Author Topic: Fill 'Er Up! (Read 219 times)

rpm · « **on:** January 29, 2005, 12:24:33 AM »

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OMAHA, Neb. -- A misplaced decimal point gave drivers a surprisingly good deal on gas, and even inspired some threats of violence at a west Omaha filling station Wednesday night.

Carolyn Folsom, who occasionally helps her brother and father run the self-service, attendant-less Shell station, said she goofed Wednesday afternoon when entering prices into the computer that runs the fuel tanks. A gallon of regular, unleaded gasoline was supposed to cost $1.89 but ended up costing only 18 cents.

"I don't know if my finger missed the nine or what," Folsom said. "The whole family is laughing about this. I will never live this down."

Folsom said about 500 gallons of gas were sold during the several hours the price was down, costing the business about $1000. The station does not have an attendant and the only way to pay is at the pump, so the mistake went unnoticed for hours.

A fuel truck driver who came to deliver gas discovered the problem and tried to block the entrance of the station with his truck, Folsom said.

But by then word was out and the rush for cheap fuel was on.

Folsom said one person threatened to hit the fuel truck driver with a hammer if he didn't stop blocking the entrance.

"That's the thing that upsets me," Folsom said. "I mean, grow up."

Folsom said her father fixed the price about 7:15 p.m. And he's forgiven her for the mistake, she said.

Hawklore · « **Reply #1 on:** January 29, 2005, 12:38:25 AM »

I'd drive the price up 1.71 for a month to make up for the loss...

rpm · « **Reply #2 on:** January 29, 2005, 12:41:54 AM »

Do you really think people will pay $3.50 a gallon when it's $1.79 everywhere else?

Bodhi · « **Reply #3 on:** January 29, 2005, 12:50:29 AM »

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Originally posted by Hawklore
I'd drive the price up 1.71 for a month to make up for the loss...

Ok genius... I see how that home schooling is paying off... you'd be broke in that month.

how about you up the price by .05 for a couple months... which is what I guarantee happens.

Hawklore · « **Reply #4 on:** January 29, 2005, 12:59:05 AM »

You got my point...

Dago · « **Reply #5 on:** January 29, 2005, 08:14:33 AM »

I fueled up an N3N I had been flying at the local FBO after hours once where you just run your credit card through and it gets charged. But, the machine wasn't working right, and I got the $75 worth of 100LL for free.

The FBO owner was a bit of a cheap person and not real popular, so maybe some thought it was great getting a little free gas. I went back a couple days later when I had the chance, told him what I owed him and paid him. He was happy, seems I was one of the few that did that.

dago