QCMan
Long Island, New York
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Joined: 12/19/2005
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I do not know how long it has been a rule but the Jersey Turnpike has a very odd rule. It will not let you get fuel with an individual credit card more than once in 24 hours. Our travel sequence put us firmly on the wrong side of this rule as we fueled up on Saturday evening at the southernmost rest stop and got off the turnpike shortly after that to stay overnight at a friends house. Next day we set out and got to the northernmost rest area and needed to refuel for the nasty trip through the Bronx and all the traffic it holds in store. We were denied fuel because we had charged fuel on the same card less than 24 hours before! When pressed for an explanation the attendant said it was "a company rule" but could not specify if the company was the turnpike authority or Sunoco. Many queries to both have gone unanswered.
The result was that we had to call someone back home, have them go to our house in Suffolk County, pick up a credit card that we do not like to use for travel, and drive it out to us on the turnpike so we could get enough fuel for the trip home as the surrounding area around the last rest stop is not someplace that I feel safe hunting for a station that can fit my rig.
Both the NJTP and Sunoco will not be in my future any time soon.
2004 Starcraft Aruba 25RS, 2004 Dodge Dakota SLT extended cab. Just the two of us, 2 Jacks and a desire to roam!
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Tvov
CT
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Joined: 07/19/2003
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What??? I have never run into that... I am pretty sure I've had to fill up more than once in 24 hours on the NJTP. You sure you didn't run into the credit card's "red flag" theft program because you were using it out of state? And the attendant either didn't know what he was talking about and making something up, or was not getting across correctly what he was trying to say?
I have had credit cards denied when I am out of state, I think the card companies are just being more careful. Now I almost always call the card companys and put a "travel advisory" on my cards when I travel.
_________________________________________________________
2008 F-250 CrewCab 5.4L,
2004 21' Forest River Surveyor
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RVJohn
Florida
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Joined: 10/04/2003
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Hmmm I`am headed down to Florida in 3 days I wonder if I too should give my credit card companies a call and advise them on my travels.Thats all I need to be in the middle of Virgina and get denied fuel.I don`t usually carry a lot of cash.I guess it can`t hurt to call,but what a pain in the butt.
tow vehicle-2004.5 Dodge 3500 SLT Quad Cab 4x4-600 Cummins Turbo Diesel-4-speed automatic,48RE,short bed-SRW
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2001 3280RL Montana
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MI Director
Michigan
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Joined: 03/03/2007
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We have always made sure we have cash on hand in case we run into a problem with the credit cards. We usually carry enough for at least two fill ups. You never know when something stupid like limits on cards will turn up.
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QCMan
Long Island, New York
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To clarify the issue a little, we had no problems in any other place besides NJ. The trip brought us down to South carolina and if there was any question about the card we were asked for other ID or a zip code and then we got served. It was only on the NJTP that the problem arose. For some reason they have no clue on how to verify honest customers and that is my guess on why they have that policy. My credit card company says that they have imposed no such rule so it was not because of them that we were not able to get fuel.
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D & M
Laurel, MD
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Joined: 03/04/2005
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Must be new rule, I dn't remember this as an issue. Or maybe it doesn't apply to debit cards.
Dave
Mary, the world's best wife (1951-2009)
Isabel & Buddy (the Bostons)
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alfredmay
West Milford, NJ / Donna, TX
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Joined: 05/18/2002
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You learned a valuable lesson. DO NOT travel with only one credit card and no cash. This could have happened to you 500 miles from home......... then what.
Alfred May
2005 Excursion V10 4.30 4x4
2002 Cedar Creek 30RBS TT by Forest River
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QCMan
Long Island, New York
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Actually, the lesson learned was to not do business with stupid or unresponsive or uncaring organizations. There is and was nothing wrong with our credit card which we keep so that we are not vulnerable to theft with a lot of cash around and can put all of our camping needs on it. Remember, this post is about a vendor who said "you have bought enough of my product today and you do not need any more".
To those who proclaim that they carry plenty of cash for these things I suggest that they rethink that as about 5 minutes of intense research by unsavory people can come up with the names and addresses of just about anyone and can lead a determined person to rob those that claim to carry a lot of cash. If my credit card is stolen I can make one phone call and have it cancelled and a new one issued. Can you do that if your cash is stolen?
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sch911
Rochester Hills, MI
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Joined: 04/13/2003
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There's no doubt that it's a stupid policy....
Made someone drive there with another card because you didn't like the surrounding area? Are you serious? A 25ft TT pulled by a Dakota can get into just about any gas station....
Test & System Engineer (Thermal Systems incl. towing, Detroit 3)
2003 Damon Challenger 348 Class A - F53 Triton V10
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tatest
Oklahoma
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Joined: 05/14/2005
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I doubt very much that you ran into a turnpike authority or oil company policy limiting daily purchases. Sunoco didn't refuse to sell you gas, your credit card processing company refused to approve the purchase on that card, at that time.
You may stubbornly refuse to see it that way, imagine some big Sunoco/New Jersey conspiracy directed toward you, but the credit card processor is who decides whether to approve a purchase on the card, not the seller, not the turnpike authority.
Most likely you ran up against one of your card processor's theft warning flags, i.e. multiple out-of-state purchases in a limited time period, particularly through one retailer or one type of retailer along a travel route. This is how petty card thieves most commonly drain a credit (or debit) account, at gas stations and convenience stores. Next time you travel, warn your card company, or give them your cell number so they can call you to verify suspicious card activity.
Tom Test
Itasca Spirit 29B
2001 Ranger Edge
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