Petrol Stations - A quick vent

Enfieldian

Oh and praise to BP, because they had the bulb I was after.

Although judging by the above responses, they must have been delivered to them in error.......

In fact, I must have imagined ever seeing a bulb for sale in any petrol station for the last 20 odd years.....

Proc

Enfieldian wrote: »

Must be an age thing then,

A few years ago petrol stations stocked basic parts like that because if a bulb blew late at night you could get a replacement, seeing as Halfords don't tend be open all night.

Obviously you are too young to remember or just too thick to realise that?

Yeh, it's an age thing. I.e. You're stuck in the past, (but then the car did give that away quite early in the thread) but think everyone else are the muppets.

Enfieldian

Yawn.....

Well, got to go to work now.....

I forgot it was school holiday time.

Play nicely all.

Viper_7

I recall Petrol stations selling basic vehicle consumables too, and some still do, and I'm not that old!
However not that long ago there were no Private Car spares outlets readily on the high streets, as they have sprung up in their numbers, there is no profit in it for petrol stations to stock small quantities of vehicle consumables and taking up valuable shelf space when microwaveable pasties are more popular.

Full marks for the OP though for actually looking to replace the bulb as soon as possible, so many people think that's only done at MOT time.

Apollonia

So am I the only one who carries spare bulbs and fuses 'just in case'?
I keep them with the other emergency items; fire extinguisher, first aid kit, warning triangle etc, all in a small storage box in the boot of the car.

lolly1981

i worked in a petrol station granted it was 10 yrs ago but they did stock some bulbs, windscreen wipers that sort of thing just incase, i thing smaller independently owned are more likely to than the bigger chains.
it isnt entirely unrealistic to think that a petrol station might have them there was a time when they sold more small spares than tea coffee and sandwiches! but i guess they make more money in the latter now.

Meepster

Enfieldian wrote: »

Good point, except I was only after a bulb and not a battery you muppet.

Muppet? I take it petrol stations don't sell manners either? Maybe you should have a look round and see if you can find some, you could use them...

Dave101t

give it another 5 years and all bulbs will be led's, ooh the confusion!

Jakg

Think of the number of bulbs needed for every different car (you'd kick off if they had bulbs but not for your car...) that they are likely to serve, and think of the floor space that takes. Now imagine the amount of space they'd need for oil... and batteries... and coolant... and all the other "essentials" you think they'd need.

I doubt you could fit it all in an average-sized petrol station, and a lot less people will pop in for a bulb than for some food.

Or are you averse to shops making money?

FWIW - Halfords are a rip-off on most things, but they are quite good on cheap bulbs.

molerat

Tesco FS sell bulbs. A core range of under 20 bulb part numbers will satisfy most requirements. A petrol station is there to satisfy the needs of the motorist so they should carry a small range of motoring consumables and many still do. BP Connect forecourts are supplied by Halfords. Was the bulb Ring branded by any chance ?