July 09, 2004

Octane Ratings

Last night, we went to dinner with two dear friends to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary at a restaurant out to the east, near where the sun rises. And, of course, at the edge of civilization, gas stations are almost non-existent. Now, you might be thinking that this is just another story about how I ran out of gas with Stacey in the car and what happened, but you would be wrong because I would never be able to tell that story, let alone any story.

I found a gas station, a Shell station. The sign just under the big Shell announced that gas was $1.999 for 87 octane, $2.199 for 89 octane, and $2.299 for 91 octane. I know this question has been asked before, but why do they always have that 9/10ths of a cent on there? The thingy on the pump that keeps track of the money isn't in tenths of a cent; so, what is the purpose of that 9/10ths, just to make me think I'm getting a deal or something?

But that's not really my gripe about some gas stations. This gas station had the 87 button for selecting the grade of gas in the middle with the 89 button on the left and the 91 button on the right. If someone is in a hurry, he might hit the button on the left, thinking that this is the lowest-priced gas and would end up paying 20 cents a gallon more.

Please be aware of this deception perpetrated upon the unwary.

Posted by Bill at July 9, 2004 12:12 PM
Comments

I hope that you weren't one of the unwary.

Posted by: TW at July 9, 2004 01:40 PM

I've noticed that one myself lately.
-d

Posted by: -d at July 9, 2004 02:02 PM

thats about as bad as the big sign advertising one price and the pump showing a price 15cents more and not noticing until after the fact.

FEH.

Posted by: todd at July 9, 2004 03:00 PM

Yep. I think gas station management are among the slimiest sometimes... Who is it - the management? The owners? Whatever. It sucks a lot.

Posted by: Keri at July 10, 2004 03:01 PM