A Florida man’s frustration with a new fueling policy at Buc-ee's boiled over into a viral moment after he reportedly tore off merchandise from his vehicle and tossed aside the brand’s signature stuffed beaver mascot in protest.
The incident, shared in a March 17 TikTok video by user Griffin McCarty, unfolded at a Buc-ee’s location in St. Augustine. According to the Austin-American Statesman, McCarty had driven roughly 30 miles specifically to use a Buc-ee’s gift card for gas, only to be told by a store employee that the card could not be used for fuel purchases. With limited money and fuel remaining, he said the situation left him effectively stranded.
“I got $4 in my account and 10 miles in my tank and literally can’t even get back home without getting gas money from my parents,” McCarty wrote in the caption accompanying the video.
The clip shows him removing an estimated $200 worth of Buc-ee’s merchandise from his car before discarding it, apparently in frustration.
The outburst comes as Buc-ee’s, a Texas-born travel center chain known for its oversized locations, spotless restrooms, and cult-like following, recently introduced a new policy requiring customers using credit or debit cards to pay directly at the pump.
The change took effect on March 1, 2026, with signage posted at select locations. Customers paying with cash can still prepay inside.
While the company has not publicly addressed McCarty’s video, the policy shift appears to be aimed at reducing congestion at high-traffic locations, many of which feature 80 to 120 gas pumps.
Buc-ee’s has expanded rapidly beyond Texas in recent years, with locations now operating across multiple states, including Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee.
For some customers, however, the rollout has created confusion—particularly regarding alternative payment methods such as gift cards.
Gas prices and tight budgets may also be amplifying tensions at the pump. With fuel costs continuing to fluctuate nationwide, even minor inconveniences can quickly escalate for drivers already stretching their budgets.
