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Faulty pumps overcharge consumers as fuel prices soar

Faulty pumps overcharge consumers as fuel prices soar

Ralph Hanson April 28th, 2008 Ralph Hanson By Ralph Hanson Author April 28th, 2008
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December 31st, 1969 As fuel prices continue to skyrocket to record highs, more and more consumers are increasingly becoming wary of just how much they are paying at the pump. But new reports in the U.S. claim faulty fuel pumps can be partly blamed for the rising cost of fuel and consumers are being overcharged without even knowing it. Around the U.S., faulty pumps overcharge on average 6 cents for every fill-up due to the price meter beginning before petrol starts pumping through and enters the tank. The problem has been attributed to a faulty valve and is not present in every pump, but with thousands of gallons of fuel pumped each year by the average consumer the price of these overzealous pumps could turn out to be significant. In an interview with The Detroit News, New York pump inspector Todd Godlewski said the 6 cent threshold is usually up to three-times higher in his experience. But Godlewski was quick to point out that it’s not a deliberate scheme by the petrol companies to rob you of those precious extra cents - apparently faulty valves can work in favor of consumers as well by freezing the price ticker as gas pumps. While there are no real figures or statistics about the scope of the phenomenon or how large its effect, a study is planned to quantify these figures and determine the extent of the problem in the near future.
Faulty pumps overcharge consumers as fuel prices soar

Faulty pumps overcharge consumers as fuel prices soar

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As fuel prices continue to skyrocket to record highs, more and more consumers are increasingly becoming wary of just how much they are paying at the pump. But new reports in the U.S. claim faulty fuel pumps can be partly blamed for the rising cost of fuel and consumers are being overcharged without even knowing it.

Around the U.S., faulty pumps overcharge on average 6 cents for every fill-up due to the price meter beginning before petrol starts pumping through and enters the tank. The problem has been attributed to a faulty valve and is not present in every pump, but with thousands of gallons of fuel pumped each year by the average consumer the price of these overzealous pumps could turn out to be significant.

In an interview with The Detroit News, New York pump inspector Todd Godlewski said the 6 cent threshold is usually up to three-times higher in his experience. But Godlewski was quick to point out that it’s not a deliberate scheme by the petrol companies to rob you of those precious extra cents - apparently faulty valves can work in favor of consumers as well by freezing the price ticker as gas pumps.

While there are no real figures or statistics about the scope of the phenomenon or how large its effect, a study is planned to quantify these figures and determine the extent of the problem in the near future.

Tags: Industry, Odds and ends

Posted in: News


Comments (5 total)

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  1. By Gus #1, Posted: 4/28/2008

    "As fuel prices continue to skyrocket to record highs" well, we're still paying 1/4 what they pay in England...

    Here in SoCal the cheapest is $3.79 for regular. But, even though we have 2 V8 vehicles, we don't spend much more on gas. Why? Because I don't commute and my wife only drives about 10 miles to work.
    Part of the problem is the people who decided they had to have a 4 bedroom house 40 miles from work...

  2. By Jason #2, Posted: 4/28/2008

    Well, we can't all be rich like you Gus. If you want to pass some of those dollars this way, that would be cool.

  3. By chris #3, Posted: 4/28/2008

    ...and a ford excursion to travel TO it. thats the key gus.

    yeah big surprise.. the pump has error. crazy. but like the guy points out.. its going to be plus OR minus. and with the 1 or 2 thousand dollars you spend in gas every year.. its going to even out.. and even if it doesnt.. its one or two dollars,... lost.

    you lose that much when you use your bank card.

  4. By chris #4, Posted: 4/28/2008

    jason; he works from home. doesnt make him rich.

    and gus, gas is only 8$ a gallon in england.. *only*.... you're paying half as much as they are.

  5. By Gus #5, Posted: 4/28/2008

    I've heard reports that gas in England is nearing $10 per US gallon, no? Maybe I'm wrong, but I'm still happy to pay less in taxes for each unit of fuel.

    Oh, and I'm not rich, but I do invest a great deal from home, including stock in oil companies. No, I don't mind losing a few dollars at the pump, if that was your intonation... :)

    We have a friend who has a Civic Hybrid and commutes from the inland valley to downtown LA daily (45 miles or so). We compared notes once, and he spends more on gas than my wife does in her Expedition. But you're right, too many of those 4-bedroom house people drive huge trucks insane distances, those are the people who are crying blood right now...

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