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pemex bandits

bajabrant - 3-21-2014 at 05:07 PM

i'll start it off---pass up mulege for fuel--short liters--any others to avoid ?

KaceyJ - 3-21-2014 at 05:15 PM

FWIW

We just filled jerry cans at the Pemex just North of the marina in Santa Rosalia and 19 liters brought it right up to the 5 gal. line

David K - 3-21-2014 at 05:22 PM

The northern-most two Pemex stations in Santa Rosalia are questionable, but the one at the north side of the harbor was good. The original Pemex (across the highway from the harbor) was so bad it had been closed down...

San Ignacio is suspect as in the one in Loreto along the road into town... supposedly owned by the same bandito as has the bad ones in Santa Rosalia.

That said, maybe a list of the for sure honest Pemex stations is a shorter list:
#1 Baja Cactus Pemex, El Rosario!

Alm - 3-21-2014 at 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by KaceyJ
We just filled jerry cans at the Pemex just North of the marina in Santa Rosalia and 19 liters brought it right up to the 5 gal. line

3 ounces missing, I would call this "almost honest". Was it the one with fancy new store attached?

DENNIS - 3-21-2014 at 05:45 PM

It just won't be the same any more. Getting rid of gas station crooks will be like getting rid of enchiladas. :lol:

DavidE - 3-21-2014 at 05:49 PM

I wouldn't kiss-off the enchiladas anytime soon amigo.

DENNIS - 3-21-2014 at 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DavidE
I wouldn't kiss-off the enchiladas anytime soon amigo.

I don't know, David. With the price of gas rising regularly, people are starting to feel the pain.
The constant mordida crap for the locals will be getting much needed popular attention one of these days as well. Can't wait for that backlash.

Udo - 3-21-2014 at 06:06 PM

I'm all in favor of listing the honest gas stations in Baja.

I'm with DK...
Let's start with:
Baja Cactus,..

BTW...there is now a Facebook page that addresses the short changers. It has been posted that the local municipality that the PEMEX is in, can not do anything about the dishonesty of a gas station.
I will mention, however, that the main PEMEX on Mex1 in Loreto is pretty bad on their liter count. I know we were on fumes in the FJ. The book says the FJ holds a 16.5 gallon tank, but somehow the station managed to put in 21 gallons or just short of 80 liters.

Ateo - 3-21-2014 at 06:34 PM

I hope all of us will let the station know if their pumps are over-dispensing. It happens in the USA. South of the border you would think it would happen from time to time too!!!

Honesty goes both ways.

dasubergeek - 3-21-2014 at 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Udo

I will mention, however, that the main PEMEX on Mex1 in Loreto is pretty bad on their liter count. I know we were on fumes in the FJ. The book says the FJ holds a 16.5 gallon tank, but somehow the station managed to put in 21 gallons or just short of 80 liters.

This happened to me on Mex3 in San Antonio de las Minas... more liters than my tank holds. I called over a patrulla who happened to be there, showed the Spanish version of my truck's manual, and refused to pay the overage.

Cliffy - 3-22-2014 at 06:31 AM

It would be a huge help if all you "residents" down along Baja would contribute to this thread and note the good Pamex stations that are in your area. I have notes gleaned from pages and pages of reading here that I will codify into a list, as soon as I have time, to add to this thread.
Thanks, this is a worthwhile endeavor for everyone!

Is the mantra- "look for a station loaded with locals, avoid any station without local plates in it" ?

I'M ALSO GOING TO MARK A GAS CAN HERE IN THE STATES TO SEE JUST HOW ACCURATE OUR STATIONS ARE BEFORE I GET TO BAJA NEXT MONTH.

Russ - 3-22-2014 at 06:46 AM

Yes, The one on the water side. There are two the southerly one with the store has been good to me. Clean restrooms and a fairly well stocked store for travel goods. Also takes credit cards but no idea about charges or exchange rates. I have not tried the other one on the water side.

Quote:

Originally posted by Alm

Quote:

Originally posted by KaceyJ
We just filled jerry cans at the Pemex just North of the marina in Santa Rosalia and 19 liters brought it right up to the 5 gal. line

3 ounces missing, I would call this "almost honest". Was it the one with fancy new store attached?

