MSGID: 1:153/757.21@fidonet ff033dbc
REPLY: 1:153/757.1 62e73062
PID: OpenXP/5.0.51 (Win32)
CHRS: ASCII 1
TZUTC: -0400
Hello Alan Ianson!

** On Sunday 31.07.22 - 18:40, Alan Ianson wrote to August Abolins:

 AA>> Turns out that in the last two weekends alone, some
 AA>> assholes filled up their tanks and just drove-off. [...]
 AA>> The station owner said that they lost $6000 due to drive-
 AA>> offs.

 AI> We have had to prepay here for as long as I can remember.
 AI> It could be that gas thieves are the reason.

No doubt.  I don't blame the station owner for implementing  
that system.   They KNOW who the locals/regulars are, so they  
could activate specific pumps to allow normal operation. But  
when it gets busy I suppose it's hard to individualize each  
usage.

I was fine with using the CC card at the pump. But they stopped  
maintaining the printers at the pumps, so I have to go in to  
get a receipt - that kinda defeats the purpose of  
"convenience", imho.

 AI> I use my debt card most of the time. I choose $50, my car
 AI> seldom takes more than around $40.00. They just withdraw
 AI> the actual amount whatever it is even though the pre-
 AI> authorize for $50.00. It has never been a problem.

Yes.. that's sounds like the way it actually works, wrt debit  
cards.  But they "overcharge" on a credit card, and the actual  
amount gets resolved after a few days.


 AA>> Someone else told me about their first experience with
 AA>> the pre-pay system, and ended up paying too much for the
 AA>> fuel. They did NOT get the difference in cash.  Not sure
 AA>> how that is supposed to work.  I forget whether they paid
 AA>> in cash or debit.

 AI> I've never had that happen to me but not all merchants are
 AI> created equal.

Turns out that the person was confused about the "pre- 
authorized limit".  She thought it was the actual amount she  
was paying.

I don't understand the mentality of drive-offs. Their cars and  
plates are recorded as evidence. The police will track them  
down, and they will be charged and get a record. The only way  
they might get away with it is if they shield their plates.

--
  ../|ug

--- OpenXP 5.0.51
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