Gas Price Gap Between Credit And Cash Up To $2 A Gallon At Some L.I. Stations

MEDFORD, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- The gap between cash and credit card prices for gas is getting wider on Long Island.

WCBS 880's Long Island Bureau Chief Mike Xirinachs reports

Drivers paying with credit could be dishing out up to $2 more a gallon at some gas stations. At one Gulf station in Medford, gas is going for $3.99 a gallon if paying with cash, but $5.99 a gallon is using credit.

The prices differences aren't sitting well with drivers.

"I think it's a joke," one driver told WCBS 880's Mike Xirinachs. "We're going to lose the credit card company, charge them a few cents to use it and they're going to charge you $2? It's ridiculous."

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The cash-credit gap has lawmakers speeding up legislation designed to make consumers more aware of the price disparities. One bill would require the credit price to be posted on curbside signs if it's more than seven percent above the cash price.

"There are a lot of consumers who are getting ripped off at the pump right now," State Sen. Lee Zeldin, who chairs the Senate's consumer affairs committee, told 1010 WINS. "There are a number of various solutions that are being proposed."

Zeldin said those stations charging a $2 differential are "giving the industry a bad name" by "deceptively luring customers" when not visibly posting the credit price on curbside signs.

In the meantime, Ed from Yaphank said he's sticking to a cash only policy.

"You buy it, you go and you don't have to worry about that," he said. "Cash is the way to go."

Last month, a spokeswoman for Suffolk County consumer affairs says they've received complaints about rising credit prices that can't be seen from the road, but said the practice is perfectly legal.

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