BajaNomad

Insurgentes Pemex Rip-off - Got me two times now

joel - 8-25-2007 at 08:55 PM

Just fair warning, I've now been ripped off twice at the Pemex station on the south-bound side of the street in Insurgentes. The first time I was pretty sure, but I went back today to confirm it.

I had 1/3-1/4 of a tank of fuel. My tank holds 95 liters. They put "97 liters" of gas in it....

I was peeed, but late for a plane and wasn't even sure what I could do about it even if I had an hour or so to kill.

that sucks....

woody with a view - 8-25-2007 at 09:00 PM

money grubbin' ********....... when will they/we learn?

the only option is to bring your own 5 gallon cans and when they put 6 gallons into each, refuse to pay and pour them out if they won't accept their own medicine!!!!

[Edited on 8-26-2007 by Hose A]

CP - 8-26-2007 at 07:12 AM

Been to that Pemex 30 times in the past two years. Never noticed any problem UNTIL two weeks ago when I was shorted 100 pesos for my change. I realized it before we drove away. I got out of the car and walked to the attendant who before I could get my sentence halfway out dug out his bankroll and handed me 100 pesos saying that he was sorry he made a mistake. I wish I had done something more than just be furious and stomping away.

bajamigo - 8-26-2007 at 10:43 AM

When we drive into a Pemex, we always have 300 pesos exact change in our hot little hands (plus 10 pesos if the windows get washed) and ask for 300 pesos worth of gas, which almost fills it up. If you ask for the tank to be filled, we've found that more than a few pesos will wind up on the ground in a valiant effort to round the tab up to the nearest 50 pesos. And whatever you do, try to avoid paying in dollars; the exchange rate is pathetic.

Don Alley - 8-26-2007 at 11:14 AM

Most of the stations in that region are owned by the same company. I know that some pump a short liter, and assume the others do too. Other than that, we have had no problems with them.

The new Loreto station is owned by the man who owns the construction supply place across the street, and is reputed to sell a full liter. And it is always crowded.

We got caught with the...

BMG - 8-26-2007 at 12:05 PM

...'didn't understand' scam. I asked for a fill. Checked the pump and saw it was zeroed out. Attendant started pump and another attendant asked if I wanted oil checked. I said no but he kept at it. When I turned back around the 1st attendant was hanging pump up. I told him it couldn't be filled yet so he acted confused and said, "Okay, I need to start pump again. I put in 120 pesos, see? I need to re-set pump and start again. I'll add 120 to the total." A ways down the road my brain finally started converting and I realized there was no way he could have put as many liters in the tank as I was charged for. Worked out to about 120 pesos was the amount in gas I was shorted. Imagine that!:!:

Lesson learned.;D

BCSTech - 8-28-2007 at 06:35 PM

ANYTIME they restart the pump, you are being scammed. Pure and simple.

woody with a view - 8-28-2007 at 07:20 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BCSTech
ANYTIME they restart the pump, you are being scammed. Pure and simple.


and what should "our" response be to a restarted pump?

BCSTech - 8-28-2007 at 09:28 PM

Quote:
and what should "our" response be to a restarted pump?
OK, I'll bite. I didn't say you have to respond, just know you're getting ripped off.

If you're really asking for a suggested response, I suppose you could tell them you won't pay for gas you didn't get. "

No pagaré por la gasolina que no he recibido." (and smile)

or just refuse to pay the additional (and smile)

or if they insist, offer to call the police about it (and smile)

I'm sure others will have better suggestions :)

BMG - 8-28-2007 at 09:38 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by woody in ob
Quote:
Originally posted by BCSTech
ANYTIME they restart the pump, you are being scammed. Pure and simple.


and what should "our" response be to a restarted pump?


I've thought about it quite a bit since then. I now have a locking gas cap in addition to the locking door over the cap. I will stand beside the nozzle while it is being filled. I will also lock the car doors so a 'helpful' attendant does not get inside to pop the hood so he can check the oil in an effort to distract me.

Assuming that you aren't getting ripped off (which most of the time I don't feel I am), what is an appropriate tip?

losfrailes - 8-29-2007 at 08:51 AM

You should NOT tip the attendant for pumping gas. Now if someone cleans the windshield and windows, thats a different matter. 5 pesos for that is a fine tip.

