BajaNomad - Mexican Gas Stations - New Variables - New Stategies.

Mexican Gas Stations - New Variables - New Stategies.

surebought - 5-25-2010 at 09:43 AM

Most people do not have any idea what Gasoline costs them at their local Pemex Stations. They don't know how to figure it out so here goes. On the pump, there will be the Price per liter, 7.90 pesos. 7.90 X 3.87 = 30.57 pesos per gallon. 30.57 divided by 13(the exchange rate) = $2.35 per gallon. But this is only one of many variables. The old rules were:
1. Never pay for Gasoline in dollars(very obvious).
2. Always count your change(do that with every purchase in Mexico).
3. Always make sure the pump starts on zero.
4. Always pay with exact change if possible.

The idea is to eliminate variables where cheating can accure.
These rules still apply, but there are some new ones too.

(Sidebar) The other day I went into the Gas Station I usually go to buy from with a 5 Gallon can and stood by the pump. The attentant came over and picked up my can and went to fill it at another pump. I know these guys and I am a regular customer. He knew the pump I was standing at was off and he knew I would know it because if I didn't get 19.35 liters, I was going to yell, so he led me to the straight pump. That typically is what happens when an inspector (profeco)comes to check the honesty of the gas station. He asks for 19.35 liters. So the theory is that the Computer Chip in the Pump is programed to anticipate the inspector because the inspector will always ask for his quantity in liters. Maybe the attendant thought profeco was getting smart by sending in a Gringo to make the purchase. The Pump then spits out the correct quantity at the right peso/liter price. So if you go in and say, give me 200 peso of Magna, there are two computer chip variables that can cheat you. If you say give me 30 liters, there is only one which is less likely.
The new rules.
1. Always ask for your quantity in liters. Figure in out before you go if you have to. It's not that difficult.
2. Never say fill it up even when are traveling. You can get it right every time if you plan ahead.

There are companies that make after market computer chips for Gas Pumps and their big customers are Mexican Gas Stations. Don't be a sap. If you buy from one gas Station most of the time, go in once in a while with a 5 gallon can and check it yourself and hopefully find the straight pump. You guys will do almost anything to save a few nickels in other areas of your life(like at the Drugstore), so why not try to save a few dollars by being vigilant in this area. I know. It sounds like work to you. Well, you can't say I didn't try.

At least things have progressed. They used to cheat you by running water into the main tank, but those days are hopefully gone.

Dave - 5-25-2010 at 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by surebought
1. Always ask for your quantity in liters. Figure in out before you go if you have to. It's not that difficult.

I fail to understand how, unless you're filling an empty container of known quantity, this would help.

Given that most stations are corrupt I'd advise just going with the flow and accept that although the advertised price is 'x', by the time you factor in either short pour or peso exchange you're gonna pay 'y'. There's not much use in complaining because no one's going to listen, it could get you arrested and besides, if you need gas...you need gas.

Or...you could be OC about it and fill your tank from 19.35 ltr containers. :rolleyes:

KAT54 - 5-25-2010 at 12:55 PM

Why do you think every gas station is ripping you off?
Do you have proof?
Can you show us the proof?
Who makes those computer chips?
Can I buy a couple too?
How do they make a chip know 19.35 should be correct?
Is the end near too?

Bajahowodd - 5-25-2010 at 01:22 PM

Pemex rip-offs are legendary. That said, I think it's much less of a problem now than it was years ago. Surebought does make some sound observations, with regard to using pesos and making certain that the pump starts at zero. Counting the change is really not all that much of a deal, as long as you pay in pesos. It's when they're giving you back pesos for dollars. As for high-tech rigging of the pumps, I'm skeptical. First, with the explosion of Pemex locations in the past few years, most have been built with convenience stores. Profit from the store probably exceeds profit from the pumps by a large margin. Franchisees wouldn't be building all those stations if it was only a matter of making the small profit per liter on gas.

durrelllrobert - 5-26-2010 at 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
with the explosion of Pemex locations in the past few years, most have been built with convenience stores. Profit from the store probably exceeds profit from the pumps by a large margin.

Especially the one on the Buffadora road that still hasn't pumped the first liter. :lol:

Pescador - 5-26-2010 at 01:25 PM

I continue to be blown away by the Norteamericanos who spent countless hours figuring out how they got cheated, what to do about it, and endless remedies. I suffered from that one season and finally decided that gas is cheaper in Mexico than in the United States, I am having a great time doing all the things I want to do, I like the sunshine and great weather, so I refuse to spend much time worrying about whether or not I have been cheated out of 20 pesos every time I buy gas, and with my boat and cars, I seem to do a lot of that. Instead, I try to listen to what is going on with the gas station attendants in their lives, check on the weather, and generally have a great time at the gas station. Some people need a check up from the neck up.

torch - 5-26-2010 at 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pescador
Some people need a check up from the neck up.

EXACTLY

torch - 5-26-2010 at 07:19 PM

One time getting gas in baja I sent the attendant back 4 times before I recieved the correct change. - yes he did get a tip and a friendly chat from me.

surebought - 5-27-2010 at 06:56 AM

I knew it would be too much for you guys. You would scream to high heavan if things like this were done to you in the States. But here? In my neighborhood there are two Pemex Station 2 blocks from each other. One is very convieniant with wide passages, female attendants, etc and no customers. The other is congested, hard to get into, and unless it is the middle of the night, three cars waiting in each line. The congested one is owned by an old line Russian Family with a reputation for honesty. The other is owned by an ex-politico, so the locals apparently avoid his station. The locals know what's going on and they are the one's that informed me about this. If you let yourself be constantly taken advantage of, then you make it a little harder for the next gringo who comes along.

Osprey - 5-27-2010 at 07:32 AM

Wow, frustrating isn't it. Maybe you could somehow force all the Nomads to follow your system, use your particular precautions or face some kind of fine or sanctions. Yeah, that's the ticket.

durrelllrobert - 5-27-2010 at 09:11 AM

Recently paid amount shown on pump in pesos, handed the attendent 10 peso tip for cleaning windows and was told i owed another 50 pesos for his service. a quick fu and i was out of there and will not return to that pemex :fire:

Donjulio - 5-27-2010 at 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pescador
I continue to be blown away by the Norteamericanos who spent countless hours figuring out how they got cheated, what to do about it, and endless remedies. I suffered from that one season and finally decided that gas is cheaper in Mexico than in the United States, I am having a great time doing all the things I want to do, I like the sunshine and great weather, so I refuse to spend much time worrying about whether or not I have been cheated out of 20 pesos every time I buy gas, and with my boat and cars, I seem to do a lot of that. Instead, I try to listen to what is going on with the gas station attendants in their lives, check on the weather, and generally have a great time at the gas station. Some people need a check up from the neck up.

AMEN

DavidE - 5-27-2010 at 09:21 AM

Pumps that have numeric pads have tamperproof delivery computers and are monitored by PROFECO for liter delivery accuracy. This is no guarantee that the peso display will be correct. I purchase gasoline by the liter not pesos. Almost every Mexican driver does the same. There are noteworthy stations, Baja Cactus pumps measured correctly even sixteen years ago; one of the few in the peninsula that did.

But again I learned the hard way to not ask for gasoline by money amount but by liters only.

oladulce - 5-27-2010 at 10:13 AM

Surebought thank you for posting this info, it's good to be aware of. It would take some practice to start computing how many liters we would need to fill up our tank though. We live 1.5 hrs from the nearest diesel station, not a metro area where we can keep topping off the tank. When we go to town, we need to get a full tank. Not impossible to do, just a little discipline required. And I never have exact change-oh well.

Mexicorn - 5-27-2010 at 02:48 PM

Observation, The Pemex station in North Rosarito before the bridge crossing the toll road and a little south of Pabblion on the north east side of the street would not let me fill my red US 1 Gallon gas can I purchased at Autozone for my lawnmower.
When I asked the guy why I've done it before at numerous Pemex stations in the past he told me it was against the policy of the station. When you drive by the station they always have a sign prominently displaying their cheap gas prices and high Dollar to Peso ratio in front of the station.

It made me believe that their meters that regulate liters might be slightly off and that I or someone else might find out about.

or...

It just might be my PSD kicking in...

Oh My :tumble:

Me Too

Bajahowodd - 5-27-2010 at 04:09 PM

Quote:

I cannot imagine anyone would purposely go to a Pemex station that is known to rip off their customers. I'll bet that the list of same would be quite short. But, at the end of the day, unless someone is on a very tightly controlled fixed income, to aggravate over being taken for a handful of pesos means you need to get a life.

MitchMan - 5-27-2010 at 06:13 PM

Man, this is a great thread. Put both Surebought and Pescador together and you will have the secret to life. I am going to chime in some more, later, after my third Pacifico.

Just pulled into La Paz after leaving OC at 10:30 am on Tues, 5-25-10. I'll chime in after my third Pacifico. See ya.

805gregg - 5-27-2010 at 07:37 PM

Don't you love it, worry about gas station rip offs, crooked cops, Federalies, etc. I've always enjoyed Baja, but I just finally got back from 3 weeks in Hawaii, it was like heaven, warm and friendly people, warm air, warm water and no rip offs, no trash, and no graffiti, nice for a change.

DavidE - 5-27-2010 at 07:40 PM

The gas can ban may or may not be because someone confronted them with a gas can that supposedly started an argument. This isn't as uncommon as you might think and it may well have been a Mexican citizen that did it.

I put in 200 pesos in a gasolinera halfway between Patzcuaro and Morelia. It raised the needle one quarter of a tank's worth. Not bad at all for a 16 gallon tank. That station was crooked as hell when I tested it back in 1994 with an NIST 20 liter test measure.

Around home with stations I trust I order gas other than by a strict liter count. On the road, only by liters.

mulegejim - 5-27-2010 at 08:03 PM

My idea is when I get to the Pemex station I have some pesos and the station has some fuel and when I leave I have less pesos but more fuel and the Pemex has less fuel but more pesos. Other than that, not much I can do about it except get higher blood pressure and more gray hair. Too many other things in life to worry me - some of which I may be able to do something about. Jim

Doug/Vamonos - 5-27-2010 at 10:55 PM

I must be missing something here. When I stop for fuel I tell the attendant to fill er up. The pump pumps until the tank fills. The number of liters are listed, as is the price in pesos. How can this be any less accurate than telling the attendant to stop at 100 liters? Or, how can it be any less accurate if I tell him I want 500 pesos worth?

BajaDanD - 5-27-2010 at 11:49 PM

it wont be In the us gas pumps are inspected and tested for accuracy in volume and octane
Stations post prices and by law they have to be accurate. Because of compitition laws. and fraud. Im Mexice the price is fixed by the guvernment and some station owners try ways to make a little extra the amout is minnimal and if its a few sentavos I dont care maybe he made enough $$ throught the day to feed his famiely.
When I go to Baja I buy gas when I need it dont pay much attention about the price I want my tank full I make sure the meter gets zeroed before pumping

Im not going to Baja just to buy gas. Im going to go fishin and boating and swimming and hiking and exploreing

[Edited on 5-28-2010 by BajaDanD]

DavidE - 5-28-2010 at 06:09 AM

Doug I don't know how they did "it" but because of a loophole within the dispenser computer you can order 20 liters of Magna or 182 pesos of Magna and get different amounts of delivery even though the math says that they should be the same.

PROFECO marches into a gasolinera and asks the attendant to deliver 20 liters into a test measure. It had better be correct. End of test.

There is so many tens of millions of dollars to be "made" off of squeezing five to ten percent more money out of each liter of gas that a very savy underground delivers modification material and techniques to unscrupulous owners of gasolineras.

When money quantity rather than liters is entered into a dial pad it bypasses the protocol used to ensure accurate liter delivery. The "error" is not subtle.

A person may just wish to continue to order peso quantities or "Fill Er Up". That is their right. I however do not wish to add a (sometimes) TEN DOLLAR TAX on to my filling of my tank of gasoline thank you.

David K - 5-28-2010 at 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DavidE
Doug I don't know how they did "it" but because of a loophole within the dispenser computer you can order 20 liters of Magna or 182 pesos of Magna and get different amounts of delivery even though the math says that they should be the same.

PROFECO marches into a gasolinera and asks the attendant to deliver 20 liters into a test measure. It had better be correct. End of test.

There is so many tens of millions of dollars to be "made" off of squeezing five to ten percent more money out of each liter of gas that a very savy underground delivers modification material and techniques to unscrupulous owners of gasolineras.

When money quantity rather than liters is entered into a dial pad it bypasses the protocol used to ensure accurate liter delivery. The "error" is not subtle.

A person may just wish to continue to order peso quantities or "Fill Er Up". That is their right. I however do not wish to add a (sometimes) TEN DOLLAR TAX on to my filling of my tank of gasoline thank you.

Wow... welcome back Dah-veed!

Today, we will be going to the Pemex station you found and reported to be the most honest in Baja... many years ago... Baja Cactus in EL ROSARIO!

I am correct, it IS you David, here next to El Jefe at my Viva Baja party in May, 2001, verdad???

dtutko1 - 5-28-2010 at 06:32 AM

In La Paz there are gas stations that have billboards advertising "Litros Complete". If you're interested, look in the arcives of the baja western onion for a report from a canadian who took a scale and gas container to several stations and measured delivery of gas. His results varied from full liters to 15% errors.

ncampion - 5-28-2010 at 06:46 AM

Common knowledge by the locals that one station is honest and others aren't, you can tell by the lines. I did recently have one station put 24 liters in my 19 liter container and a different station put 21 in the same container. I usualllly don't worry about it except when I'm putting 150 gallons in my boat.

surebought - 5-28-2010 at 08:19 AM

I stand by my statements on this thread. The dudes that don't care I suppose are the same dudes you see sitting around Caliente trying to beat an Electronic Slot Machine. They're an embarasment to the rest of US and should probably be forgotten . A lot of people from the US believe that being on guard all the time is just part of the Baja thrill. Some people just go with the flow and don't put up any shields at all. Some choose to wander through life like they did in the States. You can fake your way through life in the States. Get a job, raise a family, buy a house, without knowing anything at all, sort of like Homer Simpson. If you come down here and live like that, there might not be such a happy Hollywood ending. Here there is a constant conspiracy against the haves by the have nots in sometimes some very devious and less obvious ways. It should be an excuse for US to stay strong down here and put up a more united front. But some of the Strong get worned down by their constant repeating of the word: no, and they give in too easily. I don't mind so much, because I have stayed ahead of it all by being me. Some of US have blown fortunes down here by thinking that they are smarter than the locals. Everything gone except Social Security. It would make me triste if I really cared, which I don't. One guy asked one of the locals that hanged around the Trailer Park where he lived, to go get his car washed and handed him the keys. A year later they find four Kilos of marijuana in his spare tire at the border. Even the border guards didn't believe that this pathetic old gringo was really a Drug Smuggler. But he was, a major Smuggler, and he didn't even know it or benefit from it. Every week 4 Kilos in his spare tire. LOL

DianaT - 5-28-2010 at 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by surebought
I stand by my statements on this thread. The dudes that don't care I suppose are the same dudes you see sitting around Caliente trying to beat an Electronic Slot Machine. They're an embarasment to the rest of US and should probably be forgotten . A lot of people from the US believe that being on guard all the time is just part of the Baja thrill. Some people just go with the flow and don't put up any shields at all. Some choose to wander through life like they did in the States. You can fake your way through life in the States. Get a job, raise a family, buy a house, without knowing anything at all, sort of like Homer Simpson. If you come down here and live like that, there might not be such a happy Hollywood ending. Here there is a constant conspiracy against the haves by the have nots in sometimes some very devious and less obvious ways. It should be an excuse for US to stay strong down here and put up a more united front. But some of the Strong get worned down by their constant repeating of the word: no, and they give in too easily. I don't mind so much, because I have stayed ahead of it all by being me. Some of US have blown fortunes down here by thinking that they are smarter than the locals. Everything gone except Social Security. It would make me triste if I really cared, which I don't. One guy asked one of the locals that hanged around the Trailer Park where he lived, to go get his car washed and handed him the keys. A year later they find four Kilos of marijuana in his spare tire at the border. Even the border guards didn't believe that this pathetic old gringo was really a Drug Smuggler. But he was, a major Smuggler, and he didn't even know it or benefit from it. Every week 4 Kilos in his spare tire. LOL

WOW

Quote:

Some of US have blown fortunes down here by thinking that they are smarter than the locals.

That we have seen, and I would agree that there are those who make a game and a living by scoring as much as they can from the visiting gringos, and some who expect more from the resident gringos who they view as the "haves" ------ but for the others, an embarrassment? Homer Simpson over this issue?

We watch for the zeros and fill it up. If we obviously get short changed, we speak up.

I would agree with your statement in some ways, but I really don't see that those who disagree with you on this issue are necessarily headed toward being Homeresque. :?:

[Edited on 5-28-2010 by DianaT]

durrelllrobert - 5-28-2010 at 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 805gregg
Don't you love it, worry about gas station rip offs, crooked cops, Federalies, etc. I've always enjoyed Baja, but I just finally got back from 3 weeks in Hawaii, it was like heaven, warm and friendly people, warm air, warm water and no rip offs, no trash, and no graffiti, nice for a change.

....and very expensive :?:

paul r - 5-28-2010 at 09:57 AM

... gassed!...

To whom?

Dave - 5-28-2010 at 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DianaT If we obviously get short changed, we speak up.

And...how far do you think that's gonna get you?

I find it telling about Mexican society that there could be examples of competing stations...One known to be corrupt...Yet still in operation. :rolleyes:

DavidE - 5-28-2010 at 10:35 AM

Have and have nots? Never ran into this down here. But I have encountered lots of "Have and Want More".

Time to go tend to the mangos, pineapples, cantaloupe, watermelon, anonas, and coconut palms. Daytime high 88, night time low 75.

DianaT - 5-28-2010 at 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dave

Quote:

Originally posted by DianaT If we obviously get short changed, we speak up.

And...how far do you think that's gonna get you?

Actually it has worked quite well---only had a real problem with asking once and that was in Nogalas on the mainland. Maybe the other times were an honest mistake, so no problem.

[Edited on 5-29-2010 by DianaT]

Cypress - 5-28-2010 at 02:27 PM

If you're overcharged for fuel what are you gonna do? Refuse to pay? File charges for fraud? Take 'em to court? Pescador and ncampion's take on the issue is in tune with the real world.

1bobo - 5-28-2010 at 04:02 PM

Here behind the redwood curtain we're used to being ripped off- just filled @ $3.21/gal regular, so ANYWHERE else is cheaper. Even if the meters at the Pemex are fixed, I'm still getting a deal there. Life's too short to sweat the small stuff.

wessongroup - 5-28-2010 at 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cypress
If you're overcharged for fuel what are you gonna do? Refuse to pay? File charges for fraud? Take 'em to court? Pescador and ncampion's take on the issue is in tune with the real world.

Totally agree with that ... who ya gona call, Ghost Busters :lol:

.... Ya gotta tip more... my price keeps going down and I'm getting more fuel ... and my windows are cleaner tii... plus one guy offered to share his breakfest burrito his mom had made for him... looked really good..

Agree don't sweat the small stuff... its all good..

$3.21?

Bajahowodd - 5-28-2010 at 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 1bobo
Here behind the redwood curtain we're used to being ripped off- just filled @ $3.21/gal regular, so ANYWHERE else is cheaper. Even if the meters at the Pemex are fixed, I'm still getting a deal there. Life's too short to sweat the small stuff.

Just to put a little leavening into this thread, things are somewhat out of control NOB, too. Regular near Disneyland right now is $2.89. I guess you have a higher quality product up there in NW CA.

cj5orion - 5-30-2010 at 04:52 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mulegejim
My idea is when I get to the Pemex station I have some pesos and the station has some fuel and when I leave I have less pesos but more fuel and the Pemex has less fuel but more pesos. Other than that, not much I can do about it except get higher blood pressure and more gray hair. Too many other things in life to worry me - some of which I may be able to do something about. Jim

DITTO !
fill it up...take my money...I'm going fishin ~!!!!

durrelllrobert - 5-31-2010 at 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd

Quote:

Just to put a little leavening into this thread, things are somewhat out of control NOB, too. Regular near Disneyland right now is $2.89. I guess you have a higher quality product up there in NW CA.

According to an interview with a NoCal refinery spokesman, people in the SF bay area happily pay more for gas than the SoCal people because they are more sophisticated :lol:

Bajatripper - 6-6-2010 at 11:39 AM

As someone who was raised in Southern Baja and has either been living in Mexico or traveling here frequently for almost 50 years, I've long ago accepted that crooked gas stations (as continuously documented by PROFECA) are part of the "adventure." Sure, you can raise a stink, but really, what good will it do? The guy you are yelling at probably doesn't even see any of the "excess profit." If complaints were effective, one of the first gas stations to open for business in La Paz, at Cinco de Mayo and Aquiles Serdan, would have been closed a long time ago.

I do agree, however, that change should ALWAYS be counted carefully. Many Pemex employees (as well as cashiers in general) will test foreigners' dominance and understanding of their currency--to put it diplomatically.

About the only time I had complete trust that the amount of gas I was getting was what was being paid for was during our family's travels on the old Baja road, when one bought gas at ranches, where it was served out of five-gallon army cans. Not much room for fudging there. Of course, they could pretty much charge whatever they chose as one didn't have many options back then.

Steve