Stupid Petrol Station Rules

btkm8unsl0w5r4

Bit of a rant here.......

Pulled in at the start of a long trip on Saturday morning to a petrol station along the N7. My wife was driving as I was "tired" from a party the night before. So I got out of the car to fill it up. The pump would not start. After several attempts I saw the guy in the shop wave at me. I though it was prepay (which itself is stupid) so I went in.

"Policy is no fuel if somebody is in the driver seat" says the chap behind the counter. So after some quizzing and a stunned look on my face I ask. "So my wife has to get out of the car, or change seats for you to start the pump. He had no suggestions what I was to do with my Dog and Child in the car. I gave him a earful and left. Went to the next station 2 minutes down the road and spent 150 euro on coffee, fuel, food etc.....

So basically are other stations doing this. I assume I am not the only one who would find this ridiculous. How does it help with drive offs? Why would a petrol station go out of their way to infuriate customers? When I was looking at the next station there was 2 other people pumping fuel into a car while the drive sat in the car....

Stheno

Came up on another thread recently, some stations are doing it to stop drive offs.

btkm8unsl0w5r4

Stheno wrote: »

Came up on another thread recently, some stations are doing it to stop drive offs.

How does it help with drive offs? The mechanics of a drive off are the same whether somebody is sitting in the drivers seat or not.

Stheno

Ira Silly Sandblaster wrote: »

How does it help with drive offs? The mechanics of a drive off are the same whether somebody is sitting in the drivers seat or not.

No idea, maybe it's quicker to get the engine running by the time you (the filler upper) gets into the car?

Pawwed Rig

How does it stop drive offs? If anything it would take more time for the passenger to get back into the car than the driver?

I don't think too much thought goes into these rules.


edit: need to type faster next time

Tails142

The only way you would have taught them a lesson is by complying with their rules, getting your wife to stand out of the car and then drive off without paying

MagicSean

Stheno wrote: »

No idea, maybe it's quicker to get the engine running by the time you (the filler upper) gets into the car?

It's not like the attendant comes out to chase people. Only way to stop drive offs is proper prepay system.

Stheno

MagicSean wrote: »

It's not like the attendant comes out to chase people. Only way to stop drive offs is proper prepay system.

I know, that's what was said on the other thread a few weeks ago iirc

Op doesn't like pre-pay either

btkm8unsl0w5r4

Well they need to think more about the rules, if they are going to sell me overpriced petrol, and offer me a coke and mars bar every time I go in. They should think twice about pissing off people.

Getting out of your car in the wet and cold to stand there freezing holding onto a pump with the vulcan death grip (cause they trigger locks on the pumps are disabled so you cant even put your hand in your pockets) is a pain in the arse. Making it harder must be bad for business, and make a expensive and frustrating experience worse.

Bring back attendants if they care so much. Prepay doesnt suit those of use that want to fill the car up or who's tanks hold more than 100 euro of fuel.

readytosnap

Stheno wrote: »

Came up on another thread recently, some stations are doing it to stop drive offs.

so what's to stop the driver filling up then jumping back into the car and driving off?

anmhi02

Highly Agree it is a stupid policy but to be fair I doubt very much the lad behind the counter came up with it....he's only doing his job and getting an earful for it. Contact the bosses and give them the earful and I'd also name and shame the place,

btkm8unsl0w5r4

anmhi02 wrote: »

Highly Agree it is a stupid policy but to be fair I doubt very much the lad behind the counter came up with it....he's only doing his job and getting an earful for it. Contact the bosses and give them the earful and I'd also name and shame the place,

Not up to the customer to school the business on how to do business. The guy there should tell his boss that they are loosing customers because of this and that's its slowing down the customers.

Want to stop driveoffs without pissing off the customers....put in a manned barrier at the entrance/exit.

Mr Simpson

I'd say its so the Drivers face on CCTV. If there is a drive off, the driver would be the one commiting the offence.

jackofalltrades

Worked in a petrol station in my youth. Got a few "customers" who's passengers would get out to pump the fuel, while the driver would be sitting in the drivers seat with the engine running. A quick wave for them to prepay usually saw them give up and speed out of the place.

