Frequently Asked Questions
How can TipidGas help lower the price of fuel?
Ever notice that the price of fuel at places where there are a number of fuel stations is relatively cheaper - as compared to areas where fuel stations are far and few in between?The answer is simple: competition. Fuel stations would compete for your money - IF they know that you can compare fuel prices, and then eventually select which among them offers the cheapest fuel.
What if you have the info on where to find the cheapest fuel in your area or route? By sharing info on the cheapest places to fill up and encouraging motorists to patronize them, we are hoping we might pressure other fuel stations to make their prices more competitive. Need proof that this thing works? The City of Naga has been implementing a similar service successfully. Visit www.naga.gov.ph and check out their local price watch on petroleum products. Thru this service they have been able to keep fuel prices in their city relatively cheaper and uniform, as compared with the fuel prices in adjacent municipalities.
Can I really save money by using TipidGas?
As fuel prices remain volatile and the current global crisis at hand, it is important for the pinoy consumer to find the cheapest fuel prices in his area. Based on data from the DOE website (link), for unleaded gasoline prices alone, there is a discrepancy of at least five pesos from the different gas stations in the Metro Manila. Now if the pinoy consumer can at least save half of that amount by gassing up at the gas station selling the cheapest gas nearest him, then his peso can be stretched further for other purchases. This is where TipidGas comes in. We hope to provide him with the necessary info to help the pinoy consumer save money.
Why volunteer? What’s in it for me?
By helping providing fuel prices in your area, so consumers can be presented with choices, you can help others save money. And if consumers patronize a particular station because of its cheaper products, it might influence nearby stations to adjust their prices to make them more competitive so all consumers will benefit. We are hoping this can promote competition among gas stations.
Are the reflected prices accurate?
Prices are voluntarily given by other visitors so the accuracy of the submitted data cannot be guaranteed. Furthermore, from the time that consumer has gassed up or noted the prices, to the time they can actually post the prices on the site, there may already be adjustments on the pump prices. Updates on prices will have a timestamp to further give consumers the age of that particular data.
How often do you update prices? When is the cutoff time of the updates?
Prices are updated only when visitors submit info. There are also no cut off time for updates.
Are all stations on your map?
As we cannot get a complete and accurate listing of stations, the site will rely on the additional stations and data from volunteers. The more stations added, the wider the choices available for users.
My area is not included on the maps coverage. How can I add stations?
For areas without an accurate street map, such as places outside the metropolitan areas, you can place the marker on the general area of the station and provide details preferably the complete address and other info to locate them, such as landmarks. We will include a text-based database in the future.
Who can update prices and give info? Do I need to have a vehicle to volunteer?
Everyone can sign up and be a volunteer. Motorists are not the only one who feel the pinch when they gas up. All services and products are affected by fuel costs since somewhere along the distribution chain they all consume some type of fuel. You can be a vehicle owner, a pedestrian or a commuter and report gas prices that you see while you are out. All you have to do is register to be able to add stations and update prices.
Can I contribute gas prices of stations other than Shell, Petron and Caltex?
Yes you can! Other independent oil players are included in our databases. Even lesser known companies can be included if volunteers can submit the station infos.
Do you include info of prices other fuels besides vehicle fuel? (e.g. kerosene, Shellane, M-Gas)
Not at the moment but we will add these additional info eventually.
