How do I pay for fuel if I can't get out of my vehicle easily?

Driven1

I live in a remote rural area where fuel stations are few and far between. My disability means it is very difficult (and time consuming) for me to get out of my vehicle alone. When travelling alone I would like to be able to refuel and pay safely for my fuel (without having to carry large amounts of cash). I cannot use non-staffed self service pay at the pump fuel stations as I need assitance to pump the fuel into the fuel tank of my vehicle. However, I cannot seem to find a way to pay easily and safely. My local fuel station suggests I give my payment card and PIN number to a member of staff (they have a high turnover of staff so it is often someone different than at the previous visit) to process in the shop in my absence but the bank would not cover any losses incurred illegally. The fuel station say they won't allow cordless payment terminals on the forecourt because of spark fears. I had heard of a spark free cordless terminal but cannot find any information on it. I did wonder if they could produce a corded removeable kepad with an extension lead similar to the keypads used when people pay at the pump (as they must be safe enough to use on the forecourt?) and the person assisting me could bring it to me for the transaction to take place but I seem to be getting nowhere near resolving this matter. Given I uses a WAV and can put £90+ worth of fuel in when I fill up I do not want to carry large amounts of cash (particularly as ATMs and bank branches are rare as hen's teeth here). Can anyone help resolve this, please?

comeandgo

Can you set up a monthly account with any of the garages and pay once a month by direct debit?

DomRavioli

Don't put in a full tank and pay cash? Sounds like a more reasonable compromise than saying people should get new terminals (very expensive and only at one customer's request).

If you have a WAV, do you not wheel in and out? When I had wheels, I did and could easily get around (although it is a bit of a faff).

You shouldn't expect people to get new equipment for one customer; there's no reason why they should or are obliged to. Just fill up a little more frequently, and carry less cash.

Richie-from-the-Boro

Driven1 wrote: »

I live in a remote rural area where fuel stations are few and far between. My disability means it is very difficult (and time consuming) for me to get out of my vehicle alone. When travelling alone I would like to be able to refuel and pay safely for my fuel (without having to carry large amounts of cash). I cannot use non-staffed self service pay at the pump fuel stations as I need assitance to pump the fuel into the fuel tank of my vehicle. However, I cannot seem to find a way to pay easily and safely. My local fuel station suggests I give my payment card and PIN number to a member of staff (they have a high turnover of staff so it is often someone different than at the previous visit) to process in the shop in my absence but the bank would not cover any losses incurred illegally. The fuel station say they won't allow cordless payment terminals on the forecourt because of spark fears. I had heard of a spark free cordless terminal but cannot find any information on it. I did wonder if they could produce a corded removeable kepad with an extension lead similar to the keypads used when people pay at the pump (as they must be safe enough to use on the forecourt?) and the person assisting me could bring it to me for the transaction to take place but I seem to be getting nowhere near resolving this matter. Given I uses a WAV and can put £90+ worth of fuel in when I fill up I do not want to carry large amounts of cash (particularly as ATMs and bank branches are rare as hen's teeth here). Can anyone help resolve this, please?

- to refuse help to the impaired is unreasonable
- to have a disproportionate request is unreasonable

I realise that the car is a lifeline for many disabled drivers. Most big national chains have a 'sound the horn' or other service call assist program which would also be incapable of helping with your specific demands. I fear you will have to moderate those demands and compromise.

B_G_B

Will they accept a cheque?

Chris_M_3

In the remote chance, you can use a Shell forecourt, they have the 'Fill Up & Go' scheme.

You scan a QR code with a smartphone from inside your car, then fill up and go.

http://www.shell.co.uk/motorist/shell-fuels/fill-up-and-go.html

And depending on the filling station, Shell also have introduced attended service between 10am and 4pm.

fed_up_and_stressed

Richie-from-the-Boro wrote: »

- to refuse help to the impaired is unreasonable
- to have a disproportionate request is unreasonable

I realise that the car is a lifeline for many disabled drivers. Most big national chains have a 'sound the horn' or other service call assist program which would also be incapable of helping with your specific demands. I fear you will have to moderate those demands and compromise.

Agreed get them to come out and serve you. Pay cash that way there is no need to give them your pin.

mllgnc

Before becoming ill I worked in a petrol station, as others have already said, if a disabled customer required assistance with fuelling they sounded their horn. A member of staff would then go out, put fuel in, and then the customer would give them the cash to return to the kiosk, pay for the fuel and go back out with the receipt and any change.
I would not have been comfortable, and in fact would probably have refused to accept a customers PIN number and bank card. My colleagues would have been the same, having access to a customers bank card and PIN number would open staff up to various accusations. I appreciate it is difficult for you, but really your best option would be to ensure you have adequate cash with you to pay for your fuel.

Derwent

You could get a prepaid fuel card which you can keep topped up online. At the petrol station just give them the fuel card to swipe and it will be deducted from your prepaid balance.

flybynight

asda petrol stations have like a drive through so you can pull up to the window and pay ( they stick the chip and pin device out the windwo

System

flybynight wrote: »

asda petrol stations have like a drive through so you can pull up to the window and pay ( they stick the chip and pin device out the windwo

However they tend to only have the person behind the till on duty so no means of assisting the person to refuel