MINOCQUA, Wis. - Dozens of drivers made a mad rush for cheap gas after a station employee accidentally changed the price to 33 cents a gallon. An employee closing Trig's Minocqua Shell for the night meant to drop the price of gas by 1 cent.
But he mistakenly dropped a nine from the $3.299 a gallon in the computer, making the price of gas .329 cents Monday night.
He left about 10 p.m., but drivers could still use their credit cards to buy gas. Those that did got a bargain, and word spread fast.
Forty-two people bought 586 gallons of gas in an hour and 45 minutes.
Local police saw the hoard at the station and called store manager Andrea Reuland.
She went to the station and pushed the emergency stop.
"There were cars two deep at each of my pumps," said Reuland, who knew many of the drivers.
One person had pumped 27 gallons and two purchased 18 gallons.
Manager upset at 'dishonest' people Reuland told people they were being dishonest the main store sign had the correct price.
"I was very upset that there's that many dishonest people," she said. "They knew there was a problem, and they took advantage of an employee's mistake and I think that's terrible."
For that many people to be at a rural, northern Wisconsin gas station after 10 p.m. is highly unusual, she said.
The employee, who has been there for about six months, had changed the gas prices 25 times in the past six months.
"It was an honest mistake," Reuland said. "I could have done it."
Area residents were still talking about it Friday morning.
"Was it you guys?" a woman in the station asked Reuland. "Why do I always miss the good stuff?"
sammy said
22:30 12/07 2007
lol
Thats cheaper than it was before the hike.
jamaicabwoy said
22:36 12/07 2007
Shit I would do the same if I see gas for that cheap who wouldnt go for that deal , I mean I feel sorry for the owners lost but you cant call the people dishonest , when they are just customers ....and aint thats wat consumers supposed to do find the best bargain available ....lol
Crazypickney said
22:39 12/07 2007
"I was very upset that there's that many dishonest people," she said. "They knew there was a problem, and they took advantage of an employee's mistake and I think that's terrible."
Sorry boss, a just life
bLaCkBeatZ said
12:50 12/08 2007
she lose well over $1700...me woulda fire di employee...not really but di manager a talk like she wouldn tek advantage 2. They say word spread fast but I expected much more people dan dat
FiveStar said
14:56 12/08 2007
"the evil hearts of men"......lol.....she lucky di babylon did call her, or she would loose a lot more!
mz más quería veterano said
19:03 12/08 2007
shardo said
19:32 12/08 2007
LMFAO!!!!!!!!!
fabasketball said
06:50 12/13 2007
jaah know dat shoulda happen in jamaica u woulda see man fomr all bout wid couple barrel well
But he mistakenly dropped a nine from the $3.299 a gallon in the computer, making the price of gas .329 cents Monday night.
He left about 10 p.m., but drivers could still use their credit cards to buy gas.
Those that did got a bargain, and word spread fast.
Forty-two people bought 586 gallons of gas in an hour and 45 minutes.
Local police saw the hoard at the station and called store manager Andrea Reuland.
She went to the station and pushed the emergency stop.
"There were cars two deep at each of my pumps," said Reuland, who knew many of the drivers.
One person had pumped 27 gallons and two purchased 18 gallons.
Manager upset at 'dishonest' people
Reuland told people they were being dishonest the main store sign had the correct price.
"I was very upset that there's that many dishonest people," she said. "They knew there was a problem, and they took advantage of an employee's mistake and I think that's terrible."
For that many people to be at a rural, northern Wisconsin gas station after 10 p.m. is highly unusual, she said.
The employee, who has been there for about six months, had changed the gas prices 25 times in the past six months.
"It was an honest mistake," Reuland said. "I could have done it."
Area residents were still talking about it Friday morning.
"Was it you guys?" a woman in the station asked Reuland. "Why do I always miss the good stuff?"