Overpaying for Gasoline/Petroleum

[Guest shockdevil]

I know that people everywhere are finding creative ways to make obtain money at the expense of others. However, I find it disturbing that some of the gas station attendants here in Pattaya are cashing in at the expense of unsuspecting customers (foreigners?).

 

Last month I thought the attendant at a South Pattaya gasoline station made a mistake by overcharging me for a fill-up on my motorbike. Usually it costs no more than 100-120 Thai Baht to fill up the empty tank of a motorbike. However, when I asked for a fill-up the price was about 180 baht. I refused to pay that amount and suggested to the attendant that there must be a mistake. Once challenged the attendant said, "Okay, okay! Give me 150 baht." I reluctantly gave her 120 baht and said that was all I had and that I still believe an error was made. She took the money and yelled "Pai! Pai! Pai!" I was bit confused and disturbed but left before she changed her mind.

 

The next time I filled my tank at a different gas station. The station was very busy with a long line of motorists waiting for petro. Once I finally got to the pump I noticed that the attendant did not reset it. I quickly stopped him before he started pumping and asked him to reset the pump to zero (0). He laughed and said he forgot (hmmm).

 

Yesterday, my boyfriend and I were at another gas station and asked for 100 baht worth of gas. I was distracted by eye-candy when I heard him say, "No! You started the pump at 50 baht! Give us 50 baht more." The attendant quickly filled the tank with another 50 baht. If my boyfriend had not been with me on this trip to the gas station I would not have noticed the error. I do not believe these are coincidental occurrences.

 

If you are getting gas at the pumps, please be aware of the pump settings before allowing them to pump your gas. I never did before but after my experience here in Pattaya I will always notice the pump setting whenever I fill-up at a full service station.

[Guest]

This has happened to me numerous times in Pattaya. I always make sure they clear the pump and I watch closely. I have had this happens at least 50 times over the years. Now, I just send the boyfriend to fill up unless we are both out together. He watches closely and I have been told they only do this with falangs and when someone is drunk. Be leery anything you fill up in Pattaya!

[Guest gwm4sian]

.....I have been told they only do this with falangs and when someone is drunk.

 

Not true. It has happened to my (very sober) b/f in Pattaya. There is one chain especially in Pattaya that is well known for not resetting the meter. There is a long running thread on Thai Visa about it.

 

Interestingly, when the main culprit at one station was identified, he was moved to another station in the chain, not sacked.

 

[Gaybutton]

So far this has not happened to me, but I always look and I make sure they see me looking. I have, however, heard and read enough stories in the local newspapers to know this scam does indeed exist and the unwary are going to get fleeced sooner or later.

 

Watch for other scams too. If you're driving a car, don't let a gas station attendant check under the hood. You can bet that you're extremely likely to be told you have some sort of a problem. In Pattayqa, just a few months ago I had my oil changed. I always have my car serviced at the dealership where I bought it. They are totally honest there and they charge no more than a service station does. I drove out with a fresh oil and filter change, stopped at a filling station less than ten minutes later, and was told I need oil and ought to also let them change the oil filter. I politely said I'll take care of it some other time. They proceeded to try to high-pressure me into letting them do it. Of course, I paid for the fuel and left, never to return to that station.

 

When I find a good, honest service station, that's where I try to go on a regular basis. In Pattaya I always try to go to the Caltex station on the east side of Sukhumvit Highway, just south of Central Road (Pattaya Klang) and the MP station on Tepprasit Road (the one with that excellent car wash). I have always been treated with honesty and excellent service at those particular stations, so I make a point of using them.

 

Also, if you ever have any tire trouble, need a new tire, or prefer a good used tire, try the tire service facility at that same MP station. Their service is quick, honest, and they stand behind their work. It seems like I'm in there every other month or so with a nail in one of my tires and they usually have me back on the road within 15 minutes and charge a total of 100 baht to repair the tire.