Thursday, June 30, 2011

Is it true that gas stations are forbidden to reveal the price of gas over the phone? Is it against the law, or just against common business sense? Good question.

We started out by calling a handful of local stations. KAKE intern Bree Steffen volunteered for the test, and gave the stations a call. “Most of the ones I called wouldn’t tell me anything, one even hung up on me.” Steffen said. “But, one did tell me the price of gas.” So one station disclosed the price over the phone, and the rest did not. “They just said they weren’t allowed,” Steffen said. “and when I asked why, they wouldn’t tell me any more.”

But is it against the law? According to Kansasgasprice.com, it’s not illegal. More likely, the site says, it’s just that gas station or chain’s private policy not to waste time and money by answering price questions from non-customers. In addition, some of the callers could be competitors.

Bottom line: It’s not against the law, but chances are very good they won’t tell you anyway.

If you have a Good Question, send it to news@kake.com.