Shell Garage "held me hostage"

AliceBanned

Bowling_4_Gold wrote: »

Just out of interest, where did 40 Minutes come from? You said you waited 25 mins for the manager, and surely it doesn't take you 15 mins to fill up...??

I had already filled up before this happened; which is why I was waiting! I would have driven elsewhere for my petrol immediately otherwise.

Lorian

AliceBanned wrote: »

I had already filled up before this happened; which is why I was waiting! I would have driven elsewhere for my petrol immediately otherwise.

You were very patient, I would have been very rude and left after 10 mins or so.

Reluctant_spender

cardinalbiggles wrote: »

It is however theft if you leave without paying on purpose.

The only criminal element is theft and thats clearly not what you wanted to do.

If there is no intention to permanently deprive then the offence of theft is not made out and ergo cannot be theft.

vikingaero

I would have written down my name and address with the amount I owe them and walked out after 10 minutes.

hollydays

Last time this happened to me,i was amazed that everyone else was just meekly waiting,after about ten minutes i wrote them a cheque,plonked it on the counter and left.They weren't happy,but too bad.I had also suggested to them that they put a sign ouside to stop anyone else from buying petrol,as the queue of traffic to get into the petrol station was now backing up and causing problems in the road outside.They looked at me in amazement as though I had suggested they dance naked on the forecourt...i later went back for my loyalty points-(avid moneysaver here).If I hadn't had my cheque book,I would have left details and gone.

N9eav

It is an offence under the Theft Act 1978 to dishonestly make off without having paid for goods or services, knowing that payment on the spot was required and expected. For example, driving away from a petrol forecourt without paying for fuel, after refueling a vehicle.

However. Most Police forces will not even deal with these complaints now unless there is a clear intention that the driver had no intention of paying.

Also in the first instance should the Police get involved then the first course of action will be to sort the matter out civilly.

In the situation described if you left your name address and reg number and offered to pay later then the law should protect you.

wannaberichbtch

I pay for petrol in cash now as there have been numerous cases of card cloning in petrol stations in my area, so I would strongly advise against anyone leaving their card details in this situation. A signed note stating that due to the retailers inability to process electronic payment you will return by close of business within the next 2 days to pay for petrol in the sum of £ giving your name, registration number, and telephone number should be more than sufficient.

cardinalbiggles

N9eav wrote: »

It is an offence under the Theft Act 1978 to dishonestly make off without having paid for goods or services, knowing that payment on the spot was required and expected. For example, driving away from a petrol forecourt without paying for fuel, after refueling a vehicle.

Thats the main point, dishonesty. Unless you purposely did it theres not much the petrol station, nor indeed the police can do. As you say its a cival matter unless you obtain the goods with no intention on payment.

DebtHater

I worked in a petrol station some years ago and if anyone didnt pay, their car details were written in a folder and basically were left. Nothing got done about them.

jackieb

My husband paid by switch for £25 of petrol at a BP station. The girl at the till accidentally charged his card twice (this was a few years ago before the chip and pin). My husband pointed out to her that he'd been charged £50. They said they couldn't cancel the transaction, and the money would just be put back into his account in a few days. They wouldn't even give him £25 out of the till instead. My husband was having none of if and kicked up a stink. They had to get another manager to come from 40 miles away to get it sorted out.