Scrapheap
Champion Author
Virginia
Posts:14,529
Points:2,355,055
Joined:Sep 2006
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Message Posted: Jul 10, 2011 10:43:29 AM
oloung1 - People are tired of this topic getting bumped up because it is the epitome of the idiom "beating a dead horse". The reaction to this suggestion has been nearly unanimous. The horse is dead. Let it be.
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oloung1
All-Star Author
Florida
Posts:683
Points:452,825
Joined:Mar 2011
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Message Posted: Jul 10, 2011 10:00:51 AM
this is the worst idea ever.
just about every gas station that i have used NOT updated within
the last 2-3 hours have had higher gas prices. updating the same
price within the past 3 hours lets me know the prices are fresh.
and for the members crying about people bumping a topic,
im going to guess that you are the same people bumping a
news topic with completely useless "ok" or "interesting" replies
just to get your 20.
if you are that concerned about NOT bumping an "old" topic,
quit replying to this thread and stay in the just for fun forums.
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portlandcat
Champion Author
Tennessee
Posts:1,918
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Message Posted: Jul 9, 2011 10:29:42 PM
*chime* :}
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mattsage
Champion Author
Buffalo
Posts:4,347
Points:694,700
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Message Posted: Jul 8, 2011 1:32:28 AM
Don't agree.
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mobe_45
Rookie Author
Iowa
Posts:63
Points:27,660
Joined:Jul 2005
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Message Posted: Jul 6, 2011 7:42:31 AM
In a town as small as mine, I would need to be the only person posting if you only got credit for a different price.
Maybe that's why on one of my station fav's there are three prices posted by various persons for the same fuel, all of them 9 hours ago.
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feldos
Champion Author
Florida
Posts:2,640
Points:547,500
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Message Posted: Jul 4, 2011 12:35:59 PM
Ross, I recently updated a price and then walked into a restaurant a few doors down for lunch. When I returned to my car, a guy was up on a ladder changing the gas prices. Like some others have stated, I will go to the station with the most recent update if there are several with equal or similar prices near each other. So I hope everyone posts every time they pass a station, at least until (if ever) prices stabilize.
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dancingcrane
All-Star Author
San Diego
Posts:591
Points:221,560
Joined:Aug 2005
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Message Posted: Jul 3, 2011 7:29:04 PM
*chime*
Geez, I couldn't resist the irony of getting points for posting to this topic. I'm sorry, I won't do it again. XD.
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CampKohler
Champion Author
Sacramento
Posts:9,444
Points:1,561,975
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Message Posted: Jul 3, 2011 4:43:33 PM
Yeah, I totally agree with kwzh. Anybody else that agrees with him please chime in and support his idea!
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kwzh
Champion Author
San Jose
Posts:20,631
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Message Posted: Jul 3, 2011 3:43:24 PM
Since it's nearly unanimous that it's a bad idea (or at least that it's not going to get implemented), why continue to discuss it? Quit reviving this thread and let it die.
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Brindfan
Champion Author
Colorado
Posts:8,171
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Message Posted: Jul 3, 2011 2:56:39 PM
That's why I posted "Rookie authors", and yes, it's a horrible idea.
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jpgredwine
Champion Author
Hartford
Posts:10,287
Points:1,047,405
Joined:Dec 2009
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Message Posted: Jul 3, 2011 12:46:51 PM
@Brind ... but this 'rookie' has been here since 2007 (4 years). Still a bad idea because this site wants updated price posts regardless if it has been changed or not. You report ... you get credited ... simple idea.
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Brindfan
Champion Author
Colorado
Posts:8,171
Points:1,531,570
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Message Posted: Jul 2, 2011 11:48:54 PM
Rookie authors.....
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mogre
Rookie Author
Rochester
Posts:27
Points:61,415
Joined:Aug 2008
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Message Posted: Jun 30, 2011 8:25:17 AM
There have been crazy weeks where prices were changing between when I passed the station on the way to work and when I passed the station 6 hours later. During those times I had no confidence in posts over 6 hours old. Also since the posts only stay up for 36 hours, they should be "reaffirmed" by updated time posts as frequently as anyone feels like doing it to keep them from dropping off just because of no change.
