Big Difference Between Cash And Credit At Long Island Gas Stations
SMITHTOWN, NY (CBSNewYork) - You know what they say about things that are too good to be true.
WCBS 880's Alex Silverman On The Story
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Driving along Jericho Turnpike in Smithtown last week, a Mobil gas station was spotted with a sign for $3.88 a gallon, a good ten cents cheaper than all the other stations around.
Only when WCBS 880 reporter Alex Silverman pulled up to the pump he realized why. That was the cash price. For credit, it was $4.78 - 90 cents more.
"There's one guy out there who just... he has his own pricing philosophy. Let's put it that way," said Michael Watt, who runs the Long Island Gas Retailers Association. "I know I personally, I would never pay that. I would pull out."
He says a 10 cent difference is reasonable.
It's not just one guy, though
A spokeswoman for Suffolk County consumer affairs says they've gotten plenty of complaints about rising credit prices that you can't see from the road.
But the thing is it's perfectly legal.
"There's somebody down the block looking to put that guy out of business. So you go over there and help him," said Watt.
Sen. Charles Schumer recently wrote a letter to the Federal Trade Commission asking it to require both cash and credit prices on signs visible from the road.
Do you know of any stations with a huge difference between the cash and credit prices? Please list them below!
