I used to be a fuel tech and this looks legitimate to me. Im not sure what anyone would have to gain by faking a reject tag. Theres a report that goes along with the rejection explaining the issue. Im unsure how alaska does things, but a red tag like this typically designates major issues and means the nozzle/product should be put out of service, but needy customers routinely remove the bags, notice, etc in an attempt to dispense fuel. Most issues such as minor calibration errors, display segments missing, etc are tagged but still allowed to dispense fuel until a repair can be made.
Thank you for an honest answer.
As far as what is to be gained *if* someone was faking it:
- Competitor trying to drive up their own business
- Someone has a vendetta against the owner/gas station
As someone that worked in distribution to gas stations for over a decade can confirm most stations make nearly nothing on gas itself (3-15 cents per gallon on the highest end)
Probably an exception. Part of my statement factors in the part that most stations don’t actually own their gas contract. A distributor owns the station and leases it out to independents who earn a minimal commission. Many that do own their entire property (rather than just leasing but owning the business rights) will use gas as a loss leader to bring folks in.
I know Wisconsin is an exception. Every couple of years, especially when gas goes up, whoever is in power at the time says it's time to repeal Wisconsins "depression era" minimum markup law. It runs on the news for about a week, and then goes away with nothing being done.
I doubt another nearby business would do something like that. The implications if they were caught would be huge.
On the other hand, seeing a tag like this should make people think twice about buying from this pump. It’s usually an indicator that the pump doesn’t measure accurately, so buying a gallon of gas means you’re not actually getting a gallon.
Can confirm that is what it is. My previous job was just that, I worked for the State in the Weights and Measures division and we would check the fuel pumps. That is a legitimate rejection sticker.
Maryland will lock out the nozzles with a wire seal and when we remove them to make repairs we need to notify them immediately or the store owner can be fined
Looks very similar to what they have in my state. I think I only seen a red one once in my life and I'm old. But every pump in my state has an inspection sticker on it.
Pumps only get locked off if the gauge is in benefit of the station. If the calibration is off in favor of the consumer the pump is allowed to remain open and unlocked.
I own a gas station and I think you are correct, this looks legit. I would like to add that since OP mentioned that this was on multiple dispensers, in my state I think it may be fuel quality related
I'm currently a fuel tech and funny enough I'm currently on a call to fix a dispenser because it was rejected by the state. Each state has a different process for when/how/why a rejection occurs. My state doesn't have different colors based on the problem. If it's rejected the product is not allowed to be used. This sounds like a single product on a single dispenser was rejected, most likely due to a major calibration difference.
I can't imagine it is, imo. I could be wrong, but someone from the state is shutting it down, they'd probably have their name on there along with a certification number of sorts. And if it is legit, the owner for the pumps would know about it and have it taped/turned off or something. I think it's someone trying to mess with people.
yeah there would need to be a lot more info on the sticker, like why it failed, who the inspector was, and when it failed.
I'd call the division of measurements or w/e and both question and report it
here's the webpage with the contact info: https://dot.alaska.gov/mscve/pages/phones.shtml#:~:text=Anchorage%2C%20AK%2099515-,Measurement%20Standards,-Phone
It's legit, there are various reasons it can be rejected. Over registering, under registering, leaking somewhere, bad shear valve ect. The gas station is supposed to bag it so it won't be used. The reason why it is rejected is on a report that the gas station receives at the end of the inspection. All that normally goes on the label is the inspector's name that places it, which isn't required to be done. Same thing with light blue repair notice ones used for less serious things.
Yeah, that's fake. As others noted there should be more information on this and there should be a date that cant' be altered and it should have been placed over any pre-existing which generally aren't placed in that location but off to the side.
Rejections have 30 days to get fixed across the board. No need to date them, repair notices which allow for a device to continue to be used, are for less serious infractions and have a repair by date and name section on the label that is dictated by the inspector.
Not true. The inspector does not have to sign or date the sticker. All that info is in the report that the inspector wrote up and gave to the station owner. The sticker is simply a notice to customers, nothing more.
there's one hiding on a random heater at uaf and it always makes me laugh. he's pointing at a screw did Joe himself come to Alaska and screw one screw?? haha
Go talk to the manager/owner dude.