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gazguzzler11
Champion Author
Ontario
Posts:3,419
Points:759,315
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Message Posted: Jun 23, 2011 4:10:36 PM
If the points awarded cause such a problem, as I have previously posted, get rid of them.
I use this site for only 1 purpose: to find where gas is the cheapest, especially when I'm on my way to FL from where I live here in the GTA area of Ontario. The points mean absolutely nothing to me.
As everyone who lives in the GTA knows, the prices only change here once a day but I do know from all my travels in the USA that prices can change multiple times a day, so having somebody over ride my posting is fine with me because I always want to know the latest price.
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rk1516
Sophomore Author
Long Island
Posts:150
Points:368,725
Joined:Mar 2011
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Message Posted: Jun 19, 2011 7:59:52 AM
If the prices are the same for two stations a couple of blocks apart, I'll go to the one that was updated one hour ago as opposed to the one updated ten hours ago. The first one is more likely to be accurate.
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dancingcrane
All-Star Author
San Diego
Posts:591
Points:221,560
Joined:Aug 2005
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Message Posted: Jun 14, 2011 12:12:40 PM
Some new people seem to be worried/offended that someone might come along and seemingly "erase" their effort by overwriting their posting with a slightly later posting, especially if it's identical.
My reaction? If anyone has a sighting later than mine, overwrite me, please!! That's the whole point of the site!
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Petrol_Pumper
Rookie Author
Detroit
Posts:47
Points:20,450
Joined:Jun 2011
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Message Posted: Jun 13, 2011 8:06:46 PM
I think it is good to encourage people to confirm that the gas is still the same price. They are still updating the information telling us that the gas price is still valid.
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trrblSwftSwd
Champion Author
Philadelphia
Posts:141,141
Points:153,030
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Message Posted: Jun 12, 2011 1:38:20 PM
Ernie425, Adding incentives for consecutive entries, in my opinion, would encourage further abuse. The current form of recognition, the stripes or "zoom" lines on one's vehicle icon, provides a form of recognition without encouraging abuse.
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Pard
Champion Author
Detroit
Posts:85,746
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Message Posted: Jun 11, 2011 3:30:47 PM
Ernie,
Do your max of at least 5 posts a day and you'll have extrra points before you know it.
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ernie425
Rookie Author
New York
Posts:22
Points:602,665
Joined:Feb 2011
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Message Posted: Jun 11, 2011 12:33:51 PM
Should grant bonus points for consecutive days with entries as an incentive.
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trrblSwftSwd
Champion Author
Philadelphia
Posts:141,141
Points:153,030
Joined:Apr 2011
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Message Posted: Jun 11, 2011 10:07:52 AM
CelticHeart, I understand what you're saying, but what I meant by "limiting" the point grabbers is that I initially felt that one should be given points for every price point that is entered, especially since I, like many others, tend to enter more than 5 prices a day, but it quickly occurred to me that this would just encourage the cheating behavior. Limiting the price entries to 750 points (5 entries) per day would prevent the cheaters from abusing more.
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CelticHeart
Champion Author
Detroit
Posts:138,538
Points:3,161,425
Joined:Aug 2004
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Message Posted: Jun 10, 2011 7:28:48 PM
tSS - your #2 - the short, sweet answer is, no, it doesn't.
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trrblSwftSwd
Champion Author
Philadelphia
Posts:141,141
Points:153,030
Joined:Apr 2011
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Message Posted: Jun 10, 2011 4:37:10 PM
Here are my thoughts on the point system:
I’m a relatively new member, who discovered the GasBuddy.com app for my iPhone just over a month ago. I used it initially to ascertain the cheapest gas prices in my geographical area. Then I noticed that one could report prices and accumulate points to receive “tickets” for gasoline prize drawings, so I started reporting prices. In the process, I discovered that there was a limit of five price entries, or 750 points, per day. Initially, I was puzzled and frustrated by this, but, in time as I discovered the full point award system on the website, I began to realize the rationality (and the ingenious design) of the current system. Here’s why:
1. The point and ticket system encourages participants to report more (albeit a minor encouragement).
2. Limiting the maximum to 750 points (5 price entries) discourages, or at least limits, would-be point cheaters and abusers, while encouraging those with limited time or opportunity to report prices (i.e., they “level the playing field” somewhat for all participants).
