Ocean County Gas Station Owner Fined $17,500 for Deceptive Pricing Practices A gas station owner operating multiple Route 37 locations in Ocean County has been fined $17,500 after investigators uncovered a pattern of deceptive business practices involving mismatched gas prices displayed on digital signage versus what customers were actually charged.

🚨 What Investigators Found

According to the Ocean County Division of Weights & Measures and the Office of Consumer Protection, owner Rajinder Chandi advertised one price on digital signs but charged a different price at the pump across three stations:

• Delta – 245 Route 37, Toms River
• Sunoco – 644 Route 37 West, Toms River
• Delta G&R LLC – 200 Route 37, Lakehurst

Officials say the investigation began after customer complaints were filed with the New Jersey Office of Weights & Measures. Lakehurst Police later reported additional concerns involving the Lakehurst station.

⚖️ County & Legal Officials Speak Out

Ocean County Commissioner Robert S. Arace, who oversees Consumer Affairs, said investigators found “numerous violations of state Weights & Measures laws alongside a pattern of deceptive business practices.”

Ocean County Consumer Affairs Director Ronald Heinzman emphasized that the county is committed to ensuring customers pay the price they see at the pump and that businesses comply with state regulations. He noted that the settlement followed mediation involving Chandi, his attorney, and county officials, resolving municipal complaints in both Toms River and Lakehurst.

Legal experts commenting on similar cases online often highlight that deceptive pricing at fuel pumps can violate both state consumer protection laws and weights-and-measures regulations, exposing station owners to fines, license actions, and civil liability. While each case varies, attorneys note that discrepancies between advertised and charged prices are among the most aggressively enforced violations due to their direct impact on consumers.

📝 Terms of the Settlement

Under the consent agreement, Chandi must:

• Pay the $17,500 penalty.
• Ensure all digital pump displays accurately reflect the actual per‑gallon price charged.
• Use only state‑licensed, certified vendors for pump repairs.
• Submit repair documentation to Ocean County within 10 days of completion.

🔍 Why This Matters for Ocean County Drivers

This enforcement action sends a clear message: Ocean County officials are actively monitoring gas stations for compliance, especially along busy corridors like Route 37. With fuel prices fluctuating and digital signage becoming more common, accurate pump pricing remains a top consumer protection priority.

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