Petrol Station Super Unleaded Con?

REDDDRAGGON

So this morning I decided to fill my car up on the way to work rather than when I go shopping, so I visited a different garage to normal.

Petrol is at a reasonable price, so I pull in, go to the front pump - all pumps look the same - green pump for petrol and black pump for diesel. I pick up the pump and make sure it resets to zero, and I notice that it's going to charge me £1.599/Litre! Luckily I noticed before I started pumping! Half the pumps on the forecourt had only (overpriced) super unleaded, and the only think differentiating the super unleaded and unleaded is a small label next to the pump handle.

Anyway, I reverse to a Unleaded pump and I start filling up - when I go into the shop to pay I quiz the attendant - apparantly loads of people get caught out by it - quite understandably in my opinion most garages have diesel/unleaded or diesel/unleaded/super unleaded - I'd never a diesel/super only pump before....

It seems to be they are making the most of the poorly labelled pumps by bumping the Super price to 159.9p, when it's normally about 138.9p every where else. While it might not be illegal, it does seem like a bit of a deception!

simon06

Petrol and diesel in the Uk are never at a reasonable price I think alot would agree with this.We are still paying way too much for a liter of petrol or diesel.We are kind of getting taking for a ride and ripped off big time when you compare with other countries.The people in the states moan at their fuel prices even they are so much cheaper than here.What happened to people moaning about fuel prices in the Uk ?

Johno100

simon06 wrote: »

Petrol and diesel in the Uk are never at a reasonable price I think alot would agree with this.We are still paying way too much for a liter of petrol or diesel.We are kind of getting taking for a ride and ripped off big time when you compare with other countries.The people in the states moan at their fuel prices even they are so much cheaper than here.What happened to people moaning about fuel prices in the Uk ?

It wasn't "the people" behind the fuel protests in 2000, it was the farmers and the hauliers and you won't get them protesting while the Tories are in power.

mgdavid

REDDDRAGGON wrote: »

So this morning I decided to fill my car up on the way to work rather than when I go shopping, so I visited a different garage to normal.

Petrol is at a reasonable price, so I pull in, go to the front pump - all pumps look the same - green pump for petrol and black pump for diesel. I pick up the pump and make sure it resets to zero, and I notice that it's going to charge me £1.599/Litre! Luckily I noticed before I started pumping! Half the pumps on the forecourt had only (overpriced) super unleaded, and the only think differentiating the super unleaded and unleaded is a small label next to the pump handle.

Anyway, I reverse to a Unleaded pump and I start filling up - when I go into the shop to pay I quiz the attendant - apparantly loads of people get caught out by it - quite understandably in my opinion most garages have diesel/unleaded or diesel/unleaded/super unleaded - I'd never a diesel/super only pump before....

It seems to be they are making the most of the poorly labelled pumps by bumping the Super price to 159.9p, when it's normally about 138.9p every where else. While it might not be illegal, it does seem like a bit of a deception!

You're going to need to be a bit more observant to avoid similar situations throughout life...

REDDDRAGGON

mgdavid wrote: »

You're going to need to be a bit more observant to avoid similar situations throughout life...

I did notice it. It was impossible to see until you had parked up and got out of the car.

[Deleted User]

Usually the small ancient stations around here (usually Jet) just have 2 pumps 1 each side that have an extra nozzle for super unleaded. Even some stations have a third pump with just a diesel nozzle meaning 3 cars could fill up with diesel in the same time 2 cars could be unleaded. I bet it's a legacy from the old leaded/4 star days.

Iceweasel

The latest pumps should have 4 nozzles.

Shell for example (and several others) have 2 petrol and 2 diesel.

How else could we have the option of fuels with extra additives and higher octane / cetane ratings?

I agree the price is nuts in the UK - but thats due to the government.

topdaddy_2

Not sure how this is a con. The price is displayed and the fuel type is displayed. The prices are displayed as you drive in, on the pump prior, during and after the fuel is delivered to your vehicle. Maybe more of an anecdote about how you nearly made a mistake but didnt.

Stoke

I noticed the other day that there were no logos on the pump nozzles (normally says Unleaded, Super Unleaded, Diesel, Super Diesel) at all and one of the green petrol ones was out of service. When I looked up, the Unleaded one was out of service and the Premium was still on. Just wonder how many people get caught out when not looking. Have to be aware of these things otherwise you'll get stung.

Still, not sure this is a scam, just lazy from the garage.

BeenThroughItAll

It's not really a con, is it? The product is advertised, it's labelled, it's priced. It's up to the purchaser to take the time to look at what they're buying and decide if it's right for them.

AdrianC

Iceweasel wrote: »

I agree the price is nuts in the UK

I disagree.

Apart from it being cheaper now than it was three years ago, it is cheaper in relation to average earnings in the UK than it is across most of Europe. When you start to look at the poorer countries of Europe, with average earnings around €500/mo and fuel prices still around €1.20+, it's FAR more affordable here.