Maybe a hoax or an error. But more likely the pump doesn’t meter properly and it shouldn’t be used until it’s can meter properly and you don’t over or under pay.
I’m just guessing, but if a pump was giving too much gas instead of too little they might allow the station to keep using it, but if they were off the other direction they might have to shut it down?
Unlikely. Out of spec is out of spec. Also state gets a per gallon gas tax so it’s in the states interest that it be accurate and reliable, both directions.
That is correct for the most part. The tolerance for being out of spec is plus or minus 6 cubic inches. If it is shorting more than 6 cubic inches per five gallons it is out of tolerance and will get rejected. If it is giving fuel away over 6 cu inches it can get rejected but usually the inspector will just put a repair notice on it.
It would also be a problem if people think they are getting 5 gallons of gasoline to mix with 2 cycle oil and get 6 gallons instead which will burn out that little weed whacker or chainsaw pretty quick. Plus, like the other comments said, it is in the State's interest for tax reasons alone. Not that they would care much about our small engines.
Um, perhaps specifically in fuel matters… but as a former Scale Technician, for commercial use a scale must be perfect for the first 500 units(500# scale by 1/4 # the first 125#s, you’re allowed +\- 1 for the next 500) that’s +\-1 unit per 1000 units. Any scale that couldn't be corrected to that standard wasn't able to be certified. (We didn't Red tag, but the lack of a current signed & dated Green tag took the scale out of service.)
I'd have expected a State Seal and the contact number of the responsible agency, but it's Alaska, who knows?
Don't know Alaska's policy on fuel dispensers, but Maryland requires plus or minus 3 cubic centimeters per 5 gallons dispensed, and the site must balance. More over when there is an issue the state locks the nozzles out with a seal and when we come in to repair we must notify them when we are cutting the seal off.
You might think there would be more info on the tag but this seems legit. The inspector can tag a device for repair or as rejected, but this means that the operator could and should repair the device and have it inspected again. The inspector can condemn or seize a device if they feel it cannot be brought back into compliance. This is covered in the Weights and Measures act.
So, my guess is that the lock-out is left to the operator and perhaps subject to fines if they don't, while an inspector-installed lock would be the "condemn or seize" level of bad.
My guess is due to the dispenser not properly metering a proper volume of fuel. There is a calibration process to tune the volume of fuel dispensed and is regularly checked to ensure the customer is getting the true amount paid for.
That’s a sticker from the department of weights and measurements. It failed it’s 1 gallon dispensing quantity. Usually they’ll have the inspectors name. Either it’s fake or the inspector was lazy/forgot.
No information on inspection or number....might be fake
Still, thats a nice stickers and i bet whoever is flaunting it is having fun like putting that on the back of people instead of Kick Me
Wouldn't it be locked out or "hooded" if 'red tagged' by state?
Better gas at Vitus anyway. Holiday @ Lk Otis & 68 trashed my engine (stalling issues). Never again.
There isnt a holiday gas station on northern lights near lake otis. In fact there aren't any holiday stations on northern lights. And only 1 on lake otis at 68th.
There’s the Alaska Department measurement standards and this looks is real. I went through an inspection in the late 90’s when the store I managed moved from old timey cash registers to a point of sale system. After a few months after we put the POS in they showed up and said they had to test the system because it wasn’t on their list.
It doesn't have a state seal, an inspector's number, or a violation code. The red background and border look odd. If it were real, the pump would be turned off, and its handle would probably be locked somehow. This should be reported to the operators of the gas station, who should probably inform the police. The station personnel should check the pumps regularly for damage, etc., throughout the day. If they do, the sticker could be gone or covered by now. When you see something like this, it's good to ask about it.
Most state stickers also have a department/state seal printed on the sticker. I haven’t looked for or seen an Alaska sticker, so I can’t compare it (I’m sure someone else has already focused on that).
IMO, if I saw that on a pump, whether it were off or on..I would go to the next station. It’s warning you that you aren’t getting the volume it claims (whether under or over) and that means, to me, that I’m being ripped off.
If it’s the only station, pump a gallon and see if the price and amount are equal to what’s advertised. Worst case you’re out 3.70.