BCSTech - 8-29-2007 at 08:59 AM

Question: Are we permitted to pump our own gas? I see some locals doing it.

bajalou - 8-29-2007 at 09:04 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by BCSTech
ANYTIME they restart the pump, you are being scammed. Pure and simple.


If a newer pump stops for any reason, and isn't restarted in 45 seconds, it must be reset to begin pumping again. If this happens, WRITE DOWN the reading before the pump is restarted.

LarryK - 8-29-2007 at 09:37 AM

I had the problem of filling 5 gal jugs with 22-24 liters. I thought I was getting ripped of until I filled the jugs in the states and found that they had expanded from a 5 gal. to a 6 gal capacity.
I totally agree with losfrailes, no tip to the attendant and 5 pesos for the windshields

This surprises me.

BMG - 8-29-2007 at 09:41 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by losfrailes
You should NOT tip the attendant for pumping gas. Now if someone cleans the windshield and windows, thats a different matter. 5 pesos for that is a fine tip.


My wife's family live in Sonora, born and raised. I've been with them many times over the years when we've stopped to fill up their car or truck. They have always given the attendant a tip after getting gas. What I don't know is how much they tipped but this is from people who normally leave relatively small tips at restaurants. I was always under the impression that tipping the attendant was something 'everyone' did.

As for writing down the amount, wouldn't have made any difference. I saw what the amount was, it was M$120. They had obviously worked this scam before along with others that I later saw posted on this forum. If someone tries this type of scam again, I'll probably just not let them put in any more gas at least until I check my gauge and see if any gas was really put in.

comitan - 8-29-2007 at 09:51 AM

The station in Santa Rosalia when they pulled this scam the pump had a funny sound running but you could tell the difference.

BigWooo - 8-29-2007 at 10:00 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by joel
Just fair warning, I've now been ripped off twice at the Pemex station on the south-bound side of the street in Insurgentes. The first time I was pretty sure, but I went back today to confirm it.


There's another Pemex less than a mile down the road, just south of the junction in the highway at Insurgentes, on the northbound side. Used it twice yesterday and no hint of deception. I'd just go there instead.

CP - 8-29-2007 at 11:16 AM

Hola BigWooo,
That was the one that tried to take me for 100p a few weeks ago.( I misunderstood Joel's Pemex location). Been there four times since with no incident. Different attendant. But I am gonna watch it all now rather than leaving the husbondage to it while I go inside for provisions.

Hook - 8-29-2007 at 11:29 AM

ON a related subject, there was an article in the LA Times Business section a couple weeks ago that did indicate that the fuel in underground storage tanks at filling stations can be as hot as the high 90s-low100s fahrenheit. So, the expansion factor can play into this.

The article was speculating on the amount of money the state loses due to the expansion and contraction of fuel and why we cant produced pumps that account for this. The article did involve actual measuring of the temps of the fuel and the quantities.

I was of the opinion that the tanks are too deep to be affected much by the air temps above. That doesnt seem to be the case.

bajalou - 8-29-2007 at 12:52 PM

Remember though, if it's expanded in the tank, you should get a correct amount dispensed, although it looses power at the higher temperatures.

No tips? You cheap?

Lee - 8-29-2007 at 01:27 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by losfrailes
You should NOT tip the attendant for pumping gas. Now if someone cleans the windshield and windows, thats a different matter. 5 pesos for that is a fine tip.


I doubt gas attendants feel like they are owed a tip. Maybe if they clean a windshield, they might expect something.

I tip 10 pesos whether my windshield is cleaned or not. I ALWAYS tip. Just my policy and I don't care if anybody else ever tips.

:cool:

DENNIS - 8-29-2007 at 01:39 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by losfrailes
You should NOT tip the attendant for pumping gas. Now if someone cleans the windshield and windows, thats a different matter. 5 pesos for that is a fine tip.

That's my method. If the guy or gal is super busy or at least offers to clean the windshield, it's worth 5 Ps. If he leans on the truck bed looking at everything I just bought at Costco, he gets nothing. If an attendant got 5 Ps from each customer he serviced in a day, that would be a good days pay.

