PrePay SUCKS! Name and shame the gas stations.

[Mr Merde]

Walked away from a few petrol stations, note i never used the phrase "service stations". A few times I have voiced my objections out loud before doing so.

They are raking in the cash from us because of high prices, OPEC cut down on production therefore a world wide shortage, then they expect us to do their work for them.

I live out in the country and frequent the small service stations there as they do provide a service.

[nudedaytona]

I agree this prepay is bullshit, and the mobil on k road is the worst. Once I used the eftpos at pump there, and the idiot tried to get me to come in to the shop to pay again, saying that he had released the pump. Luckily the system prints out a receipt.

[Tonka]

We dont have that problem as such down here in Whakatane although Gull now enforce it on the the graveyard shift - however BP Whakatane pretty much know that most bikers use their fuel (98) but just ask that bikers remove their helmets for security reasons...which is fair enough!

Pre-pay sucks...I hope it doesnt filter down to our stations

[Disco Dan]

Gull Henderson Valley Road, can suck my hairy balls. I now refuse to go there at all.

Apart from the prepay issue, which makes my blood boil for the reasons III mentioned, the station is dirty, the staff sullen and unhelpful (I saw one refuse to help a little old lady pump gas, so I did it).

Gull Swanson Rd is nearly as bad. I think they are owned by the same people. They certainly have the same hiring policy.

They used to only have prepay after 6pm, now it is permanant.

I hate most gas stations now. They have become conveniance stores, and it's become impossible to buy emergency repair stuff (light bulbs in particular)

MOBIL - Don Buck Road, Massey. Pre-pay 24/7 including bikes.

Refuse to go there even though it takes twice as long to get into the next station at westgate on my way to work. Bunch of pricks.

Now dont get me wrong.. I went there a few times to give them the benefit of the doubt re bikes - explained really nicely each time but they still refused, even when I said they would lose a potential regular customer. Their loss not mine.

Shell Westgate - they are very used to bikes (atnr and awnmr + most kb rides meet there) and they always unlock the pump for me after hours.

[Tank]

This odious system is NOT primarily designed for security: it is designed to maximise profits by reducing staff numbers and by forcing motorists to enter gas stations more often and sometimes several times on each fill. While there they are expected to purchase products on impulse; and they do (this is not opinion, it is fact confirmed by an industry insider).

Confirmed by an industry insider - well in must be true them - pffftt

BTW: Chatting to a minimum wage worker who works night shift at Shell is not an industry insider.

I can imaging that there is a knock on benefit with the impulse buys, however I doubt that this is the primary reason for having pumps on prepay. It only takes a few dive aways a week for them to lose more than they would earn with the extra sales.

my local bp seems to have a discrimination policy. white, shirt & tie, over 25? no problems we'll release the pumps. any combination on young, brown, ricer car, hoody, mates in the car then you need to go inside and prepay.

That's not discrimination that's using your brains. Who do you think would be the most common group of people driving off without paying? What they are trying to do is make it easier for some people when possible. Would you prefer that they left them locked for everyone?

They are a business trying to make a buck in a very difficult market made even more difficult by a Government that not only hates business (much like yourself), but goes out of their way to make it difficult for them. Don't like it? Go somewhere else.

+1

Walked away from a few petrol stations, note i never used the phrase "service stations". A few times I have voiced my objections out loud before doing so.

They are raking in the cash from us because of high prices

Yeah - thats nice for the folk working there. They are more likely to think "what a wanker" than calling the boss and telling them they lost a sale because of prepay.

Raking in the cash - do you have any idea how little the actual service station makes per ltr? its sweet FA.

The best way to get around the 'pre-pay' issue is to become a regular customer at your local station and treat the staff with some respect. You will be amazed how easy it it and how well it works.

Tank (who never has an issue with PrePay at his station)

[UberRhys]

If I can, I will do this as my bike only takes 8 litres and often only takes $5 to fill it.

Holy cheap gas batman!! 8 litres that takes $5 to fill!! What servo do you frequent and does it sell 98 octane?