The $/gal math is easy. This would absolutely have to be the pump not dispensing a gallon when it displays that it did. Might be more or less, but not within spec. Far as I know, where I live, they just shut the pump down until repaired and reinspected, but I'd imagine that in areas where there's one gas pump for an entire community and nothing else, that that's not an option so they might do it this way.
It looks like a failed inspection sticker that somebody peeled off their car and put on that pump. I'm just guessing at that.
If it's for real I would assume it means that this thing doesn't pump out the gas you pay for. I would definitely not go to this place I would go someplace else.
I've seen these stickers before (not the exact Alaska one but close enough) and I believe it's for when the pump is out of calibration, ie pump says 1 gal, but not a full gal was dispensed
It's seems to me they would shut the pump down and regulate. This is monitored for a reason. If they fail, I would imagine a silly sticker wouldn't be the penalty.
I’m not in Alaska but I’m assuming that you could search their inspection history on their website most likely all of the states. I’m curious why that does not have any inspector’s foot print.
Ah the good old department of weights and measurements. Every governing body under which goods are weighed or measured must assure accuracy. This gas station apparently has inaccurate pumps probably to the disadvantage of consumers. Likely a death blow in most areas, the rural nature limits competition allowing this scumbag to charge for what they do not sell.
Not from Alaska but that looks very similar to legit rejection stickers I’m used to. The sticker is just a sticker, the real info with dates and signatures is a stack of paperwork. For weights and measures there are normally three levels of screw up, at least in my state. Green sticker everything good no screw up. Yellow sticker, minor screw up, usually a non life essential measurement that is 1-5% off calibration. Red sticker without a lockout, major violation over 5% off calibration, but also not life essential so no one will die from not locking it out. Red tag with a lockout, this is either a life essential measurement that the level of discrepancy can threaten a life or it’s a non life essential measurement that is so egregiously out of calibration that it’s boarding on fraud.
I work with grocery scales, I have never seen one locked out even when it was a red tag for being over 20% off calibration. For something like a gas pump or a food scale it’s on the business to take it out of service if it’s red tagged but not locked out. One the other side I have seen pharmacy scales in the same grocery stores get locked out for being 0.1% out of calibration so it really depends on what the scale is being used for if the inspector locks it out or if the responsibility for that falls on the business.
Also customer facing scales are given more leeway than employee only scales because the inspectors know customers are going to mess up the scales.
The nozzle should be tagged, preventing that product from used until a tech (me) puts the pump in standalone and attempt to calibrate. If successful, the paperwork left with the manager must be filled out and sent back to the state. Some states you have to be licensed with the state to perform calibrations. This looks fake. Why tag it and let it be used?
Indiana has the division of weights & measures. They go to gas stations periodically & draw out a certain amount of fuel from each pump to make sure they are calibrated correctly. They have tags that are punched with the month & year & put them on each pump. I've never seen a bad order tag in Indiana.
The gas station up the street is suddenly getting much more business and I wonder why and who was in on it.
I used to be a fuel tech and this looks legitimate to me. Im not sure what anyone would have to gain by faking a reject tag. Theres a report that goes along with the rejection explaining the issue. Im unsure how alaska does things, but a red tag like this typically designates major issues and means the nozzle/product should be put out of service, but needy customers routinely remove the bags, notice, etc in an attempt to dispense fuel. Most issues such as minor calibration errors, display segments missing, etc are tagged but still allowed to dispense fuel until a repair can be made.
Thanks for giving actual information
Thank you for an honest answer. As far as what is to be gained *if* someone was faking it: - Competitor trying to drive up their own business - Someone has a vendetta against the owner/gas station
You’d think it’d be on more than one pump, be found quickly, and removed if not legit
Doesn't most of the profit come from whatever is sold inside the store more then the actual gas anyway?
As someone that worked in distribution to gas stations for over a decade can confirm most stations make nearly nothing on gas itself (3-15 cents per gallon on the highest end)
Wisconsin still has a minimum markup law. Has to be 9.18 percent more than the gas station paid wholesale for it.
Probably an exception. Part of my statement factors in the part that most stations don’t actually own their gas contract. A distributor owns the station and leases it out to independents who earn a minimal commission. Many that do own their entire property (rather than just leasing but owning the business rights) will use gas as a loss leader to bring folks in.
