Was this gas station customer given too little gas?

When you fill up your car, you assume that the amount of gas in the tank matches what’s displayed on the pump. An angry customer claims in a viral post that the gas station where he bought gas undercharged him.

TikTok creators Eric and Melissa (@finallymrs_lipford) posted the photo on July 17. Set to Bishop Bullwinkle’s “Hell to Da Na Na Naw,” the photo post shows a gallon can about 60 percent full with something that looks like gasoline.

Is this gas transaction conclusive?

The caption above this photo reads: “A gallon of gas costs $3.26. I bought it for $4.15. This is what I got.” The caption reads: “Something is wrong here.”

To underline this, the caption displayed above the photo reads in capital letters: “Something is wrong here!!!” The post, published on TikTok on July 17, has been viewed more than 971,000 times.

The post did not name a specific seller or the location of the gas station. Nor did it show how the gas was poured into the container while the pump meter was running, which would make a more convincing case. Obviously, this would not be the first time a conspiracy started on TikTok.

How are fuel pumps regulated?

Typically, gas pump regulations are up to each state. According to this ABC article, Alabama sends licensed technicians to inspect pumps once a year to make sure customers are getting the right amount of gas.

A field inspector told ABC, “I’ve found a few legitimate complaints where I pumped five gallons and my tank wasn’t even half filled. Most of the time they’re pretty accurate.”

The opinion of the audience

Some commentators are suspicious of pumps they have seen in the past.

“I keep wondering how accurate these pump meters are,” one commented. “The numbers are displayed before the gas even comes out.”

Another user said, “I notice that different gas stations fill up my truck at different prices,” adding, “This is definitely price gouging.”

The Daily Dot contacted the creator via TikTok direct message.

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