Five Tips for Five Dollar Gas Will Help New Yorkers Make the Most of their Money at the Pump

New York, NY – As gas prices approach $5 a gallon in New York City, Speaker Christine C. Quinn, Consumer Affairs Committee Chair Council Member Daniel R. Garodnick and the American Automobile Association today unveiled “Five Tips for Five Dollar Gas” to make sure New Yorkers make the most of their money at the pump.

“The surge in gas prices we’ve seen not just in the City- but across the country- has made it more important than ever to make sure New Yorkers are protected when they fill up their tanks,” said Speaker Christine C. Quinn. “Planning ahead to make sure you get the best price per gallon, making sure that the prices posted are the prices you’re charged, and checking to see if cash discounts are available are a few of our common sense tips that will help New Yorkers ease the pain at the pump.”

The City Council’s Five Tips for Five Dollars Gas are sensible solutions to help New Yorkers at the gas pump:
• Ask About Cash Discount: Many gas stations charge a discounted price for cash purchases—be aware that the road sign might reflect a discounted cash price and you will pay more for a credit and/or debit card purchase.
• Plan Ahead: Before you leave the house, visit http://www.gasbuddy.com or http://www.fuelmeup.com and research where the lowest priced gas is sold in your neighborhood.
• Make Sure Prices Match: Make sure to thoroughly read signage both on the road and over the pump relating to pricing.
• Beware of Price Gouging: To protect against price gouging, the City Council passed a law in 2006 that prohibits gas stations from raising their gasoline prices within a 24 hour period. If you see any of this happening, contact 311.
• Get a receipt: The receipt is your proof of purchase should any problems arise. Check to be sure you have been charged the correct amount on your receipt.
“New Yorkers are feeling considerable economic pressure these days, and now they are getting hit harder and harder at the pump,” said Council Member Daniel R. Garodnick, Chair of the Committee on Consumer Affairs. “As gas prices rise, we need to be even more vigilant to ensure that the City is protecting consumers from unknown charges or other unscrupulous practices.”
At 1 p.m. today, the Council Committee on Consumer Affairs will consider legislation requiring gas stations to post signs that clearly indicate whether there is differential pricing for credit, debit cards and cash purchases and what those prices are.

“Despite the many blessings of our mass transit system, cars are still a necessity for many of us in New York City,” said sponsor of the proposed legislation, Council Member Lewis A. Fidler. “So, as gas prices go up, that means that all of those necessities of life – whether it’s buying groceries or picking the kids up from school – become that much more expensive and difficult for the average New Yorker. Fuel prices are a bigger problem than our City can solve by itself, but I’m proud to stand with Speaker Quinn and my fellow Council Members to use the power of information to reduce that burden as much as we can.”

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