KaceyJ - 3-22-2014 at 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Russ
Yes, The one on the water side. There are two the southerly one with the store has been good to me. Clean restrooms and a fairly well stocked store for travel goods. Also takes credit cards but no idea about charges or exchange rates. I have not tried the other one on the water side.

Quote:

Originally posted by Alm

Quote:

Originally posted by KaceyJ
We just filled jerry cans at the Pemex just North of the marina in Santa Rosalia and 19 liters brought it right up to the 5 gal. line

3 ounces missing, I would call this "almost honest". Was it the one with fancy new store attached?

Close enough to not question it , I'm not going to carry around a graduated cylinder for accurate measurement

More importantly is the particular stations exchange rate , they can set it to whatever they want.

Antonio always gives the fairest exchange, approaching the daily bank rate so I don't hesitate to use gringo dineros there but in Cachinia right now you'll only get 11 to 1 so that makes the price pergallon appx $4.30 for magna and $4.53 for diesel. So best to use pesos

12.5pesos/l X 3.785l/Gal X 1dollar/ 13pesos = $3.64 /Gal (magna)

12.5pesos/l X 3.785 l/Gal X 1dollar /11pesos = $4.30/ Gal (magna)

[Edited on 3-22-2014 by KaceyJ]

Pescador - 3-22-2014 at 07:49 AM

I guess I will never understand why someone would want to use dollars as far south as Santa Rosalia. With all of the new banking regulations and the hardhsip this puts on businesses as well as private people, it is irresponsible to use dollars.

Sandlefoot - 3-22-2014 at 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pescador
I guess I will never understand why someone would want to use dollars as far south as Santa Rosalia. With all of the new banking regulations and the hardhsip this puts on businesses as well as private people, it is irresponsible to use dollars.

After all this is Mexico!!!! Did it ever occur to those that use USD here why they don't accept Peso's in the states. I know here in Mexico they take USD to accommodate tourists. But we need to maintain some respect for this country and use their currency Use the proper financial exchange media for the country you are in.

All is well in La Paz

Happy Trails

mtgoat666 - 3-22-2014 at 09:17 AM

Quote:

It's not irresponsible. There are 2 sides in the transaction, and each side makes its choices. If the vendor doesn't want USD, he/she can say so. If vendor agrees to accept USD, then he/she can set exchange rate that makes it worth his/her effort, eh?

bajabuddha - 3-22-2014 at 10:15 AM

There's more than one way to skin a cat (the other white meat) when it comes to ripping off at the Pemex... that's in making change for USD when you only have $20's. If you get back an inordinately large sum of small deominations of pesos as change, where it makes it time consuming and difficult to sit and count out the whole mess and make sure the exchange rate was correct and the return change was correct, you may find yourself shorted some pesos there as well; especially if you're on the road travelling and in need of making miles/time. I had that happen in El Rosario once, and lost a good 15 minutes hashing and re-hashing with the attendant. I got my pesos back, and haven't used USD since... EVER. Know your ATM's. My first stop is the bank just before Maneadero, and if the machine is down i hit the Calimax.

honda1013 - 3-22-2014 at 10:34 AM

Like one can tell if it is honest, taxis drive all day, so if a taxi should know how much liters he actually needs, then you see a taxis filling up at a pemex then most likely it is a good station.

DavidE - 3-22-2014 at 10:52 AM

What is a dolár? Those funny looking banknotes that are useless?

Ateo - 3-22-2014 at 11:13 AM

I only tend to pay attention to the reports here where someone used an actual measuring device. There are definitely reports where they put 15 gallons in a 10 gallon tank, but I have never come across that myself. It's just so hard to really tell anything without a proper measuring device being used.

willardguy - 3-22-2014 at 11:26 AM

well there you have it, a pemex bandit and a pemex honest thread. how about a hot chick pemex attendant thread? I don't know who the hombre is that does the hiring at the far south rosarito pemex but he needs his nozzle bronzed! these must be the cutest pemex pumpin senorita's on the peninsula. makes ya not care if you come up a few ounces short or not. :biggrin:

Ateo - 3-22-2014 at 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by willardguy
well there you have it, a pemex bandit and a pemex honest thread. how about a hot chick pemex attendant thread? I don't know who the hombre is that does the hiring at the far south rosarito pemex but he needs his nozzle bronzed! these must be the cutest pemex pumpin senorita's on the peninsula. makes ya not care if you come up a few ounces short or not.:big grin:

I've seen what you're talking about and all I can say is my wife tells me I tip them too much!!!

