Bashkortostan station sets different prices for same gasoline

Drivers in Bashkortostan have noticed an odd practice at gas stations: while they wait in line, operators appear to be cheating, taking advantage of the lack of alternatives. The price board at the entrance shows one figure, but the actual cost is higher. UFA1.RU reports what is known about the issue.

Residents of Oktyabrsky (a city in Bashkortostan) complained about unusual conditions at a private gas station. They claim that the price board at the entrance shows 99.90 rubles ($1 at current rates) for AI-92 gasoline, but it turns out that price is only for cash payments. Those who prefer non-cash payment are charged 109 rubles ($1 at current rates). That is 10 rubles more per liter.

The average passenger car has a 50-liter tank. So paying cash costs almost 5,000 rubles ($56 at current rates), while paying by card costs about 5,500 rubles ($61 at current rates). The overpayment of 500 rubles ($6 at current rates) would have bought an additional five liters at the cash price.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade of Bashkortostan (Minpromtorg) says this is not allowed.

«When paying for goods, a seller is prohibited from setting different prices for the same type of goods depending on the payment method—cash or non-cash payments,» the ministry said in its response.

However, the ministry cannot do anything about it because price control is under the jurisdiction of Rospotrebnadzor (the Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare).

Motorists are not pleased with this response.

«You are asked to take action, but you refer us to another agency. If you cannot solve the problem, why respond? It«s a vicious circle: you complained—it»s your problem,» wrote a resident of Bashkortostan in response.

Drivers may rightly feel that even 99 rubles ($1 at current rates) is too much. But there are cases across the republic where the price at a gas station reached 140 rubles per liter ($2 at current rates). However, here too the Ministry of Industry and Trade cannot help—it says to contact the antitrust authorities.

Incidentally, not all cars can use 95-octane gasoline in place of 92-octane. For some, it can even damage the fuel system. However, an auto mechanic notes that the opposite—using 92 instead of 95—is harmless.