Fuel Rationing??

[loghouse511]

In recent weeks, I have fueled my vehicle, with diesel,paid, with my credit card, at 3 different stations.The pump, automatically turns off at $90.00. Anyone know why?

 

[smstonypoint]

I believe that you are running up to a limit on fuel purchases set by your credit card company (or service stations) for the purpose of preventing credit card fraud: Gas buyers fume at credit, debit card limits, 'blocks'

Steve

 

[Baby Grand]

If I throw the deisel tanks in the car and drive to the Mobil station near my house I can either fill the deisel tanks or the car's gas tank, but not both, requiring me to either use a different credit card at the Mobil or to drive to the Sunoco on other side of town.

 

[JESSE1]

One Valero station I use has increased the card limit to $100. I try to fuel before my tank gets to 1/2, any lower than that and I'll hit the limit. Wonder how long it's going to take the economic genius's to figure that most of everyone's disposable income is going into their fuel tank. No extra money to buy anything else.

 

[loghouse511]

Thanks, Jesse. I, am becoming, very pessimistic about our country's future. I hope, I am wrong, But I am afraid it's too late

 

[Don87]

One Valero station I use has increased the card limit to $100. I try to fuel before my tank gets to 1/2, any lower than that and I'll hit the limit. Wonder how long it's going to take the economic genius's to figure that most of everyone's disposable income is going into their fuel tank. No extra money to buy anything else.

They already know. What you are seeing has been planned, and will only get worse..........as per "the plan".

This is just about coal, but, you'll understand the 'energy policy', and you can do your own searching from there: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqHL404zhcU&NR=1

Search EPA next, you will begin to understand.

 

[Bird]

Even back in the early '90s when we were living in a motorhome with a 90 gallon gas tank, and gas wasn't much over a dollar a gallon, I found just a few stations that cut off at $50, so it wasn't my credit card company, it was the gas station's doing. Two or three months ago, I encountered something new at the QuikTrip where I most frequently get my gasoline. I went in one morning and filled up my wife's car with gas, then went back and filled my pickup with gas, then I made a trip to Oklahoma and back, so I went back to the same station that evening to fill the pickup again and it wouldn't work. The display said to see the cashier, so I did. Using the same credit card twice in 24 hours is OK, but for a third time, the cashier had to activate the pump from inside the store (which he did, of course). A little inconvenience, but I don't blame them.

 

[TRR]

I've encountered the same problems and run up against two card swipe limit on a regular basis, so I carry 3 different cards so I can swipe 3 (or 4) times if needed. However, I ran into a new situation recently. After swiping the card twice (Discover), I needed one more but the gas station would not allow the swipe of a different card (Visa). I had to go inside to have the pump authorized - attendant said that I'd used up all the swipes authorized, but reset the pump anyway. I have to think it is the station that is setting the limits. First time I've ever seen a card rejected because another one had been run twice.

 

[pdp11]

That's the amount they pre-authorize since they don't know:

a.) How much fuel you intend to purchase
b.) How much credit you have left on the card

It's programed into the point-of-sale system that runs the pumps, and varies by gas station. When you swipe the card, they create a pre-authorization transaction that essentially tells the credit card company to place a hold on that amount against your card. Once the sale is complete, the hold is removed and the actual amount of the sale is charged. It simply insures that the fuel retailer gets paid once the transaction is complete, so there has to be a reasonable limit.

I used to hit the $75 limit all the time when fueling my truck, then they raised the pre-authorized limit to $100, which I still occasionally hit. If you have a commercial credit account with the oil company, or you use a fleet payment card, the limits are much higher to allow for fueling large vehicles.

 

[JB4310]

Yup it's just a security cut off, mine has done it for a long time. either swipe it again or bring the card to the attendant.

This must seem new to some of you with smaller tanks, I've got a 52 gallon tank, so I've noticed it for awhile. Can't even get a half tank with my 100. limit

JB.

 

[hosspuller]

When I know my fuel purchase is going over $75, I go inside and tell the cashier. They swipe my card and authorize what ever amount I tell them. We correcct the charge when I'm filled. Just like flying... A lot of hassle for everyone because of a few bad people.