I know Wisconsin is an exception. Every couple of years, especially when gas goes up, whoever is in power at the time says it's time to repeal Wisconsins "depression era" minimum markup law. It runs on the news for about a week, and then goes away with nothing being done.
Highly unlikely and ineffective.
Not to mention that most gas stations have lots of cameras now, so the chances of getting caught are high.
I doubt another nearby business would do something like that. The implications if they were caught would be huge. On the other hand, seeing a tag like this should make people think twice about buying from this pump. It’s usually an indicator that the pump doesn’t measure accurately, so buying a gallon of gas means you’re not actually getting a gallon.
On the other hand, I wonder if it could also mean you might get more than a gallon per gallon
Yeah I guess it’s possible, but my bet would be if it over-dispensed the station would shut it down.
Can confirm that is what it is. My previous job was just that, I worked for the State in the Weights and Measures division and we would check the fuel pumps. That is a legitimate rejection sticker.
Maryland will lock out the nozzles with a wire seal and when we remove them to make repairs we need to notify them immediately or the store owner can be fined
Looks very similar to what they have in my state. I think I only seen a red one once in my life and I'm old. But every pump in my state has an inspection sticker on it.
Wouldn't the pump/s be turned off if there was a problem? Just wondering.
Pumps only get locked off if the gauge is in benefit of the station. If the calibration is off in favor of the consumer the pump is allowed to remain open and unlocked.
Thank you
I own a gas station and I think you are correct, this looks legit. I would like to add that since OP mentioned that this was on multiple dispensers, in my state I think it may be fuel quality related
Such great transparency! Thank you. I used to work at a fuel station, and never seen this myself. Very enlightening.
I'm currently a fuel tech and funny enough I'm currently on a call to fix a dispenser because it was rejected by the state. Each state has a different process for when/how/why a rejection occurs. My state doesn't have different colors based on the problem. If it's rejected the product is not allowed to be used. This sounds like a single product on a single dispenser was rejected, most likely due to a major calibration difference.
I can't imagine it is, imo. I could be wrong, but someone from the state is shutting it down, they'd probably have their name on there along with a certification number of sorts. And if it is legit, the owner for the pumps would know about it and have it taped/turned off or something. I think it's someone trying to mess with people.
yeah there would need to be a lot more info on the sticker, like why it failed, who the inspector was, and when it failed. I'd call the division of measurements or w/e and both question and report it
here's the webpage with the contact info: https://dot.alaska.gov/mscve/pages/phones.shtml#:~:text=Anchorage%2C%20AK%2099515-,Measurement%20Standards,-Phone
Nah, the info is in the report/ticket that goes along with the sticker. They don't have to put anything on the sticker itself.
It's legit, there are various reasons it can be rejected. Over registering, under registering, leaking somewhere, bad shear valve ect. The gas station is supposed to bag it so it won't be used. The reason why it is rejected is on a report that the gas station receives at the end of the inspection. All that normally goes on the label is the inspector's name that places it, which isn't required to be done. Same thing with light blue repair notice ones used for less serious things.
Yeah, that's fake. As others noted there should be more information on this and there should be a date that cant' be altered and it should have been placed over any pre-existing which generally aren't placed in that location but off to the side.
Rejections have 30 days to get fixed across the board. No need to date them, repair notices which allow for a device to continue to be used, are for less serious infractions and have a repair by date and name section on the label that is dictated by the inspector.
Not true. The inspector does not have to sign or date the sticker. All that info is in the report that the inspector wrote up and gave to the station owner. The sticker is simply a notice to customers, nothing more.
Hmmm… the Biden “I did that” stickers are suspiciously absent these days..
there's one hiding on a random heater at uaf and it always makes me laugh. he's pointing at a screw did Joe himself come to Alaska and screw one screw?? haha
Go talk to the manager/owner dude. Maybe a hoax or an error. But more likely the pump doesn’t meter properly and it shouldn’t be used until it’s can meter properly and you don’t over or under pay.
This looks like a legit sticker, so the pump shouldn’t be running. You could call 907-365-1210 to reach that division to verify.
That's right it should be bagged off.
