Petrol at 14.9c a litre in Riwaka

[Virago]

The reality is that fuel stations are working on really tight margins now, particularly the smaller outlets and the independants. Many service stations are now ripping out their pumps, there simply isn't enough margin to cover the labour and expenses. Many keep going, simply to support their local communities, in the knowledge that the residents would have to drive a long way to get their fuel, if their local pumps were to close.

When a mistake like this happens, all the dickheads jump out, yelling "Ha ha, the greedy petrol retailer got what was coming to him!" Bullshit!!!!!!!!

Those wankers that knowingly took advantage of the mistake, have stolen from the retailer. They are scum-bags who will get no sympathy from me.

[Pixie]

i don't need to think about that, of course its steeling if you TAKE something and you haven't paid for it, but these people purchased the petrol, its completly different.

It could be argued that the people who bought the petrol were too fucking stupid to realise the price was erroneous,because they were also too F.S. to realise that their cards would allow them to be traced.
This is the only arguement that would let them get away with taking advantage of an honest mistake on the part of the retailer.
The retailer is an independent,so the oil company doesn't want to know.
This atitude, that defends the opportunists' taking advantage of a small business,is what makes NZ a paradise for thieves disposing of things that "fell off the back of a truck".
Remember this next time you get burgled

[NordieBoy]

In the Nelson Mail today...

"Senior Sergeant Grant Andrews of Motueka police said last week it was possible that the action could be taken for using a document. Police had been busy with other matters since the amnesty ended but would make further inquiries later this week, he said this morning."

What would the "document" be in this case?

Not worried or anything as I was nowhere near Riwaka at the time

[Lou Girardin]

In the Nelson Mail today...

"Senior Sergeant Grant Andrews of Motueka police said last week it was possible that the action could be taken for using a document. Police had been busy with other matters since the amnesty ended but would make further inquiries later this week, he said this morning."

What would the "document" be in this case?

Not worried or anything as I was nowhere near Riwaka at the time

This is known in the trade as a "back pedal".
He'll now be praying that someone gets murdered and they'll have no staff to deal with fuelgate.

[kro]

personally they don't have a leg to stand on. bonus to the people who scored cheap go-juice.

[Lou Girardin]

I would have some sympathy for the owner. But for the heavy handed approach in the media and empty threats of Police involvement.
If he had simple stated the situation and asked for the people to contact him there would have been a far better result.
Instead he has come across as a whinging 'poor me' type.

[ManDownUnder]

I would have some sympathy for the owner. But for the heavy handed approach in the media and empty threats of Police involvement.
If he had simple stated the situation and asked for the people to contact him there would have been a far better result.
Instead he has come across as a whinging 'poor me' type.

Agreed. I still think the general public that knowingly fleeced the guy have some responsibility/debt, but calling for people to comae back and pay up would have been the right thing to do.

The legal fees etc chasing this lot would mount up only adding to the risk/loss wouldn't they?
MDU

[M1CRO:Me]

...It does sound more like a civil/contractual dispute rather than criminal.

The guts of this is based on "intent" which would be extremely difficult to prove (except maybe the person that came back and got more - thats a no brainer!).

If the person took advantage of the mistake, then that is Theft (ie. Intent to deprive the owner permanently). This is no different than say, money "magically" appearing in your bank account. You withdrawl all of it and refuse to give it back - THEFT!

However, IF the person HONESTLY thought that the petrol was cheap (lets pretend that they said that they thought there was a major promotion - and yes it may be a bit lame, but the THOUGHT was HONEST), then, in my view, it is no longer criminal but would rather be a civil dispute and the police should not be involved (other than to determine whether a crime has been committed).

So, all in all, that is where the difficulty comes in, in determining whether it is criminal/civil.

[gav]

So was the fuel purchased outside normal hours? You swipe your card first or do you fill up first? So you fill up and the receipt says $5, what can you do?

[Ixion]

Or, even more possible. You swipe, punch in $20 on the pump. Pump pumps away, then stops "uh, odd with today's prices I didn't think $20 would fiill it. Oh well, be bit less than the $20 then". EFTPOS says $1.80. "Uh, WTF. Well, wot can y do". What could they do. Bit rough methinks throwing accusations of fraud about left right and centre.

[KLOWN]

I would have some sympathy for the owner. But for the heavy handed approach in the media and empty threats of Police involvement.
If he had simple stated the situation and asked for the people to contact him there would have been a far better result.
Instead he has come across as a whinging 'poor me' type.

Fully agree with this comment but, if you came back and filled up canisters etc then u knew it was wrong and it's real harsh for an independant operator to swallow this loss. If he closed down is there another petrol station around? then people will cry about not having a petrol station in thier town. Also i think the petrol staion owner could make a compromise, like only charging people $1 a litre instead of asking for all the money back, I wouldv'e been sweet with that.