Automated Fuels

A Trusted Employee Steals More Than $2,000 in Fuel. - Monday, February 08, 2010

Recently a company in Terre Haute, IN found out more than $2,000 was charged to an unsecured Wright Express credit card in an elaborate pay at the pump scam.

This trusted employee, in an attempt to make a few extra dollars, took the WEX credit card from the company office and through an organized plan with his wife went from c-store to c-store offering motorists the opportunity to fill their tank for pennies on the dollar. All they had to do was pay the card thief cash for the fuel.

You could easily see on the surveillance video the pregnant wife soliciting motorists, money changing hands and then she would fill their vehicles. It wasn’t until after the company owner realized the card was missing, spent many hours tracking down the employee/criminals involved and prosecuting them could he put this all behind him and re-focus on his business.

Scott Culp, a fueling consultant with Automated Fuels, stated, “So many times this kind of theft could have been prevented by putting together a smart fuel management program coupled with a Pacific Pride Card.” He went on to say, “Not only would a Pacific Pride Card have saved all of the time and energy preventing this theft, it would have also increased the over all efficiency of the company from the start.”

To learn more about how Automated Fuels can help your company avoid these kinds of disasters as well as improve your companies fuel costs, contact Scott at 812-234-3538 or via email scott@spencebanks.com.

Pacific Pride/Automated Fuels, Once Again, Listens To Its Customers! - Monday, July 06, 2009

Pacific Pride/Automated Fuels is answering the demands of its customers, once again. In an effort to not only "go green", our customers have spoken and we have risen to the occassion for them. On August 1, 2009, two of our pumps at our central site (511 N. First Street, Terre Haute, IN 47807) will be converted to E85. At that time, 89 Octane (Mid Grade Gasoline) and 93 Octane (Premium Grade Gasoline) will no longer be available at our central location. However, 93 Octane (Premium Grade Gasoline) will still be offered at our south location (2026 E. Harlan Drive, Terre Haute, IN 47802).

E85 is the term for motor fuel blends of up to 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. It is cleaner burning than gasoline and comes in a renewable supply. It is a current, viable solution to reduce our dependency on foreign oil. The idea of Americans processing grain (to make ethanol) produced by American farmers, used to fuel cars driven by Americans is an exhilirating concept, in our humble opinion. There are many other advantages to E85 and you can click here or call us @ 812-234-3538 if you have any questions.

Many Convenience Stores (C-Stores) Making "Pay Before Pumping" Mandatory - Tuesday, January 27, 2009

The days of pulling up to a pump at a C-Store, selecting the fuel grade desired and then pressing the Start button with the expectation of the pump actually turning on, seem to be just fond memories. Drive-aways (people who fill up and drive away without paying) have certainly contributed to this pay-before-pumping phenomena, but could it be effecting your bottom line? Find out about this red flag!

Jackson, MS - City Council Demands Answers To City-Wide Fuel Theft - Monday, January 19, 2009

The Jackson, MS City Council refuses to let the issue of fuel theft amongst its city employees rest. Apparently, many of the city employees have fleeced the taxpayers out of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars in bogus fuel charges. As if muncipal budgets aren't tight enough already, you have got to read here to believe this is actually going on.

Thief Steals $23,000 Over A Weekend Pay At The Pump Scheme - Friday, January 16, 2009

October 10, 2008 - RALEIGH, NC - Police say Dillard Roe Johnson stole gas cards from the Bass Nixon & Kennedy engineering company over the weekend, and then hung around gas stations offering motorists fill-ups for $20 a pop. Now police are trying to track down everyone who took advantage of the special offer — possibly hundreds of people. (click here for complete story)

The Pacific Pride Blue Mag Card Contains Outstanding Control Features - Friday, January 16, 2009

Are you still sending your drivers with cash? Do you still have a "house account" at a convenience store(c-store)? Do you genuinely believe that third party, fleet "fuel only" card you purchased for your fleet simply because it's accepted at so many different c-stores, is making your business more efficient? If you said yes to any of these questions, it's time for you call the professionals at Automated Fuels and ask about the Pacific Pride Blue Mag Card. "This card gives you total control of your fleet's fueling activity", said Jim Owen, President, Spence-Banks Oil. "Gallon limits, product grade restriction at the pump, and elimination of non-fuel purchases are just a few of the things this card can control", he continued.

Shane Dyer, President, PowerUp Fleet, added, "We have done extensive research over many years that indicates the wrong fuel management can potentially add as much as $.30 per gallon over the price you pay at the pump. Fleet managers and owners are far too often under the misconception that house accounts, cash and "fuel only" fleet cards are the best methods to fuel a company's fleet." Mr. Dyer added, "The opposite is generally the case. Driver's enter an inefficient fueling environment and, many times, abuse and time wasted, drives the cost of fuel through the roof." He elaborated, " We can't emphasize enough how critical it is to control your fleet's fueling activity; the Pacific Pride commercial fueling network in conjunction with its Blue Mag Card is the answer."

Shane ended by saying, "C-stores are extremely convenient (by design), but highly inefficient for fleet fueling. When you give most employees the liberty to fuel wherever they choose, they often times fail to have the best interest of your business in mind."