yes, it's not theft. They assume you are a grown adult who can read. If the answer is no, and no time limit is in writing, then perhaps you should consult a lawyer (the retainer fee however may negate what your looking for per a refund LOL).

The reality is if anything is written on a coupon, receipt or sales flyer, basic marketing and your legal department will tell you to always have an expiration date noted in writing so if you produce it, everyone can read it.

I lost $8 on a car wash some time ago at a gas station because I didn't get back in time to redeem it. I learned my lesson and it will never happen again.

Let's play this game... no time alloted and the gas station and car wash goes out of business in 20 days after you purchased you car wash, and you come back in 40 day to redeem what you've paid for. Do you have a legal right to sue the no longer existent gas station for your money back?