Petrol Pumps

stevoman

From this day onwards i am starting a campaign, that when some idiot decides to park at the petrol pumps in front of me and just saunter into the shop without even putting a drop of petrol in the car, i am going to press the horn on my car continually until that said fool comes back out and realises how stupid of a thing they are doing. really, whats wrong with these people that do this?

Red Hand

Never seen that happen.

If the pumps are really busy, then I usually just move the car out the way and down to the edge of the filling station bay and then go in to pay.

stevoman

Jeremiah 16:1 wrote: »

Never seen that happen.

If the pumps are really busy, then I usually just move the car out the way and down to the edge of the filling station bay and then go in to pay.

thats because your a decent person jeremiah. i comend you!

Terry

Moved from AH.

biko

Follow them into the shop and say in a loud voice "Since you're not getting petrol you need to move your car so I can fill up"?
Alternately crash repeatedly into their car.

togster

Really some people have very little to worry about

Wishbone Ash

stevoman wrote: »

i am going to press the horn on my car continually

All the attention would be drawn towards you and you would look like a complete idiot.

Regardless of courtesy etc. filling stations are on private property and therefore those people are not doing anything illegal.

After I fill up I always move my car to another part of the forecourt. I don't understand why others just saunter into the shop, and spend ages selecting food etc. while holding up the pumps.

stevoman

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

After I fill up I always move my car to another part of the forecourt. I don't understand why others just saunter into the shop, and spend ages selecting food etc. while holding up the pumps.

this is my point. thats the way i always operate whilst i am at a pumps. now i know maybe i will look like an idiot but desperate times call for desperate measures. this will highlight to the fool that what they are doing is so stupid. Ok going out on a limb here i have to say that about 80% of the time the culprits are women in my experience, as was this morning.

Wishbone Ash

stevoman wrote: »

80% of the time the culprits are women in my experience, as was this morning.

A few years ago I was waiting a long time for a driver to reappear. She did. Got in and spent ages putting on seatbelt, sunglasses and adjusting hair etc. Just when I thought she was ready to move she takes out the mobile and makes a call. I gave a tiny 'beep' (I'm patient by nature) to let her know I was there. She went absolutely banannas, jumped out of the car and began to abuse and threaten me! :rolleyes:

Stephen

Busy petrol stations seem to frown upon people moving their cars away from the pumps before they've paid for their fuel. I think it makes it harder to track who's paid for what on the CCTV.

stevoman

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

A few years ago I was waiting a long time for a driver to reappear. She did. Got in and spent ages putting on seatbelt, sunglasses and adjusting hair etc. Just when I thought she was ready to move she takes out the mobile and makes a call. I gave a tiny 'beep' (I'm patient by nature) to let her know I was there. She went absolutely banannas, jumped out of the car and began to abuse and threaten me! :rolleyes:

oh, wishbone my blood would boil! that would be asbo time! Ithink i would combat this by throwing acomplete wabbler or driving around in front of her and refusing to move. going in and doing the same as she has done. uuuhhh thats just drove a thorn in my side:eek:

Vikings

I fill up then pay for it before moving my car. Sorry, but i'm paying for a service and I plan on making use of it.

My local Esso does be fairly busy at weekends when the petrol is a little cheaper and some people really do take the biscuit e.g Fill up, have a chat with the guy next to you for a while then go in and pay, meet someone else on the way out and chat for another few minutes before getting back into your car and moving. That happened to me a few months ago and really got on my nerves!

I see no problem with leaving your car at the pump while you go in and pay though.

deegs

If there was free parking else where i might be mildy annoyed, but if there was no free parking then its a problem for the petrol station not the OP. Frankly how much of a rush can you be in?

mickoneill30

Stephen wrote: »

Busy petrol stations seem to frown upon people moving their cars away from the pumps before they've paid for their fuel. I think it makes it harder to track who's paid for what on the CCTV.