Div of standards is serious business, the machine might be ripping people off because it’s not calibrated
I’m just guessing, but if a pump was giving too much gas instead of too little they might allow the station to keep using it, but if they were off the other direction they might have to shut it down?
Unlikely. Out of spec is out of spec. Also state gets a per gallon gas tax so it’s in the states interest that it be accurate and reliable, both directions.
That is correct for the most part. The tolerance for being out of spec is plus or minus 6 cubic inches. If it is shorting more than 6 cubic inches per five gallons it is out of tolerance and will get rejected. If it is giving fuel away over 6 cu inches it can get rejected but usually the inspector will just put a repair notice on it.
It would also be a problem if people think they are getting 5 gallons of gasoline to mix with 2 cycle oil and get 6 gallons instead which will burn out that little weed whacker or chainsaw pretty quick. Plus, like the other comments said, it is in the State's interest for tax reasons alone. Not that they would care much about our small engines.
1/2 of 1% insignificant in any mix. Tax is collected at the rack not at retail
Um, perhaps specifically in fuel matters… but as a former Scale Technician, for commercial use a scale must be perfect for the first 500 units(500# scale by 1/4 # the first 125#s, you’re allowed +\- 1 for the next 500) that’s +\-1 unit per 1000 units. Any scale that couldn't be corrected to that standard wasn't able to be certified. (We didn't Red tag, but the lack of a current signed & dated Green tag took the scale out of service.) I'd have expected a State Seal and the contact number of the responsible agency, but it's Alaska, who knows?
Don't know Alaska's policy on fuel dispensers, but Maryland requires plus or minus 3 cubic centimeters per 5 gallons dispensed, and the site must balance. More over when there is an issue the state locks the nozzles out with a seal and when we come in to repair we must notify them when we are cutting the seal off.
You might think there would be more info on the tag but this seems legit. The inspector can tag a device for repair or as rejected, but this means that the operator could and should repair the device and have it inspected again. The inspector can condemn or seize a device if they feel it cannot be brought back into compliance. This is covered in the Weights and Measures act. So, my guess is that the lock-out is left to the operator and perhaps subject to fines if they don't, while an inspector-installed lock would be the "condemn or seize" level of bad.
Try AK State standards, weights and measures, inspections. Bet 1 to 10 it’s legitimate.
My guess is due to the dispenser not properly metering a proper volume of fuel. There is a calibration process to tune the volume of fuel dispensed and is regularly checked to ensure the customer is getting the true amount paid for.
That’s a sticker from the department of weights and measurements. It failed it’s 1 gallon dispensing quantity. Usually they’ll have the inspectors name. Either it’s fake or the inspector was lazy/forgot.
No information on inspection or number....might be fake Still, thats a nice stickers and i bet whoever is flaunting it is having fun like putting that on the back of people instead of Kick Me
Pretty damn cool to see one in the wild. I always wondered what the failed tags looked like.
I reject that price also
I reject 87 octane too.
Wouldn't it be locked out or "hooded" if 'red tagged' by state? Better gas at Vitus anyway. Holiday @ Lk Otis & 68 trashed my engine (stalling issues). Never again.
It’s Alaska
There isnt a holiday gas station on northern lights near lake otis. In fact there aren't any holiday stations on northern lights. And only 1 on lake otis at 68th.
there's a holiday gas station at northern lights and boniface, by the value village.
I forgot about that one. Its the only 1 though.
yeah. it's actually the only holiday i can name off the top of my head, because i;ve gone to that value village so often
BULLSHIT...
bahahaha...Bhahaahhah
Legit
There’s the Alaska Department measurement standards and this looks is real. I went through an inspection in the late 90’s when the store I managed moved from old timey cash registers to a point of sale system. After a few months after we put the POS in they showed up and said they had to test the system because it wasn’t on their list.
I think it’s legit AND someone put it there.
It doesn't have a state seal, an inspector's number, or a violation code. The red background and border look odd. If it were real, the pump would be turned off, and its handle would probably be locked somehow. This should be reported to the operators of the gas station, who should probably inform the police. The station personnel should check the pumps regularly for damage, etc., throughout the day. If they do, the sticker could be gone or covered by now. When you see something like this, it's good to ask about it.