DavidE - 3-22-2014 at 02:20 PM

"BARKEEP why're my drinks vapporatin' so quick?"

Things That Grow
Antler Points, length and weight of fish, how fast my first car was, how many dozens of beers I used to hold without ------

Things That Shrink
Remembering promises, Liter deliveries at a gasolinera. The number of selfless good deeds.

willardguy - 3-22-2014 at 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ateo

Quote:

I've seen what you're talking about and all I can say is my wife tells me I tip them too much!!!

I can't believe I haven't bought a bottle of whatever it is they try to sell you!

Russ - 3-22-2014 at 05:26 PM

You don't have to know exactly how much your being cheated. If they but 26 or so liters in a 5 gallon tank ... something there should tell you you've been had. That's pretty much how I figured out the old SR and both the Mulege station were ripping me off.

Quote:

Originally posted by Ateo
I only tend to pay attention to the reports here where someone used an actual measuring device. There are definitely reports where they put 15 gallons in a 10 gallon tank, but I have never come across that myself. It's just so hard to really tell anything without a proper measuring device being used.

mtgoat666 - 3-25-2014 at 10:53 AM

questions for you Pemex aficionados:

which Pemex in San Quintin has the most honest pumps? (there seem to be 3 in a short stretch in SQ, which one is honest?)

which Pemex in Guerrero Negro rips you off the least?

Osprey - 3-25-2014 at 11:32 AM

Goat, now I can see clearly that your world view is measured in inches, not meters. Pemex stations sell gas. When you make them your banker you are yoyo (as they say in the Army -- you're on your own). From the seller's point of view you pay in pesos or go on down the road. Can't you ever put one toe in somebody else's sandals?

vgabndo - 3-25-2014 at 03:32 PM

I just filled three portable gas cans at the Pemex on the West when entering Vizcaino from the North. 3.9 liters + 3.9 liters + 7.1 liters. 14.9 liters total. They were all filled to the "line" as it turned-out. That station put 17.25 liters in those three red cans.

That would be 2.5 gallons short on a 25 gallon fill-up if my poor math serves me correctly.

That's the first station when you get to town from the north, there are two more options available. One in the center of town on the east side, and one outside of town on the south. I don't know if they too are ripping people off. I have a Mexican friend who will eat tacos at a stand at the parking lot of the Ripoff Pemex, then drive to the middle of town to fill his tank! Now I know why.

[Edited on 3-25-2014 by vgabndo]

DavidE - 3-25-2014 at 04:07 PM

I use the one in the center of Moscaino, and I notice I see a lot of other Asuncioneros there as well. If an individual would first fill a translucent gas container at a major in the USA to 5 gallons, then check that level against "fill it to that line" in a given gasolinera I would feel more comfortable with a report.

Udo - 3-25-2014 at 05:22 PM

I now know to go to that station, instead of the one at the north end of town.
I always wondered why I got filled up to about 18 gallons with about 2 gallons left in a 16 gallon tank! But I just rolled with the punches for convenience sake.

Quote:

Originally posted by vgabndo
I just filled three portable gas cans at the Pemex on the West when entering Vizcaino from the North. 3.9 liters + 3.9 liters + 7.1 liters. 14.9 liters total. They were all filled to the "line" as it turned-out. That station put 17.25 liters in those three red cans.

That would be 2.5 gallons short on a 25 gallon fill-up if my poor math serves me correctly.

That's the first station when you get to town from the north, there are two more options available. One in the center of town on the east side, and one outside of town on the south. I don't know if they too are ripping people off. I have a Mexican friend who will eat tacos at a stand at the parking lot of the Ripoff Pemex, then drive to the middle of town to fill his tank! Now I know why.

