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	The Ypsilanti Courier A Heritage Newspaper Weekly Publication

Gas station busted for covering up prices

Employee admits to spray painting information on pumps

By Kathleen Conat, Special Writer

PUBLISHED: June 5, 2008

Ypsilanti police were dispatched to the BP Gas station at 1465 Washtenaw Ave. last Friday upon receipt of an anonymous call of suspicious activity at that location. When they arrived, they found the gas pumps had been spray-painted so the cost of gas was not visible.

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An employee of the station admitted he had covered over the informational area of the pump. A call to the Michigan Department of Agriculture was made, where police learned the practice is a violation of state law.

According to Heather Throne, spokeswoman for the Michigan Department of Agriculture's Weights and Measures Division, customers must be able to see the price from the road, at the pump and on the receipt.

"Inspectors respond immediately to complaints," Throne said. "No state is doing more than Michigan to see that the customer is protected. We have 99 percent compliance because we respond so quickly."

Throne said the Weights and Measures inspectors look at the quality of the gas, ensuring there is no water in it and that it contains the right octane as stated on the pump. In addition, they ensure the customers get the exact amount of gas they pay for.

If stations are found to be in violation, the inspector issues a "stop of sale" order until the problem is corrected. In addition, fines may be levied.

Anyone seeing or suspecting a gas station to be price gouging, hiding prices, changing gas quality or any other problem is urged to contact the MDA's Weights and Measures Division at 1-800-MDA-FUEL and file a complaint.

Kathleen Conat is a longtime Ypsilanti resident and freelance writer for The Courier. She can be reached through editor@ypsilanticourier.com.

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