In Tucson gas stations charge same for using debit cards 5cents off per gallon but for cash 5 cents more don’t understand the logic there
They’re trying to do away with the need for an attendant. And the risk they see in having cash around in a place so easily robbed.
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I assume that is the reason why Costco won’t accept cash at their gas stations.
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Probably. Sams Club is the same way. If you have to scan your ID before pumping gas, you might as well pay by card.
They just don’t want to pay an attendant to deal with cash. And it would slow down the transaction and back up the lines even more. The toll booths in the Bay Area have been unmanned since Covid-19 started, and I expect that will continue if they can figure out what to do with the employees. Unions are strong in state employment.
Coins really are in short supply though.
While I hesitate to mention it–lest it leads to long lines at the pumps–you don’t have to be a Costco member in order to purchase gas there. At least that’s the way it is in NJ.
The only limitations are on the method of payment. Visa cards are the only credit cards that are accepted, and they only accept certain debit cards. I don’t know the exact details on their debit card policy because I don’t use any debit cards.
The lines at the local Costco are so long that they are a traffic hazard. I’m not going there. Good to know, though. Are there different prices for members vs nonmembers?
I guess I am lucky. The one to which I go has–at most–a line of 3 cars at each island on weekdays, but sometimes I can drive directly up to the pump. Obviously the situation on weekends is different, so I only go there on weekdays.
No, everyone pays the same extremely low price. The station manager explained their pricing to me. Each morning, he has to survey the prices at every other station in that zip code, and then he sets his price per gallon one cent less than the lowest competitor. This is why prices vary from one Costco gas station to another.
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We like Co$tco’s long hoses which allow filling from the distant side from the pump.
Wish others wouldo that.
Parker, Coloradope has two gastations charging Regular $1.69 Easy Pay, $1.75 credit.
Maybe too far away for Parker Co$tco to match.
A few months ago, those long hoses came in very handy at my local Costco gas station. A very confused older guy pulled in with his Mercedes, and parked so that his front bumper was adjacent to the pump. 
The attendant told him that he had to pull further forward, so the guy moved his Benz about 6 inches. The attendant then told him that he had to move further forward again, so he moved… maybe… 3 more inches. After another performance of “I’m scared to move my car more than a few inches”, the attendant finally gave up and was just barely able to reach the guy’s tank on the opposite side of the car.
Then, of course, when the entire transaction was finished and he got his receipt, it took Mr. Mercedes about 3 minutes to pull away, despite many horns honking at him.
I’m a member of BJ’s - pretty much like a Sams or Costco. I’d probably join Costco instead if they had one near me. The BJ’s gas is cheap. Not sure if it’s a top-tier though. And they only have 2 grades…Regular and Super…No middle grade. A few months ago they were having a gas war with a local chain (Irving) that was about a mile down the road. Gas at either station was about 60 cents cheaper then anyone else.