I'd think that too. What happens if you move your car forward and then go into the shop to stand in the inevitable queue for 5 minutes?
Does the guy behind you reset the pump some way (is there a way?) or does he just put a fiver of petrol into his car before noticing the pump wasn't reset to zero? Then you've got a big delay while you try to explain that to the guy behind the register.

stevoman

Vikings wrote: »

I see no problem with leaving your car at the pump while you go in and pay though.

No thats sensible, unless their is somewhon behind you and you feel like you can move out of couresy, but parking and not getting petrol and going in for a shop is madness.

stevoman

deegs wrote: »

If there was free parking else where i might be mildy annoyed, but if there was no free parking then its a problem for the petrol station not the OP. Frankly how much of a rush can you be in?

The fact is where im talking about there was plenty of parking and in most stations there is. its pure ignorance to park at a pump, look at the car behind you, not get petrol and walk in.
frankly im usually in a rush and frankly id have manners and common sense at these pumps.

ASTRACLUB

:DAgree and also would do the same for folks who park their car for wash before actually buying the coupan...

Lets do it!

P.S
What if someone bring out the gun and shoot us back :-):rolleyes:

Wishbone Ash

stevoman wrote: »

Ithink i would combat this by throwing acomplete wabbler or driving around in front of her and refusing to move. going in and doing the same as she has done. uuuhhh thats just drove a thorn in my side:eek:

But then you'd only be dragging yourself down to her level.

My reaction - totally blanked her out. Windows remained tightly shut while I played with the radio. She then looked and felt like a complete idiot drawing all that attention on herself.

star-pants

Well what can also happen is - if someone parks not at a petrol pump but 'elsewhere' they can block people trying to get out of the petrol station. And you have to sit and wait for someone beside you to move or them to come back.
Also with moving after you've filled up, I never do - I go in and pay first. I've gone up to pumps before and they're not reset/won't work until the person inside has paid.

The only major thing that might bother me at petrol stations is people who park a mile out from the pump (thus blocking you getting around).

stevoman

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

But then you'd only be dragging yourself down to her level.

My reaction - totally blanked her out. Windows remained tightly shut while I played with the radio. She then looked and felt like a complete idiot drawing all that attention on herself.

your a patient man wishbone i'l give you that. Im not blessed with that virtue im afraid to say, wish i was sometimes though!

Wishbone Ash

.........and of course, there are those who park at the water/airline when they don't intend to get water/air.

Zorba

Ok slightly off topic here but.....does anyone know how to lock the pump so that it pumps itself ? There's some sort of catch on it that u can lock in so u don't have to stand there holding the handle up the whole time. Anyone know how to work it.

On topic i must say it really pisses me off ppl leaving their cars at pumps, a few weeks ago i seen two women blocking two pumps with their cars having a good ole chat, oblivious to the fact that there were other ppl who wanted to use the pumps.

L1011

Those catches are specifically broken in Ireland as 'automatic' pumps are illegal here.

Wishbone Ash

Zorba wrote: »

Ok slightly off topic here but.....does anyone know how to lock the pump so that it pumps itself ? There's some sort of catch on it that u can lock in so u don't have to stand there holding the handle up the whole time. Anyone know how to work it

The catches are usually removed. Too many instances of nozzles falling out of the tank inlet and spilling gallons of fuel all over the ground.

Some truck diesel pumps do have them though as one's hand can tire waiting for 1000 litres to dispense. .

L1011

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Some truck diesel pumps do have them though as one's hand can tire waiting for 1000 litres to dispense. .

Despite them being specifically banned in law?

Theres been a thread on this before, theres some SI from the late 1970s that bans their use.

hottstuff

As said , the stations car park IS private property and so road traffic laws need not apply.
There is no need to park at the pump if your not getting petrol , but also there is no need to move your vehicle until you have paid also.

I was once followed by the son of petrol station owner because the thick "young'wan" at the register forgot i had paid.
Needless to say i was straight back to the station telling the "dodgy" owner what i thought of his "business" and have never returned since.