[Edited on 3-25-2014 by vgabndo]

rts551 - 3-25-2014 at 06:29 PM

I am surprised. While I always filled up with Diesel, they were always accurate and for the longest time the only game in town. I know the owners and will ask what is going on and relay your messages. The Center station is partially owned by the Diaz distribution family (you see their trucks delivering fuel from Santa Rosalia). They seem to be honest. Do NOT, Do not use the station South of town. You very seldom see anyone in their station. Those bandits know me well as I sent pictures to PEMEX (to no avail). I was also warned to stay away if I wanted to stay healthy.

Quote:

vgabndo - 3-25-2014 at 06:43 PM

Thanks rts...I wouldn't have made a point of it, but the cans are pretty well topped-off, and it would be really impossible to get two and third more liters in the cans. A third maybe.

rts551 - 3-25-2014 at 07:12 PM

No problem. The family gets motorcycle parts from me sometimes. SO no big deal.

woody with a view - 3-25-2014 at 08:59 PM

the los pinos pemex at south end of SQ is pretty good. clean toilets and a nice store. we usually stop here. El Rosario used to be a stop but it is always too busy. we try to just get thru town since La Mijita closed down....

micah202 - 3-25-2014 at 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DavidE
What is a dolár? Those funny looking banknotes that are useless?

....mannn,,,if you think those are useless,,,you should try canadian!!

dtbushpilot - 3-26-2014 at 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by woody with a view
the los pinos pemex at south end of SQ is pretty good. clean toilets and a nice store. we usually stop here. El Rosario used to be a stop but it is always too busy. we try to just get thru town since La Mijita closed down....

Same here, we use Los Pinos going north and south. Haven't used the ER Pemex in a couple of years.

DavidE - 3-26-2014 at 02:18 PM

You know "Crime Scene Tape"? You can get a huge roll of it imprinted with the word

IMMOVILIZADO

In the states. Black letters on yellow tape. Sneak into the station when it is closed and wrap the tape round and round the pumps.

Personnel and managers arrive, see the tape and have a ---- fit. It is a gross felony to remove IMMOVILZADO tape from a combistible dispenser. It'll take them two or three days to figure out they've been had. The public meanwhile, drives in, sees the wrapped pumps and then the ---- really hits the fan. They will NEVER believe the tape was a prank.

But doing this stunt is a serious crime in itself. The scenario is offered as a form of entertainment of "What If's"...

liking the attitude

susaninlapaz - 3-27-2014 at 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mtgoat666

Quote:

I really am glad to find people who seem to feel the way I do about Mexico and Mexicans--love them, and that's why I have lived here for more than 5 years--and about what constitutes good manners for English-speakers here. As someone else mentioned, before an English-speaker complains about a perceived lack of "good" business practice here in Mexico--such as a vendor who either does not accept dollars or does not care what the internet says is the exchange rate of the day, or a business with no English-speaking staff--they would do well to ask themselves what their attitude would be if a Mexican were in the USA and 1. could not speak English 2. wanted to pay with pesos and 3. thought every person who made less money than they do was their servant and existed to make them happy/comfortable/feel as if they were still in the USA/Canada. I hope those kind of people--gringos in the original and negative meaning of the word--stay in a big hotel in Cabo and leave the rest of the Baja to people who want to be in MEXICO!

Ateo - 3-27-2014 at 02:17 PM

Anyone ever been shorted at Baja Cactus in El Rosario?

David K - 3-27-2014 at 02:28 PM

Not by the owner... Baja Cactus pumps are 100% accurate, and if a pump operator ever takes advantage of a customer, Antonio goes into action and refunds any cheating and that attendant is looking for another job. Antonio pays higher than he is required to, so he can keep quality people to be honest with customers.

DavidE - 3-27-2014 at 03:01 PM

This is one reason gasolinistas across Mexico are hiring more and more female attendants. When my dad retired 40 years ago and ran a gas station in Lake Tahoe, the male attendants seemed to have lots of problems with short cash drawer counts. Same with gas delivery shipments - had the tanker driver himself stick the tanks with the gauge then verify the delivered amount. My dad insisted on having the dispensers verified once every two months. The commercial customers used to drive in and see Jim Hatlin's Bureau of Weights and Measures pickup parked to one side, and remark "That's why we do business here".

