TOTAL ripoff!

Canucklehead

Good afternoon: My OH as been working up in Surrey, filled up his Fiat Doblo at a TOTAL station near Surbiton and managed to get 61.5 liters into the van..problem is total fuel capacity including the reserve is 60 and there was already diesel in the tank He went to pay, pointed out the discrepancy to the spotty youth at the till: 'call TOTAL customer services, mate' was the response. First thing tomorrow the OH will be on the horn to Surrey Trading Standards...has anyone had recent experience of this scenario? Makes you wonder how many customers have paid over the odds...many would be filling up there this weekend in response to the strike at the Grangemouth refinery.

Thanks in advance.

Canucklehead

jonathon

Im sure you can get more than what it says so i would be surprised if you were being ripped off

vikingaero

Some vehicles can hold significantly more than the quoted capacity especially if the tank is filled to the brim.

Otherwise complain to TS and ask them when they last checked the filling station.

harveybobbles

Depends what time of day OH filled up? As fuel has different viscosities depending on the outside temperature...

Canucklehead

Hi..thank you both for your responses...as I said in my original post the fuel tank wasn't empty...my OH keeps a close eye on mileage and fuel consumption as he needs to record it (self-employed plumber/CORGI)....there isn't any diesel leakage from the vehicle which leads us to the assumption that the pump is faulty..as stated in my original post he will be contacting Trading Standards.
The shoe is on the other foot for me this time (I'm usually posting advice in the DIY forum;)) Anyone out there with first-hand knowledge/experience? What was the outcome?

Thanks again.

Canucklehead

Canucklehead

harveybobbles wrote: »

Depends what time of day OH filled up? As fuel has different viscosities depending on the outside temperature...

Thanks... it was a warm day in Outer London...could you explain further please? Are you saying the 'thickness' of the diesel would impact significantly on the measurement of the fuel at the pump?

Canucklehead

harveybobbles

Before going to the TS, contact the manager of said filling station and ask him/her when the pumps were last calibrated.

1. The Trade Measurement Act 1989 requires petrol pumps to operate within a tolerance. This tolerance is stipulated under the National Measurement Act 1960. The tolerance allowable is up to 0.5 per cent either way (on 30 litres that is 150 ml). This means that a pump can "over deliver". Fair Trading is aware that over delivery is more likely to occur as petrol pumps get older. However if the pumps are certified regularly this is prevented.

shandypants5

Hi ..
This link may answer your Q.

http://www.theallineed.com/math/06011804.htm

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

Canucklehead wrote: »

Thanks... it was a warm day in Outer London...could you explain further please? Are you saying the 'thickness' of the diesel would impact significantly on the measurement of the fuel at the pump?

Canucklehead

No it wouldn't, but the density would - and fuel is more dense when cold.

Personally I think your husband used a pump that didn't click off as readily as others. Some of the fuel may have gone down the overflow pipe. Its unlikely the fuel was metered incorrectly, although possible.

Canucklehead

Thank you all for you helpful advice. I'll take it all under advisement;) My OH is convinced that the pump isn't properly calibrated ( a concept he is very familar with working with gas valves/meters and water meters) and that he was overcharged and underfilled....the allowable tolerance can't account for the discrepancy as he had at a minimum 4 liters in the tank when he drove up to the pump and didn't overflow when filling. He asked to speak to the Manager but was told to call 'customer services' on the 0845 number.
I'll let you know how we get on.

Thanks again.

Canucklehead

jeannieblue

Mine often varies - always has done, regardless of what car I've got - ie on a hill or slope etc. What garage - they all vary.

Bit harsh to blame Grangemouth when in Surrey? Price at pump is the main one to look out for surely?

Its not varied around here for past two weeks - lucky I guess.