['97ventureowner]

That is a big possibility. There was a recent report on our local news about the government agency that oversees the gas pumps in the state has reported more discrepancies at many gas stations. Most of the time they say it's in the favor of the consumer, but it also can go the other way. Over time it can add up with a few pennies per fill up. The agency has been stretched due to budget cutbacks and lack of enough personnel to cover the area for the annual inspections, and they rely on complaints from consumers who suspect a faulty pump. One way they say you can tell if the pump is not working properly is if the pump starts counting before you feel the initial rush of fuel from the hose into your car.There are a few scrupulous station operators out there who take advantage of a faulty pump in their favor by not repairing it. Usually they are caught by a surprise inspection by the agency that does the monitoring of gas station fuel pumps. (In NY that the Dept. of Agriculture and Markets.)