[jrandom]

BTW: Chatting to a minimum wage worker who works night shift at Shell is not an industry insider.

Idle's right, dude. The ex-wife of a good friend of mine is in senior management at Mobil. I've discussed the subject with her in the past, and comments in this thread about gas station profitability revolving around non-petrol shop sales are absolutely correct.

FWIW, with regards the prepay issue, I agree that it's a pain in the arse, but generally I find that gas stations unlock the pump for me, and if not, they're happy to let me fill up if I drop my EFTPOS or credit card off at the desk first. Yes, it requires an extra trip to and from the counter, but I'm not usually in so much of a tearing hurry that that impacts my day to an undue extent.

[clint640]

BP Geyser in Rotorua sucks big fat arse IMHO.

I really don't give a shit why they have prepay, all I care about is that, given the choice, why should I give my money to someone who has decided to make my life more difficult & waste my time?

The Shell station up the other end of Fenton St are good - they actually often have someone on the forecourt! at a service station! who'da thought?

Cheers
Clint

[The Pastor]

i want more efpos on pump, i hate getting stranged at like 2am and having to wait till 5 or 6 am before i can go :@

[Usarka]

That's not discrimination that's using your brains. Who do you think would be the most common group of people driving off without paying? What they are trying to do is make it easier for some people when possible. Would you prefer that they left them locked for everyone?

the boys in the lane next to me didnt think it was funny when i told them it was one of the few benefits us honkys get

[Taz]

I've never had a problem really. Give the attendant a friendly wave stick the nozzle in ( In the bike not the attendant ) and away she goes. I was coming back from Tauranga the other day and the fuel light came on so I punched up the nearest gas station on the GPS. It was a small country GAS station and their price was $1.859 per litre for 91 so I carried on through the back roads to huntly and filled up there at the Mobil. Prepay was on but they turned the pump on for me without asking but the young maori couple in the car behind me had to prepay BTW my 24 litre tank took 23.56 litres to fill but at least I only had to pay 1.679 per litre. Cutting it a bit fine maybe. 420km on 23.56 litres not bad for an 1100cc bike.

[Bass]

The best way to get around the 'pre-pay' issue is to become a regular customer at your local station and treat the staff with some respect. You will be amazed how easy it it and how well it works.

Tank (who never has an issue with PrePay at his station)

Sounds good but......
I used to frequent my local Mobil and had done for years. I sat down and worked out that I had spent way more than $20,000 with them over 10 years - a pretty good customer you would think.

They went and rebuilt the station - you know, the general store look. I have no idea why, but they put the cashier's counters at the back of the store where they can't see what's going on out on the forecourt - so it doesn't matter whether they know you or not. The staff all change with the wind direction anyway. Of course they also went completely prepay.

The place is busy. There is always a queue. I refuse to queue twice for a single tank of petrol. It's my choice and fuck it, I just refuse.
They have eftpos at the pumps so it's all good, right? Naw, about 50% time it's unavailable.

I go elsewhere now - significantly out of my way too. But hey, that's also my choice.

[Bloody Mad Woman (BMW)]

They must be nicer in Wellington lol I go to the BP Otaki station - alot - maybe they recognise me but they turn the pumps on automatically - I have seen them do this for other motorcyclists. Same with BP Taranaki St - near Te Papa. They just turn the pumps on.

[Blimp1]

Ive never had a problem in Wellington, actually i lie, once i had to walk inside at newtown caltex and ask for the pump to be turned on and i've never had to do so since.. also the gas stations make only a few cents per barrel(according to the manager of the station i used to work at) and make all their profit from drinks/chocolate bars etc. Which could be a decent reason to just open the pumps for bikes as bikers probably buy food/drink less than cages.

[Blue Thunder]

Quote GIJOE1313: the only time I had a problem there was when I was in my cage and didn't recognise me without my riding gear/bike ) Most times I wander in to pay without doffing helmet and I've never been queried or challenged on it (so far).[/quote]

Is this due to that fact that they can now see who they are dealing with
The stealth ninja is a scary thing unmasked