MR

Posted: **Thu Sep 06, 2007 10:59 am**

With the recent surge of gas prices, I've been wondering why most stations limit Visa transactions to $50 and Mastercard to $75. Here's some interesting information on this practice...

http://www.smartmoney.com/dealoftheday/ ... y=20070620

HOW MUCH DOES IT cost to fill up your gas tank these days? If it's $50 or more, you may leave the station with less than a full tank — if you're paying at the pump with plastic.

Credit cards have always had limits for how much you can charge at the pump. Visa and Discover limit pump transactions at $50; MasterCard, $75. American Express sets its limits by gas station. "The limits are not something that's often publicized at the station — it's a nasty surprise," says Curtis Arnold, founder of CardRatings.com. Most consumers just hear the "click" of the pump shutting off mid-fuel, and are left to wonder why.

Back when gasoline prices were lower, consumers were blissfully unaware of these limits. But today's big cars combined with gasoline prices that are over $3 dollars a gallon means many drivers are running smack into them. Someone filling the 39-gallon tank of a Chevrolet Suburban would hit the $50 Visa and Discover limit before the tank was even half full, while the 23.8-gallon tank of a Mercedes-Benz S-Class would be seven gallons short of topping off.

Technically, the limits are in place to prevent identity theft for a transaction that requires no signature. All stations have some cap, though the exact dollar amount varies, says Tristan Jordan, a spokesman for MasterCard. Smaller chains and independent stations tend to hug the liability limits set by the credit-card companies, because they are less able to afford a chargeback. Larger chains may place caps somewhat higher. Exxon Mobil, for example, sets its limits $25 above what card brands have established.

I love how most gas stations have a sign that shows these limits and that it's not their fault. According to this article, that's not completely true.

Unfortunatey, our bank was recently bought out and we went from having Mastercard to Visa. :evil:

Posted: **Thu Sep 06, 2007 11:24 am**

Makes me kinda glad that I didn't buy that gas guzzling SUV with the huge gas tank... :lol:

Posted: **Thu Sep 06, 2007 11:33 am**

MMMS wrote:Makes me kinda glad that I didn't buy that gas guzzling SUV with the huge gas tank...

For the size of the engine my truck has (v8, 5.2 liter) mine has a fairly small tank. If it's almost bone dry, I can get almost 18 gallons in it.

Posted: **Thu Sep 06, 2007 1:21 pm**

conversationpc wrote:
MMMS wrote:Makes me kinda glad that I didn't buy that gas guzzling SUV with the huge gas tank...

For the size of the engine my truck has (v8, 5.2 liter) mine has a fairly small tank. If it's almost bone dry, I can get almost 18 gallons in it.

I have got a 15 passenger van with a 35 gallon tank. More than $100 to fill up when empty. One of our local convenience stores (actually they have more than 500 across the US, but started here), QuikTrip, breaks the charges into $50 increments so that you can pump all day without having to reset. Works really well.

Posted: **Thu Sep 06, 2007 1:34 pm**

When you use a cr cd both you and the company have to pay a fee. They go after the company 1st month and then hope a month later or so you if you do not pay in full.

Posted: **Thu Sep 06, 2007 9:33 pm**

squirt1 wrote:When you use a cr cd both you and the company have to pay a fee. They go after the company 1st month and then hope a month later or so you if you do not pay in full.

Our bank doesn't charge a fee for using the card as a credit card. They do charge for using it as a DEBIT card. In other words, any PIN transaction.

Posted: **Fri Sep 07, 2007 12:24 am**

the advantages of a bus pass!! :twisted:

Posted: **Fri Sep 07, 2007 1:05 am**

Glad I only live a few miles from work. I fill up the tank once every week and a half or so. Same with Mrs. NIGGY.

Posted: **Fri Sep 07, 2007 1:06 am**

NealIsGod wrote:Glad I only live a few miles from work. I fill up the tank once every week and a half or so. Same with Mrs. NIGGY.

Me too, I only live 5.65 miles from work so I just run to work! :wink:

Posted: **Fri Sep 07, 2007 1:07 am**

Nat~At Your Cervix wrote:
NealIsGod wrote:Glad I only live a few miles from work. I fill up the tank once every week and a half or so. Same with Mrs. NIGGY.

Me too, I only live 5.65 miles from work so I just run to work!

The marathon's only a couple months away, Nat. You ready?

Posted: **Fri Sep 07, 2007 1:09 am**

NealIsGod wrote:
Nat~At Your Cervix wrote:
NealIsGod wrote:Glad I only live a few miles from work. I fill up the tank once every week and a half or so. Same with Mrs. NIGGY.

Me too, I only live 5.65 miles from work so I just run to work!

The marathon's only a couple months away, Nat. You ready?

I'm gettin' there. I'll be ready by Nov 4th! :lol:

Posted: **Fri Sep 07, 2007 1:16 am**

Nat~At Your Cervix wrote:
NealIsGod wrote:Glad I only live a few miles from work. I fill up the tank once every week and a half or so. Same with Mrs. NIGGY.

