Fuel Rip-off in Georgetown, Exumma

[Gadagirl]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

Only point is, if you have a calibrated 5 gl container and the pump reads 5 gl prior to the mark on that container, the pump's calibration is off, regardless of fuel temp.
I believe that gas stations etc only make a few percent off of fuel sales, so if they could short change you say 10% on your fuel purchase, then they are likely increasing profit by a significant margin, likely doubling profit or more.
I can see the temptation.

Calibration. That's the word. Having, in a previous life, audited and written ISO standards, calibration has to be to exacting strict standards. How exact was his gas can?

Just throwing that into the mix. :-) In the US it can be years between government calibration certifications, not a lot of money for the manpower needed to perform such, and not a high priority either. Check for the sticker at the pump as to when the last calibration was.

[Mazu]

If I am not mistaken, the Bahamas uses imperial gallons which differ from US gallons. Something to pay attention when traveling in foreign countries.

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by Mazu

If I am not mistaken, the Bahamas uses imperial gallons which differ from US gallons. Something to pay attention when traveling in foreign countries.

They do, so in fact an Imperial gallon is I believe 1.2 times larger than a US gallon.
So you would need a 6 US gallon container to hold 5 Imperial gallons?

[Mazu]

5 US gallons would be about 4.2 imperial gallons so if you fill a US 5 gal container you get 4.2 imperial.

[CSY Man]

Had a similar experience in Florida 11 years ago:
I drove a brand new Chevy pick-up truck with a 26 gallon tank.
Before the tank was empty I topped off and paid for 26.7 gallons.
Aha, fraud,
Called the Florida calibration department and they came out with their gear to measure the pump at the BP station.
The report came back that the pump was measuring LESS than the volume filled.
They also said this happens frequently, in other words, the tank in my truck held more than the advertised 26 gallons.
As for the Bahamas, I usually fill 6 gallon jugs using the dink to haul back to the sailboat, never had any problems
The prices however are 1 or 2 dollars more per gallon than Florida, as should be expected, more expensive deliveries and less volume.
No complaints on that..

[Basil]

Got fuel in Turtule Bay Mexico once 20 litre container, filled, got charged for 30 litres, , but then who,s going to dispute this fact with a guy with a gun in his belt
Paid an left .

[nautitrix]

So in Mexico they rob you with a gun and in Bahamas they rob you with a smile. You pick!
"The rich, as well as the poor, are entitled to beg for bread and sleep under bridges."

[KeepInTune]

Originally Posted by captain mitch

No great surprise, the pump was more than 10% off!
The prices here are outrageous to start with , then they rip you off for an additional 10% !

Imperial gallons will always look more expensive, right?. $4.00/gal(US) will actually display as $4.80/gal(Imperial), so it should always appear more expensive in countries using Imperial-Gallons, simply due to the conversion of Imp to US.
If you fill up a 100-US gallons tank, then this should equal and show up on the meter as 83-Imp gallons (..if it appeared that this equation was flipped around then you surely did get screwed!).
Probably an effective method is to take a 5-gallon (US) can and fill it up, stop and read the pump meter. If the meter reads "4-gallons" (Imperial) then it's correct and fill up the rest of the tanks. If it is severely off, then see if they'll discuss this with you. (though, I'm guessing the result of the discussion will be "take it or leave it").

This is why I like sailboats vs motorboats!

[Captain Bill]

The shell station in Georgetown sells in US gallons. I have 6.25 US gallon jerry cans and have never been charged for 5 gallons when filling them there. 6.25 US gallon = 5.05 Imp. Gallons.

[Shrew]

What are we really talking about here? How large of a jerry can? 5 gallon? 10 gallon?How much was a gallon (or liter) of fuel? A 10 gallon jerry can is 70+lbs full. At 10%, we're talking about 1 gallon? So.......5$, 6$, 8$?

I'm not going to avoid a destination over 6 - 8$.

[rwidman]

Originally Posted by Blue Skye

My grandfather, who I stopped questioning when I was in my 20's, always said to fill my tanks at dawn and never in the afternoon. Wasn't until college until I realized why he said that... To this day, I only fill up early mornings. The savings are probably miniscule at best, but it all adds up.

You realize, I hope that with underground tanks, the fuel stays at a pretty constant temperature. It might be just a bit cooler in the winter but there won't be a significant change between morning and evening.

[rwidman]

Originally Posted by Blue Skye

Oh relax, we Americans shouldn't be so sensitive. We are a proud bunch and a little teasing shouldn't offend us

If it wasn't for us Americans, the British would be speaking German today!

[Blue Skye]

Originally Posted by rwidman

You realize, I hope that with underground tanks, the fuel stays at a pretty constant temperature. It might be just a bit cooler in the winter but there won't be a significant change between morning and evening.

Ahhh, good point, although I'll probably still only fill up in the mornings. Old habits die hard

[a64pilot]

Back in the day storage tanks were almost always above ground. I'm surprised we haven't gone back to that with all the environmental issues of a leaking underground tank.

But yes, my favorite cave dive in Marianna Fl, the water is 68F all year round

[nautitrix]

Originally Posted by rwidman

If it wasn't for us Americans, the British would be speaking German today!

While many people died and fought in WW2 I do not see the relevance of demeaning The British People over the price of fuel in the Bahamas. I have always wondered why people who cannot construct an argument, resort to demeaning people instead.
With due respect please speak to the discussion.
Thank You