BajaNomad

The Price of Fuel

bajaloco - 4-5-2005 at 09:37 AM

Here's a question for those whom might know. The price of fuel in Mexico being what it is, how does the normal folk of Mexico afford to get around? Some in the US complain about the rising cost of fuel, but the income in the US is at higher levels. I have always wondered if there was a black market for fuel. Anyone who has purchased fuel in Baja knows that the pumps are not always accurate. Is the excess sold under the counter to the locals? I don't have a problem with it, I just figure in-accurate pumps to be part of the price to travel in Baja.

[Edited on 4-5-2005 by bajaloco]

Bruce R Leech - 4-5-2005 at 10:52 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajaloco
Here's a question for those whom might know. The price of fuel in Mexico being what it is, how does the normal folk of Mexico afford to get around? Some in the US complain about the rising cost of fuel, but the income in the US is at higher levels. I have always wondered if there was a black market for fuel. Anyone who has purchased fuel in Baja knows that the pumps are not accurate. Is the excess sold under the counter to the locals? I don't have a problem with it, I just figure in-accurate pumps to be part of the price to travel in Baja.


No there is no black market for Gas that I know of thay just pocket the money when they sell short liters.

wornout - 4-5-2005 at 11:07 AM

Amazing, I have lived in Baja for 7 years and for all of those years I have been filling my 5 gallon gas tanks, which I bring back to the house and dump in my dune buggy, and everytime each one is just over 18 liters.

I guess the Pemex guys see me coming and fix the pumps before I show up and then set them back so others get cheated. From what I understand, they only sell short liters at the tourist trap stops and knowing where those are is the secret.

Tucker - 4-5-2005 at 12:24 PM

The poorer people here where I live don't use cars a lot, there are generally tiendas within 2 blocks either direction. One woman neighbor of mine makes it to the tienda 2 to 3 times a day, I suspect that she doesn't have a refrigerator. She probably likes it that way, they are expensive to run.

In my ten years here I have never had a Pemex problem. Except once in San Vicente, I paid in dollars, got my change in pesos, the guy was a little shifty...I just let it go. Normally I pay in pesos, the same units that are displayed on the pump, no problem. I fail to understand folks using dollars when pesos are readily available via ATM, so much easier to eliminate the conversion factor.

Colin - 4-5-2005 at 03:21 PM

What's reg. unleaded cost in baja these days?

Also, which pumps are the ones to avoid?

bajajudy - 4-5-2005 at 03:30 PM

Santa Rosalia has always had a bad reputation.
Here in San Jose, I have had problems at the Aramburo Plaza station, as have others.
Those are the only two I know of.

vgabndo - 4-5-2005 at 03:30 PM

Personally, I KNOW I've been had in Santa Rosalia, and on the highway in Mulege. Other Nomads have other stories.

Tucker - 4-5-2005 at 03:32 PM

I think Magna, the cheapest blend is now six pesos per liter. You do the math. There should be a thread early in April quoting all the prices. Pumps to stay away from? Not an issue with me.

Bruce R Leech - 4-5-2005 at 03:35 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by wornout
Amazing, I have lived in Baja for 7 years and for all of those years I have been filling my 5 gallon gas tanks, which I bring back to the house and dump in my dune buggy, and everytime each one is just over 18 liters.

I guess the Pemex guys see me coming and fix the pumps before I show up and then set them back so others get cheated. From what I understand, they only sell short liters at the tourist trap stops and knowing where those are is the secret.


I don't think that cheat as much up there were you are. not all the stations do it . each owner decides for himself if he is going to do business honest or not. it seems to be more of a problem here in Baja sur.

tehag - 4-5-2005 at 05:00 PM

Both stations in Loreto are pumping 6.4 liters into a gallon can for me.

capn.sharky - 4-5-2005 at 05:49 PM

Use pesos. I don't think the owner changes the meters when he sees a foreigner coming to the station. In Loreto, if we get cheated everyone gets cheated and they would raise a stink about that. We do get a little water in the gas, but that is primarily due to the humidity and being close to the water. I would never not go to Baja just because of gas prices. Getting screwed from time to time is just part of the experience. You can minimize this by being watchful.

bajalou - 4-5-2005 at 08:52 PM

Today Magna is 6.010 a liter - probably will go up .06 on the first of May

:biggrin: