BajaNomad - pemex lessons I have learned

pemex lessons I have learned

dirtbikr - 11-15-2011 at 09:28 AM

Most every trip to baja I learn things not to do next time I fill the tank. 1. Always watch them reset the pump, 2. If paying in dollars, what is the exhange rate, I have been told 10 to 1, 11 to 1 on the same day within eyesight of two different stations. when paying in dollars they will give you pesos in change at their advantage, so I usually just tell them an amout so there shouldnt be change if I can. One time I had a friendly guy distracting me, talking talking talking, while the guy to my back was somehow changing the pump, they tried to charge me 10 more liters than my truck tank could hold and my tank was on a quarter full when I came in! Then after they washed my windows I felt the need to tip. After I made my stink they changed their minds as to the amount to charge. Just be aware and observant. On the plus side I have had some of the best tamales I have ever had by a family in a worn out datsun station wagons ice chest.

DENNIS - 11-15-2011 at 09:33 AM

I wish Mexico would just quit taking dollars. It would be so much more peaceful down here without all the distrust and wasted caution.
It has nothing to do with your ordeal, DB. I'm just making an observation from all of the past turmoil the exchange has caused.

sanquintinsince73 - 11-15-2011 at 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by dirtbikr
Most every trip to baja I learn things not to do next time I fill the tank. 1. Always watch them reset the pump, 2. If paying in dollars, what is the exhange rate, I have been told 10 to 1, 11 to 1 on the same day within eyesight of two different stations. when paying in dollars they will give you pesos in change at their advantage, so I usually just tell them an amout so there shouldnt be change if I can. One time I had a friendly guy distracting me, talking talking talking, while the guy to my back was somehow changing the pump, they tried to charge me 10 more liters than my truck tank could hold and my tank was on a quarter full when I came in! Then after they washed my windows I felt the need to tip. After I made my stink they changed their minds as to the amount to charge. Just be aware and observant. On the plus side I have had some of the best tamales I have ever had by a family in a worn out datsun station wagons ice chest.

Also, make sure that they don't steal your gas cap....they do that in TJ alot and then re-sell them. If you get motor oil make sure it is a new container. What they do is save all of the old containers, drain them into one and sell it as new with different types of oil. Many times you are just getting a half-full container.

Barry A. - 11-15-2011 at 01:05 PM

My rules:

(1) Ck that pump meter is set to zero, then keep your eyes on it

(2) pay in pesos only

(3) take your own motor oil to Baja & put it in yourself.

The rest is too hard to figure out, so I don't bother.

Barry

DENNIS - 11-15-2011 at 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Barry A.
The rest is too hard to figure out, so I don't bother.

Barry

You mean like how they get six gallons of gas in a five gallon container?
That's a tough one, for sure. :lol:

Barry A. - 11-15-2011 at 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Originally posted by Barry A.
The rest is too hard to figure out, so I don't bother.

Barry

You mean like how they get six gallons of gas in a five gallon container?
That's a tough one, for sure. :lol:

It is when I don't have a "5 gallon" container with me, which I usually don't unless they are full and part of my "reserve".

Barry

rhintransit - 11-15-2011 at 01:42 PM

if you have a choice of stations where you live, watch where the locals go. there's always a line at the (more honest measure) one.

Pompano - 11-15-2011 at 02:01 PM

I have always trusted the pumps at the highway Pemex south of Mulege to be off a certain, accepted amount...but on Nov 8th for the first time since the station opened, I was short-changed quite a lot of cash in a dollar/peso transaction for 1900 pesos on the pump. My bad for having only dollars at the time, but it happens.

What goes around comes around....and usually hits a solid object and gets flattened.

tripledigitken - 11-15-2011 at 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pompano
I have always trusted the pumps at the highway Pemex south of Mulege to be off a certain, accepted amount...but on Nov 8th for the first time since the station opened, I was short-changed quite a lot of cash in a dollar/peso transaction for 1900 pesos on the pump. My bad for having only dollars at the time, but it happens.

What goes around comes around....and usually hits a solid object and gets flattened.

How is the one in town, assuming you can maneuver in a very tight lot?

(Come to think of it, it has been loaded with locals most every time I have looked. I think I answered my own question.) :lol:

[Edited on 11-15-2011 by tripledigitken]

Pompano - 11-15-2011 at 02:15 PM

It's okay and convenient to shopping downtown...and I fill the Jeep there...just NO diesel for my Cummins, or I would fill that too. I trust the attendant there, also. Never had a similar problem in town.

Bajahowodd - 11-15-2011 at 03:42 PM

Having fueled both at the Pemex in town, and the one South, I cannot recall anytime when I thought I got screwed.

That said, it seems to me that the tales of yesteryear about massive fraud at the pumps, had been put behind.

Just a guess on my behalf, but since there has been such a proliferation of Pemex stations, all franchised, and mostly designed to make their money on sales inside a convenience store, current alleged fraud is more likely driven by the desperation of folks who are living a a couple of dollars a day.

elfbrewery - 11-15-2011 at 04:04 PM

Our experiences have gone from bad to worse to perfect fill. You just can't count on one station to always give you a "proper" fill. One year we had a great fill at Villa Jesus Maria, and then the next year we got hit for a 30% loss (Easter time). However, in areas that have a large Mexican/Gringo ratio, you can find better fills. We have stopped at a PEMEX in Ensenada each year on our way North and received a good fill each time. But we won't count on it next year...
And believe me, there are more scams than you can be prepared for.