3. Allowing users to receive points for the re-entering the same price promotes most up-to-date price information.
4. Awarding points for website based activities (i.e., posting messages, reading news items, and responding to polls) promotes more web activity (which is good for the website’s profitability) and a sense of community among the users (which, in turn, promotes better membership retention).
So, whether one is involved with GasBuddy.com for gas prices, point collecting, or camaraderie (or some combination thereof), the current point system provides a balanced incentive system, in my opinion.
As for WorldofRoss’s argument regarding the restriction of points for identical price entries, I would have to respectfully disagree, based on my observations above.
[Edited by: trrblSwftSwd at 6/10/2011 4:40:03 PM EST]
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maxstar
Champion Author
Chicago
Posts:18,465
Points:806,620
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Message Posted: Jun 10, 2011 3:15:34 PM
gazguzzler11: I appreciate your comments, they were meant to be a tip of the cap to you. I do not pay attention point points all that much, but I do listen more to someone that is contributing to the site ( as you do by posting prices) than someone who has been around for a long time and contributes little. I suppose I have been around too many groups where it seems that the ones that contribute the least, complain the most.
For me anyway the point are the a way to measure how much someone is contributing.
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gazguzzler11
Champion Author
Ontario
Posts:3,419
Points:759,315
Joined:Mar 2010
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Message Posted: Jun 10, 2011 2:58:54 PM
maxstar
While I see your point about some people with way more points than others who have been here much longer (you used me as your example of somebody with many points & only being a GB poster for a little over 1 year) I still stand by my opinion that if getting points for posting is such an issue, drop the points altogether.
I post for only 1 reason - to help others see what the prices are in my area as they do the same for me, especially when I'm on the road to FL. I live in the GTA area of ON. I could care less about the points & pay very little attention to them.
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Scrapheap
Champion Author
Virginia
Posts:14,529
Points:2,355,055
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Message Posted: Jun 10, 2011 9:36:29 AM
duplicate deleted.
[Edited by: Scrapheap at 6/10/2011 9:38:09 AM EST]
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Scrapheap
Champion Author
Virginia
Posts:14,529
Points:2,355,055
Joined:Sep 2006
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Message Posted: Jun 10, 2011 9:36:28 AM
Yes, satisfying the sadistic nature of a few on this site is so much more important.
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scoutmaster
Champion Author
Pittsburgh
Posts:81,170
Points:3,249,620
Joined:Mar 2003
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Message Posted: Jun 10, 2011 6:51:28 AM
"Off topic.. I think the OP should be able to close a post after a cetain amout of time.. since this subject has derailed again would be a good example..."
Bad idea! Why? As soon as the OP gets upset because on one agrees with them, they could close what could be a productive if not humorous topic!
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maxstar
Champion Author
Chicago
Posts:18,465
Points:806,620
Joined:Feb 2011
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Message Posted: Jun 9, 2011 8:47:34 PM
More examples that the points do have some value. They give a sense of how much someone has contributed to the site particularly when they recommend changes to it. For Instance:
WorldofRoss who joined May 2007 and has 34,945 Points
jonlul who joined March 2005 and has 42,540 points
compared to
gazguzzler11 who joined March 2010 but has 174,130 points
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CelticHeart
Champion Author
Detroit
Posts:138,538
Points:3,161,425
Joined:Aug 2004
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Message Posted: Jun 9, 2011 8:25:13 PM
Always seems that the folks who have been here for years are always wanting more and more points without taking advantage of what was available to them. Sorry, jonlul, isn't going to happen.
Why hasn't this thread been locked? Original idea was dumb. Sorry, WoR.
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jonlul
Rookie Author
Gary
Posts:66
Points:69,640
Joined:Mar 2005
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Message Posted: Jun 9, 2011 7:23:28 PM
I definitely think you should get credit every time you post. Gas prices fluctuate all the time. A 12 hr period would be way too long. I try to post by all the stations I drive by. Even if I drove past 'em just a few hours prior. That way it keeps prices current for people that are on the site searching for a good deal. That's the real reason we do it. It's not personally about the points to me. However, it is an incentive to many.
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Scrapheap
Champion Author
Virginia
Posts:14,529
Points:2,355,055
Joined:Sep 2006
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Message Posted: Jun 9, 2011 5:13:58 PM
Well you can send the mods a message and ask them to lock this thread, but I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you.