Wishbone Ash

MYOB wrote: »

Despite them being specifically banned in law?

Theres been a thread on this before, theres some SI from the late 1970s that bans their use.

I'm not really familiar with those regulations. Anyone know which Statutory Instrument covers it. Perhaps there are exemptions.

(PS - some green diesel (agri) pumps do not have those catches removed either )

knird evol

Zorba wrote: »

Ok slightly off topic here but.....does anyone know how to lock the pump so that it pumps itself ? There's some sort of catch on it that u can lock in so u don't have to stand there holding the handle up the whole time. Anyone know how to work it.

On topic i must say it really pisses me off ppl leaving their cars at pumps, a few weeks ago i seen two women blocking two pumps with their cars having a good ole chat, oblivious to the fact that there were other ppl who wanted to use the pumps.

Just stick your petrol cap in to the nozzel handle securing the pump...then lean casually back against your car looking > super cool < while all the other mugs hunch over the nozzel.

Biro

MYOB wrote: »

Despite them being specifically banned in law?

Is it something that would keep you up at night though?

Trojan911

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Regardless of courtesy etc. filling stations are on private property and therefore those people are not doing anything illegal.

hottstuff wrote: »

As said , the stations car park IS private property and so road traffic laws need not apply.

While the garage is trading, the forecourt is a public place, so the Road Traffic Act does apply.

Same with shopping carparks and the likes.

It BeeMee

Personally I leave the car at the pump until after I've paid.

If it's a small forecourt, it's usually not too busy anyway so I'm not holding anyone up.
If it's a big forecourt, there's usually plenty of room for another car to get by anyway.

Do people pay by cash or by card?
If you're paying by cash, you can stop the pump at €20.05, throw the grl a twenty and be on your way.
Paying by card, stop the pump at €50.01 and the extra cent is charged.....

Steve

MYOB wrote: »

Despite them being specifically banned in law?

Theres been a thread on this before, theres some SI from the late 1970s that bans their use.

Yep, here:
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055219311

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Trojan911 wrote: »

While the garage is trading, the forecourt is a public place, so the Road Traffic Act does apply.

Same with shopping carparks and the likes.

Incorrect!!!

hottstuff

Trojan911 wrote: »

While the garage is trading, the forecourt is a public place, so the Road Traffic Act does apply.

Same with shopping carparks and the likes.

http://www.acts.ie/print/zza24y1961.1.html

"car park" means a place (not being part of a public road)

_Kaiser_

I leave the car at the pump until I've gone in and paid myself. As someone else mentioned, it avoids possible CCTV, pump reset and finding alternate parking issues.

Besides, I generally go to bigger stations with 4 or more pumps anyway so it's not that big a deal. From observation I'd imagine 90% of people are the same.

5500

Its much of a muchness so to speak weather you move your car or not.

From what ive noticed the till operator wont rerelease the pump untill its been paid,so even if you move the car and someone else pulls up they cant fill up untill you've paid so there going to be waiting either ways.

Trojan911

hottstuff wrote: »

http://www.acts.ie/print/zza24y1961.1.html

Can't access your link. Here is a link, Public Place. Sub Sec D. It is the same with shops etc. They may be privately owned but while trading, they are public places.

hottstuff

Trojan911 wrote: »

Can't access your link. Here is a link, Public Place. Sub Sec D.

from that link

and which is used for public recreational purposes

Wishbone Ash

Interestingly, the relevant Statute Instrument continually refers to "petroleum". I only ever seen the auto-dispense at diesel pumps.

