cautiousjon

I have heard very good things from Amazon Prime Now from friends who have used the service. Unfortunately, it only exists in some cities in the USA. They don't seem to charge much more than a small order surcharge, and source the items from stores that are local to your location.

I doubt that I will use these services, particularly for produce, as I like to pick and choose what produce I buy.

When I was visiting from the UK a few years ago, I went to a Shell garage that offered the option to leave a UK drivers license and a credit card with the staff member behind the kiosk and then s/he would just activate the pump for unlimited gas. Once I had finished pumping, I would go back into the kiosk, and they'd run through a normal post-pay transaction.

It depends on the store. I have a similar loyalty card for Vons that I got from a checkout rep during my first visit to the store. I have never registered the card (it still has the "please register me" sticker on it ) and I have been successfully using it for the past three or so years.

I can do that with my local gas station if I pay with cash.

I would imagine that the rep was just being unhelpful.

Some gas stations require zip codes and some require your PIN, but I have found that an increasing number don't anymore. Costco, for example, now accepts Visa credit cards, and my Visa credit card (that has a chip) has some sort of automatic authorization limit where not even a PIN or ZIP is needed. When I fill up my car with gas from Costco, I don't need to type in anything. I just enter my credit card, push "CREDIT" when the prompt for debit or credit comes up, and pump away.

Pulaski

And yet you specify that you can do it (only?) if you pay with cash.

I never buy gas with cash.

Nutmegger

So I guess the only stumbling block is a debit card (which I have no experience of), as it is obviously irrelevant with a credit card!

Pulaski

Huh? Why is it irrelevant with a credit card? ..... I don't have a debit card and have never used one in the US.

Nutmegger

Because we are talking about gas stations with a pay in advance rule, and wherever I have pumped gas with a credit card, there is no "ante up a certain amount in advance" criteria -- that is only for cash and sometimes debit customers (to ensure there's enough in the account). It is just pay at the pump, whatever amount one runs up, when using a credit card. If it is different for you, then it is a "your mileage may differ" regional thing.

Pulaski

Ah, I see what you're thinking, but that isn't the case.

(i) I only ever buy gas with a credit card, but I have had to prepay on several occasions most recently just a few weeks ago. The incident I described above in post #240, related to an attempted purchase with a credit card.

(ii) If the pump card reader doesn't work, or my card has an "issue" (BP cards only work at the pump for three gas purchases per day, also my card was "flagged" recently and I had to go in and show ID), then you have to prepay inside, even though you're paying with a credit card.

(iii) The rules and procedures for prepaying and do impact purchases with a credit card.

Tanja87

Ok, so getting fuel sounds complicated.... Think I might just check with the cashier what the deal is before attempting to fuel up
It looks like the weather has taken a turn for the worse, at least according to my weather app Dallas appears to have become somewhat rainy. Is that accurate? Just trying to work out what to expect so I can pack accordingly lol! Still gotta get some bits for the plane to keep our kiddies entertained as well.... And that all important mozzie repellant and suncream!
Anyone taking/taken their little ones to the rodeo? Apparently you can book booths which are better for families as the kids have some room to play there... Just wondering if it's quite rowdy or "brutal" as I've never been to one (obvs) so not sure it's so appropriate for kids...?!

dj6372

My arrival in the US was interesting with the gas situation, my lovely wife hadn't informed me it was prepay! So I spent a while battling with an non dispensing pump, until a helpful local told me I had to prepay, so then obviously my UK card didn't work, by which time I was more than irritated. So I finally ate my pride and went inside to the cashier, who swiped my card, authorized the pump, I then could dispense gas, went back inside to sign for how much I used. So bloody simple when you know how!!


Me and Mrs DJ had words later, think she called me a dick, and said 'now you know how I felt in UK'


Well we are all guilty of assuming the other person knows the rules of a different country!

Pugilation

Just one more difference to get used to! I've been avoiding paying for gas on my UK cards so I don't get hit with the conversion charges, once I get a US account setup I'll have to remember this.

chawkins99

When I use my debit card at a gas station, it asks for my PIN. If I use a credit card, it asks for my billing ZIP code. For that reason, I would expect that you would be unable to use a UK debit or credit card at the pump but there should be no problem taking it inside. Usually, they will want to hold on to the card until you're done which always makes me nervous. I would rather they run the card at that point for a set amount.

Often, when paying at the pump with a credit card, they will pre-authorize an amount (usually between $60 & $100) with the CC company. This will appear on your account but will then be adjusted to the actual amount a day-or-so later.

Pulaski

In my limited experience (3-4 times, different stations, months or years apart), that is what they do, and I wasn't offered any alternative.

MsElui

several of the north dallas area stores for kroger and walmart now do online shopping. They however do not deliver - you pick it up at an appointed time. Ive seen locals swear its the best service ever, and also the worst so the service may be of variable quality.

petitefrancaise

Yes, the weather is now cooler but rainy with thunderstorms - the weather apps are usually pretty accurate for the next 5 days (I think you are arriving this weekend?) and somewhat accurate after that. It is still going to feel hot for you though and with the humidity it is going to feel very clammy. In terms of clothing, just bring umbrellas and some shoes you don't mind getting wet - flip flops?jelly shoes? crocs? It is too hot to wear rainjackets - even light weight ones. If you get wet in this heat, it doesn't feel cold and you probably aren't going to be hanging around too much in the rain anyway.

Has it been decided that you are definitely moving to Dallas in the near future? If so, then just open a bank account (Wells Fargo ?) as soon as you arrive and put some cash in there - you'll get temporary, fully functioning debit cards immediately to use at petrol stations etc. If not, then think about buying a preloaded visa card from walgreens or target or the supermarket to use.

Pulaski

I agree, summer rain here is nothing like the UK - the water comes down warm, and even a heavy storm dries up very quickly because the ground is so hot, and after it stops raining, everything just steams. You can't walk barefoot on concrete or asphalt where the sun has been shining during the day because you would burn your feet.

MsElui

yeah raincoats just trap the steam IN the coat lol!