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The Reason Behind Fuel Prices

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I was just wondering as to why petrol stations have there prices set at XX.9 ?, is it just to make us think we are getting it cheaper ie 94.9p/ltr instead of 95p/ltr.

This does seem, in this day and age, sort of wrong as i cannot think of anything else where the pricing is set at xx.9.
Come on Ilson ....:footie:

Comments

  • geordie_joe
    geordie_joe Posts: 9,112 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    The reason it can be done with petrol is because you pump out as much as you want. It could be done with electricity and gas too I suppose.

    With everything else you buy a set measure, 1 loaf of bread, 6 eggs etc. You can't set them at xx.9p as you would get the 00.1 back in change if you bought just one. With petrol you tend to buy a set amount of moneys worth. i.e. you will put in exactly £20 worth of petrol. The amount of petrol you actually get will go down as the price goes up.
  • dunstonh
    dunstonh Posts: 119,591 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    This does seem, in this day and age, sort of wrong as i cannot think of anything else where the pricing is set at xx.9.

    Virtually anything that is measured by quantity is. However, it is usually implied in the price rather than being shown explicitly. Although some supermarkets do break it down on the price tag shown on the shelf. e.g. price per 100ml
    I am an Independent Financial Adviser (IFA). The comments I make are just my opinion and are for discussion purposes only. They are not financial advice and you should not treat them as such. If you feel an area discussed may be relevant to you, then please seek advice from an Independent Financial Adviser local to you.
  • Biggles
    Biggles Posts: 8,209 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    This does seem, in this day and age, sort of wrong as i cannot think of anything else where the pricing is set at xx.9.
    Nearly everything is: haven't you looked at prices in supermarkets and electrical stores? They're all '99p' or '£49.99'. They rely on people not automatically thinking, 'Ah that's £1' (or £50, respectively). Petrol's no different, it's always been priced like that, right back to when it was 1/11d!
  • Originally products were priced at 99p (or 19s 11d) in order that the till operator had to open the till to give change.

    It has the side effect that some people think it is pychologically cheaper. Even if only 10% of the population are more likely to buy a 99p item over a £1 item that is 6 million more potential customers..
  • dn852k4
    dn852k4 Posts: 156 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    I was ripped off by shell. I filled a petrol can up with eaxctly 5 litres @ 94.9p per litre. Which should have cost 474.5p, buth they rounded it up to 475p!
  • DCFC79
    DCFC79 Posts: 40,635 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    dn852k4 wrote: »
    I was ripped off by shell. I filled a petrol can up with eaxctly 5 litres @ 94.9p per litre. Which should have cost 474.5p, buth they rounded it up to 475p!

    OMG, ask for your money back
  • nomoneytoday
    nomoneytoday Posts: 4,871 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    dn852k4 wrote: »
    I was ripped off by shell. I filled a petrol can up with eaxctly 5 litres @ 94.9p per litre. Which should have cost 474.5p, buth they rounded it up to 475p!
    You should have put in 5.01 litres as it would still cost £4.75 ;)
    1cl of free fuel :D
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