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surebought
Junior Nomad
Posts: 84
Registered: 11-30-2009
Location: Ensenada
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Mexican Gas Stations - New Variables - New Stategies.
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.
In a while the smile on my face turned to plaster.
Stick around while the clown who is sick, does the trick of disaster. Neil Young from Mr Soul.
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Dave
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6005
Registered: 11-5-2002
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| 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.
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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. 
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KAT54
Nomad
Posts: 263
Registered: 3-7-2006
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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?
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
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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.
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durrelllrobert
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7393
Registered: 11-22-2007
Location: Punta Banda BC
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Mood: thriving in Baja
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| 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.
Bob Durrell
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Pescador
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3587
Registered: 10-17-2002
Location: Baja California Sur
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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.
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torch
Nomad
Posts: 295
Registered: 1-27-2010
Location: O.C. Calif. and BCN
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Pescador
Some people need a check up from the neck up. |
EXACTLY
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torch
Nomad
Posts: 295
Registered: 1-27-2010
Location: O.C. Calif. and BCN
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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.
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surebought
Junior Nomad
Posts: 84
Registered: 11-30-2009
Location: Ensenada
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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.
In a while the smile on my face turned to plaster.
Stick around while the clown who is sick, does the trick of disaster. Neil Young from Mr Soul.
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Osprey
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3694
Registered: 5-23-2004
Location: Baja Ca. Sur
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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.
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durrelllrobert
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7393
Registered: 11-22-2007
Location: Punta Banda BC
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Mood: thriving in Baja
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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
Bob Durrell
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Donjulio
Nomad
Posts: 376
Registered: 5-19-2009
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| 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
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DavidE
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3814
Registered: 12-1-2003
Location: Baja California México
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Mood: 'At home we demand facts and get them. In Mexico one subsists on rumor and never demands anything.' Charles Flandrau,
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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.
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oladulce
Super Nomad
Posts: 1625
Registered: 5-30-2005
Location: bcs
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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.
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Mexicorn
Senior Nomad
Posts: 772
Registered: 9-15-2009
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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
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
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Me Too
| 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. |
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.
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MitchMan
Super Nomad
Posts: 1856
Registered: 3-9-2009
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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.
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805gregg
Super Nomad
Posts: 1344
Registered: 5-21-2006
Location: Ojai, Ca
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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.
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DavidE
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3814
Registered: 12-1-2003
Location: Baja California México
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Mood: 'At home we demand facts and get them. In Mexico one subsists on rumor and never demands anything.' Charles Flandrau,
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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.
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mulegejim
Nomad
Posts: 470
Registered: 9-4-2006
Location: San Clemente, CA/Mulege, BCS
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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
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