General Discussion

reflection

(6,287 posts)

25. All the time. As another DUer said a long time ago (I forget who)

Mon Nov 10, 2014, 10:39 AM

Nov 2014

My heart, head and wallet all get a vote. 2 out of 3 decides.

The last guy I gave gas money to didn't ask me for it. He was sitting on his front bumper and he looked like he'd eat the business end of a 9 mm if he had the chance. I engaged him in a conversation and he said he was out of gas. I asked him if he needed some gas money and he said yeah, but don't bother, he was leaking brake fluid as well and was dry. We pushed him to a station about 100 yds away, I gave him a couple of gallons and bought him a can of brake fluid. This dude, a big burly guy, broke down and bawled. I wasn't sure what to say. He finally got himself composed and said he wasn't crying because of his misfortune, he was crying because he knew he couldn't pay me back. Most of them are scams, some aren't.

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At the grocery store, a man in the parking lot asked me for gas money. Anyone run into this? [View all] raccoon Nov 2014 OP

Yes... hlthe2b Nov 2014 #1

I have, several times. RiverLover Nov 2014 #2

I have... BronxBoy Nov 2014 #3

All of the time jen63 Nov 2014 #4

Agreed. meaculpa2011 Nov 2014 #9

That's my philosophy. jen63 Nov 2014 #15

A guy in Eugene, OR had a sign, "Waiting For Spaceship. Need Money For Beer!" I waved him over and brewens Nov 2014 #27

I've run into that frequently when stopped at the end of expressway off-ramps. Gidney N Cloyd Nov 2014 #5

I see a lot of that, too. Whatever you do, don't meet their eyes! randome Nov 2014 #13

The one time I encountered that was Gman Nov 2014 #6

Scam. We had a woman do it once and a week later she was doing it again CBGLuthier Nov 2014 #7

That's been my experience. CBHagman Nov 2014 #26

Was it this lady? snooper2 Nov 2014 #31

She's scamming, but the guy is a DB for lording it over her. closeupready Nov 2014 #68

Yes, this is a common scam (nt) Nye Bevan Nov 2014 #8

At least once a week - at the gas station itself or in the Home Depot parking lot or BlueCaliDem Nov 2014 #10

At the grocery store and at the gym, in recent memory. randome Nov 2014 #11

ask to see the gas gauge. eom ellenfl Nov 2014 #12

Bad move malaise Nov 2014 #44

huh? Dyedinthewoolliberal Nov 2014 #52

The time I encountered a similar situation it was a scam Mike Daniels Nov 2014 #14

Yep. Guy sent his little boy to tables at an outdoor cafe cordelia Nov 2014 #16

This one guy tells the same story: bigwillq Nov 2014 #17

He must be desperate by now Bonx Nov 2014 #65

2 weeks ago safeinOhio Nov 2014 #18

Cool. randome Nov 2014 #19

Yes, I told the man if he was still there when I came out, I'd see what I had. woodsprite Nov 2014 #20

Yes sharp_stick Nov 2014 #21

All the time - gas 840high Nov 2014 #22

Scamming you for money Capt. Obvious Nov 2014 #23

I'm discouraged by the word "scam" philosslayer Nov 2014 #24

Unless it's a scam... Phentex Nov 2014 #37

Yes, she wanted money philosslayer Nov 2014 #46

every scam artist needs money... Phentex Nov 2014 #48

To me a scam artist is one of two things philosslayer Nov 2014 #49

see all the replies in this thread... Phentex Nov 2014 #54

there are people who give more than pocket change , even if most people either gave nothing JI7 Nov 2014 #64

A Little Here, a Little There Adds Up Retrograde Nov 2014 #73

no, not everyone does this because they need money, look at Shoplifters and Winona Ryder JI7 Nov 2014 #63

All the time. As another DUer said a long time ago (I forget who) reflection Nov 2014 #25

I've heard of this thing! Warren Stupidity Nov 2014 #28

i never care for or really listened to why they need money, if i have any i usually give it belzabubba333 Nov 2014 #29

We had a guy here who stood in front of the same gas station for a year IDemo Nov 2014 #30

A couple of times treestar Nov 2014 #32

Scammed twice. CrispyQ Nov 2014 #33

This stuff makes me mad Man from Pickens Nov 2014 #34

How do you know she's not in genuine need? philosslayer Nov 2014 #50

Unfortunately, people actually do that Man from Pickens Nov 2014 #72

No one's ever come up to me with a gas can TlalocW Nov 2014 #35

Message auto-removed Name removed Nov 2014 #36

It is still out there .The empty pipe must be filled! lunasun Nov 2014 #40

Yes, I have. ellie Nov 2014 #38

Some do this daily. If they can get a couple of $20 s in a few hrs it beats the net a shift @ mcD s lunasun Nov 2014 #39

Yes. and a variation on it. leftyladyfrommo Nov 2014 #41

Several times and to make it look good he held what looked like a three year old mfcorey1 Nov 2014 #42

Yes. I decline to hand out gas money. But the newest scam inside the grocery store? mnhtnbb Nov 2014 #43

I experience it most days I happen to drive anywhere. hunter Nov 2014 #45

I usually give someone a few bucks with the knowledge I might be getting played. Vinca Nov 2014 #47

who keeps a gas can on them? Travis_0004 Nov 2014 #51

Plenty of times at various places. haele Nov 2014 #53

Yes, I have had this happen before. dilby Nov 2014 #55

Yes, but I was filling up my car. Xyzse Nov 2014 #56

I've heard it's a pretty common scam. The Velveteen Ocelot Nov 2014 #57

I was at an ATM down in Philly bigwillq Nov 2014 #70

It's a common con. Liberal In Texas Nov 2014 #58

The one that really gets to me MissDeeds Nov 2014 #59

I've never been asked for gas money but at the bus stop I've been asked for money for bus Louisiana1976 Nov 2014 #60

If I ride a bus, I pick up a transfer ticket, I give them to folks who look like HereSince1628 Nov 2014 #71

Where i work there is a guy who comes by asking for money and usually gives some reason JI7 Nov 2014 #61

I never give money to strangers unless I can verify their claims. linuxman Nov 2014 #62

Yes, and because I only use a debit card and do not carry cash, RebelOne Nov 2014 #66

Well, I live on a South Dakota liberalhistorian Nov 2014 #67

It's an oldie but goldie. zappaman Nov 2014 #69

Yes, and if I have it I give it to them. The real benefit of charity is in the giving. marble falls Nov 2014 #74