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MOrrisons profiteering on Petrol

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I live in Tewkesbury, Yesterday I went to fill up with petrol at my local Morrisons. I was shocked to see the price at 138.9p per litre the average within 20 miles is 134.9p.

To make matters worse the nearest garages 'coincidentally' all advertised the same price as Morrison.

Suitable outraged I sent the following to my local Trading Standards;

Martin

I'd like to formerly complain about the price fixing that is happening in and around Tewkesbury with regard to petrol prices. I have noticed over the past few months that every change that occurs at the pumps in Morrisons is exactly mirrored by the PJ Nichols garage.

Not wishing to get staff into any trouble as they are not the ones responsible for authorising the price hikes, I mentioned this to the forecourt staff this morning to be told they did not use Tewkesbury or the surrounds for their petrol but drove to Cheltenham to fill up.

At the same time when I mentioned that PJ Nichols had the same prices I was told that was because the ladies @ PJ Nichols and a garage in Bredon regularly call Morrisons garage to ask what they are charging for Petrol.

This practice, if true, is illegal I believe this warrents an investigation by your department.

It also hardly seems fair to the consumer for Morrisons to put the price of Unleaded and Diesel up 3 times in a week to its current extortionate level conveniently close to the forthcoming Budget announcement. This smacks of Profiteering to me, which is again an unfair consumer practice requiring investigation.

I look forward to your response

I received the following in response;

Dear Conar686


Thank you for your information which was received on 12th March 2012

I can confirm that existing consumer law does not prevent a business from adjusting the price of goods or services it supplies to keep in line with prevailing market conditions.


Similarly consumer laws do not regulate the price of goods or services and businesses are permitted to set their prices at a level they consider appropriate.


The practice you have described does not infringe any legislation enforced by Trading Standards.

There is regulation to prevent anti competitive pricing practices under the Competition Act. This Act is not enforced by Trading Standards.


Further information on the provisions of the Competition Act is available on the Office of Fair Trading website. http://www.oft.gov.uk/OFTwork/competition-act-and-cartels/CA-overview/

Following a reorganisation of our service and a reduction in staff we are no longer able to respond directly to all enquiries from the public.


To ensure that we make the most efficient use of our resources we ask that all enquiries are made through consumer direct on 08454 040506 or online through http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Diol1/DoItOnline/DG_195913

Please be assured that our service will continue to be informed of any issues or problems which require further investigation or consideration by our service.


Question - apart from complaining to the OFT and re-iterating my complaint to consumer direct is there any other way I can get this practice to the notice of someone that cares.
MAC

Don't use SPECTRUM for a DMP
Real Golfers go to work to relax
«1

Comments

  • Hintza
    Hintza Posts: 19,420 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    edited 13 March 2012 at 8:58AM
    You have the option of buying elsewhere but you might have to travel a bit.

    Alternatively come up here and pay 142.9p. But I try and buy at cheapers places when I am passing.

    Oil prces are at all time highs in sterling terms and until they stabilise they companies will be pushing the price of petrol up.

    You won't get anywhere with this.

    Edit:- in a 20 mile radius Morrison's is the cheapest at 133.9p
  • antrobus
    antrobus Posts: 17,386 Forumite
    conar686 wrote: »
    ....
    At the same time when I mentioned that PJ Nichols had the same prices I was told that was because the ladies @ PJ Nichols and a garage in Bredon regularly call Morrisons garage to ask what they are charging for Petrol.

    This practice, if true, is illegal I believe this warrents an investigation by your department.

    So both PJ Nichols and "a garage in Bredon" are matching the prices charged by the local Morrisons. Which is perfectly legal - Google 'Price Match Promise' or something similar to see the number of other businesses that also do this.
  • visidigi
    visidigi Posts: 6,557 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    supply/demand/market conditions

    nothing new here, oh and morrisons diesel has bio additives...I won't even go near the stuff..
  • Business in trying to make a profit shocker.
    Hi, we’ve had to remove your signature. If you’re not sure why please read the forum rules or email the forum team if you’re still unsure - MSE ForumTeam
  • ThumbRemote
    ThumbRemote Posts: 4,727 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Price matching is not illegal. Price fixing - where multiple retailers collude to set prices is. This is clearly a case of price matching.
  • wealdroam
    wealdroam Posts: 19,180 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    edited 13 March 2012 at 12:25PM
    conar686 wrote: »
    Question - apart from complaining to the OFT and re-iterating my complaint to consumer direct is there any other way I can get this practice to the notice of someone that cares.
    How many ways do you want to be able to bring your complaint to someone that cares?

    You tried one way and got it wrong.
    Trading Standards have very politely told you two other ways you might pursue your complaint.

    What else do you want?

    Edited to add:
    Just thought... you could bring this to the attention of your MP, but be prepared to be asked of you have spoken to Consumer Direct or the Office of Fair Trading.
  • Equaliser123
    Equaliser123 Posts: 3,404 Forumite
    Nothing to see here. Move on.
  • pcombo
    pcombo Posts: 3,429 Forumite
    i thought morrisons was a business, And dont businesses suppose to make profit lol.

    Really!
  • If memory serves me correct, doesn't the government get the biggest share of the price of a litre?

    Perhaps you should ask the treasury why you are paying two sets of tax on each litre.

    Hardly Morrisons or anyone elses fault that the price is what it is.

    You can of course always come and fill my motor up at my local prices, the local garage is currently £1.489 a litre..... I promise I'll make sure you don't put the full 75 litres in ;)
    In spite of the cost of living, it’s still popular :eek:
  • pelirocco
    pelirocco Posts: 8,275 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    1.389 a litre?

    Ive just received an email to say we are being charged 1.1915 ex vat ,( 1.4298 inc vat ) and we buy it in bulk ( around 10k litres a week ) and you think you are being ripped off?
    Vuja De - the feeling you'll be here later
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