Dangerous Substances (Retail and Private Petroleum Stores) Regulations 1979


45. (1) Where the dispensing of petroleum Class I is carried on at a retail store the following provisions shall apply:

( a ) the dispensing of petroleum shall be constantly supervised and controlled by—

(i) one or more authorised persons situated in a central position and not less than 17 years of age, or

(ii) one or more authorised persons situated in the forecourt area where the delivery of petroleum is being made to the fuel tanks of vehicles;

( b ) where the supervision and control of dispensing pumps are being exercised from a central location, there shall be provided at that location an efficient isolating switch or other device for cutting-off the power to all pumps and electric lighting circuits of pumps, and the isolating switch or other device shall be in addition to the separate control switch required to be provided by these Regulations for each pump;

( c ) where a central control location is provided, all self-service pumps and the forecourt area used for the delivery of petroleum to the fuel tanks of vehicles shall be clearly and readily visible by the authorised person from that location;

( d ) where supervision is being exercised by an authorised person from a central location, petroleum shall not be dispensed from a self-service pump unless an authorised person is present in that central location, but this requirement shall not apply if the control system for each pump has been de-activated to prevent delivery of petroleum other than by a separate control system for a pump attended by an authorised person in the forecourt area;

( e ) where the supervision and control of dispensing pumps are exercised by an authorised person from a central location—

(i) a system of communication shall be provided to enable that person to issue instructions to customers without leaving his location, and

(ii) the number of dispensing pumps under his supervision and control shall not interfere with the efficient carrying out of his duties in relation to the prevention of risk of injury to person or property;

( f ) an authorised person referred to in paragraph (a) of this Regulation shall, so far as it reasonably practicable, ensure, before a pump under his supervision is activated for the delivery of petroleum to the fuel tank of a vehicle, that the engine is switched off and that the appropriate provisions of these Regulations are observed;

( g ) subject to any condition attached to a licence sufficient and suitable lighting shall be provided in the area of the forecourt where a dispensing pump is located, and a general level of illumination shall be maintained of not less than 10 lumens per 0.10 square metres, the intensity of illumination to be measured in the horizontal plane at the top of the cabinet, housing or enclosure of each dispensing pump available for use;

( h ) in the event of spillage or leakage of petroleum likely to cause a fire, explosion or other dangerous occurrence, the authorised person shall immediately de-activate all dispensing pumps and take all other practicable steps in accordance with his duties under these Regulations for the protection of persons or property against risk of injury.

(2) Where an authorised person is not present at a retail store no petroleum Class I shall be dispensed into the fuel tanks of vehicles owned by the public unless in accordance with and subject to the conditions attached to a licence.

Trojan911

hottstuff wrote: »

from that link

That is sub sec B. Refers to parks ect. As stated, sub sec D.

hottstuff

Trojan911 wrote: »

That is sub sec B. Refers to parks ect. As stated, sub sec D.

It all relates to Public Order offences , not Road Traffic offenses

Trojan911

hottstuff wrote: »

It all relates to Public Order offences , not Road Traffic offenses

You are missing the point.

In this case the forecourt of the garage is deemed a public place whilst it trades, therefore whether it be traffic offences or public order offences they are in play.

If this does not give you clarity then post a question on the Legal Discussion Forum.

Zorba

Ok thanks guys, that'd explain how i could never get the thing to clip in !
But thought they would've unclipped themselves once the tank is full like they do when u manually fill the tank ?

knird evol wrote: »

Just stick your petrol cap in to the nozzel handle securing the pump...then lean casually back against your car looking > super cool < while all the other mugs hunch over the nozzel.

Good idea but i'd be a bit paranoid about the thing overflowing !!

Wishbone Ash

Trojan911 wrote: »

In this case the forecourt of the garage is deemed a public place whilst it trades, therefore whether it be traffic offences or public order offences they are in play

That may be so but I have never ever heard or witnessed the Gardai dealing with any road traffic violations other than on a public road. (A public road being defined as a road which is maintained by a national or local authority).

If the Gardai witness a person leaving a public house and getting into a car, they will always wait until that person is out in a public road before dealing with them.


Within the confines of Dublin Airport, it is the Dublin Airport Police who deal with road traffic offences. In Dublin Port it's the Harbour Police.

I accept though that this does not necessarily mean that the gardai can't deal with it off the public road but one is tempted to ask if it would not be more appropriate to deal with a drunk driver before he/she enters a public road.

