Gas stations in Wisconsin would no longer be able to use fractions of a cent in their pump prices, such as charging $2.49.9 a gallon. It's part of legislation proposed by state Representative Marlin Schneider (D-Wisconsin Rapids), who says the practice could mislead customers. He compares it the fine print on a large banner advertising a 50 percent off sale, but reads "on select items" in small type. The Wisconsin Rapids Democrat says nothing else is sold with a fraction of a cent figured in the price.
However, gas station owners are disputing that those prices are meant to confuse customers. Bob Bartlett, head of the Wisconsin Association of Convenience stores says it keeps the price at the pump accurate. He says consumers can clearly see what they're being charged while pumping gas into their vehicles.
Bartlett says gas stations have been using fractions for decades. He says petroleum retailers actually buy fuel down to the thousandth of a cent. [WIBA's John Colbert contributed to this report.]