Me too, I only live 5.65 miles from work so I just run to work!

I have a 32 mile commute and fill up about every 3 to 4 days. Fortunately, it's mostly highway miles, so I get slightly better gas mileage.

Posted: **Fri Sep 07, 2007 1:24 am**

conversationpc wrote:
Nat~At Your Cervix wrote:
NealIsGod wrote:Glad I only live a few miles from work. I fill up the tank once every week and a half or so. Same with Mrs. NIGGY.

Me too, I only live 5.65 miles from work so I just run to work!

I have a 32 mile commute and fill up about every 3 to 4 days. Fortunately, it's mostly highway miles, so I get slightly better gas mileage.

Dave, just think how fit you'd be if you started running to work!!! :wink:

YOU"D BE HOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted: **Fri Sep 07, 2007 1:36 am**

Nat~At Your Cervix wrote:
conversationpc wrote:
Nat~At Your Cervix wrote:
NealIsGod wrote:Glad I only live a few miles from work. I fill up the tank once every week and a half or so. Same with Mrs. NIGGY.

Me too, I only live 5.65 miles from work so I just run to work!

I have a 32 mile commute and fill up about every 3 to 4 days. Fortunately, it's mostly highway miles, so I get slightly better gas mileage.

Dave, just think how fit you'd be if you started running to work!!!

YOU"D BE HOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry, I don't feel like running a marathon+6 every day. :lol:

Posted: **Sun Sep 09, 2007 3:08 pm**

Convpc- I was saying the initial chg used to be 4.5% in the 1970's to the dealer. God only knows what today.Then they hope the buyer doesn't pay in full 1st billing and interest is another profit for the greedy banks.

Posted: **Sun Sep 09, 2007 3:29 pm**

Anyone that runs to work has clearly lost their mind. Drive, listen to sports radio, run your air and enjoy your commute. Just what I want in the morning...to jog, try and faster than the Mexicans trying to rob me, and to build up a sweat. What a fuckin' ridiculous idea.

Posted: **Mon Sep 10, 2007 12:23 am**

Saint John wrote:Anyone that runs to work has clearly lost their mind. Drive, listen to sports radio, run your air and enjoy your commute. Just what I want in the morning...to jog, try and faster than the Mexicans trying to rob me, and to build up a sweat. What a fuckin' ridiculous idea.

Maybe, but I have a cute ass now!!!!!! :wink:

Oh, and I do shower when I get to work so the sweat isn't a problem. :lol:

Posted: **Mon Sep 10, 2007 7:53 am**

Someone filling the 39-gallon tank of a Chevrolet Suburban would hit the $50 Visa and Discover limit before the tank was even half full, while the 23.8-gallon tank of a Mercedes-Benz S-Class would be seven gallons short of topping off.

What this article doesn't address is....

Why the fuck does any normal, average American need a Chevrolet Suburban?

Seriously, driving down the highway is just like looking at a sea of American stereotypes. It's about $3.50 a a gallon in Chicago and people are still driving massive tanks around that get about 8 miles a gallon. Even if you need the extra room for stuff/kids/etc, there's still some more gas-friendly models like the Honda CR-V that would work...but just looking at the number of Suburbans and similar huge cars on the road makes me really think that this country has a lot of guys with really small dicks. :roll:

Posted: **Mon Sep 10, 2007 7:57 am**

conversationpc wrote:
MMMS wrote:Makes me kinda glad that I didn't buy that gas guzzling SUV with the huge gas tank...

For the size of the engine my truck has (v8, 5.2 liter) mine has a fairly small tank. If it's almost bone dry, I can get almost 18 gallons in it.

What kinda truck do you drive?

Posted: **Mon Sep 10, 2007 8:16 am**

stevew2 wrote:
conversationpc wrote:
MMMS wrote:Makes me kinda glad that I didn't buy that gas guzzling SUV with the huge gas tank...

For the size of the engine my truck has (v8, 5.2 liter) mine has a fairly small tank. If it's almost bone dry, I can get almost 18 gallons in it.
What kinda truck do you drive?

'99 Dodge Dakota...Basically a mid-size pickup with a full size truck engine...It kicks serious ass on the highway, let me tell you. Great vehicle.

Posted: **Mon Sep 10, 2007 8:18 am**

WalrusOct9 wrote:...but just looking at the number of Suburbans and similar huge cars on the road makes me really think that this country has a lot of guys with really small dicks.

That would be funny but it seems like a majority of people driving those things are women.

Posted: **Mon Sep 10, 2007 8:19 am**

NealIsGod wrote:Glad I only live a few miles from work. I fill up the tank once every week and a half or so. Same with Mrs. NIGGY.

