Indiana State sponsored FALSE ADVERTISING

[Smitty3509]

We traveled across Indiana today on I80 (toll road). I was so mad about all the False Advertising the gas stations are allowed to do! All the billboards have a price of $3.85 but when you go to gas up the MH the price is $4.26. Their excuse is "Oh that's the tax exempt price". That's BS! Just a mile off the turnpike if you go to Walmart or Meyer they post a price of $3.88 and that's what you pay! One dealer told me, "Oh that's just the way Indiana does it." That's just wrong that Indiana can get away with this.

[wkdwitch]

It is not only I 80; I 70 is the same - as are other roads throughout Indiana. Sadly other states also have this tax exempt for commercial carriers with an ICC number. It is buyer beware, especially at truck oriented stations.

[RickO]

Is that the same as "colored" diesel?

Rick

[blackf3504dr]

The lower price is indeed for exempt trucks, but is usually 6 cents. There may also be a discount for cash too. Trucks pay their fuel tax quarterly and must keep track of every mile run in every state so all states ran through get their share of the pie whether fuel was bought in that state or not. As for being cheaper off the pike, unless you're out in the boonies fuel is generally cheaper in town then on the road.

[Red James]

Indiana State sales tax is 7% ...at $4 / gallon, the tax would be $0.28 per gallon. The six cents or so is the credit card price / cash price difference. And yes, it IS very deceptive, but most diesel sales are to OTR truckers so the minority (us) has to do the math.

[Half Dimes]

And then, in a few states, there is a large DIESEL price, and underneath in much smaller type: OFF ROAD

[Gary RVRoamer]

It's a truck stop, so naturally they advertise the price that truckers pay, which in Indiana does not include road taxes (truckers pay those quarterly in Indiana). Private vehicles in Indiana, whether gas or diesel, pay their road taxes at the pump, so you & I pay a higher rate in Indiana.

You got surprised because you didn't know about it, but it is hardly illegal or nefarious. It's kind of like hotels advertising room rates that don't include taxes. You go in and find out you are billed 10-18% more than the advertised rate. Another surprise but, most published prices don't include taxes, right?

[Ray,IN]

Smitty that is a common, and state-approved method of advertising diesel fuel. Stations throughout Indiana follow this practice. They must state on the pump if it is tax-exempt pricing, but the billboard signs can read either way. I don't like it either, and I live in Indiana. It didn't take long to become aware of the bigger price differential, and avoid those stations.

[RVhauler]

Note that some billboards will state cash only in small letters and tack on the credit card fee if uses

[Wayne M]

How far is it across Indiana? I can go approximately 900 miles on a tank of fuel. I'll be sure to not stop for fuel in the State.

Thanks for the information.

Do they have Flying J or Pilot in Indiana?

[allynne]

Wayne,

There are over 30 FJ's and Pilots in IN.

OR also posts the ICC price and adds 24 cents for POV's, in our case MH's.

On the FJ/Pilot web site these exceptions are posted.

Al Sawyer
'05 MADP

[Perry White]

Thank gosh they were too crowded in the Indianapolis FJ and I drove down another 60 miles and pulled into a small station/ store and bought it for $.35 cheaper. What a rip off.

[1ciderdog]

FYI - Oregon is similar. When looking at prices advertised at the stations there may be a 25 cent difference. The lower price is "PUC" what ever that means (truckers pay that one) but you can figure you'll pay the higher price.

Bob

[wa8yxm]

If you feel you have a valid complaint, I hope you saved your receipts.

Send copies to the proper Attorney General.. And seek professional help.

There should be not tax exempt customers on that road.