Bob and Susan - 11-15-2011 at 04:10 PM

this summer i ONLY had dollars and the attendent mis-unterstood me
it was a saturday and the bank was closed

they were going to give me credit for 2000 pesos until monday

when we talked again... they easily changed the dollars for pesos
but gave me too much change

i gave it back to be "even"

....i think this gas station in Mulege trys to be honest and takes care of its customers...

sometimes mistakes happen...even the other way

DENNIS - 11-15-2011 at 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob and Susan

sometimes mistakes happen...even the other way

They do. I had an attendant in one of the Maneadero stations chase my car down the road once to give me my change that I forgot. I thought that was pretty cool.

Ateo - 11-15-2011 at 04:26 PM

Does anyone know if Mexico has a Dept. of Weights and Measures? Seems like someone would be checking the dispensing amounts from time to time. The owner would want to also to make sure they're not giving away any extra gas.

DENNIS - 11-15-2011 at 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ateo
Does anyone know if Mexico has a Dept. of Weights and Measures? Seems like someone would be checking the dispensing amounts from time to time. The owner would want to also to make sure they're not giving away any extra gas.

Yes. They do, but they don't seem to be very efficient, besides, they probably have their price.
They also have PROFECO who will act on your complaint if you can prove it.
The egregious offenders would rather pay the fine than change their ways anyway. Just like the bar owners who still allow smoking.

Ateo - 11-15-2011 at 04:40 PM

Yeah Dennis, I forgot about most agencies in Mexico "having their price". :barf:

pemex ripoffs

bajagrouper - 11-20-2011 at 05:56 PM

I like the one where you give the attendant a 500 peso note, the guy doing the windows distracts you and the attendant shows you a 50 peso note and tells you thats what you gave him.........

twogringos - 11-20-2011 at 06:18 PM

The station south of Viscaino still takes a 20% premium at the pump, same as two years ago.

Bajahowodd - 11-21-2011 at 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by twogringos
The station south of Viscaino still takes a 20% premium at the pump, same as two years ago.

Just wonder how it is, after so many posted complaints about that station, anyone would still patronize it?

Have to admit to recently stopping there so one of our group could use the potty. Inside the bare office sat four guys playing cards. No store. No nothing.

At the entrance to the restrooms was a table upon which was a roll of TP and a tip jar.

And, there was a sign on the front door that stated the restrooms were for customers only.

rob - 11-21-2011 at 06:49 PM

I was given specific advice on which pump to go to at the San Ignacio PEMEX today. I proudly drove up to it - politely refused a packet of dates (palm) from a charming young lady and turned back to the pump - which after about 5 seconds was just nearing $190MN.

Yep - this grizzled old gringo had just been taken - again . . .

Skipjack Joe - 11-21-2011 at 07:55 PM

The last time I saw Santa Rosalia.

The attendant finishes pumping and walks me to the meter. It shows 620 pesos. I give him 1000 pesos. He gives me 280 in change. I tell him he still owes me 100 pesos.

No senor. Look it,s 620. 30,40,50,60, 70, 80 , 90 - plus 200 is 1000.

No senor. It's 620. 30,40,50,60, 70, 80 , 90 , 700 plus 300 is 1000.

Ay caramba, esto pendejo. Senor mira - 30,40,50,60, 70, 80 , 90 - plus 200 is 1000.

What's going on here. Either this guy can't count or he's taking me for a fool. I repeat the numbers again.

The whole thing has escalated to a shouting match. "NO SENOR. I WILL NOT GIVE YOU THE MONEY".

Will you use the calculator? He presses 1000, then enters 620, and then the minus sign.

He looks dumbfounded at the screen showing 380. Puts his hand in his pocket and hands me 100 pesos.

<sometimes people just make mistakes>

woody with a view - 11-22-2011 at 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Skipjack Joe
The last time I saw Santa Rosalia.

The attendant finishes pumping and walks me to the meter. It shows 620 pesos. I give him 1000 pesos. He gives me 280 in change. I tell him he still owes me 100 pesos.

No senor. Look it,s 620. 30,40,50,60, 70, 80 , 90 - plus 200 is 1000.

No senor. It's 620. 30,40,50,60, 70, 80 , 90 , 700 plus 300 is 1000.

Ay caramba, esto pendejo. Senor mira - 30,40,50,60, 70, 80 , 90 - plus 200 is 1000.

What's going on here. Either this guy can't count or he's taking me for a fool. I repeat the numbers again.

The whole thing has escalated to a shouting match. "NO SENOR. I WILL NOT GIVE YOU THE MONEY".

Will you use the calculator? He presses 1000, then enters 620, and then the minus sign.

He looks dumbfounded at the screen showing 380. Puts his hand in his pocket and hands me 100 pesos.

<sometimes people just make mistakes>

mcfez - 11-22-2011 at 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS
I wish Mexico would just quit taking dollars. It would be so much more peaceful down here without all the distrust and wasted caution.
It has nothing to do with your ordeal, DB. I'm just making an observation from all of the past turmoil the exchange has caused.

Boy ol boy...you hit this one right on the bullseye!

I've gone to the new station next to the El Dorado for fuel....and twice it was demanded that I have exact change. I suppose the feller there at the time...could not deal with the exchange calculation either!

durrelllrobert - 11-22-2011 at 11:41 AM

A brazen attendant at the PEMEX with the 7-11 across from the military airbase on Reforma in Ensenada told me that he added 50 P to the amont on the pump to coiver his services. When I told him 10P was enough for washing the front and rear window he insisted that he keep 50P of my change or he would call the policia. I went inside the 7-11 but there was no manager there: just a young female clerk. Needless to say that Pemex no longer has my business.