Comments on: Pay Cash for Gas for Discount?

By: Free Money Finance

Free Money Finance — Fri, 02 Jun 2006 10:31:11 +0000

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By: denon

denon — Thu, 01 Jun 2006 22:50:05 +0000

This isn’t a new idea, lots of local and coop stations have been doing it honestly for decades. Also, I think it’s more of a win for the consumer than you give it credit. For one thing, you have your reward *instantly*, and can put it on interest – never even had to pay it. You don’t have to hassle citi to get your check, you’re not capped per-year, and there’s no risk of it getting reported as income (like a credit card bonus may be). After all, there is no income. Finally, in the case of the local station, the money is staying local.

I actually like the idea of things getting more *away* from credit cards. Granted, I use my amex blue, citi dividend, etc every chance I can. But if someone gives me a compelling cash reason to do business without visa, I’m happy to oblige. There will come a point when we wondered why on earth we would ever trust 3-4 large companies with global finance..

By: frugal mama

frugal mama — Thu, 01 Jun 2006 13:34:11 +0000

Where does using a debit card fit in?

By: Matt

Matt — Thu, 01 Jun 2006 05:53:09 +0000

I saw this a lot when I was on my recent road trip South. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a station North of, say, Tennessee, that did this, but it seemed pretty common in MS, AL, and LA.

By: MoneyDummy

MoneyDummy — Wed, 31 May 2006 19:11:59 +0000

I’m surprised USA Today ran an article about this. This is OOOOLLLLDDD news where I come from. (Maverik’s been doing it for about five years. Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say that they were doing it five years ago.)

By: Anon

Anon — Wed, 31 May 2006 18:17:32 +0000

Citi Dividend Platinum Select or Citi Drivers Edge Platinum Select (if you drive A LOT).

By: Tony

Tony — Wed, 31 May 2006 17:30:17 +0000

What gas rebate card do you folks recommend?

By: CK

CK — Wed, 31 May 2006 17:09:04 +0000

By the way great business move by the gas station. Drives people into the stores to buy high margin items.

By: jim

jim — Wed, 31 May 2006 17:05:46 +0000

Yeah, I dream of the day where cash is not required and identity/credit thieves are executed on the spot.

By: CK

CK — Wed, 31 May 2006 16:54:08 +0000

I think the credit convenience (the time savings) outways the cash discount, especially when you figure in any type of rebate you might get from the credit card. I dream of a world where no cash is required.

By: Anon

Anon — Wed, 31 May 2006 16:27:33 +0000

I’m not sure how those are different, but the Google seems to agree with you. I still wouldn’t think Visa or Mastercard would be amused.

By: Jason

Jason — Wed, 31 May 2006 16:23:38 +0000

I’m surprised that the card companies allow this since its essentially the same thing as adding a fee for using a card. I don’t necessarily think its bad for the consumer. Other than people who read finance blogs, message boards, etc, few people I meet know about the 5% cards. For those and people who still pay with cash this is helpful.

By: Nick

Nick — Wed, 31 May 2006 16:13:26 +0000

Discounts for cash payment, oddly enough, are perfectly in line with card merchant agreements. It’s adding a fee for using a credit card that’s not okay. I think it’s a silly loophole, but it’s there for people who want to use it.

By: Anon

Anon — Wed, 31 May 2006 16:03:26 +0000

Isn’t this counter to the credit card merchant’s agreement? Perhaps there is a special exception for gasoline, but I doubt it. I imagine this fellow won’t be accepting credit cards at all before long.