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dasubergeek
Senior Nomad
Posts: 694
Registered: 8-17-2013
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Short liters in Tijuana... sigh...
So this Sunday I was very low on gas and filled up at the Pemex on Clouthier off Insurgentes, near El Trompo. Hazme el lleno con Magna, por favor...
106 liters later...
Really?
Yes, señor. Your truck was very thirsty.
Well that's funny, the truck only has a 98-liter tank.
Oh no señor, these big trucks have 135-liter tanks.
No they don't. That's the three-quarter ton. Look, here's the manual, in Spanish. [I have the page marked.] 26 galones, 98 litros. How did you put 106
liters in a 98-liter tank?
I don't know, señor. I can't explain it.
Why don't we ask PROFECO tomorrow? I hear they have containers that are exactly one liter, and they dispense a liter from your pump into the
container, and if it doesn't fill up the container then they close the gasolinera and fine the owner por tratar de estafar a los clientes...
Let me get the patrón...
I ended up paying for 94 liters, which was still probably a bit high but at least not an obvious ripoff. I'm not used to the ripoff right in the
middle of Tijuana... I wonder if these guys are on the lista negra??
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64755
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Good for you! 
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Whale-ista
Super Nomad
Posts: 2009
Registered: 2-18-2013
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
Mood: Sunny with chance of whales
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I loathe buying gas in GN. I have only been shortchanged at stations there, in all my travels thru Baja. Other places have been generally honest.
This trip it was not the liters, it was the exchange rate: when my debit card was rejected (twice) and I had to pay in US$, their exchange was 11:1
vs. 12.6 at Cactus in El Rosario a few days later. The Internet cafe across the street from the station (I used their wifi) was also 12:1
Unfortunately, I didn't think to walk into the adjacent ATM in the same parking lot, before buying gas, so I would have had pesos at closer to 13:1.
For some reason, the debit card worked at the ATM a few minutes after being refused at the pump...shortly followed by a call from the card
security office, verifying it was me using it. Sigh...
I try to believe this all evens out in the grand scheme of things, but from now on I will get gas at the 28th parallel Pemex, not in GN.
\"Probably the airplanes will bring week-enders from Los Angeles before long, and the beautiful poor bedraggled old town will bloom with a
Floridian ugliness.\" (John Steinbeck, 1940, discussing the future of La Paz, BCS, Mexico)
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vandy
Senior Nomad
Posts: 538
Registered: 10-10-2003
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But you have to realize:
Without the misreading gas pimps
there wouldn't be new Pemexes (Pemices?) popping up
every few days.
A 10% misread on demand means the manager
can become a milenario quickly
I use two carefully measured gas cans
and most stations are 5-10% short, no matter HOW you order gas.
Of course, maybe it could possibly be that the station in the US where I calibrated the cans
was giving me EXTRA gas to keep me coming back?
Right
But this IS the first time I've heard of someone demanding a refund
My hat's off to you
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dpwahoo
Junior Nomad
Posts: 98
Registered: 4-5-2012
Location: La Mision
Member Is Offline
Mood: Thirsty, and ready to fish!
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gas
| Quote: | Originally posted by dasubergeek
So this Sunday I was very low on gas and filled up at the Pemex on Clouthier off Insurgentes, near El Trompo. Hazme el lleno con Magna, por favor...
106 liters later...
Really?
Yes, señor. Your truck was very thirsty.
Well that's funny, the truck only has a 98-liter tank. Cudos to you, Dasu!
Oh no señor, these big trucks have 135-liter tanks.
No they don't. That's the three-quarter ton. Look, here's the manual, in Spanish. [I have the page marked.] 26 galones, 98 litros. How did you put 106
liters in a 98-liter tank?
I don't know, señor. I can't explain it.
Why don't we ask PROFECO tomorrow? I hear they have containers that are exactly one liter, and they dispense a liter from your pump into the
container, and if it doesn't fill up the container then they close the gasolinera and fine the owner por tratar de estafar a los clientes...
Let me get the patrón...
I ended up paying for 94 liters, which was still probably a bit high but at least not an obvious ripoff. I'm not used to the ripoff right in the
middle of Tijuana... I wonder if these guys are on the lista negra?? |
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64755
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Profit margins are tiny for Pemex franchise owners. They aren't allowed to offer on site mechanical services or tire repairs like U.S. service
stations. They can't even sell their gasoline at local market rates or a centavo cheaper than the Pemex across the street to bring in more business.