The policy is more of a warning to people thinking about doing a drive off that your not an easy target.

Blazer

Ira Silly Sandblaster wrote: »

Getting out of your car in the wet and cold to stand there freezing holding onto a pump with the vulcan death grip (cause they trigger locks on the pumps are disabled so you cant even put your hand in your pockets) is a pain in the arse. Making it harder must be bad for business, and make a expensive and frustrating experience worse.

use your fuel cap..I normally fill mine up every 10 days or so and it can take a while to fill so I just wedge the fuel cap in it..gives me both hands and I can keep them nice and warm in my pockets and still scratch my nutsack if required.

Eric Cartman

Its gone mad, I get receipts for diesel to get the VAT back, so prepay stations mean 2 trips to the shop, I just drive away as they're too annoying, Especially if there's a few people in the queue

btkm8unsl0w5r4

Blazer wrote: »

use your fuel cap..I normally fill mine up every 10 days or so and it can take a while to fill so I just wedge the fuel cap in it..gives me both hands and I can keep them nice and warm in my pockets and still scratch my nutsack if required.

I do that, but have actually had the pump shut off on me by the girl in the shop cause its "dangerous" Funnily in the same brand of station.

bobin fudge

dont really understand the issue to be honest. Fair enough you were unable to fill the car up, but not such a big deal for the driver to then do it? Also with children and the dog in the car , what difference does that make as to who in your car fills the car up or why the shop assistant would be bothered?

Pawwed Rig

jackofalltrades wrote: »

Worked in a petrol station in my youth. Got a few "customers" who's passengers would get out to pump the fuel, while the driver would be sitting in the drivers seat with the engine running. A quick wave for them to prepay usually saw them give up and speed out of the place.

The policy is more of a warning to people thinking about doing a drive off that your not an easy target.

Gotcha. So it's Fitzgeme that just looks dodgey then

Sulla Felix

I just wish they'd bring in decent cc and receipt enabled pumps. I've been in knackered out stations in the states ythat haven't had a coat of paint since the eighties that have them but even new builds here don't.

nct tester

Went into my local petrol station recently (topaz) to fill a gallon with diesel and they wouldn't turn on the pump. Could maybe understand them not wanting to let people fill a gallon with petrol but dont understand the diesel refusal so much.

Big Nasty

I don't see the issue - if that's their policy then that's their policy. If you don't like it shop with your feet, as you did. If I ran a diesel station myself I would do the same TBH.

Eric Cartman

Sulla Felix wrote: »

I just wish they'd bring in decent cc and receipt enabled pumps. I've been in knackered out stations in the states ythat haven't had a coat of paint since the eighties that have them but even new builds here don't.

Even the ones that do have it , either the person in the shop has to authorize the pump, and in most of them at night the attendant tends to park their car infront of the 1 - 2 prepay pumps so you have to go to the window anyway (trying to make themselves look useful)

inforfun

Ira Silly Sandblaster wrote: »

(cause they trigger locks on the pumps are disabled so you cant even put your hand in your pockets)

Jam thee cap in between the handle and the grip and put your hands in your pockets.

nct tester

nct tester wrote: »

Went into my local petrol station recently (topaz) to fill a gallon with diesel and they wouldn't turn on the pump. Could maybe understand them not wanting to let people fill a gallon with petrol but dont understand the diesel refusal so much.

Thats just pure nonsense, no reason not to give someone a gallon of diesel or petrol. How are supposed to get petrol for a lawnmower or a chainsaw if you can't get fill small amounts.

Fresh Pots

Ayan Massive Moth-eaten wrote: »

Thats just pure nonsense, no reason not to give someone a gallon of diesel or petrol. How are supposed to get petrol for a lawnmower or a chainsaw if you can't get fill small amounts.

Was it a proper jerry can or just some country spring bottle you found around the house because they're actually braking the law if they allow you fill up an non approved container.

