Free Gas?

[ramanth]

At $3.09 a gallon, the Speedway in Okemos best be happy that I'm an honest person. Oh why am I an honest person?

Stopped the other day to put gas in my car. I was on 'E' and had a $20 and some odd change. I went inside to pre-pay. The line was already 4 deep and quickly growing behind me. Since the cashier on the left was constantly asking the cashier on the right questions, I had a sneaky suspicion that he was new. Despite grumbling customers, the cashiers were frazzled but friendly.

I get up to the cashier on left (we'll call him 'A'). He greets me with a smile and I tell him I'd like to put $20 on pump 5. He repeats the info back to me. I confirm. He takes my $20 and starts to punch buttons, tells me I'm all set and wishes me a good day.

I go back out, start the pump, and stand by waiting. Suddenly the pump is going past $20. I freak and shut it off. It's at $21.11. I stand there bewildered for a moment, but sigh, fish out $1.11 out of my purse and go back inside. By now the line is monumental, but I digress.

I end up being helped by the other cashier, whom I'll call 'B'. I explain that I gave 'A' $20 for pump 5 but that it didn't shut off at $20. 'B' turns to 'A' asking it about it. 'A' is currently flustered trying to do a manual credit card transaction and glances at the guy he's currently helping, to 'B', to me, and then to the growing mass of customers. He rambles "Yeah, she paid me.... I put $20 on pump 3 and $40 on pump 5..." 'B' interupts and says, "She was on pump 5 not 3." 'A' meekly replies "Oh." The line grumbles louder. 'B' takes the $1.11 from me, thanks me, smiles and tells me they'll take care of it.

Wow. I could of put $40 into my tank ($35 would of filled it) and just driven off and no one would of been the wiser.

Instead I do the honest thing.

What would you do?

[Sirrahsim]

I would have done exactly what you did $40 would have filled up about 3/4 of my gas tank, but then some poor sap would be out $20 that they paid
Karma would bite you in the rear if you had filled up!

[jackmilliesmom]

Do exactly what you did and then if anyone grumbled anymore I would shame them into silence by asking if they would all be as honest as me. I did something like that about a year ago I went in for €15.00 worth of petrol and wound up getting €20.00 partly my fault becuase I was chatting went in and paid the extra €5.00 the look on the cashiers face was priceless he asked was I sure becuase it was his fault too and I said I was just shocked to the core that someone was as honest as me!!!!!

[moosmom]

Kimmy,

Ya done good kid!!! I would've done the same thing you did.

The other day I had a customer who was returning something she paid cash for. After the transaction was rung up on the register, she walked away not waiting for her $38 refund. Now, I COULD'VE kept the money and said nothing. But I didn't. I asked the woman who was almost out the door if she wanted her money. She laughed and said, "It's a good thing you're an honest person, huh?? You could've had dinner on me tonight!!" We both laughed.

[king2005]

The same kind of thing happened to me. I was in London, Ontario & said I want 16.00 on pump, I don't remember now, but I was the only one there. I ONLY had 16.00. I was talking & SWORE!!! it was past 20.00!!!

I ran in all upset saying I said 16.00! Thats all the money I had! The guys it was his fault & said enjoy the free gas

[lizbud]

I would have told the cashier also. I'm an honest person even when it hurts. I would have felt so guilty if I'd have ripped them off.

[Cataholic]

Just yesterday, Wednesday)I recieved a duplicate bookbag (WAH! My baby is going to school...but, I digress) in the mail for Jonah. The first one came Monday. I checked online, and saw one order (so, I didn't goof something up ordering), and checked my bank statment, and saw one debit, and emailed them today asking what they wanted me to do!

So, I would have done what you did, I suppose.

[joycenalex]

the clerks are minimum wage slaves, likely they would have to make up my 'free gas'. i would have paid.

[pitc9]

I would have paid for it too Kimmy!

With my luck the free gas would have come with bad voodoo and would have caused my car to break down!

Dang... your gas is still that much!! Wow!! I'm lucky... just last night I filled up for $2.65/gallon!!

[Cinder & Smoke]

Gasoline Clerks manage to make some CRAZY mistakes!
I'd have probably gone back in and tried to pay the extra; but
lately I'd rather use my Bank Card and do my own "card work"
out at the pump.

He rambles "Yeah, she paid me.... I put $20 on pump 3 and $40 on pump 5...
" 'B' interupts and says, "She was on pump 5 not 3."

'A' meekly replies "Oh."
The line grumbles louder.

'B' takes the $1.11 from me, thanks me, smiles and
tells me they'll take care of it.

My next thought is >>>
WHAT happend with the poor slob who PAID $40 but only got $20 worth of gas ot of Pump #3??

If he did what most folks do - turn the pump ON and pump till it stops ...
hang up the nozzel and GO ... many folks never even glance at the pump
meter OR their receipt!

Hard to *squawk* when you run outta gas 150 miles down the Boulevard;
and keep telling yourself "It shudda been FULL!"

[momoffuzzyfaces]

I would have paid the overage too. Being honest helps you sleep well at night.

[Logan]

This is exactly why I choose to "pay at the pump" and use my debit or credit card. We actually have pumps around here that take cash, too. I rarely go inside. But I ALWAYS get a receipt. My BIL had a knock on his door, years ago, by the police, chasing him down because the clerk swore he didn't pay for his gas. He had used his credit card, and it allowed him to pump, but he chose "No Receipt". He won't be doing that again and I won't either! LOL!! I don't like handing my credit card or cash, in advance, to anyone.

Kimmy, I would have done what you did. Thanks for being honest, even if it was a pain in the neck.

[ramanth]

Phred, I have a feeling they was on their way in the store as I was on my way out. Lots of miffed people there.

Dang... your gas is still that much!! Wow!! I'm lucky... just last night I filled up for $2.65/gallon!!

It was down to $2.89 last week, but jumped .20 cents because of "Hurricane Dean". Or so they say.

There is an oil refinery in Toledo, so that's what keeps your costs low. You lucky ducks.

Why MI (Detoit is the auto capital is it not?!?! ) doesn't have one, is a wonder to me.

[Jessika]

I would have told the cashier too because eventhough it was their error, if I drove off without paying for gas, I can get arrested! Even if it got straightened out later, it would just a huge hassle, and what if the employee lied and said "Well I DID put $20 on her pump, shes stealing gas" blah blah blah. Just too much to risk, you know?? You did the right thing.

[Suki Wingy]

Dang... your gas is still that much!! Wow!! I'm lucky... just last night I filled up for $2.65/gallon!!

ugh... 3.09 is a steal over here. It was 3.50 but just went down within the last weeks to 3.15- 3.08