WISCONSIN RAPIDS, Wis.
10/15/2008 4:25:25 AM

Sure, gas prices have come down lately. But to 34.9 cents a gallon? That’s what Kelly Joosten and dozens of other motorists paid at a Citgo station Monday. The sign advertised $3.43 for a gallon of premium fuel, but the pump cost read $0.349 a gallon.

"That was amazing," said Joosten, who normally spends about $100 to fill up her 1998 Ford Expedition.

Joosten proudly showed off her receipt for 25.36 gallons at $8.85. She said she saw other motorists filling gas cans, too, at the discounted price.

Station owner JP Raval says the attendant on duty couldn’t figure out why the station was suddenly so busy.

Raval estimated 30 to 40 customers fueled up at the incorrect price _ between 200 and 300 gallons worth _ for about 90 minutes.

"People kept coming, so fast," Raval said. "Everything was crowded; it was like a fairground."

um...Barb?  It's WI not WS

At first I thought you were moving to Wall Street. ;D

Were the people who took advantage of this mistake thieves?

The petrol staion made the offer at the price, the customer accepted , contract agreed, isn't that the legal way of business?

I for one would not have felt right taking advantage of the store owner. Not his fault the gas prices are so high. But that is the nature of todays society. Gas too high anyway, so I'm gonna get some of it back.

It IS theft as far as I am concerned.

mummymac wrote on Oct 15^th, 2008 at 4:57pm:

The petrol staion made the offer at the price, the customer accepted , contract agreed, isn't that the legal way of business?

That's what any good lawyer would say.  And surely the ACLU.

But it is theft when you know you are taking advantage of a mistake like that.  People have no morals anymore.

Melissa wrote on Oct 15^th, 2008 at 3:52pm:

um...Barb?  It's WI not WS At first I thought you were moving to Wall Street. ;D

Good catch Mel -- just wanted to see if you waz paying 'tention :-*

mummymac wrote on Oct 15^th, 2008 at 4:57pm:

The petrol staion made the offer at the price, the customer accepted , contract agreed, isn't that the legal way of business?

So, legal = moral?

The petrol station sells at more than he buys for to make a profit of his customers, normal business practise, is that moral?

mummymac wrote on Oct 15^th, 2008 at 5:16pm:

The petrol station sells at more than he buys for to make a profit of his customers, normal business practise, is that moral?

I would say yes. The presuppositions on both sides are sound. The motorist can make a purchase, or he doesn't have to.

The price programmed into the pump was done mistakenly. It's like someone handing you change for a $20 bill when you paid with a $5. Is it moral to keep the extra $15?

I love that word "presuppositions ", I must use it more often, ok point made , I  would own up to being given to mch money, but I  also would have brought the petrol at the cheap price.

I guess we choose what we will be moral about.  I would hand in a purse or handbag with cash intact, but if i found a wad of cash on its own, it would be alll mine, mine, mine.

I a not perfect yet , but I am working on it

Most (and I'm speaking of those around here) gas stations aren't making much off gas.  I used to work at a convenience store/gas station and I can promise you that gas was not the biggest profit  maker for us.  The real money came from all those *incidentals* that customers bought, ie coffee, cokes, snacks.

I agree with Jimi and several other posters, it was theft.

Carolyn