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Boshvideo
Nomad
Posts: 137
Registered: 6-12-2007
Location: Philly
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Mood: chill
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Gas Man
Much has been said on this forum about the gas pump guys at the various Pemex stations.
As a first timer, can anyone offer advise to how to keep them honest, to avoid getting ripped off and to make the transaction a positive one?
many thanks.
It\'s easier to get forgiveness then permission.
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15939
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
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Mood: Everchangin'
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always get out of your vehicle BEFORE you tell the guy which fuel you want so that you can watch the display. watch that the pump is re-set to ZERO
(or starts at ZERO and doesn't start pumping while the display says 100, 200 etc). ask the guy to clean your windows. pay in pesos so you get the
proper rate (no math conversions in their favor).
give the guy a 10 peso "tip" and be on your way!
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Boshvideo
Nomad
Posts: 137
Registered: 6-12-2007
Location: Philly
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Mood: chill
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Thanks Woody,
Will the display show the exact peso amount?
It\'s easier to get forgiveness then permission.
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9010
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
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Mood: Inquisitive
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Get a locking gas cap. Make sure you see the pump zeroed out before letting them proceed with pumping. Stay with them the entire time.....I mean stand
right THERE, dont be futzing around in the cab or the back.....STAY RIGHT THERE.
If a "malfunction" occurs with the pump, make them stop and pay for that portion before they begin pumping again.
Personally, I prefer to pay at the window when I get a chance.
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Boshvideo
Nomad
Posts: 137
Registered: 6-12-2007
Location: Philly
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Mood: chill
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So, I can pay the "pumper" or at the window?
It\'s easier to get forgiveness then permission.
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bajabound2005
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2760
Registered: 10-15-2005
Location: Punta Banda, BCN
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Mood: words cannot describe...
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and don't ask them to fill it! they ALWAYS overfill trying to get to an even amt on the meter. Tell them$200 pesos or $300 pesos - whatever it takes
to fill your tank. If we are close to E we get $300 pesos (16 gallon tank) and that takes 'er pretty much to the top. And I agree, don't pay in
dollars; the exchange rate at Pemex (and Costco) is particularly low.
It appears that most if not all the pumps have now been replaced by new pumps that automatically reset to zero. In any case, the pumpers (9 times out
of 10) will point out to you that it says zero. They automatically clean our windows, always the front, usually the front and back, and most recently
ALL of them!
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
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Mood: Full Time Residents
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forget the locking cap....
too many problems with newer cars...and...
you'll lose the key
like woody says "stand right there"
do nothing else until you're gassed
then drive around to go use the restroom
ONLY tip if you get EXTRA service
otherwise pay the amount on the pump
like hook says...
if for some reason the pump stops and you need more gas
pay for the first pump then continue
Don't combine amounts....
then NO TIP no matter what
you can pay pumper
or in some stations you must go to the window like the states
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Boshvideo
Nomad
Posts: 137
Registered: 6-12-2007
Location: Philly
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Mood: chill
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And am I correct that all transactions must be in cash?
It\'s easier to get forgiveness then permission.
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
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Mood: Full Time Residents
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diesel side...fill it to the top
you NEVER want to run out of gas
not much gas from el rosario to villa jesus maria
they never wash my windows
trucks too high
well i cant say never...antonios boys wash my windows
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15939
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
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Mood: Everchangin'
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plan on carrying cash. some stations accept credit/debit cards BUT how do you know what they do with your card info after you leave? maybe they run
the card again and it takes you a month to get your statement and......pay in cash.
get pesos at the BANK ATM. best exchange rates and you'll only be carrying a few hundred dollars at a time.
what else?
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Dave
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6005
Registered: 11-5-2002
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Here's a thought...
| Quote: | Originally posted by Boshvideo
Much has been said on this forum about the gas pump guys at the various Pemex stations.
As a first timer, can anyone offer advise to how to keep them honest, to avoid getting ripped off and to make the transaction a positive one?
many thanks. |
Fill it yourself. Go to the caja, pay and then pump. If you feel guilty about it then have them wash your windows and tip them for that.
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El Jefe
Super Nomad
Posts: 1027
Registered: 10-27-2003
Location: South East Cape
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There is also the old trick of the attendant switching the 500 peso note you gave him for a 50 peso note. Then he looks at you like, hey man you only
gave me 50 pesos. You get all flumoxed and give him another 500 thinking maybe I did make a mistake.