 

[ultrarunner]

It's been this way as long as I can remember with pay at the pump in my city of Oakland CA... last year I was at a station that had a $20 limit... this is not a misprint... it was located at 98th and Edes and the attendant said it was the only way to curb loss.

Apparently, someone finds a card and the first thing they do is head to a gas station and start filling their and their friends tanks.

Stations had told me it was the Credit Card issuer... so I took my credit card company to task and they said it is completely the merchant when it comes to the limit as long as the maximum credit limit is not exceeded... also the issuer will limit to 2 or 3 swipes in my area.

My tank is 34 gallons mid-grade gasoline and my fill-ups were around a $140 recently.

Funny thing is, I bought gas outside the Bay Area and could fill with one swipe... also used the same card in Europe with no zip code verification and bought the equivalent of $150 on several occasions and no problems...

Society, at least in major metropolitan areas is sure declining at a fast rate.

 

[Ken45101]

The station says it's not them, it's the credit card company. The credit card company says it's not them. I've heard it is the processor that the station uses.

Yes, it's a real PITA, especially with a motorhome that doesn't fit well into a lot of stations and has an 80 gallon tank. Of course, if I don't get it filled up, then I have to go through the process even more often.

I think they ought to just drop the price to $1/gallon so that the cards work right :laughing::laughing::laughing:

 

[Diamondpilot]

Around here its $75 limit. It stinks so long story short the station owners are the ones who lose. I just get the limit and leave. Used to fill up each and every time. They have to be loosing sales.

Chris

 

[ultrarunner]

Around here its $75 limit. It stinks so long story short the station owners are the ones who lose. I just get the limit and leave. Used to fill up each and every time. They have to be loosing sales.

Chris

I've been doing this too...

With some cards... every swipe generates additional revenues.

I have a credit/debit card from the Credit Union... I must use it 10 times a month or I forfeit any interest for the month on the money on deposit there.

Sometimes it is a real struggle to use it 10 times a month... I just don't buy a lot of things... the credit union manager suggested I just fill-up $5 at a time and I tried that.

By the time I was t swipe 5 my card was suspended... got home and had two calls from the issuer...

I explained the situation and was asked for the name of the Branch Manager that told me to fill up in $5 increments...

Too bad there just isn't a place that pays decent interest without have to jump through multiple hoops just get 2% on my money...

 

[Bird]

I have a credit/debit card from the Credit Union... I must use it 10 times a month or I forfeit any interest for the month on the money on deposit there.

That's another new one to me. I have a Visa Debit card from my credit union and it's never been used except for cash at ATMs. I'm not sure now, but I think I used it once 2 or 3 years ago.

 

[ultrarunner]

That's another new one to me. I have a Visa Debit card from my credit union and it's never been used except for cash at ATMs. I'm not sure now, but I think I used it once 2 or 3 years ago.

In order to receive preferred interest the member must use the card 10 times each month, make one e-payment and accept online statements...

Apparently, the issuer gets a fee each time the card is swiped and then a percent of the sale.

I had 11 transactions last month. Unfortunately for me 2 posted after the close of the month due to the holiday... therefore no interest for me last month...

 

[CurlyDave]

It's been this way as long as I can remember with pay at the pump in my city of Oakland CA... last year I was at a station that had a $20 limit... this is not a misprint... it was located at 98th and Edes and the attendant said it was the only way to curb loss...

I won't even get out of my truck in Oakland.

I would far rather run out of fuel on the freeway than drive on the city streets.

 

[Kal130]

I think the only way to get full is the pick "pay inside". Unfortunately most stations won't let you do that without prepaying before you pump which is a PITA.

 

[ultrarunner]

I won't even get out of my truck in Oakland.

I would far rather run out of fuel on the freeway than drive on the city streets.

Shucks... and I was going to invite you over next time you were in the area... ;-)

Seriously... I could go anywhere in my old Plymouth Valiant and no one would notice... still remember the time my brother came to visit with his new Range Rover and he felt very uneasy... I told him it's no wonder when he's driving the vehicle of choice for rappers and successful drug dealers.