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WorldofRoss
Rookie Author
Cleveland
Posts:16
Points:35,695
Joined:May 2007
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Message Posted: Jun 9, 2011 4:53:12 PM
Off topic.. I think the OP should be able to close a post after a cetain amout of time.. since this subject has derailed again would be a good example...
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GrumpyCat
Champion Author
Alabama
Posts:2,594
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Message Posted: Jun 7, 2011 10:46:04 AM
"Though against the law gas is cheaper when you buy with cash."
As already discussed it is not against the law to offer a cash discount. It is against the law to charge more than the posted price for use of credit card.
So the proper thing to do here is post the credit price and note the cash discount in the comment field.
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scoutmaster
Champion Author
Pittsburgh
Posts:81,170
Points:3,249,620
Joined:Mar 2003
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Message Posted: Jun 7, 2011 6:49:54 AM
"Though against the law gas is cheaper when you buy with cash. How do I indicate this? Im not able to post twice for a gas station so how do I indiacate the 3 diff grades CASH prices and 3 diff grade CC prices?"
1st - it isn't against the law to have a cash discount.
Now to answer your question, list the discount (.03¢ less for cash) or whatever format is accepted for your site in the comments.
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dancingcrane
All-Star Author
San Diego
Posts:591
Points:221,560
Joined:Aug 2005
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Message Posted: Jun 7, 2011 12:53:55 AM
Lilkunta, post the credit prices, then mention the cash prices in the comments area. I checked the site's FAQs to make sure that was still site procedure.
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lilkunta
Rookie Author
Maryland
Posts:55
Points:8,040
Joined:Jul 2007
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Message Posted: Jun 6, 2011 11:20:57 PM
Though against the law gas is cheaper when you buy with cash. How do I indicate this? Im not able to post twice for a gas station so how do I indiacate the 3 diff grades CASH prices and 3 diff grade CC prices?
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maxstar
Champion Author
Chicago
Posts:18,465
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Message Posted: Jun 6, 2011 8:26:02 PM
I think that the points have value because it gives a sense of how much someone has contributed to the site particularly when they recommend changes to it. For Instance:
WorldofRoss who joined May 2007 and has 34,925 Points
compared to
gazguzzler11 who joined March 2010 but has 174,130 points
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scoutmaster
Champion Author
Pittsburgh
Posts:81,170
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Message Posted: Jun 6, 2011 6:41:10 PM
I would support that gazguzzler11!
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TDI_LOVER
Champion Author
Spokane
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Message Posted: Jun 6, 2011 6:11:41 PM
Worst. Thought. Ever.
[Edited by: TDI_LOVER at 6/6/2011 6:12:27 PM EST]
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gazguzzler11
Champion Author
Ontario
Posts:3,419
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Message Posted: Jun 6, 2011 3:24:05 PM
If getting points is such a big deal then I say get rid of the points. I could care less about the points. They mean nothing to me. All I care about is getting gas for the best price.
In the GTA area of ON where I live the price changes at midnight & then stays there til the next midnight. I do a fair bit of US travelling as I drive to FL 2x a year so I do know that the prices in the US can change multiple times during a day.
When I'm on the road to/from FL I check the route ahead of me to find the best price & have saved many $ doing this. This is what matters most to me. Nuke the points & I'll still post prices every day because you get what you give.
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dancingcrane
All-Star Author
San Diego
Posts:591
Points:221,560
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Message Posted: Jun 6, 2011 2:01:27 PM
It's no one's fault if someone got to a given station before them. They both did the work, they should both get the points. More importantly, seeing whether prices remain stable over several hours, and what time of day and where prices jump or drop gives important information. The more repeat hits on one station, the more accurate the info.
I didn't join for the points, I actually use them as to-do list reminders. Did I catch all today's articles? Did I visit the forum? I don't stop reporting when I max out for the day. I went inactive for a while because I was so busy, and with hours between comp times, my prices could be old and worthless before I could get to post them. I realised, though, that I was only hurting myself when I neglected to pay attention to prices. Stands to reason I should benefit GasBuddy, too.
I agree, in my area, 12 hours is way too stale to be any kind of benchmark. My husband and I have seen one local station change prices 3 times in one hour.