Trojan911

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

That may be so but I have never ever heard or witnessed the Gardai dealing with any road traffic violations other than on a public road. (A public road being defined as a road which is maintained by a national or local authority).

You are quite entitled to call the guards if you have an accident or find damage to your car as a result of someone bumping your car in a carpark, once it is deemed a public place i.e. during trading hours.

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

If the Gardai witness a person leaving a public house and getting into a car, they will always wait until that person is out in a public road before dealing with them. but one is tempted to ask if it would not be more appropriate to deal with a drunk driver before he/she enters a public road.

Absolutely, and one would be correct to critical if a Garda was to allow this. Drunk in Charge covers this. The carpark of the pub being a public place until it has ceased trading & is closed & locked up.

After that they would have to wait until the driver enters a public road/place.

For instance, I know of a case in the UK where a farmer used to drive his tractor to the end of his land. There he parked up & opened the gate, walked across the road & went into the pub.

Hours later he came out the pub, very sozzled, opened the gate into his land climbed the tractor & drove it back to the farmhouse. He couldn't be prosecuted as he was on private property. In this case, it was his private property. That's how he got around the drink driving laws.

Omcd

Having worked a long time ago dispensing petrol, the main problem a garage has with people moving their cars before payment has been made relates to identifying whether or not a drive off (failure to pay) is happening. Nowadays modern CCTV provides recording of these offences, before that it was up to the garage staff to get the reg of the car before it disppeared, but moving before paying is still frowned on by most garages, as it makes it harder to track in real time what is going on and whether it is legit or not.

But it is just plain ignorance for somebody to go into the shop to pay for petrol and at the same time spend ages shopping or getting sweets for the kids, or whatever, while their car is blocking the pump. Pay for petrol first, move the car, then come back in and do the shopping.

Another comment I would make is auto cut out systems are not 100% reliable and do sometimes fail (dirt in the sensor or whatever), so you need to keep an eye on whats happening (clip or no clip) otherwise you could turn around and find you're pumping petrol all over the forecourt. Petrol can come back up the filling spout for a number of reasons, not just if the tank is full, but also if the pump is pumping too fast for the filler spout to handle, or you are pumping at an incorrect angle.

LadyTBolt

The answer is blatently obvious - Bring back Forecourt Attendants. Pay and Go.

I know it's a job that nobody anybody wants or wants to employ somebody for but I'm sure some teenager would be happy with a few quid at the weekend (when most people refuel) and I know lots of people who would favour going to a forecourt with an attendant than one without. If there was a forecourt attendant in my area I'd go there even if the fuel was slightly higher than a neighbouring petrol station for the convenience alone.

And stop blaming women for holding up the pumps. Plenty of men have done it to me and think an 'awl wave makes it ok when there is plenty of space away from the pump to park. I myself, as hard as you might find it to believe, pull away from the pump and go back and pay.

L1011

Small petrol station = attendent is going to make a noticeable cost increase on fuel. Additionally, theres still a labour shortage for that kind of work...

Large station = many attendents, or waiting times = price increase and not satisfactory.

Vikings

LadyTBolt wrote: »

The answer is blatently obvious - Bring back Forecourt Attendants. Pay and Go.

A bit before my motoring time but absolutely! Sure the Esso in Celbridge has a poor lad working the Jet Wash at the weekends.

€6.00 (3x €2) and he gives it as good a clean as you would yourself.


There would have to be an increase in the cost of petrol for this to happen though - most petrol stations now rely on the shop accompanying them for profit and if your punters don't enter the shop then theres no profit to be made from it!

tomred1

I taught you have to pay before you move you car.As how would they know how much you owe if someone uses it before you get to the till.

Wishbone Ash

Vikings wrote: »

Amost petrol stations now rely on the shop accompanying them for profit and if your punters don't enter the shop then theres no profit to be made from it!

Therein lies the problem. The margin on fuel is tiny - the profit is made in the shop.