Always count the money out to the attendant as you give it to him. Then he and you know exactly what he has taken from you.
No b-tchin\' in the Baja.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64858
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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IF heading to central or south Baja:
Don't stop for 1st fuel until the Baja Cactus Pemex, El Rosario, 225 miles from the border... Open 24/7, honest pumps, and honest attendants... or you
can fill it yourself. Credit cards accepted with just the bank's % added. The exchange rate is posted and is the same as the bank's if you want to use
dollars.
Best of all, it it owned by a Baja Nomad!  
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bajamigo
Super Nomad
Posts: 1218
Registered: 6-17-2006
Location: Punta Banda, BC
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Mood: hubimos llegado
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Call me crazy, but I don't think the gas guys are nearly as bad as some of these responses indicate. I've been fortunate enough never to have been
ripped off, although I couldn't tell if the pump was 100% accurate. As a group, I think they're trustworthy enough.
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Debra
Super Nomad
Posts: 2101
Registered: 10-31-2002
Location: Port Orchard Wa./Bahia de Los Angeles BC
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FYI, % rate at Baja Cactus is 5% using a card, which I'm more than happy to pay for the service, less cash I have to worry about. Antionio's is
like an oasis for me on a long hard drive from/to Seattle, Gas, clean restrooms, friendly attendents. Thanks BajaCactus, you do it well.
Mean people suck!
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BajaWarrior
Super Nomad
Posts: 2307
Registered: 9-27-2006
Location: Mission Bay, San Diego. Playa Hermosa, San Felipe.
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Mood: Anxious to get south
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Had great service in San Quintin the yesterday.
Zero pump, she (attendant) fueled the truck, washed the windshield (she had a ladder).
$91 dollars later, I registered a full tank, did the quick math, right on the money.
However, did get nailed once in Guererro Negro, and once in Santa Rosalia, years ago.
We've never had a problem in San Felipe either.
I like the newer stations with the digital readout.
Haven't had a bad trip yet....
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BajaBruno
Super Nomad
Posts: 1035
Registered: 9-6-2006
Location: Back in CA
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Mood: Happy
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I had an interesting experience at the station north of Guerrero Negro recently. The fellow was very attentive and washed the windows, but I was
tired and handed him a 500 peso note, a 100, and a 50, for a 525 peso bill. I guess my mind was still on the Loreto station, which earlier charged me
right about 625 pesos for a little less fuel.
He took the money, rechecked the pump, smiled, and handed me back the 100 peso note, plus the 25 pesos in change. Nice guy. I was impressed.
Christopher Bruno, Elk Grove, CA.
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Dave
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6005
Registered: 11-5-2002
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| Quote: | Originally posted by BajaBruno
He took the money, rechecked the pump, smiled, and handed me back the 100 peso note, plus the 25 pesos in change. Nice guy. I was impressed.
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Why impressed? What made his job performance impressive?
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Lee
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3508
Registered: 10-2-2006
Location: High in the Colorado Rockies
Member Is Offline
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Honesty is impressive in Baja?
| Quote: | Originally posted by Dave
| Quote: | Originally posted by BajaBruno
He took the money, rechecked the pump, smiled, and handed me back the 100 peso note, plus the 25 pesos in change. Nice guy. I was impressed.
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Why impressed? What made his job performance impressive? |
I have a locking gas cap on my RV. I don't want gas being pumped without me being there. My car has a gas lever inside I need to flip to access
the gas cap outside. I flip it open as I am about to get out of the car. I, too, walk up to the pump and check the numbers (zero is ideal) and
always say fill it. I don't leave the pump while gas is being pumped. I generally make small talk with the attendant. I tip whether I have the
windows cleaned or not. 10 pesos. I always count out my money showing it to the attendant as I count it. I've never had a problem.
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beachbum1A
Nomad
Posts: 442
Registered: 6-17-2006
Location: Punta Banda, BC
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by woody in ob
give the guy a 10 peso "tip" and be on your way! |
Really!? A 10 peso tip just for washing your windshield? I realize Mexico is definately a country where tipping is expected for a lot of services that
we don't tip for in the US-like baggers in the grocery stores, or services the US doesn't have like men in parking lots who assist you with loading
your groceries or backing your vehicle out when you leave, etc.. Maybe someone could start another post with some suggestions and tips on tipping in
Baja?
Just do it!
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