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Author Topic: Truth in advertising on Gas Station Price Signs Post a Reply Back to Topics
TH34
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Message Posted: Mar 16, 2012 4:17:15 PM
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Personally I am sick of these gas stations around here posting the cash price on the big sign, and then the credit price on a small hidden sign. I don't care if they want to charge different prices for cash / credit, but this is deceptive and causes confusion and perhaps a few accidents.

Any thoughts?
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herndonks
Champion Author Baltimore

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Message Posted: Apr 20, 2012 6:00:15 PM
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Some states have laws concerning the price signs at gas stations. For example in Maryland the law requires that gas stations post at least the price for regular grade gas (the law used to require both regular and mid-grade price on signs, but that changed recently). The law states that the lowest price be on the sign. It does not say anything about cash or credit, but presumably since cash price is the lowest, that is what is required on signs. In Maryland, gas stations with a car wash often offer a discount, but the gas price with the car wash is not the price on the primary signs, so apparently the law is not interpreted to include the car wash gas price. However, many stations that have a discounted price for gas with a carwash have additional signs to show such prices. The Maryland law also specifies the minimum size of numbers on the price signs. By the way, stations with 3 or fewer pumps are exempt from the requirements.

I have read in forum posts on other topics that credit card agreements between businesses and banks require that businesses not charge more credit sales than the advertised (sign) prices. Don't know any details. This would seem to conflict with the Maryland gas station sign law, but I doubt that the banks would revoke an individual gas stations ability to accept credit cards, because that would only hurt the banks by cutting their credit sales.
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thirty8paces
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Message Posted: Apr 2, 2012 8:46:10 AM
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I'm with you. This is dishonest advertising. There is a Gulf station on Frederick Rd. in Catonsville where I've seen "discounts" as low as 4 cents/gal and as high as 10 cents/gal. I refuse to go anywhere that has higher pricing for a credit sale. My options are becoming fewer, but there are still plenty of choices.
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gus8441
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Message Posted: Apr 1, 2012 2:11:53 AM
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accidents might be a stretch, but definitely shady to say the least
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TH34
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Message Posted: Mar 31, 2012 9:54:38 AM
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I guess nobody cares that these slimy operators hide the credit prices so often. Not only that, but some change the "cash discount" amounts quite often so you never know what the prices are unless you actually go to the pump, or can find the tiny little hidden sign they use.
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