Pricing error leads to cheap gas

[Category 5]

The gas station owner has alot of nerve calling the drivers dishonest

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071208/ap_ ... 3_cent_gas

[JonathanBelles]

I would have been getting gas there too. There was place a little while back for gas for 28 cents/gallon, but I didnt get there in time.

[HURAKAN]

No one was dishonest, everyone was opportunistic. They saw the opportunity to get cheap gas, and they took it. Congratulations to everyone that was able to get the cheap gas and sorry for the owner.

[Opal storm]

Dishonest? lol

Obviously he doesn't own a car or else he would fully understand why everyone made a mad rush to that place.

[Coredesat]

There's a bunch of Citgo stations around here that have the decimal points in their signs in the wrong place...

...of course, you probably won't want gas for $29.99 per gallon...

[gtalum]

The gas station owner has alot of nerve calling the drivers dishonest

What's nervy about the truth?

[Squarethecircle]

That it is irrelevant in this case because one can expect a human being to take advantage of any situation that is potentially in his favor...? And you can also argue that that is not the truth because the drivers would have to make a prearranged contract with the station in order for them to be betraying any kind of truth.

[gtalum]

:uarrow: That it is irrelevant in this case because one can expect a human being to take advantage of any situation that is potentially in his favor...? And you can also argue that that is not the truth because the drivers would have to make a prearranged contract with the station in order for them to be betraying any kind of truth.

No, sorry. Dishonest is dishonest no matter who knows about it and no matter who finds it acceptable or not. Those customers knew that wasn't the correct price and they bought anyway. That's dishonest even if it's perfectly legal and even if most people find it acceptable.

[Opal storm]

:uarrow: That it is irrelevant in this case because one can expect a human being to take advantage of any situation that is potentially in his favor...? And you can also argue that that is not the truth because the drivers would have to make a prearranged contract with the station in order for them to be betraying any kind of truth.

No, sorry. Dishonest is dishonest no matter who knows about it and no matter who finds it acceptable or not. Those customers knew that wasn't the correct price and they bought anyway. That's dishonest even if it's perfectly legal and even if most people find it acceptable.

Are you serious? Oh well I'm dishonest then, because I would've gassed up my car and filled up 5 containers for next year's hurricane if I would've saw that price.

Call the customers dishonest but the owner is the one who really screwed up for putting up the wrong price, and he paid the price.

[gtalum]

Are you serious? Oh well I'm dishonest then, because I would've gassed up my car and filled up 5 containers for next year's hurricane if I would've saw that price.

Call the customers dishonest but the owner is the one who really screwed up for putting up the wrong price, and he paid the price.

As I noted, dishonest is dishonest, whether or not the owner made a mistake even if most people find it acceptable. Personally I'd have notified the company if I pulled up and saw a similar mistake at the pump.

[Squarethecircle]

Dishonesty implies that the person is purposely betraying an agreement, which is not the situation. It may be morally incorrect, but there is no way around that in the long run (have you ever read the story of the person who tried to follow the Bible to the letter for an entire year?).

[Ptarmigan]

The gas station owner made a mistake, not the customer. Man, I missed out.

[mf_dolphin]

I'm with gtalum on this one. The story says plainly that the main store sign had the right price. People knew they were taking advantage of a mistake and they did it anyway. Unfortunately the station owner paid the price for people's frustration with gas prices but that's not the fault of the station owner. Since the station would have a record of the credit card purchases I hope that's he's able to file a claim and get paid the right price. That would be poetic justice....

[vbhoutex]

Although GTalum and I are often on different sides of an argument, this time he is dead on with his thoughts!!! And to top it off most of them knew the woman that runs the station personally??? How can they even look her in the eye after taking advantage of an honest mistake?

[BUD]

If that happen here the police would not be looking.More like throwing them in jail.

[Regit]

I agree with gtalum. They knew they were taking advantage of the station owner. The idea that it's to the customer's benefit, thus it's OK is a bad argument. If a co-worker and I are up for a promotion, it would be financially beneficial for me to murder the other person. Does that make it OK?

Stealing would ALWAYS be to my financial benefit. Is it OK?

Also, a pricing mistake does not obligate the seller to sell for that price. I once saw a car that was $41,120.00 marked as $41.12000. I jokingly asked the salesman if I could have it for $41 and he said "sure, if your trade in is worth $41,000."

Would I have been legally or ethically allowed to throw them $41.12 and drive off with the car?

I also agree that the fact that the people know the station owner personally makes it even more sleazy.

[gtalum]

The gas station owner made a mistake, not the customer.

You're right. The owner made a mistake. The customers dishonestly took advantage of it. I'm sure it wasn't a mistake on their parts, as they did exactly as they intended.

For those who disagree, I'm not claiming it's illegal, or that the customers have any legal responsibility to pay the correct price. Legality and morality do not always go hand in hand.

[Squarethecircle]

Although GTalum and I are often on different sides of an argument, this time he is dead on with his thoughts!!! And to top it off most of them knew the woman that runs the station personally??? How can they even look her in the eye after taking advantage of an honest mistake?

Because they are human beings. Also, as I understand, it was hardly a major loss.

You're right. The owner made a mistake. The customers dishonestly took advantage of it. I'm sure it wasn't a mistake on their parts, as they did exactly as they intended.

For those who disagree, I'm not claiming it's illegal, or that the customers have any legal responsibility to pay the correct price. Legality and morality do not always go hand in hand.

dishonest- Disposed to lie, cheat, defraud, or deceive.

As far as I can see, none of these are accurate descriptions of what took place. There was no deception involved, nor any lying. Here are the definitions for "defraud" and "cheat", the more likely candidates:

Cheat-To deceive by trickery; swindle. To violate rules deliberately.

No rules were violated; in fact, by buying gas in the usual manner, they were following standard protocol. Also, there was no trickery going on, as the prices were the manager's own mistake. Also, defraud means practically the same thing.

They were perfectly honest, by definition. They did not, however, take the morally correct action.

[gtalum]

Because they are human beings. Also, as I understand, it was hardly a major loss.

"But officer, I only stole $10. It wasn't a major loss. No big deal, right?"

[Squarethecircle]

Stealing would ALWAYS be to my financial benefit. Is it OK?

Stealing has an implied risk; this does not.