Two weeks ago I had 1/2 tank stolen overnight from my daily driver Mustang. Last night they stole 1/4 tank. I know it is being stolen because I put the gas cap on upside down last night (so the Mustang horse is upside down no the gas cap) and when I went out to the car this morning and the gas cap was the right side up and gauge read 1/4 less than last night. So this weekend I am going to pull an all nighter and sit on my porch with my hi-po paintball gun and I am going to run these guys into the ground. :mad: And locking gas caps for my year of Mustang is around $80! :(

Anyone else having gas theifs?

-wes

Unfortunatly, unless you live in Texas, you are on the wrong side of the law
if you shoot him with your paintball gun. You could be supporting him for
the rest of his life if you take an eye out.
Just a warning.
Better to get a photograph of hmi and give it to police.
I know you would love to bust his *&^%$, but it aint allowed.
Should be though.

It occured quite a bit during the 73 and 79 oil crisis so I'm not surprised it's starting up again.

Aim Low!!! :eek:

The 2 daily drivers at our house sit in the driveway at nite and having been throught the times John references I ordered locking gas caps over the weekend. At about $12 it's inexpensive protection...

Don't they make anti-siphon devices still? Seem to recall some kind of coil spring that went into the filler tube that prevented the siphon hose from getting into the tank. Been a few years but thought they worked.

get a motion sensor light, and instead of using it to turn on a floodlight, have it activate a recording of a very large, mean sounding dog growling at them.
or, better yet, get a large, mean sounding dog.
or- another option that might cost more and be more of a hassle- run the tank empty, and put a half a tank of diesel in it and let it sit until they steal some of it.
i bet that would be the last time you get fuel thieves, and once you drain the diesel out of it and run it a bit, your fuel system will be all nice and clean.

And locking gas caps for my year of Mustang is around $80! :(

At three dollars per gallon, thats only 26 stolen gallons of gas before you come out ahead. 26 gallons, over a couple weeks time would be fairly easy to lose. If you already lost 1/2 a tank once and 1/4 tank second time, thats quite a bit of fuel. If that were a chevy truck, that would only be 1/4 tank away from the 26 gallon mark.

I have locking gas caps on my truck, camaro and wifes van. The only thing I don't is my chevelle, and thats constantly locked in the garage. The way gas prices are going, stealing gas is going to get much more appealing to a lot more people.

Jeff

I have locking gas caps on my truck, camaro and wifes van. The only thing I don't is my chevelle, and thats constantly locked in the garage. The way gas prices are going, stealing gas is going to get much more appealing to a lot more people.

Jeff

A little of topic but there's been, as you'd expect, an increase in driveoffs at gas stations because of prices. The one that comes to mind was a cpl weeks ago when that station owner was killed trying to stop an SUV that was leaving w/o paying.

It was $52 worth of fuel

Most stations are reported to make, on average, $0.01/gallon profit on fuel. That means they'd have to sell 5,200 gallowns to make up for the cost of what was stolen

5,200!! :eek:

If you figure around 15-20 gallons per car on average, thats a hell of a lot of fillups you'd have to make just to break even, and that assumes nobody else drives off.

I wouldn't be at all suprized of most stations go to only prepay or credit card payment on fuel

Wes: Drop the $80 and lock it up before you lose more

As much of a pain it is for the gas consumer, I've been to a station that you have to pay before you pump at all times of the day. I usually use plastic to pay for gas, it just so happened I had cash on me that day and was surprised to see that I couldn't pump till I paid first.......at 11:00 in the morning!!
Would stop any drive offs from happening!!
Brian

I'd say take a combination of some of the above mentioned actions. Take a picture of the guy, catch him red-handed, then shoot him with the paintball gun, aim low and leave him red-assed (so he'll be caught red handed and red assed :rolleyes: ).

And then get the locking cap.

Quite a while back, I worked part time on top of my full time job at a gas station to earn extra money for the cars. While working there, I really kind of took to learning how to run a business. It was very interesting to learn the inner workings, and so the owners started letting me do more and more, until I was only doing all the book work. Well then we were averaging $.03 per gallon profit. So if someone used a credit card we would basically break even on that sale. Now everything inside was making good money, but fuel doesn't.

As far as going to credit card only sales or pre sales only, I can see it happening. The credit card sales will kill most fuel sales, but they won't lose the money of drive offs.

This is going to turn into quite the situation before its done I think.

Jeff

That's getting robbed twice. At almost $3 a gallon the oil companies are robbing us, then some low-life thief comes along and robs you again.
There "oughta be a law."
I'm betting these days the stations are getting a whole lot more than 1 cent per gallon in profit. I don't think a penny a gallon would even pay their electricity bill for the day.

As far as going to credit card only sales or pre sales only, I can see it happening. The credit card sales will kill most fuel sales, but they won't lose the money of drive offs.