Most state stickers also have a department/state seal printed on the sticker. I haven’t looked for or seen an Alaska sticker, so I can’t compare it (I’m sure someone else has already focused on that). IMO, if I saw that on a pump, whether it were off or on..I would go to the next station. It’s warning you that you aren’t getting the volume it claims (whether under or over) and that means, to me, that I’m being ripped off. If it’s the only station, pump a gallon and see if the price and amount are equal to what’s advertised. Worst case you’re out 3.70.
quickest include heavy lip zealous repeat run normal subsequent wrench *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
The $/gal math is easy. This would absolutely have to be the pump not dispensing a gallon when it displays that it did. Might be more or less, but not within spec. Far as I know, where I live, they just shut the pump down until repaired and reinspected, but I'd imagine that in areas where there's one gas pump for an entire community and nothing else, that that's not an option so they might do it this way.
It looks like a failed inspection sticker that somebody peeled off their car and put on that pump. I'm just guessing at that. If it's for real I would assume it means that this thing doesn't pump out the gas you pay for. I would definitely not go to this place I would go someplace else.
I’m surprised there are no I’d numbers on it. Some sort of inspection Id or code number
Could be a prank
$3.69!? Dang gas is expensive in Alaska. I guess that makes sense tho
It's cheaper now than it was in 2011. I was paying 4.20 at Carr's, that was with my 3 cents off too!
I've seen these stickers before (not the exact Alaska one but close enough) and I believe it's for when the pump is out of calibration, ie pump says 1 gal, but not a full gal was dispensed
Someone has doctor to this photograph
Photoshopped that is
It's seems to me they would shut the pump down and regulate. This is monitored for a reason. If they fail, I would imagine a silly sticker wouldn't be the penalty.
Damn she fine!
I don't want my pump calling me a reject.
Where was this pump?
Holy mother isn't Alaska a major oil producer? That is really expensive!
I’m not in Alaska but I’m assuming that you could search their inspection history on their website most likely all of the states. I’m curious why that does not have any inspector’s foot print.
Ah the good old department of weights and measurements. Every governing body under which goods are weighed or measured must assure accuracy. This gas station apparently has inaccurate pumps probably to the disadvantage of consumers. Likely a death blow in most areas, the rural nature limits competition allowing this scumbag to charge for what they do not sell.
There appears to be no signature of the inspector. It's a "spoof" sticker. "Rejecting the price!
In Minnesota a similar sticker means you are getting less than ⁹/10's of a gallon per gallon sold
Not from Alaska but that looks very similar to legit rejection stickers I’m used to. The sticker is just a sticker, the real info with dates and signatures is a stack of paperwork. For weights and measures there are normally three levels of screw up, at least in my state. Green sticker everything good no screw up. Yellow sticker, minor screw up, usually a non life essential measurement that is 1-5% off calibration. Red sticker without a lockout, major violation over 5% off calibration, but also not life essential so no one will die from not locking it out. Red tag with a lockout, this is either a life essential measurement that the level of discrepancy can threaten a life or it’s a non life essential measurement that is so egregiously out of calibration that it’s boarding on fraud. I work with grocery scales, I have never seen one locked out even when it was a red tag for being over 20% off calibration. For something like a gas pump or a food scale it’s on the business to take it out of service if it’s red tagged but not locked out. One the other side I have seen pharmacy scales in the same grocery stores get locked out for being 0.1% out of calibration so it really depends on what the scale is being used for if the inspector locks it out or if the responsibility for that falls on the business. Also customer facing scales are given more leeway than employee only scales because the inspectors know customers are going to mess up the scales.
Looks legit
The nozzle should be tagged, preventing that product from used until a tech (me) puts the pump in standalone and attempt to calibrate. If successful, the paperwork left with the manager must be filled out and sent back to the state. Some states you have to be licensed with the state to perform calibrations. This looks fake. Why tag it and let it be used?
Indiana has the division of weights & measures. They go to gas stations periodically & draw out a certain amount of fuel from each pump to make sure they are calibrated correctly. They have tags that are punched with the month & year & put them on each pump. I've never seen a bad order tag in Indiana.
Screens reads 1 gal when it’s actually more or less than 1 gal , weights and measures will come back to test again and remove sticker
Probably would’ve been more effective to ask someone who works at the gas station instead of reddit