Fuel Discount Program

[Lin]

Every year or two one of my credit card numbers gets stolen.  This stuff happens all the time, so being cautious is a good thing but doesn't guarantee safety.  Van, the thing about using a separate account means that you can just keep enough in it for maybe 100 gallons of fuel so loss can be kept to a minimum if it happens.

Aside from a disgruntled TDS employee, you can also worry about disgruntled bank employees, credit card company employees, store clerks, utility companies, etc.  Even "Steve" from customer support in India or the Philippines might cause a leak.  What about the major hacks of places like Equafax that compromised the info on millions?

Freeze your info with all the credit agencies, use a good password manager, and offer something to the God of your choice.

[Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM]

Ok Gary, check is in the mail

[buswarrior]

If it helps anyone...

None of those trucks are paying the price showing on the pump, unless they are on the path to bankruptcy.

The profitable trucker belongs to a discount program, or has a fuel company card with established pricing.

This TSD program is one way, of many, to pay less than the advertised price on the pump.

In these days of scam and theft, (and when was it that these scammers weren't stealing our money...?) everyone needs multiple ways to pay, disconnected from one another.

Electronic/online banking what it is today, it is really easy to set a low limit on a credit card from one bank, and pay into it as you go, from your other bank.

Keep your "good card" in reserve.

And when all this is too much to handle, there's your warning sign that it's time to sit on the porch in the rocking chair?

Self testing, self correcting, and safe banking all in one?

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

[richard5933]

I do not know exactly how the system works and whether there is ultimately any difference, but in this case you are authorizing them to remove funds from your account.  Does merely possessing your routing and account number from a check give others that ability?  I would use a dedicated account.

I guess I trust the folks at TSD no more and no less than any other vendor I have that takes payments via ACH, including the electric company. You are authorizing them to make transfers, but the authorization is only for legitimate purchases. They'd be on the hook for any shenanigans. I know that things can (and do) still happen and am not naive. That said, I've used ACH payments for a number of vendors over the years and never have had a problem.

[Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM]

I write about 3 paper checks per year.  All of my payments come out of my bank account directly or one of my credit cards.  Because I travel, this works much better for me. And the checks I write are all electronic. I log into my bank account and specify who to write the checks to and how much and my bank mails them for free. Never had a problem.  Not sure what all of the fuss is all about. 

People send me money all the time for subscriptions to Bus Conversion Magazine. Our rack rate is $999/year, but I frequently offer a discount of $19/year to my friends.  If you want to post your bank account or credit card number here now, I promise I will not share it with anyone and I will sign you up for a subscription. 

[luvrbus]

I don't mind electronic paying as long as I am in control,I use Chase Pay the vendor requests payment I know the amount and need to approve it before it is paid and I have no problem with that.I don't write checks either Gary I let Chase write the checks and do the mailing,Now giving some outfit your SS number and access to your bank account is something I am not going to do and FWIW I change my debit card number every 6 months   

[RJ]

Geeesshhh - The negativity in this thread is unbelievable!

Here I went and shared a way for fellow busnuts to save some serious money as they travel, and with a couple of exceptions, everybody else is bitching and moaning.

SMH. . .

[luvrbus]

Geeesshhh - The negativity in this thread is unbelievable!

Here I went and shared a way for fellow busnuts to save some serious money as they travel, and with a couple of exceptions, everybody else is bitching and moaning.

SMH. . .

That's life RJ everyone has a different opinion on what they purchase and how they handle their finances, I'll say it  again I don't use truck islands for fuel so the card would do me no good   

[Van]

Geeesshhh - The negativity in this thread is unbelievable!

Here I went and shared a way for fellow busnuts to save some serious money as they travel, and with a couple of exceptions, everybody else is bitching and moaning.

SMH. . .

Aww take it easy RJ no one is trying to piss in your cheerios. If you are referring to my comment as being negative, it is not. Just presenting an opinion on submitting my SSN to an uninsured (so far as I am aware) company. There are plenty of testimonials of Folks receiving great savings using the TSD card, so don't take my input as being negative. This deal With TSD is still relatively new to the recreational user and I will wait awhile to see how it all shakes out in due time. So lighten up Francis lol!

[RJ]

Just presenting an opinion on submitting my SSN to an uninsured (so far as I am aware) company.

Van -

I doubt very seriously that they're uninsured:

https://www.tsdlogistics.com/about/

[neoneddy]

RJ thank you very much for posting this .   I saw this for some real world experience.

https://rvlove.com/2019/09/19/discount-fuel-how-to-save-money-on-fuel-with-this-fuel-discount-card/

This potentially is a game changer for us considering doing some serious travel this winter and next year.  I've often wondered "How do the truckers afford $3.05 diesel?" Turns out they  pay more like $2.50

[luvrbus]

Have any of you guys ever walked up to fuel counter and negotiated a price for 100+ gals of fuel ? the card will save you some bucks over the inflated prices at major truck stops since they done the negotiating for you.We are headed to Texas to pickup our new ride (if it passes my inspection)  that holds 180 gals of fuel I will let you if negotiating works or not

[Lin]

Interesting experiment.  I would wonder if the person at the counter has any authority to negotiate -- maybe a manager does. 

[lostagain]

I don't think you would be able to negotiate a price reduction for 180 gals of fuel. Those decisions are made way above the store manager's head. Now the big fleets like Swift/Knight with 100,000 tractors since they merged, swing a lot of weight, and pay way less than the posted retail price.

JC

[chessie4905]

Go for it Cliff! Have you heard the expression "Pound Sand"?  Prepare to hear it when you try to negotiate....after the guy gets off the floor from laughing. Those semis hold 250 to 300 gallons or more.