Petrol pump overflow is expensive and dangerous

smartbox

Given that the price of petrol continues to rise, I am getting sick of paying for petrol that does not go into my tank because the sensor on the pump does not work properly. I often use the Tesco petrol station in Eastbourne and just about every time I do, the tank overflows. The staff tell me that they are checked every day - oh yeh? - and I remarked "Oh, I suppose that's why your forecourt is liberally sprinkled with sand, is it?". Check out pump no 11 if you use this petrol station, though most of them overflow.

Last Friday, I used pump no 5 at Tesco Holmbush Centre on the Old Shoreham Road and it overflowed just as it had the week before. I asked for a discount for the petrol that had not gone into my tank but nobody was listening.

I called the local Trading Standards office and they said they would call me back either that day Friday, or the following Monday. It is now 16.15 on Tuesday and guess what.

I'd say that about 75% of the petrol pumps I have used in the past year have put some fuel down the side of my car onto the forecourt.
This is not only dangerous, especially as there are still morons who insist on using their mobile phones in the area but it is also very expensive - not that it is possible to measure the loss.

Does anybody have any idea of how much fuel is lost in this way every year and what the financial cost might be? I don't see government doing anything about it but that would reduce the revenues from fuel, wouldn't it?

Isn't it time WE did something about it, ourselves? :mad:

hubert_cumberdale

or learn to use a petrol pump

you couldnt get a discount for the fuel that didnt go in your tank becuase you spilt it and you dont know how much there was

Rolandtheroadie

Can you not hear when it nears the top? We brim our works vans and it makes a different sound as it starts going up the filler neck.

esmerobbo

Cant say I have ever had that problem!

hubert_cumberdale

its hi sfirst post but if he cant use a petrol pump then he has a problem

jaydeeuk1

Lol @ mobile phones bit - theres no scientific evidence that its dangerous. More danger of static from peoples clothes causing an explosion.

Inactive

esmerobbo wrote: »

Cant say I have ever had that problem!

Nor me, but I don't use Tesco ( pass me a bucket ) for anything.

hubert_cumberdale

i would imagine there is more risk of the engine igniting the fumes when you start it up after filling up

theres a fair amount of electric flying about when you turn the key much more than a mobile

i have also wondered if anyone has ever dropped there keys and cap and cause a spark and blown them selves to bits lol

Strider590

smartbox wrote: »

This is not only dangerous, especially as there are still morons who insist on using their mobile phones in the area

Urban myth.....

LandyAndy

How can someone join in 2006 and make their first post today. Four years to work out how to post?

thescouselander

I've never had a problem with this - are you sure you're doing it right?