Handling Fuel Prices Over $9.999/Gal
Revision History
01/10/2023
Initial Documentation Release
07/28/2026
Updated guide with Full Initialization
Introduction
This guide explains how to configure a Verifone Commander Site Controller point-of-sale system to support fuel prices above $9.999 per gallon. It also covers the correct initialization sequence required after changing the price format.
Background
By default, the Verifone Commander stores fuel prices in $X.XXX format (three decimal places), with a maximum value of $9.999 per gallon. When fuel prices exceed this threshold, the system must be reconfigured to use $XX.XX format (two decimal places), which supports prices up to $99.99 per gallon.
Audience
VASCs performing PPU decimal format changes
Forecourt managers configuring fuel prices on the Verifone Commander
Helpdesk troubleshooting price initialization issues
Changing the PPU decimal format requires closing the forecourt and reprogramming all dispensers. Plan for at least one hour of downtime. Follow this guide in full before reopening.
Prerequisites & Limitations
System Requirements
Verifone Commander Site Controller
Access to the Forecourt menu in the Commander Configuration Client
Ensure all dispensers are online and bagged or blocked off
Feature Limitations
Be aware of the following constraints before making any changes:
No mixed decimal positions: A single Commander cannot run some fuel grades in $X.XXX and others in $XX.XX format simultaneously.
Decimal truncation: At two-decimal sites, any price entered with three decimal places (e.g., $4.299) will be calculated and charged at only two decimal places (e.g., $4.29).
Default format: All Verifone Commander systems ship configured for three decimal places ($X.XXX format).
Dispenser reprogramming required: A PPU format change is not complete until all dispensers have been physically reprogrammed and a Full Fuel Initialization has been performed.
Fuel Price Initialization restriction: When a PPU decimal format change is pending, the system will block a Fuel Price Initialization and require a Full Fuel Initialization instead.
Configuration Procedure
Follow these steps in the exact order shown. Do not skip or reorder steps.
Before Beginning
Ensure all dispensers are online and bagged or blocked off before proceeding. Changing the PPU decimal format while the forecourt is active may result in incorrect prices being displayed or transmitted to the host.
Zero Out the Third Decimal in Existing Prices
This step prepares existing prices for the format change by eliminating the third decimal place.
Navigate to Forecourt > Fuel Prices Pending.
For every product, change the third decimal place to 0 for both Tier One and Tier Two prices.
Example: Change $2.152, $2.150, $3.459, $3.450
Click Save.
WHY THIS STEP MATTERS
Prices with a non-zero third decimal (e.g., $2.152) cannot be directly represented in 2-decimal format. Zeroing the third decimal first ensures no rounding errors occur when the format switches.
Enter New Fuel Prices in $XX.XX Format
Navigate to Forecourt > Fuel Prices Pending.
Enter the new prices in $XX.XX format (e.g., $11.29) for all products.
Update both Tier One and Tier Two prices for each product.
Click Save.
For more details on Cash Credit Pricing, refer to the Cash Credit Pricing section of the Verifone Commander User Reference, available on Premier Portal.
Performing a Full Fuel Initialization
After completing all configuration steps, a Full Fuel Initialization is mandatory. A Fuel Price Initialization alone is not sufficient when the PPU decimal format has changed — it will not reprogram the dispensers with the new decimal setting.
Why a Full Fuel Initialization is Required
Fuel Price Initialization: Updates fuel prices only. Does not update the PPU decimal format on the dispensers. Performing a Fuel Price Initialization when the PPU decimal differs between pending and in-effect configuration is now blocked by the system.
Full Fuel Initialization: Updates both fuel prices and the PPU decimal format on all dispensers. This is the only initialization that fully synchronizes the POS, dispensers, and host reporting.
If a Fuel Price Initialization is attempted when a PPU decimal format change is pending, the Configuration Client will display the following message and the initialization will be blocked:
“Cannot update prices. PPU decimal format has changed. Please perform a Full Fuel Initialization.”
Performing the Full Fuel Initialization
After a successful Full Fuel Initialization has been completed, future routine price changes can be applied using a regular Fuel Price Initialization— no Full Initialization will be required unless the PPU decimal format is changed again.
Troubleshooting
Fuel Price Initialization Is Blocked After PPU Change
Symptom: Configuration Client displays “Cannot update prices. PPU decimal format has changed.”
Cause: A PPU decimal format change has been saved to pending configuration but a Full Fuel Initialization has not yet been performed. The system blocks Fuel Price Initialization to prevent incorrect price data from being stored or transmitted to the host.
Resolution: Perform a Full Fuel Initialization. Fuel Price Initialization will be available again once the Full Initialization completes successfully.
Dispenser Shows Incorrect Price Format
Symptom: After changing the PPU decimal format, dispensers still display prices in the old $X.XXX format.
Cause: Only a Fuel Price Initialization was performed, which does not reprogram the dispenser PPU decimal setting.
Resolution: Check the dispenser programming to be sure that PPU is configured for two decimal positions.
Host Receives Incorrect Price Change Notifications
Symptom: After switching to $XX.XX format, the Price Change Notification sent to the host shows prices in $X.XXX format. For example, a configured price of $11.29 is received by the host as $1.129.
Cause: The host interface requires modifications to support the new decimal place handling.
Resolution: Upgrade to Release 056.03.02, 057.01.00, or 057.02.00 or later. No configuration workaround exists for affected versions.
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