Hate to tell you the percentage of "erroneous pumps" found in minority owned gas stations in the USA. One BWM inspector told me the BWM inspectors were "overwhelmed" in Los Angeles. The problem is definitely not just south of the border. Finding an accurate dispenser in San Francisco's Chinatown is about as likely as finding an accurate dispenser in Culiacan Sinaloa.

greengoes - 3-27-2014 at 03:34 PM

mtgoat666 - 3-27-2014 at 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Baja Cactus pumps are 100% accurate,

that's not possible to maintain over time. everything has variability, every mechanical system drifts from calibration,

and you should discuss his pumps precision. they may be achieve high accuracy but precision could be off. i suppose if precision error was in my favor, i would be happy with his outstanding accuracy :bounce:

Ateo - 3-27-2014 at 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DavidE

Hate to tell you the percentage of "erroneous pumps" found in minority owned gas stations in the USA. One BWM inspector told me the BWM inspectors were "overwhelmed" in Los Angeles. The problem is definitely not just south of the border. Finding an accurate dispenser in San Francisco's Chinatown is about as likely as finding an accurate dispenser in Culiacan Sinaloa.

I don't agree.

These are my customers you're talking about : Americans, Iraqis, Iranians, Chinese, Koreans, Mexicans, Indian. I have found no evidence pointing at "minority owned" gas stations in the last 10 years of reviewing Weights & Measures inspection reports indicating they're cheating the public. No tampering has ever been found at these facilities. No consistent overages while reviewing their inventory reconciliation records. There are blips in either direction

Pumps go out of calibration. Sometimes in the customer's favor. Sometimes in the gas station's favor. Weights & Measures is there to sort it out, and they do.

It ain't perfect.

I'm not stating anything here about Mexico - only the USA.

Oh, and one of my facilities is in a major city's Chinatown. It's owned my a Persian. I will check his last W&M inspection and get back to ya.

Playful tone here, not trying to sound argumentative.

:tumble:

Ateo - 3-27-2014 at 04:43 PM

Oh and let me just state for the record that I'm not saying Baja's pumps are perfect. I know that some of my posts here may come off like that. That is not my intention. I'm only here to provide a little "balance", like Fox news does.

:LOL: :lol:

Eyewitness reports of gas tanks being filled with 12 gallons in a 10 gallon tank, I tend to dismiss.

Verifiable measuring devices being shorted, I would definitely give weight to.

Call the authorities if you think you've been shorted.

Ateo - 3-27-2014 at 04:49 PM

Ateo - 3-27-2014 at 04:51 PM

David K - 3-27-2014 at 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mtgoat666

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Baja Cactus pumps are 100% accurate,

Okay, then is 100% non-dicked-with something you do understand? :lol:

Justbozo - 3-27-2014 at 09:11 PM

Recently took a trip from Mulege to La Paz, Mex 1 (mountain road) to San Jose Del Cabo, the length of East Cape Road to Mex 1, La Paz and Mulege. Purchased gasoline in Mulege (south), Loreto (highway, near hospital), La Paz (Mex 1 near airport road), all fill ups.
Always use Pesos, I am in Mexico. Get out of the truck. Count my change, tried to short me 100 pesos in La Paz.
Followed trucks at 15 mph both ways thru the mountains, and crawled over East Cape road.
I didn't do any measuring of dispensed fuel just the number of liters and total miles driven by trip meter.
Full size GM truck got 20.2 MPG. I don't think I got shorted too bad!

mtgoat666 - 3-28-2014 at 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K

Quote:

Originally posted by mtgoat666

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Baja Cactus pumps are 100% accurate,

Okay, then is 100% non-dicked-with something you do understand?

Do you realize that you are so smitten with Baja cactus that you are incapable of objectivity re that particular establishment?

Do people really stick their dicks in gas pumps? :lol:

greengoes - 3-28-2014 at 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mtgoat666

Do people really stick their dicks in gas pumps? :lol:

I usually stay out of this side of the forum but a question like that makes it sooooo difficult.