It's as if the government with its rules and regulations forces franchise owners to come up with 'creative ways' to stay in business (at the expense
of customers). The franchise owners can't even expand or modernize the restrooms without years of plans, permits, restrictions. Booo Big Government!
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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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Clever way to increase proffit margin?
| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
Profit margins are tiny for Pemex franchise owners. They aren't allowed to offer on site mechanical services or tire repairs like U.S. service
stations. They can't even sell their gasoline at local market rates or a centavo cheaper than the Pemex across the street to bring in more business.
It's as if the government with its rules and regulations forces franchise owners to come up with 'creative ways' to stay in business (at the expense
of customers). The franchise owners can't even expand or modernize the restrooms without years of plans, permits, restrictions. Booo Big Government!
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When we were in the states last week I noticed that one of my tires was low so I pulled up to the air/ water dispenser at a union 76 and you had to
put 75 cents in the slot to get air. So I went across the street to the Chevron and their machine cost $1 for air. At least the air and water are
still free in Baja.
Bob Durrell
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J.P.
Super Nomad
Posts: 1673
Registered: 7-8-2010
Location: Punta Banda
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Mood: Easy Does It
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| Quote: | Originally posted by durrelllrobert
| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
Profit margins are tiny for Pemex franchise owners. They aren't allowed to offer on site mechanical services or tire repairs like U.S. service
stations. They can't even sell their gasoline at local market rates or a centavo cheaper than the Pemex across the street to bring in more business.
It's as if the government with its rules and regulations forces franchise owners to come up with 'creative ways' to stay in business (at the expense
of customers). The franchise owners can't even expand or modernize the restrooms without years of plans, permits, restrictions. Booo Big Governmen
When we were in the states last week I noticed that one of my tires was low so I pulled up to the air/ water dispenser at a union 76 and you had to
put 75 cents in the slot to get air. So I went across the street to the Chevron and their machine cost $1 for air. At least the air and water are
still free in Baja. |
In Ca Water and Air is Free if you purchase fuel there. STATE LAW.
[Edited on 1-25-2014 by J.P.] |
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 18135
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
Mood: Hot n spicy
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| Quote: | Originally posted by durrelllrobert
| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
Profit margins are tiny for Pemex franchise owners. They aren't allowed to offer on site mechanical services or tire repairs like U.S. service
stations. They can't even sell their gasoline at local market rates or a centavo cheaper than the Pemex across the street to bring in more business.
It's as if the government with its rules and regulations forces franchise owners to come up with 'creative ways' to stay in business (at the expense
of customers). The franchise owners can't even expand or modernize the restrooms without years of plans, permits, restrictions. Booo Big Government!
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When we were in the states last week I noticed that one of my tires was low so I pulled up to the air/ water dispenser at a union 76 and you had to
put 75 cents in the slot to get air. So I went across the street to the Chevron and their machine cost $1 for air. At least the air and water are
still free in Baja. |
it's free to customers, and when not a customer, a polite request always gets some free air, in my experience.
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 18135
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
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Mood: Hot n spicy
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
The franchise owners can't even expand or modernize the restrooms without years of plans, permits, restrictions. Booo Big Government!
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it is clear that mexico needs MORE big government in the form of inspectors to more frequently test the fuel dispenser measuring devices.
re restrooms, i dont care if they expand or modernize; the franchise owners just need to maintain their existing restrooms and restock the paper
towels and toilet paper!!!!!!
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Whale-ista
Super Nomad
Posts: 2009
Registered: 2-18-2013
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
Mood: Sunny with chance of whales
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Profit motive
DaveK- I can understand the need to raise additional money. I just wonder why certain Pemex places seem to abuse this more than others.
In GN last weekend, The arbitrary low exchange rate a the Pemex was an example. The business across the street didn't do that.
Thank you for your tips regarding cactus in El Rosario. I will definitely continue to go to them on future trips.
\"Probably the airplanes will bring week-enders from Los Angeles before long, and the beautiful poor bedraggled old town will bloom with a
Floridian ugliness.\" (John Steinbeck, 1940, discussing the future of La Paz, BCS, Mexico)
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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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re: stocking toilet paper. don't you just love going into a toilet stall and there is half a roll of paper partially on the seat and the rest all is
soggy and dripping down the side? the slob who needed to use all of that free paper for an assgasket was the same lazy pig who couldn't put it in the
trash.
i'm in favor of bringing your own wipe-um. less waste that way. sorta like the govt, huh Goat?
