Fuel Discount Program

[RJ]

Fellow BusNuts -

TSD Logistics, a bulk carrier trucking outfit based in TX, has opened up their discount fuel program to those of us in the RV industry that have diesel rigs.

Savings are anywhere from 10¢ to 40¢ per gallon, which can be substantial when we're fueling our coaches.

The program is free to join, with plenty of FAQs to answer the most common questions on their website and Facebook page.

They first opened this up via Facebook, and so far, within the first month, over 2000 RVrs have signed up.

Because of the volume, if/when you do sign up, be patient as they work thru the backlog, it normally takes about 10 business days to get your confirmation call from them. They also have an "expedited" option for those who are impatient.

There's also a referral program if you spread the word and get others to join.  So if any of you do take advantage of this program, on the application, please put my name (Russell Long) down as the person referring you.

Here's the link to the program:

https://www.tsdlogistics.com/services/fuel-program/

And, to answer a question before it arises, this is NOT a scam!

FWIW & HTH. .

[lostagain]

Sounds good RJ. Nothing to loose.

JC

[belfert]

Is this any cheaper than just finding the cheapest diesel price with the Gas Buddy app?  Regular gas stations are almost always cheaper than the truck stops.  In Fernley, Nevada I found a station that was 40 cents cheaper than the truck stops.  That station was really easy to get in and out of.

The big chain truck stops are certainly convenient and easier to get in and out of then most of the cheaper gas stations.  There have been stations it wasn't possible to get into with my rig.  My last two trips we only stopped at a truck stop once.  We didn't plan ahead and needed fuel in a fairly small town.  There was Love's and one other station that was more expensive.

[Lin]

Sometimes it really looks like truck stops gouge on fuel prices.  Of course, that may depend on the area competition.  But even if the service only brings the truck stop fuel in line with the cheap neighborhood station, it would be nice for the added convenience, access, and pump speed.  Some truck stops even charge less at the front pumps than they do for the truck lot, but getting to the front pump can be a challenge depending on space and competition.

[luvrbus]

Only thing that bothers me is giving a outfit access to your bank account .it is stored somewhere and you have groups spending 24 hrs a day trying to figure out how they can get it  .You have to watch all the fuel discount card most have a minimum purchase for a month or you pay a fee Wright was 50 bucks read the fine print before you leap it is worth the read 

[Van]

No thanks! Not turning my banking info over to some trucking outfit so they can get a bigger discount for fuel than me, regardless of who recommends it.

[Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM]

I heard about this a couple of months ago and signed up then. I tried it for the first time yesterday at Loves (which has the best discount) and saved $50 on 3/4 tank of gas. 

If you are concerned about giving them your regular bank account, you can set up a separate bank account and transfer funds in as needed.  Some of us are doing that "just in case".  But this was also published on FMCA so I assume it is on the up and up.

To use this system, download the Loves app (or TA, Flying J, or Pilot) and log in when you get to the pump and choose the pump number and you can then start the pump without going into the station. When finished choose to pay with the TSD fuel program and you are done. If you want to go into the station to get a printed receipt you can, but you will see it on your bank statement anyway. 

If you want to see your balance or points, you can log into the TSD app which you should also download.

Gary

[RJ]

No thanks! Not turning my banking info over to some trucking outfit so they can get a bigger discount for fuel than me, regardless of who recommends it.

Van -
Not such an issue if you do like Gary & I have done, which is to open a separate checking account specifically for this program, and transfer funds into it as needed. Just make sure the two accounts are not linked together in any way, should you use the same financial institution. Unless you don't mind paying an extra 20¢-40¢ per gallon, that is.

You have to watch all the fuel discount cards, most have a minimum purchase for a month or you pay a fee. Wright was 50 bucks, read the fine print before you leap, it is worth the read.

Clifford -
No monthly purchase minimum, no monthly fees, just a small commission to TSD when you actually use the program. No fine print, either, it's all spelled out in their FAQs at the bottom of the page I linked to.

Is this any cheaper than just finding the cheapest diesel price with the Gas Buddy app? 

Brian -
Generally speaking, yes. Or at least equal to what you can find on Gas Buddy, but w/o the worry about trying to fit your rig into the islands.

Some truck stops even charge less at the front pumps than they do for the truck lot, but getting to the front pump can be a challenge depending on space and competition.

Lin -
Per the TSD's FAQs page, this program ONLY works on the truck islands, not the front pumps.

Nothing to loose.

JC -
Except for our Canadian Busnut friends. You must have a US bank account for the program to work.

FWIW & HTH. . .

[richard5933]

I've been using this system for a few trips now - it works exactly like it says. They help you get a good discount, and they only take a fee equal to 10% of the discount. So, if they get you a $50 savings they take $5, so in the end you still save $45. A good deal still.

The information you're providing them about your bank account is nothing more than you do when you write a check - routing number and account number. If you write checks you probably have given that information to thousands of businesses already. If you're still writing checks, many (if not most) places you send a check are processing them through ACH anyhow, so there is functionally no difference.

[lostagain]

I've had an account in an American bank for many years, since both our kids went to school in the US, and we spend a considerable amount of time there. The debit/credit card is convenient.

JC

[luvrbus]

The card at truck stop fuel island would do me no good in 30 years I have never used the nasty truck island to fuel my buses I not in that big of hurry to fuel and watch the foam 

[Lin]

The information you're providing them about your bank account is nothing more than you do when you write a check - routing number and account number. If you write checks you probably have given that information to thousands of businesses already. If you're still writing checks, many (if not most) places you send a check are processing them through ACH anyhow, so there is functionally no difference.

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.

[Van]

A separate account does not exempt it from being hacked either by the "Dark Web" or some disgruntled TSD employee who feels they deserve a raise. Been down this road once before and it took years to recover and hope it never happens to anyone here (If it has happened to you, you know of what I speak), so no I don't mind paying the extra .20-.40 cents per gallon for some piece-o-mind, to each his own. Call me ol' fashioned I guess. 

[Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM]

A separate account does not exempt it from being hacked either by the "Dark Web" or some disgruntled TSD employee who feels they deserve a raise. Been down this road once before and it took years to recover so no I don't mind paying the extra .20-.40 cents per gallon for some piece-o-mind, to each his own. Call me ol' fashioned I guess. 

You are so Old Fashioned Van.  Maybe you should trade in that new Prevost for a 1950 GM bus. 

How about I give you my fuel card number and you can send me a check for the price on the pump evertime you fill up and I will get the extra 50 cents per gallon. 

[Van]

Ok Gary, check is in the mail