Massachusetts Bill Would Allow Cash Discounts for Service Stations

Massachusetts lawmakers are pushing to allow gas station dealers (franchisees) to provide cash discounts.  During times of such high gas prices, service station franchisees struggle to survive due to extremely low profit margins.

A bill filed by Representative Barbara L'Italien would require oil companies to allow the franchise owners of their gas stations to give discounts to cash-paying customers. This would free the station from paying fees on credit card purchases. Some of the major oil firms have conditions in their contracts with franchisees that prohibit the stations from charging less for cash purchases, L'Italien said.

Voiding those clauses, said L'Italien, an Andover Democrat, would reduce prices for cash purchases by about 7 cents

via The Boston Globe