[Edited on 1-25-2014 by woody with a view]
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bajalearner
Senior Nomad
Posts: 670
Registered: 8-24-2010
Location: Tijuana
Member Is Offline
Mood: in search of more
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Ponder this. What if the gas stations in the US in the 1930's fudged and cheated, and the mechanic bay lied and overcharged for mechanic work. Then
the government started new agencies to monitor businesses. And taxes went up. And government made more and more agencies to watch other businesses
to protect customers. And taxes went up. And today, restaurant workers in California cannot touch food with bare hands. They must wear plastic
gloves. And taxes go up. Many businesses are chocking on the oversight. When Sears was caught cheating in their mechanic shops in the 1970’s in a
nationwide scandal, I never shopped at Sears again.
So as much as I don't like to be ripped off, I prefer to buy with my eyes open and choose my battles because paying some stations a few dimes more to
me is much cheaper than supporting a bureaucracy the size of the grand canyon to make sure I cross the street without getting hit by a car or losing a
dollar in a business transaction. When I see or suspect I am cheated, I remember it when I need to buy more.
I hope Baja stays simple and I will understand why some people will take me for a few pesos. And many times I give a very good tip to people just
because I can. It’s life and life isn’t fair in many ways but I am a big boy and can handle it. It is nice to have the internet to chat about it.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64755
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Well said! Power to the people!!
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Whale-ista
Super Nomad
Posts: 2009
Registered: 2-18-2013
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
Mood: Sunny with chance of whales
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Vote with your wallet
Agreed the best strategy is avoid the offenders, support those who act fairly. I will always give return business and referrals to those who treat me
well on my first visit.
Just hate to see first time visitors get ripped off and assume that's always the case and to be unwilling to return as a result.
\"Probably the airplanes will bring week-enders from Los Angeles before long, and the beautiful poor bedraggled old town will bloom with a
Floridian ugliness.\" (John Steinbeck, 1940, discussing the future of La Paz, BCS, Mexico)
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Ateo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5898
Registered: 7-18-2011
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Ateo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5898
Registered: 7-18-2011
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Ateo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5898
Registered: 7-18-2011
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I was doing an inspection yesterday at a Chevron on El Cajon Blvd and a San Diego County Weights & Measures inspector was on site testing the
dispensers for accuracy.
I asked him if they ever find gas station owners intentionally tampering with the dispensers.
He said, "It's hard to prove. We haven't found any in San Diego County in recent history. Usually the discrepancy is in favor of the customer. On
old dispensers the meter can wear out and when that happens it starts to over-dispense".
I then told him a story about one of my customers in LA who was giving a gallon away for every gallon they were charging for, unknowingly.
Anyway, just passing this on. This wasn't Meheeeco. This was SD. I'm sure there are pumps that aren't correctly calibrated in Mexico like
dasubergeek wrote.
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Ateo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5898
Registered: 7-18-2011
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Oh and one more thing!
While I was at this station mentioned above, the owner came up to me and asked, "Should I be monitoring this Weights & Measures Inspector to make
sure he doesn't steal my gas?"
Funny to see how people are skeptical on this topic from ALL angles. The customer is worried they're getting ripped off and the owner is worried
they're getting ripped off.............
Most gas station owners use "Inventory Reconciliation" software that tracks what is going in the tanks and what is going out. If something is off
they will know about it.
:LOL:
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64755
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Thanks Jon...
Speaking of the 'Half Tank' mystery... I have run many tests by filling my truck up when the gauge points to the various levels:F, 3/4, 1/2, 1/4, Low
Light, E. I have a second generation (2005+) Toyota Tacoma.
Others with Tacomas have as well... and with our Toyotas it is very consistent... and the following levels were recorded (+/- 1/2 gallon):
The tank holds 21 gallons ( a tad more ) and when full, the needle pegs above the F line on the gauge.
After 2 gallons are used the gauge points to the F Line.
After 5 gallons (21-5=16 in the tank) it is on the 3/4 line.
After 9 gallons (21-9=12 gallons in the tank) it is on the 1/2 line. A true half tank would be 10.5 gallons, so at this point there is a 1.5 gallon
'reserve'.
After 13 gallons (21-13=8 in the tank) it is on the 1/4 line.
After 17 gallons (21-17=4 in the tank) the Low Fuel Light comes on.
After 18 gallons (21-18=3 in the tank) the gauge points to the E Line.
Many have driven more miles without running out and put 20 gallons or a bit more in. I have not tested it beyond the E line to confirm the 3 gallon
'reserve' we have!
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