Businesses give away gas cards

Raleigh, N.C. — With gas prices in the state over $4 a gallon, many local businesses are using free gas cards to bring in customers.

“I think good businesses are trying to figure out ways to get people through their doors and to motivate people to stay active in the communities. I think this is a way to get people to spend money in the community,” CJ Bouchard, of Planet Fitness, said Wednesday.

Planet Fitness is giving away four $250 gas cards.

Gym customer Sarah Smith said the money would help with high gas prices.

Red Hughes, owner of Red’s Dance Hall in Raleigh, said when his company started giving away gas cards, sales went up.

At least seven local hotels have also started offering gas card deals.

Even a local church is getting involved. Southbridge Fellowship recently gave away $4,000 worth of free gas.

“Our desire is to be an accurate representation of who Jesus is. People’s lives will be transformed. Whether that’s our church or another church, or any church really, our desire is to show the love of Christ to people,” Southbridge Fellowship Pastor Jon Cullen said noting gas cards are a way to show that love.

Raleigh Metal Recycling and Goldsboro Metal Recycling officials announced Wednesday the company will begin providing $50 bonuses each month to all employees to help pay for a tank of gas due to record high prices at the pump.

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Latest Comments

I am waiting on my FREE GAS CARD. How do I obtain one. Any answers out there?

Dr. Dataclerk
July 10, 2008 3:10 p.m.

Feeding the addiction is all it is. People NEED to learn that low priced gas is not an inalienable right. Most people could easily cut their gas bill with a little thought and work...it is called conservation.

Rolling Along
July 10, 2008 12:18 p.m.

I think that my company should give me a free gas card every week for just being here.

TheAdmiral
July 10, 2008 12:10 p.m.

So sad...surely these organizations and businesses are populated with people who themselves are also seeing and feeling the effect of increasing rapidly increasing inflationary spiral (higher prices for food, water, sewer, phone, natural gas, electricity, taxes, mortgage, fuel efficient vehicles, health insurance, health care etc). Other economic factors have also been worsening for the past 2 years: unemployment, value of US dollar, real estate deflation and run-away state government spending (NC budget has increase an AVERAGE of 10% per year over the past 10 years). The federal tax rebate is telling people that the they need help and need it fast. I doubt that this marketing approach is cost-effective or will last long. The economy needs us to drive more miles and spend more money, more places. The old adage comes to mind: buy what you need until you can afford what you want. Face it, the US ecomomy is in recession and will squeeze us all, sooner or later. What to do????