Advice is worth what it costs.

MrBillM - 8-29-2007 at 01:43 PM

I Tip everybody who provides a service to me.

I usually tip 10 % at the gas pump and everywhere else, except restaurants. Usually 20 % - 25 % to the waiters. They're always glad to see me arrive.

I pay 10-20 pesos for a good window cleaning.

I also give to all of those people at the intersections collecting for charities or rehab programs.

Since it is my money, it's nobody else's business.

DENNIS - 8-29-2007 at 01:50 PM

MrBill.........
What is "service?" Where do you draw the line? Do you tip the sales person at the clothing store when she sells you a shirt? Or the man at the tire store when he sells you a set of tires? What's the difference between tires or shirts and gas?

backninedan - 8-29-2007 at 02:09 PM

Dennis,, if you don't know the difference between shirts and gas, be very careful when you dress in the morning..

Difference

MrBillM - 8-29-2007 at 02:13 PM

The difference is whatever I decide it is.

As a rule, I don't "usually" tip the clerk at the counter, BUT I have when some extra effort has made me feel like doing so. I follow the same practice North or South of the border. I have always tipped my barber and he's the owner. He also has never refused. I tip the same at establishments I'm unlikely to ever stop at again. I have had clerks in San Felipe refuse the offered tip on rare occasions. It might be a store policy. Who knows ?

What I do know is that the amount of money spent tipping is a small percentage of my overall spending and it seems to be appreciated.

I don't feel obligated to explain to others what they might feel is inconsistent. Their standard is their own and so is mine.

On occasion I've had neighbors or friends with me when I filled my propane or water tanks and they've told me I am setting a bad example for others by tipping. My response is "that's your problem, not mine".

DENNIS - 8-29-2007 at 02:27 PM

Well, that's good, Bill. As you so defensivly pointed out, it's your money to be handed out as you see fit. It just caught me by surprise that you, of all people, choose to be that magnanamous. I would have immagined your spending policy to be more, much more, conservative but, here you are, a regular freakin Santa Claus. Merry Christmas.

Better to give than receive

Lee - 8-29-2007 at 05:05 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Well, that's good, Bill. As you so defensivly pointed out, it's your money to be handed out as you see fit. It just caught me by surprise that you, of all people, choose to be that magnanamous. I would have immagined your spending policy to be more, much more, conservative but, here you are, a regular freakin Santa Claus. Merry Christmas.


Bill's message did not come across as defensive to me. It's possible that he is a magnanamous person, and/or recognizes a Karmic principle. What goes around comes around.

:tumble:

Hook - 8-29-2007 at 05:47 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajalou
Remember though, if it's expanded in the tank, you should get a correct amount dispensed, although it looses power at the higher temperatures.


I think the article referred to the pumps method of measuring not being able to compensate.

bajalou - 8-29-2007 at 08:14 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Hook
Quote:
Originally posted by bajalou
Remember though, if it's expanded in the tank, you should get a correct amount dispensed, although it looses power at the higher temperatures.


I think the article referred to the pumps method of measuring not being able to compensate.


That's the point, the pumps give you the measured gallon of a product that is less potent than it would have been at a cooler temperature. In the USA, the gasoline is sold to the stations and taxes computed at a temperature of 60 F. Those pumps do compensate for the temperature differential, but the delivery pumps do not. Quite a to-do in Calif. about this about 6 months ago - having to do with taxes.

Jolly Saint Nick ?

MrBillM - 8-29-2007 at 08:44 PM

No, that's not me.

We are all shaped by our life experiences. I first learned the lessons of the service industry working after school at a nearby Gas station. Later, the oldest of my sisters moved in with me while her husband was overseas. The best paying job for a girl just out of high school with no experience was that of a waitress. I got firsthand accounts every day of the joys of dealing with the public and being dependent on their good will.

I suppose part of it is the fact that I know I'd last about 30 minutes in that kind of job. I have never been known for my pleasant disposition or ability to accept verbal abuse by anyone.

Those people have a hard and (usually) poorly paid job.

joel - 8-29-2007 at 10:12 PM

I guess I tipped 200 pesos....