Ah, you should read the story in the link (edited, above now to emphasize that it makes it clear...). Drivers called around to spread the news, and they were 2 deep at the pumps. Total hit to the station was over $1500.
(As to the safety, yeah, that is actually the norm in much of the US, where small towns don't keep someone around to stare at nothing all night, but automated pumps allow CC transactions.)
Anyhow, so people called around and lots headed there to take advantage. Not an after-pumping look at the total, "um, that's kind of cheap.. humh, no one around, ok, screw it, I am out of here." Rather, knowing the price to be wrong, they headed over to take advantage.
So, ethics of the actual situation reported in the story? How about that it's a small town and these are the owner's neighbors?
(no subject)
Date: 2007-12-09 04:13 am (UTC)(As to the safety, yeah, that is actually the norm in much of the US, where small towns don't keep someone around to stare at nothing all night, but automated pumps allow CC transactions.)
Anyhow, so people called around and lots headed there to take advantage. Not an after-pumping look at the total, "um, that's kind of cheap.. humh, no one around, ok, screw it, I am out of here." Rather, knowing the price to be wrong, they headed over to take advantage.
So, ethics of the actual situation reported in the story? How about that it's a small town and these are the owner's neighbors?
I love "situational ethics" questions. 8-)