Woman Goes To Pump Gas. Then She Catches The Fuel Station Doing Something Shady: ‘This Is Highly Illegal’

A Michigan woman claims that a BP gas station is charging customers for fuel that they didn't pump. It’d be galling in the best of times, but now, with gasoline prices at new highs, it hits different.

Her TikTok has garnered over 8,000 views, perhaps in part to the rainbow text that’s shouting “Don’t Trust” in the middle of the screen.

“Let’s do an experiment,” says the creator, and then it’s just Ryda (@mountriah) filming the gas nozzle laid on the ground next to the pump. The problem she seems to capture on video is that she’s being charged for gas, meaning the counter is rolling, but no gas is coming out of the pump.

She’s alleging that she, and anyone else who's pumping gas there, are being ripped off. 

The video shows that the price moves from 15 cents to 25 cents over the duration of the clip. 

“This is pumping, without pumping nothing,” Ryda says.

What Is Meter Creep? 

One person in the comments identifies the problem as “meter creep.” This is a problem that is typically related to a malfunction with the gas pump. It happens when a pump does not stop charging for fuel even if it is no longer dispensing.

Experts agree, no matter where you are, take a video, hang the nozzle up, inform the gas station attendant, and then call the Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures for the state you’re in. If you’re right, they’ll have the pump shut down and send an inspector out.

While officials say it’s rare that a business will try to cheat customers and that meter creep is typically due to a malfunction, people are skeptical.

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How Do People Feel About Oil Companies?

Disgust with large corporations ran thick in the comments.

“I’m so tired of every single part of my life being controlled by people that do nothing but TAKE,” said Alpenglow.

“Everybody’s saying report to weights and measurements but between this and the grocery stores overcharging for meat products, I wonder if anybody works in that department because it doesn’t seem like they’re doing anything,” added MothB.

“Literally everybody is stealing from us at every turn,” complained Ms. Livingston. 

While user Mini Mau offered her take, "Commenting to join the class action lawsuit.”

Do Gas Stations Really Try To Rip People Off?

An "ask me anything" Reddit authored by a man purporting to be “the guy that goes to gas stations to make sure you aren't getting ripped off,” echoes what other professionals have said. “99% of the time the owner of the store you're at isn't trying to scam you, the return on what they would get is outrageously outnumbered by the risk.”

Another user went further, explaining that fuel margins are razor thin. Gas stations make their money with the store, car wash, or service (repair) centers. Plus, if a store is caught purposely shorting a customer, they face heavy fines or even getting shut down.

Motor1 reached out to Ryda via TikTok direct message and with a comment on her post. We asked BP for comment via their press email. We will update this article if either responds.

 

 

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