Consumer Alert: Station corrects gas price after our investigation, but questions remain
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ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — I’ve been closely tracking gas prices at 13 stations over four days to see if the gas tax savings are being passed along to consumers. I’ve now driven about a hundred miles across our area, monitoring the gas prices in six cities and towns. And in most cases, I saw the price at most pumps fall on the first day of the gas tax holiday.
On Thursday, just day 2 of the gas tax holiday, AAA says that the average price of gas in Rochester is down 14 cents to $4.76. During the six months the gas tax holiday is in effect, drivers in Monroe and Livingston counties should save about a quarter per gallon. In other counties, you’ll see a savings of 16 cents.
As I reported on Wednesday, seven of the 13 stations I was tracking dropped their price by 25 cents more as expected. So on Wednesday, I checked back with the other six. The price at the Penfield Speedway located at 2180 Penfield Road left me with lots of questions. On Wednesday, the price dropped from $4.89 to $4.73. That’s a drop of just 16 cents.
AS I REPORTED WEDNESDAY
But after our report on Wednesday evening, Thursday morning I found the station had dropped the price another 8 cents to $4.64 providing the full 25 cent gas tax savings in Monroe County.
But questions remain at two stations. At the Valero located at 799 N. Clinton, the price dropped on Thursday from $4.99 to $4.79, a difference of 20 cents. When I contacted the owner of the convenience store, he assured me that the price on the pump was a mistake. He says he meant to change it to $4.74.
The same is true at the Mobil station located at 57 N. Main Street in the village of Pittsford where the price fell from $5.19 to $4.99.
Three of the 13 stations I’ve been monitoring haven’t implemented the gas tax holiday yet. They should change the price when they refill their tanks. If you believe a station is not passing along the full gas tax savings, you can call New York’s Tax Evasion and Fraud line at 518-457-0578.