I fill up every day!!!! A 2 plus hour to drive one way. We are in the process of looking into a home close to Memphis but not in it. MAybe 45 min, out. I'm spending almost $500 a month on gas :cry:

-ERIC

Posted: **Mon Sep 10, 2007 8:21 am**

Abitaman wrote:
NealIsGod wrote:Glad I only live a few miles from work. I fill up the tank once every week and a half or so. Same with Mrs. NIGGY.
I fill up every day!!!! A 2 plus hour to drive one way. We are in the process of looking into a home close to Memphis but not in it. MAybe 45 min, out. I'm spending almost $500 a month on gas -ERIC

Holy crap, dude! If you don't get a place closer to work, you're better off getting a different job. That's way too much time away from family.

Posted: **Mon Sep 10, 2007 8:29 am**

conversationpc wrote:
stevew2 wrote:
conversationpc wrote:
MMMS wrote:Makes me kinda glad that I didn't buy that gas guzzling SUV with the huge gas tank...

For the size of the engine my truck has (v8, 5.2 liter) mine has a fairly small tank. If it's almost bone dry, I can get almost 18 gallons in it.
What kinda truck do you drive?

'99 Dodge Dakota...Basically a mid-size pickup with a full size truck engine...It kicks serious ass on the highway, let me tell you. Great vehicle.

I figure that what it was. Got the 318 good motor.I had a 94 full size but couldnt keep a trans past 60,000, I hope they fixed that when you bought yours.Im sure it hauls ass. I got a Silverado with a 5.3. Been a great truck.It takes about $67.00 to fill that fucker.Between gas and my drinking budget there aint much left at the end of the week

Posted: **Mon Sep 10, 2007 8:38 am**

conversationpc wrote:
Abitaman wrote:
NealIsGod wrote:Glad I only live a few miles from work. I fill up the tank once every week and a half or so. Same with Mrs. NIGGY.
I fill up every day!!!! A 2 plus hour to drive one way. We are in the process of looking into a home close to Memphis but not in it. MAybe 45 min, out. I'm spending almost $500 a month on gas -ERIC

Holy crap, dude! If you don't get a place closer to work, you're better off getting a different job. That's way too much time away from family.

I just graduated in June (had to drive 1 1/2 hour one way to school). It is hard to get a good paying job, much less a job in the Bio Med field when you are just getting out of school. I have been one of the lucky ones. Most hospitals will not take you without 2 years experience. So I am working for a company that does work for hospitals, nursing homes, colleges, doctor offices, etc.. I am thankful to be working in the field. of the 24 in my class I am one of 3 to get into the field. 2 more are in Maintenance /bio. 3 are in electronics field and the rest are unemployed. So I am lucky. I live a mile from the local hospital and have been trying before graduation to get on, no luck, not enough experience. If I can't find a house for my family and I, I will drive for two years then see what happens. But moving looks the better option. this company is sending me to two different schools Both are ventilator training, one in two weeks in St Louis, the other the week of the MRX show. Still trying to figure a way to make it to that. But this company isn't afraid to invest money in me (even after I was in a wreck in there company truck, and three other cars and a semi truck and a funnel cloud on I -240).
But we are looking to move-ERIC

Posted: **Mon Sep 10, 2007 8:45 am**

NealIsGod wrote:
Nat~At Your Cervix wrote:
NealIsGod wrote:Glad I only live a few miles from work. I fill up the tank once every week and a half or so. Same with Mrs. NIGGY.

Me too, I only live 5.65 miles from work so I just run to work!

The marathon's only a couple months away, Nat. You ready?

I think I was in your neck of the woods yesterday.Went to a wedding in Whiteford I pasted through your town. I forgot how nice that area is

Posted: **Mon Sep 10, 2007 8:49 am**

stevew2 wrote:
conversationpc wrote:
stevew2 wrote:
conversationpc wrote:
MMMS wrote:Makes me kinda glad that I didn't buy that gas guzzling SUV with the huge gas tank...

For the size of the engine my truck has (v8, 5.2 liter) mine has a fairly small tank. If it's almost bone dry, I can get almost 18 gallons in it.
What kinda truck do you drive?

'99 Dodge Dakota...Basically a mid-size pickup with a full size truck engine...It kicks serious ass on the highway, let me tell you. Great vehicle.
I figure that what it was. Got the 318 good motor.I had a 94 full size but couldnt keep a trans past 60,000, I hope they fixed that when you bought yours.Im sure it hauls ass. I got a Silverado with a 5.3. Been a great truck.It takes about $67.00 to fill that fucker.Between gas and my drinking budget there aint much left at the end of the week

Haven't had any problems with the transmission at all and I've got about 145,000 miles on it now.

Posted: **Mon Sep 10, 2007 8:52 am**

Thats good,I think I was the guinea pig, That was the first year when they redesigned the whole truck.

Posted: **Mon Sep 10, 2007 9:52 am**

stevew2 wrote:Thats good,I think I was the guinea pig, That was the first year when they redesigned the whole truck.

The ones from '98 through about 2004 are really cool looking trucks. I don't like the newer Dakotas at all. They're not very smooth-looking. Too many corners, not enough contours.

MR

OT: Transaction limits at gas stations

OT: Transaction limits at gas stations