A closer look

Because the pump is really just a clever, high-stakes trap to get you inside to buy wildly overpriced beef jerky. The profit margins on raw fuel at the consumer level are virtually non-existent, often amounting to just pennies per gallon after taxes and credit card fees. Gas stations essentially sell fuel as a loss-leader just to ensure you desperately need to pee, forcing you to wander inside and pay a 400% markup on a stale hot dog and a fountain soda.