Why are per gallon gasoline prices at the pump always end in 9/10's of a cent?

Question

I'm talking about in the United States, don't know if it's like that in other countries.
What sense does it make to have the prices in fractions of cents?

Rasputin · Accepted Answer

It started back in the 1920's as a greedy marketing ploy to make people think that gas was a penny cheaper than it really was (back when it was only around 18 cents per gallon). The idea stuck and it's just common practice now, even though a penny per gallon difference is no longer significant.

Lady Silver Rose * Wolf · Answer

Just like in the UK where it's 138.9p 
[currently ranging between 134.9 and 144.9 depending on where you go] 

It's the same with anything ending in '9p' - it's a ploy to make you think you're getting a bargain.

Shades of Grey♥ · Answer

For the same reason things are priced at $14.99 instead of $15.00 ~ we see that big "14" and forget about the ".99".

Leprosy · Answer

Poor marketing. Intelligence insulting. Makes me want to not even buy gas.

Peepaw · Answer

I was born in 1953, and ever since I can remember it has been that way.

Why are per gallon gasoline prices at the pump always end in 9/10's of a cent?

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