By 'kill fuel sales' you mean the profit, correct?

The biggest downside to only allowing cc or prepay is that it'll stop a lot of people from impulse buying inside the store and that'll really hurt the bottom line

So many people think gas station owners are making big money off this, they are wrong. Most gas stations hope for fuel sales to bring a person inside to buy a soda or candy bar or something, then they make some money. This is exactly the reason you rarely see a gas station thats not also a convenience store anymore.

Jeff

I'm betting these days the stations are getting a whole lot more than 1 cent per gallon in profit. I don't think a penny a gallon would even pay their electricity bill for the day.

It probably doesn't pay the bill

But when was the last time you saw a station that ONLY sold fuel?

There's no $ in selling gas for the station. It's all in the other stuff they sell inside. Almost every station here is a convience store and most have car washes as well. Thats where they make the $

I'm betting these days the stations are getting a whole lot more than 1 cent per gallon in profit. I don't think a penny a gallon would even pay their electricity bill for the day.

Not so, most gas stations at least in my area sell a few thousand gallons of fuel per day. That alone, as long as most are cash sales, will cover most daily utility costs. The huge mark up comes on the inside. The gas station I worked at, brought in a lot of money off beer and cigarette sales.

Jeff

How sad is that.....nearly 3 bucks a gallon, and none of it for the stores.....that just goes to show how badly Big Oil is raping us. And, to top it off, they even make the vaseline!!! I suppose the price will go up on that, too....(if they even choose to use it!)

In most states $.35-$.45 is TAXES!
We need a break!

Unfortunatly, unless you live in Texas, you are on the wrong side of the law
if you shoot him with your paintball gun. You could be supporting him for
the rest of his life if you take an eye out.
Just a warning.
Better to get a photograph of hmi and give it to police.
I know you would love to bust his *&^%$, but it aint allowed.
Should be though.

God bless the Lone Star State......
Actually, here deadly force would likely be legal........

Been some talk going around about another way of stealing fuel- and locking gas caps DON'T help. On newer cars, people are drilling holes in the tank and letting the fuel drain out. NO nned to pop the door for the tank, no need to worry about sparks flying like when doing this with older cars.

shoot him with a flaming arrow :D

Would this work?? Get an extra long spark plug wire and attach one end to the dist. and route the other end right next to the tank opening. (assumming you have a remote starter) When you see the gas thief, just press the start button and enjoy the show.

here in MN, i believe it's the law that gas stations have to make at least a 7 cent a gallon profit. that law came about when Wal-Marts started putting gas pumps in and selling gas at a loss just so they could undercut the other stations and get people in there to go shopping.
but i think that's a whole nother thread...

God bless the Lone Star State......
Actually, here deadly force would likely be legal........


Yup, I know.
Ohio is trying to pass this law also.
Although I can't see taking someones life for 5 gal of gas,
I guess something has to be done to deter these guys.
I worked hard for the money to buy that gas.
They should work too.

I like the tape of the dog barking. Nut here's the key to future deterrence: Wait till he's got a good "suck" on the siphon hose, you know that one where the fuel is just about to start flowing; THEN start the tape. Maybe a lungful of unleaded would keep them from trying any funny stuff in the future. Nah, they'll just come back after they get out of the hospital and throw paint remover on your car. Never mind. :(

K

I like the diesel idea. Or something else of the sort.

Any way you could hook it up to a nice house power line so it grounds through him? That would be badass.

Around last week, I jumped in my truck to go to work in the morning, and I was missing about 1/4 tank... I'll have to buy a locking gas cap.

If they're willing to siphon your gas, imagine how thrilled they'd be to see this:
http://www.kevinscycleracing.com/images/intakeandcarburetor/gascan5gal.jpg
The right mix will keep them off the street for a while. :D

But you'd better have a locking gas cap after that, as they might want to return the favor... :eek:

As much of a pain it is for the gas consumer, I've been to a station that you have to pay before you pump at all times of the day. I usually use plastic to pay for gas, it just so happened I had cash on me that day and was surprised to see that I couldn't pump till I paid first.......at 11:00 in the morning!!

You guys are weird!!!! :p :D :D :D I've NEVER been to a gas station where you didn't have to pay first before you fill up. ;)

most stations are prepay around here.
i think the old siphine technic is a lost art. most people use the new fangled type with the pump on it.
nobody i work with would even think of siphining gas couldn't believe i did.i do it all the time not ripping anyone off i have a company gas card. i'm just to lazy to run to town after gas for the mower. i keep the hose in tool box of truck and once in awhile will get gas out of it at work for small equipment.
a friend was at the house i was siphining gas out of truck so the wife could finish mowwing. he said what are you going to do if you get that in your mouth? my reply
"spit it out"

My next door neighbor does it that way.I still use a gallon gas can.

