Are you getting your money’s worth at the pump?

Not always.

Sometimes pumps short customers. Sometimes, they don’t work at all.

Since Sept. 1, 2007, Texas Department of Agriculture inspections found problem pumps at more than 2,000 Texas fuel stations. The TDA monitors the state’s weighing and measuring devices.

And at today’s fuel prices, small shortages are more costly to consumers.

“Every time we see a spike in gas prices, we see a spike in complaints,” said TDA spokesman Bryan Black. “The number definitely increased in the past year.”

The agency received 1,525 complaints between May 1, 2007 and April 30, 2008 — nearly double the number from the same time period the previous year.

 When TDA receives a complaint, it must check the pump within 10 days. Fuel pumps also must be checked every four years. That means that TDA’s 72 inspectors check about 68,000 pumps each year.

Inspectors checked pumps at nearly 8,000 stations since Sept. 1. More than half were in working order and delivered fuel within the legal tolerance.

The pumps must be accurate within six cubic inches (about six tablespoons) when inspectors pump five gallons of fuel into a special container. If they deliver less or even more than that, the inspector tags the pump as out of order. The owner must have a contractor licensed by TDA fix the device. If the device is off by more than 12 cubic inches, TDA may assess a fine.

An entire station can also be put out of service if most pumps are dispensing fuel in favor of the station owner, even if the pumps are within tolerance.

Until late May 2007, fines started at $25. TDA Commissioner Todd Staples quadrupled the fines.

“Gas prices are high enough without consumers getting shortchanged at the pump,” Mr. Staples said in a statement released just prior to the increase. “Drivers need to have confidence they are receiving exactly what they are paying for every time they fill up.”

You can get more information about TDA fuel station inspections online. The TDA puts downloadable data on its Web site, including a list of those devices that were found to be out of compliance during the past 60 days.

If you experience a problem at a gas station, you can file a complaint with the TDA by contacting TDA’s Customer Service Hotline at 800-835-5832 or the DFW regional office at 214- 631-0265.