JustAThought

The prepay is infuriating when they can't lock the pump attje amount you paid ; you prepay e50;accidentally run up e50.47 & have to go back in and Q again to pay a few cent ; double the Qing ... Infuriating !

I understand having the outer lane as a prepay late/when dark but not all lanes all day . Now I shop for petrol elsewhere. Less mess, less stress, half the time.

nct tester

TheTechGuy wrote: »

Was it a proper jerry can or just some country spring bottle you found around the house because they're actually braking the law if they allow you fill up an non approved container.

proper jerry can, just wanted diesel at home to fill fuel filters after replacing them.

flazio

inforfun wrote: »

Jam thee cap in between the handle and the grip and put your hands in your pockets.

Bad idea, the spit back cut off doesn't always work and you could end up with a nice big splash of fuel all over yourself or the forecourt.

TestTransmission

Sulla Felix wrote: »

I just wish they'd bring in decent cc and receipt enabled pumps. I've been in knackered out stations in the states ythat haven't had a coat of paint since the eighties that have them but even new builds here don't.

There's a few down here in limerick that have them,very handy

Solair

Best one I've had was a garage where they misheard me and assigned my prepayment to the wrong pump where someone else filled it into their car!

btkm8unsl0w5r4

MCMLXXV wrote: »

I don't see the issue - if that's their policy then that's their policy. If you don't like it shop with your feet, as you did. If I ran a diesel station myself I would do the same TBH.

But how do I as a customer know what the policy is?. No... instead of putting up a sign they allowed me to spend 2 minutes thinking the pump was defective, then I got to march into the shop after being beackoned and in front of a bunch of other people be told I would have to get my wife to get out of the car and stand outside the car while the fuel was being pumped.

If you ran a diesel station like that you wouldnt be running it for very long.

Big Nasty

Ira Silly Sandblaster wrote: »

But how do I as a customer know what the policy is?. No... instead of putting up a sign they allowed me to spend 2 minutes thinking the pump was defective, then I got to march into the shop after being beackoned and in front of a bunch of other people be told I would have to get my wife to get out of the car and stand outside the car while the fuel was being pumped.

If you ran a diesel station like that you wouldnt be running it for very long.

Just as well I don't do daysul then.

Brabus

JustAThought wrote: »

The prepay is infuriating when they can't lock the pump attje amount you paid ; you prepay e50;accidentally run up e50.47 & have to go back in and Q again to pay a few cent ; double the Qing ... Infuriating !

I understand having the outer lane as a prepay late/when dark but not all lanes all day . Now I shop for petrol elsewhere. Less mess, less stress, half the time.

Not sure about this but I thought if for example you select €50 prepay then start fillingup when you reach €50 on the readout, the pump automatically cuts out.
Maybe someone can enlighten me

MugMugs

Brabus wrote: »

Not sure about this but I thought if for example you select €50 prepay then start fillingup when you reach €50 on the readout, the pump automatically cuts out.
Maybe someone can enlighten me

Would be nice alright but I've never encountered a cut out on the selected pre paid amount.

Eric Cartman

Brabus wrote: »

Not sure about this but I thought if for example you select €50 prepay then start fillingup when you reach €50 on the readout, the pump automatically cuts out.
Maybe someone can enlighten me

on the pumps with a card reader yes, but when you prepay in the shop on older pumps some pumps dont have a cutoff and some staff dont know how to use the cutoff on the computer.

mathepac

Ira Silly Sandblaster wrote: »

... I gave him a earful and left. .....

Ah yes, alcohol withdrawal, it does wonders for one's mis-placed sense of self-righteousness.

Did you ask if they could put up signs visible to customers on the fore-court explaining their new policy? Did you write to their head-office asking if this was a franchise-wide policy? Did you ring the Joe Show? Did you do anything to protect yourself against extreme upset the next time you are "tired and emotional" and refilling the car?

Mr Simpson

MugMugs wrote: »

Would be nice alright but I've never encountered a cut out on the selected pre paid amount.