Well because of waht is happening here we have refused to use plastic at gas stations where you have to swip your card at the pump - my BF got his card robbed of 400$ and his brother $2000 and a friend of ours another $2000 all from gas station use - we recieved a letter from our bank saying that our card may be comprimised(sp?) sure enough $400 withdrawn in a different provience within minutes of the gas being paid for

It seems like alot os gas stations have found a way to access your CC or bank card and withdraw funds from it - so no more plastic gas for us - cash only from now on

It seems like alot os gas stations have found a way to access your CC or bank card and withdraw funds from it - so no more plastic gas for us - cash only from now on
If they're doing it, any place that is selling anything can do it. That's scary!

I'm not worried about using it at the pump though, I buy almost all my gas from the station owned by my next-door neighbor :)

Well because of waht is happening here we have refused to use plastic at gas stations where you have to swip your card at the pump - my BF got his card robbed of 400$ and his brother $2000 and a friend of ours another $2000 all from gas station use - we recieved a letter from our bank saying that our card may be comprimised(sp?) sure enough $400 withdrawn in a different provience within minutes of the gas being paid for

It seems like alot os gas stations have found a way to access your CC or bank card and withdraw funds from it - so no more plastic gas for us - cash only from now on

Never heard of that happening

At least they're not responsible for covering the charges

Never heard of that happening

At least they're not responsible for covering the charges

Kurt it happens here or rather has been happening here - at just a few stations in a certain part of town.

The 3 stations in question are all within 6 or 7 blocks of eachother and sadly a really nice neighbourhood. We were lucky and got our money back Eric's Brother has to wait for his CC company to investigate but seriously how could he pump gas in Ottawa and then 10 minutes later buy almost $2000 in car parts in Montreal - 1:15 minutes away.

I might be wrong but I believe the Bank explained that the pump when you swip your card gets to see what your amount available is and can lock that amount till you finish pumping so they know what money you have availabel toyou on your card and then they have your CC number and can charge away - I should ask Eric cause he was the one who dealt with the bank when his account was robbed

Don't say its not impossible becasue there is a problem here in Canada with pre-pay. How does the scam work? Easy. To Easy.

The criminal simply places a small circuit camera near by, the camera can easily see the debit card, or credit card. Now the criminal has the make of the card, and the numbers. Now the pin, they just watched you do that. Within 2 minutes with software and a card reader writer, they clone your card and done.

In Ottawa we also have independant bank machines, alot of those are scammed, see the criminal simply places a card reader infront of the card slot, looks normal looks like part of the machine, your card is scanned...

THe scam happened at 3 local gas bars here in Ottawa, Canada. Now for people who say it is impossible, It is possible I was scammed my brother was and a few co-workers, some as much as 5000$. Bank told me ALWAYS pay inside, never take your eyes off your card and always hide your pin number with your hand over the keypad.

Don't say its not impossible becasue there is a problem here in Canada with pre-pay. How does the scam work? Easy. To Easy.

The criminal simply places a small circuit camera near by, the camera can easily see the debit card, or credit card. Now the criminal has the make of the card, and the numbers. Now the pin, they just watched you do that. Within 2 minutes with software and a card reader writer, they clone your card and done.

In Ottawa we also have independant bank machines, alot of those are scammed, see the criminal simply places a card reader infront of the card slot, looks normal looks like part of the machine, your card is scanned...

THe scam happened at 3 local gas bars here in Ottawa, Canada. Now for people who say it is impossible, It is possible I was scammed my brother was and a few co-workers, some as much as 5000$. Bank told me ALWAYS pay inside, never take your eyes off your card and always hide your pin number with your hand over the keypad.

That is directly off an episode of CSI. I never would have thought was real. By the way, the pay at the pumps here don't require any sort of pin number. Are you using credit or debit. I have a couple diffrent credit cards with my business and such and non ever require a pin number.

Jeff

Wes,
Wish you'd start buying premimum...my car would run better... ;) :p

That is directly off an episode of CSI. I never would have thought was real. By the way, the pay at the pumps here don't require any sort of pin number. Are you using credit or debit. I have a couple diffrent credit cards with my business and such and non ever require a pin number.

Jeff

CC or Debt does not matter - they have readers that scan your card - if your using debt at the pump they have the avability to read that PIN number you imputed - sorry but plastic for me is not save enough to use anymore

I seriously doubt it's the station owners who're getting rich from current gas prices. Habbib running the corner station isn't counting his dollars till he retires, but you can bet ol Geoerge W. Bush sure ain't hurtin.

There isn't even a shortage of gas yet. They price gas on a future sales equation. What "Could happen."

Anyone else run their business by "What ifs?"

If anything the rest of us should start running our businesses like the oil people do. One day mailing a letter is $0.39. tomorrow it's $0.89 and next week it'll be $1.13.