[Edited by: dancingcrane at 6/6/2011 2:07:01 PM EST]
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shutterbug78
All-Star Author
Illinois
Posts:859
Points:130,510
Joined:May 2011
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Message Posted: Jun 6, 2011 8:09:27 AM
I think I know what you are concerned about but..... I do look for the most current or recent price by how many minuets and hours have gone by... .this is important in how I make my decision as to where to go for my gas. The price can change at any time after it has been reported.
I think the price should be as current as possible and 12 hours was a long time ago.
[Edited by: shutterbug78 at 6/6/2011 8:11:18 AM EST]
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traciau
Rookie Author
North Carolina
Posts:54
Points:13,570
Joined:May 2011
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Message Posted: Jun 5, 2011 10:30:26 AM
understand your point, but disagree. i like getting the points, but i joined this forum so i can make better decisions on spending my money at the pupmp. who care if it is 3 hours old or 15 hours old - look at the most current data available.
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vljones45014
Rookie Author
Cincinnati
Posts:55
Points:2,755
Joined:May 2011
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Message Posted: Jun 3, 2011 11:17:21 PM
yeah
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GrumpyCat
Champion Author
Alabama
Posts:2,594
Points:786,900
Joined:Jun 2009
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Message Posted: Jun 3, 2011 2:38:27 PM
I disagree. "Credit" here in points is almost worthless. If someone posts a price spotted at 6:00 AM and someone else posts the same price spotted at 8:00 AM then there is real value in knowing the 8:00 AM price.
Impose an arbitrary 12 hour rule and you encourage more errors and cheating. The 8:00 AM guy sees his effort is thwarted so he claims to have spotted at 5:45 AM. So what do you do? Take points away from the first?
Leave it the way it is. I'd much rather see fields such as Diesel and midgrade locked and/or deleted from stations who do not have those products.
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NateHoy
Champion Author
Maine
Posts:1,246
Points:806,450
Joined:Sep 2003
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Message Posted: Jun 2, 2011 9:24:51 AM
I respect your opinion on it, WorldofRoss, and I think I understand the problem you are presenting. I guess I just don't see it as a problem.
If someone is so desperate for a few points, then let them double-post. Let them post the same price 5 times a day if they want.
There's only 5 updates they can do that to per day, and you'll end up with a few bottom-feeders who just want the points, but at least they are contributing an up-to-date price.
As long as they aren't entering *inaccurate* prices, they're welcome to their points if it's so important to them.
I'm sure there are rural members who have only one station available in their area, and I'm equally sure that in some of those areas more than one person is posting prices for those stations. As far as I'm concerned, twelve members could each post 5 updates per day for that one station, and it's not hurting the accuracy of the site data in any way.
Frankly, I don't see anything that ends up with accurate and timely information being put on the site as abuse, really.
I respect that some folks feel differently about points. Honestly, all I want is good prices when the low fuel light goes on. If someone is somehow getting more points than they "deserve" in the process, well, ain't no skin off my behind.
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gazguzzler11
Champion Author
Ontario
Posts:3,419
Points:759,315
Joined:Mar 2010
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Message Posted: Jun 1, 2011 4:25:14 PM
Qrio80
Once you get 10,000 points you will be able to go to the Master Station List to add/delete/edit station information. I went to Laurel on the MSL and there are a few marked as 'Deleted - Duplicate'. They still show on the map as closed but I don't know what process is to actually get them deleted from GB.
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gazguzzler11
Champion Author
Ontario
Posts:3,419
Points:759,315
Joined:Mar 2010
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Message Posted: Jun 1, 2011 4:12:02 PM
I don't post for points. There are times that I'll post 20 stations because the whole point of GB is to get as many posted as possible so everybody can make informed decisions. I live in Ontario & drive to FL 2x a year so I make good use of GB on these trips. It has saved me many $. Do away with the points & I'll still post as many as I do now. My reward is saving $ at the pump. The points mean nothing to me.
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MBAcura
Champion Author
Orlando
Posts:2,355
Points:665,590
Joined:Apr 2011
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Message Posted: Jun 1, 2011 2:04:18 PM
As the OP said, unless older than 12 hours. This keeps the prices fresh, but also collects the statistical data of a station, or gas buyer for Southland corp, being less volatile and speculative with their prices, based on futures or the evening news reports.
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