thebajarunner - 4-28-2005 at 05:25 PM
The first Pemex coming into town, from the North, mile or two south of the Tecate turnoff.
The kid enthusiastically waved us into the pumps. We looked up and saw a very large sign over the door "10.8 x 1"
O.K., sounds right.
Since this was the first stop in Baja and no pesos yet acquired I pulled out green Gringo bucks.
The kid pulls out a large hand held calculator, puts in the pesos and MULTIPLIES the pesos by 10.8.
No, no, no..... you divide, Senor Estupido.
I did not push it, should have marched into the office and demanded to discuss with management.
Anyway, beware, it is subtle and cute and probably works most times because folks are just getting acclimated and in a hurry to get on into town.
Baja Arriba!!
David K - 4-28-2005 at 05:49 PM
So when the pump read 500 pesos (46.30 dollars), the kid expected 5,400 dollars??? Sound like an honest error... But, I did hear Arnold Schwartzeneger
was in Baja recently!
thebajarunner - 4-28-2005 at 06:21 PM
Using your example...
if the pump sez 500 pesos and you divide it equals $46.30
if you multiply you get $54.00
all due respect David, and remember.... you are my friend>>>
if you really think that this is an honest mistake then we need to talk....
(the real tip-off should have been the enthusiastic way the little shyster waved us in.... no Pemex jockey outside of El Rosario is ever enthusiastic,
unless he sees pigeon wings coming his way...)
Baja Arriba!!
Bruce R Leech - 4-28-2005 at 06:23 PM
so it happens in the north also.
Good grief!
jrbaja - 4-28-2005 at 06:29 PM
Even your own governor wants out of that pathetic state? Hope he gets some bad
"chorros" so he stays home!
thebajarunner - 4-28-2005 at 06:30 PM
As to the presumed spotting of Ahnold da Guv.
Baja Vida claims he saw a Hummer....suspicious driver.
Man, we saw lots of Hummers... I think that our latest Foreign Aid package must have been written on the back of Hummer invoices.
(Baja Vida is not always the most reliable witness around)
Baja Arriba!!
Rumours and untruths here
jrbaja - 4-28-2005 at 06:34 PM
on dis bored? Naw, tell me it ain't true!! I would be crushed if I couldn't depend on the vast wealth of foreigners information regarding things
Mexico on here. 
Ken Bondy - 4-28-2005 at 06:50 PM
David's math is correct. The attendant really needs to do some juggling with that pesky old decimal place to get 54.00 from 500x10.8. But I see the
point, if he wants to cheat he multiplies 10.8x500 and tells you the tab is $54 instead of the true conversion of $46.30. Many people won't catch it.
This won't work very well when the exchange rate gets farther away from 10.
++Ken++
David K - 4-28-2005 at 07:18 PM
Yah, Ken.... my calculator said $5,400 too... But with a movement of the decimal point, it would be more believable... USE your own calculator and
fingers!
Speaking of Hummers...
Dave - 4-28-2005 at 07:43 PM
He multiplied by .108....cute. Have to remember that.
bajalou - 4-28-2005 at 08:33 PM
All points to the validity of my practice to get pesos FIRST, maybe before crossing the border even. Or at least, hit a ATM befor the Pemex. Then I
only have to make sure the pump is zero'd out before pumping.
David K - 4-28-2005 at 11:26 PM
Lou, at most Pemex stations, you are still likely to fit 22 litres (or more) into a 19 litre (5 gal.) gas can!!! (ie. you pay for 22+ litres, but get
19) One of the rare exceptions is The Baja Cactus Pemex, in El Rosario!
This rip off affects Mexicans and gringos, alike!
Sonora Wind - 4-29-2005 at 07:24 AM
I had that very same problem over on the Kino side. 29 L in a 5gal can??? When I was on my way home and stopped at a drug check point, one of the
inspectors asked if he could by buy a gas can. Of course I said si. Boy I'll bet he was supprised went he had it filled the first time. It seems
they have the Kino fuel rip off under control howdays. All female attendants.
bajalou - 4-29-2005 at 08:32 AM
The amount you get vs what shows on the pump is not something we can do anything about - so why get upset about it. If you find a station you like
use it. I try to take care of things that I have some control over, like rate of exchange etc. Hanging on to things we can't change leads to a early
grave.