Or McDonalds. They could charge $2.00 for a Big Mac on thursday and $5.00 next wednesday afternoon. Claiming "What If" the price of possum went up?

MAN THAT IS A GOOD IDEA!
it is like baiting a rat trap. leave a half full can right there like you were filling your tank and forgot it. you know they will take it. what solution would do the job justice?

If they're willing to siphon your gas, imagine how thrilled they'd be to see this:
http://www.kevinscycleracing.com/images/intakeandcarburetor/gascan5gal.jpg
The right mix will keep them off the street for a while. :D

But you'd better have a locking gas cap after that, as they might want to return the favor... :eek:

I don't think you can syphon gas out of newer cars. I just had to change the fuel pump/ guage in my 03 Yukon. I wanted to get the rest of the fuel out before dropping the tank down so it would be lighter and couldn't because there was a fine mesh screen in the filler and vent pipes.

Wes,
Wish you'd start buying premimum...my car would run better... ;) :p

what color of paintballs are your favorite? :D

-wes

Sugar color !!!

Don't they make anti-siphon devices still? Seem to recall some kind of coil spring that went into the filler tube that prevented the siphon hose from getting into the tank. Been a few years but thought they worked.

The trouble with that kind of device is that they can be pushed into the tank, where they roll around and drive you crazy. My Chevelle had that happen. When I got the car I had to drop the tank to get the thing out

Many of todays cars have some sort of a check valve that prevents fuel from spilling out in case of a rollover. In turn it also prevents anyone from sticking a tube inside to get to the gas.

catch them bastids yet ?

N

You guys are weird!!!! :p :D :D :D I've NEVER been to a gas station where you didn't have to pay first before you fill up. ;)

What's the deal, are people in LA dishonest or something?:confused:

I refuse to buy gas from a station where you have to pay first. Only one or two around here require that, and then only after dark.

Well, just to explain things, all the pumps around here are automated. That is they are electronically controlled and they won't work without an input. You need to use an ATM/Credit Card or have someone input a dollar amount from inside the station for the pump to work. Some pumps will accept cash as an input.
I like it better this way. Don't have to find the sleepy attendent at 5 in the morning on my way to work.

Well, just to explain things, all the pumps around here are automated. That is they are electronically controlled and they won't work without an input. You need to use an ATM/Credit Card or have someone input a dollar amount from inside the station for the pump to work. Some pumps will accept cash as an input.
I like it better this way. Don't have to find the sleepy attendent at 5 in the morning on my way to work.

Many of the pumps here are pay at the pump also...but, being the old guy that I am I like the option of pumping my gas and then going in and paying for it. Being trusted is nice.

I don't believe that there are any stations in California that are pump and then pay anymore. It seems really wierd to me to pump first and then pay. When I go on roadtrips I almost always confuse an attendent by handing him money when I haven't pumped yet.

In California, we can't be trusted to actually pay for our gas after pumping.

I'm sure there are areas in the country where folks can actually still be trusted, but not here where all the lugnuts live!

Many of the pumps here are pay at the pump also...but, being the old guy that I am I like the option of pumping my gas and then going in and paying for it. Being trusted is nice.

Just wait, someone will pump and drive away 1 time too many and you'll be handing the attendant your cc or cash before he/she clicks the pump on. It started here in CA before the pay at the pump automation took off. I didn't like it, pull in, check the pump number and go stand in line to give the attendant your card or cash, go pump....... go back and stand in line to get change or card!! At least when you can't pump first any longer you'll have the pay at the pump to fall back on...

Many of the pumps here are pay at the pump also...but, being the old guy that I am I like the option of pumping my gas and then going in and paying for it. Being trusted is nice.

Quite true but I believe some of the night shift attendents are trying to hold down two jobs. Nothing wrong with that. But on several occasions I've seen them sleeping behind the locked doors before dawn. Kicking on the door doesn't seem to help. Just want my gas and head off to work so paying at the pump works for me. Let someone else get all worked up over him sleeping in there.
Years ago a lot of stations didn't open up until 6 or 7. Way too late for me. It's easier in the early morning. No waiting and no hassles.

I have never been to a pay first then pump station.

I have filled up more times in the dead middle of night than I care to remember and still pay after you pump.

Do you go in and hand them a $50 and the pump just gives you $50 of gas and shuts off or what? Guess that would eliminate the $.02 over problem I seem to have lately while pumping.

Anybody else finding it harder to move the pump $.01-$.02 anymore. With the gas prices so high, it seems the pumps move at $.05 intervals now.

Jeff

Do you go in and hand them a $50 and the pump just gives you $50 of gas and shuts off or what? Guess that would eliminate the $.02 over problem I seem to have lately while pumping.
Jeff

If you pay cash then yes the pump shuts off at the amount you gave. I almost always just pay with my debit card at the pump and fill it up though.