Just wrapped up what will probably be my last remote loop for awhile thanks to a way different teaching schedule than normal for the upcoming semester.

I was eagerly eyeing a half-dozen Shells @ $150 ea, but of course the completion windows were shorter than expected due to end of program, so I went with plan B.

One of the stops was a 76 station, with a newer MID sign. Store looked kinda beat up, and there were a couple of handwritten signs on the front door, one indicating the store was closed due to lack of staff, and the other stating that cards would work at the pump.

Cool by me, as I was planning on buying more gas than snacks as this was the most remote town on the day's loop (it was part of plan A as well).

Not so fast, skippy.

Got approval on the Fuel Forward app, but the pump handle would not engage.

Not wanting to waste another FF app transaction (the one thing I don't like about it is the 6 use/day limit*), I tried using my Verizon VISA paying 4% back on gas on the other side of the pump, but with the same result.

A couple more customers came up, both of whom I had nice chats with, and they had the same experience at a pump with an ethanol free nozzle. Started to grab my pictures when an RV van pulled up, and I waved them off. Driver rolled down their window, and I approached and they asked if diesel was out.

I assumed it was, but I explained my situation, and offered to pump $10 of diesel into their tank on my dime in exchange for $5 cash**.

They accepted, but the diesel pump behaved exactly as all the other pumps had.

Thankfully the shop was up to $45, so I'll get a decent closed location payment.

I thought for a split second that my offer was hinky, but best I can tell it is not. I was just trying to salvage a shop. $55 gross is way mo bettah than $22.50 and no additional gas in my tank.

Would you have tried something similar?

* See link below to another thread addressing gas shops/apps

**As it would turn out, they were from Switzerland, in a rental RV from Canada. I had played 4 gigs in Switzerland when I was on tour back in 2010, so it was cool talking with someone familiar with a couple of the smaller towns we played.*



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/10/2025 09:34PM by CoolMusic.

I am replying because I like your gas station tips and tricks

Thankfully, I have not run into a situation where gas was unavailable to be pumped as a requirement. One time I was close, though, but as I was about to leave, the gas station's lights turned back on. This area was without power for a long period of time. Was it coincidental? Was it elementary, my dear, Watson? I do not know

Usually, my issue is that I have no more space in my tank. I will find somebody to give a gallon of gas. I don't look sus, so it's pretty easy to do.

Good thinking to save the shop Cool Music!

No more space in your tank *giggles* Sorry!

I have a friend called Gordy. We call him "gas can Gordy." He would do all the customer first shops and use gas cans cuz he would get more gas than his gas tank could hold.

@hbbigdaddy wrote:

I have a friend called Gordy. We call him "gas can Gordy." He would do all the customer first shops and use gas cans cuz he would get more gas than his gas tank could hold.

I'm not Gordy but I bring the cans along if I have multiples or any doubts about the capacity available in the tank. Makes sense to me.

yep, we take gas cans with us everywhere we go, even if we aren't doing gas station shops. We might come across a shop, or we might go to Buc-ees and get 15 gallons and a car wash for the same price as gas at any other station. And if you think I'm leaving discounted gasoline at a station, yer nuts.

Cool, I have never offered gasoline to another customer. I don't know if they still do such things, but back on the West coast, folks used to walk up to cars at gas pumps and ask for money to get gas for their car that was parked at a different pump. They usually refuse when you offer to put gasoline in the car, but won't give them cash. But I would use my reimbursed gasoline for them if they asked.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/10/2025 07:31PM by Morledzep.

@Morledzep wrote:

yep, we take gas cans with us everywhere we go, even if we aren't doing gas station shops. We might come across a shop, or we might go to Buc-ees and get 15 gallons and a car wash for the same price as gas at any other station. And if you think I'm leaving discounted gasoline at a station, yer nuts.

Cool, I have never offered gasoline to another customer. I don't know if they still do such things, but back on the West coast, folks used to walk up to cars at gas pumps and ask for money to get gas for their car that was parked at a different pump. They usually refuse when you offer to put gasoline in the car, but won't give them cash. But I would use my reimbursed gasoline for them if they asked.

This is everywhere. We have been asked for cash to buy gas, food, dog food, formula and or diapers, bus fare... Downtown, they'll hang around with signs proclaiming their honesty because they are openly seeking cash to buy alcohol. In suburban areas, they hang around intersections and are often imposters who beg for a living by choice rather than someone legitimately needing a helping hand.

Here's the link to a thread addressing gas reward perks

[www.mysteryshopforum.com]

Gas Can Gordy is my stripper name. Or auditor name. Same thing.

@Deedeezthoughts wrote:

@Morledzep wrote:

yep, we take gas cans with us everywhere we go, even if we aren't doing gas station shops. We might come across a shop, or we might go to Buc-ees and get 15 gallons and a car wash for the same price as gas at any other station. And if you think I'm leaving discounted gasoline at a station, yer nuts.

Cool, I have never offered gasoline to another customer. I don't know if they still do such things, but back on the West coast, folks used to walk up to cars at gas pumps and ask for money to get gas for their car that was parked at a different pump. They usually refuse when you offer to put gasoline in the car, but won't give them cash. But I would use my reimbursed gasoline for them if they asked.

This is everywhere. We have been asked for cash to buy gas, food, dog food, formula and or diapers, bus fare... Downtown, they'll hang around with signs proclaiming their honesty because they are openly seeking cash to buy alcohol. In suburban areas, they hang around intersections and are often imposters who beg for a living by choice rather than someone legitimately needing a helping hand.

In my area, there are signs not to give to those who ask at intersections and instead direct the giving to charitable organizations. It doesn't stop them, but it seems to reduce it. There is one area where those who are homeless do congregate.

I will give excess food to those who seem to need it. In another worse area, I saw an individual with no legs struggling to even get across the intersection. I could not help but give something to that individual.

Not the same, but I have adopted that principle in other areas of life. Not to spoon-feed individuals that I deem capable.

Some of us don't look disabled (I am mobility challenged on a good day), and don't look as if a $5 would make the difference between eating and not on any given day. I never have a lot of cash, almost never more than $100 with me at any given time, and most times less than $5. I will, however, offer to buy food or something the folks need, or give them water or lunch that I carry in my car.

In my life I've been desperate enough to panhandle, and a nice, obviously rich woman, took me to Von's and bought enough groceries for me and my boys to last until I got my next month's food stamps (back when food stamps were actual pieces of paper). I wish I had known about mystery shopping back then.

True, disabilities may not be visible on the surface. From what I've read, I do try my best to be sensitive. Slightly off-topic, I won't put a shopper down for agreeing to perform a shop for whatever reason. More and more, in my opinion, I am coming to the realization it is none of my business and stay out of it.