Why are people scrambling for petrol?

jimbo6977

wolvoman said:

motorguy said:

Reginald74 said:

One thing that these situations bring out that is worse than the panic buyers is the smug moral superiority of the people who call them idiots.

Many of those in the queues will genuinely need fuel, as demonstrated by some posters ok this thread. Wafting past, nose in the air, calling them all idiots and lemmings serves no purpose.

Let's look instead at the government actions that have led us here and sling the mud at the right target.

?

Yeah NOT buying in to the hysteria is obviously much worse than sitting for hours to get petrol unnecessarily. 



Of course theres a small percentage who actually do need the petrol and have got surprised by the sudden demand but lets not kid ourselves - the vast majority are there because they're panic buying unnecessarily.  Just like they did with bog rolls and paracetamols.

I received data this morning on basket spend from several hundred filling stations. The average spend per transaction has plummeted. Mode spend for weekends is usually around £40-£50. This past few days it has been down at £16-£17.
Make of that what you will

Total fuel sales are up 500% vs previous week at some sites, and 300% vs previous week as a national total. 
Average transaction has fallen due to idiots topping up where they have no need. 



There was no shortage the week before, nor the week before that, nor the one before that, when total sales and average transaction were at "normal" levels.

The big hauliers are desperate to keep wages suppressed post-Brexit, and the BBC, motivated by hatred of Brexit and love of open-door immigration, lap up and gladly trumpet the hauliers' press releases. 

Then the lowlifes at the Currant Bun and the Daily Wail pull their favourite trick of shouting "fire" in a crowded theatre.



It's shameful that so many people, all of whom are trusted to vote in elections and drive vehicles, have fallen for it.

Jonathan_Powell

7 miles left in the tank and a 6 mile round trip tomorrow. I'm going to spend some time looking for petrol at 2am tonight and will have to take the bus if u don't find anything 

jimjames

jimbo6977 said:

wolvoman said:

motorguy said:

Reginald74 said:

One thing that these situations bring out that is worse than the panic buyers is the smug moral superiority of the people who call them idiots.

Many of those in the queues will genuinely need fuel, as demonstrated by some posters ok this thread. Wafting past, nose in the air, calling them all idiots and lemmings serves no purpose.

Let's look instead at the government actions that have led us here and sling the mud at the right target.

?

Yeah NOT buying in to the hysteria is obviously much worse than sitting for hours to get petrol unnecessarily. 



Of course theres a small percentage who actually do need the petrol and have got surprised by the sudden demand but lets not kid ourselves - the vast majority are there because they're panic buying unnecessarily.  Just like they did with bog rolls and paracetamols.

I received data this morning on basket spend from several hundred filling stations. The average spend per transaction has plummeted. Mode spend for weekends is usually around £40-£50. This past few days it has been down at £16-£17.
Make of that what you will

There was no shortage the week before, nor the week before that, nor the one before that, when total sales and average transaction were at "normal" levels.

People keep claiming this and it's just not true. BP have stated that they had only 66% of normal fuel levels at petrol stations before this started. When going to fill up last week I was unable to do so as no super was available, few days later super was available but no unleaded or diesel. The situation has been made far worse by the additional purchases over the weekend but to claim there was no problem beforehand is misleading.

Jenni_D

Jonathan_Powell said:

7 miles left in the tank and a 6 mile round trip tomorrow.

Which means you actually have more like 20 miles left in the tank.  

jimbo6977

jimjames said:

jimbo6977 said:

wolvoman said:

motorguy said:

Reginald74 said:

One thing that these situations bring out that is worse than the panic buyers is the smug moral superiority of the people who call them idiots.

Many of those in the queues will genuinely need fuel, as demonstrated by some posters ok this thread. Wafting past, nose in the air, calling them all idiots and lemmings serves no purpose.

Let's look instead at the government actions that have led us here and sling the mud at the right target.

?

Yeah NOT buying in to the hysteria is obviously much worse than sitting for hours to get petrol unnecessarily. 



Of course theres a small percentage who actually do need the petrol and have got surprised by the sudden demand but lets not kid ourselves - the vast majority are there because they're panic buying unnecessarily.  Just like they did with bog rolls and paracetamols.

I received data this morning on basket spend from several hundred filling stations. The average spend per transaction has plummeted. Mode spend for weekends is usually around £40-£50. This past few days it has been down at £16-£17.
Make of that what you will

There was no shortage the week before, nor the week before that, nor the one before that, when total sales and average transaction were at "normal" levels.

People keep claiming this and it's just not true. BP have stated that they had only 66% of normal fuel levels at petrol stations before this started. When going to fill up last week I was unable to do so as no super was available, few days later super was available but no unleaded or diesel. The situation has been made far worse by the additional purchases over the weekend but to claim there was no problem beforehand is misleading.

"BP have stated..."

Have you any independent evidence to prove the veracity of their statement?

If only journalists did their jobs instead of parroting BP press releases that happen to meet with the media's political leanings, we wouldn't be where we are.

troffasky

jimbo6977 said:

If only journalists did their jobs instead of parroting BP press releases that happen to meet with the media's political leanings, we wouldn't be where we are.

Yes, The Media made people go and queue up for petrol when they didn't really need it, just like they made people vote for brexit when they didn't really want to, etc.

If the The Hated Mainstream Media studiously ignored a decrease in the availability of fuel at petrol stations, are you sure you wouldn't be seeing a conspiracy there instead?

motorguy

troffasky said:

jimbo6977 said:

If only journalists did their jobs instead of parroting BP press releases that happen to meet with the media's political leanings, we wouldn't be where we are.

Yes, The Media made people go and queue up for petrol when they didn't really need it, just like they made people vote for brexit when they didn't really want to, etc.

If the The Hated Mainstream Media studiously ignored a decrease in the availability of fuel at petrol stations, are you sure you wouldn't be seeing a conspiracy there instead?

They did yes.  They deliberately instilled fear and panic in to people.

motorguy

troffasky said:

jimbo6977 said:

If only journalists did their jobs instead of parroting BP press releases that happen to meet with the media's political leanings, we wouldn't be where we are.

Yes, The Media made people go and queue up for petrol when they didn't really need it, just like they made people vote for brexit when they didn't really want to, etc.

If the The Hated Mainstream Media studiously ignored a decrease in the availability of fuel at petrol stations, are you sure you wouldn't be seeing a conspiracy there instead?

They presented it in such a way as to cause a stampede to petrol stations.  But then the truth of the situation - that one or two suppliers were having a small amount of difficulty in getting fuel supplies to a small amount of outlets doesnt sell newspapers does it?

pogofish

This may be an unintentional demonstration of just how little trust people currently have in the government.

elsien

pogofish said:

This may be an unintentional demonstration of just how little trust people currently have in the government.

I don’t think it’s anything to do with trust in the government or otherwise.
Just human nature and “I’m alright Jack” for those who get there first. Same as in any other shortage now and in years gone by.