Theres an unmanned station beside dublin airport. If you enter €35, it pumps until €35, then cuts off

MugMugs

MarkMc wrote: »

Theres an unmanned station beside dublin airport. If you enter €35, it pumps until €35, then cuts off

On auto machines yes. I was moreso referring to when you pre pay in store.

Skill Magill

Something similar happened to me at the station in Ballygall Rd about a year ago. I was left wondering why the pump wouldn't turn on, thinking there was something wrong with it I went in to tell the attendant, who then told me bikes are prepay. As I wanted to fill it up, this would involve two trips (as I didn't know the exact amount). I stormed out, threw the nozzle on the forecourt (fecker would have to come out and replace it), and went to the one on Glasnevin ave, where there was none of that messing.

Ira Silly Sandblaster

Ira Silly Sandblaster wrote: »

Well they need to think more about the rules, if they are going to sell me overpriced petrol, and offer me a coke and mars bar every time I go in. They should think twice about pissing off people.

Getting out of your car in the wet and cold to stand there freezing holding onto a pump with the vulcan death grip (cause they trigger locks on the pumps are disabled so you cant even put your hand in your pockets) is a pain in the arse. Making it harder must be bad for business, and make a expensive and frustrating experience worse.

Bring back attendants if they care so much. Prepay doesnt suit those of use that want to fill the car up or who's tanks hold more than 100 euro of fuel.

You need to:
A - Grow Up
B - Sleep it off
C - Have a cuddle
It's life, Fitz, but not as we knew it!

bobin fudge

eoing1 wrote: »

Something similar happened to me at the station in Ballygall Rd about a year ago. I was left wondering why the pump wouldn't turn on, thinking there was something wrong with it I went in to tell the attendant, who then told me bikes are prepay. As I wanted to fill it up, this would involve two trips (as I didn't know the exact amount). I stormed out, threw the nozzle on the forecourt (fecker would have to come out and replace it), and went to the one on Glasnevin ave, where there was none of that messing.

I bet that showed the garage worker....

keithclancy

eoing1 wrote: »

Something similar happened to me at the station in Ballygall Rd about a year ago. I was left wondering why the pump wouldn't turn on, thinking there was something wrong with it I went in to tell the attendant, who then told me bikes are prepay. As I wanted to fill it up, this would involve two trips (as I didn't know the exact amount). I stormed out, threw the nozzle on the forecourt (fecker would have to come out and replace it), and went to the one on Glasnevin ave, where there was none of that messing.

I worked in a Petrol Station years ago and had to deal with crazies like you when I was simply doing my job. :rolleyes:

Some nutter went nuts at me and started screaming the odds firing things around the place because I wouldn't pump green diesel for him.

colm_mcm

The esso near tattersalls on the naas road wouldn't switch the pump on till I switched my parking lights off



Shouting it in broken English over the PA

mathepac

eoing1 wrote: »

Something similar happened to me at the station in Ballygall Rd about a year ago. I was left wondering why the pump wouldn't turn on, thinking there was something wrong with it I went in to tell the attendant, who then told me bikes are prepay. As I wanted to fill it up, this would involve two trips (as I didn't know the exact amount). I stormed out, threw the nozzle on the forecourt (fecker would have to come out and replace it), and went to the one on Glasnevin ave, where there was none of that messing.

The PMT must have been bad that day.

"You can keep your petrol and i will keep my FREEDOM !!! (to be a total tit)"

Stheno

colm_mcm wrote: »

The esso near tattersalls on the naas road wouldn't switch the pump on till I switched my parking lights off



Shouting it in broken English over the PA

On the same side as tattersalls? The old station?

Pottler

I think it's just a "lets have stupid rules and really enforce them" thing and I agree with the OP. If you're gonna drive off, you're gonna drive off, wether it's the driver or the passenger who fills the fuel.

Making you turn off your lights does what exactly? Your mobile phone might cause an explosion? Yeah right. Not having the pump clip working does what apart from causing a pain if you want a lot of fuel. Filling stations are starting to vanish up their own holes. Worse still, my regular one just got bought out by Totespaz so now my coffee will cost double and won't be as nice. Just like in all the others. Bah, Humbug.

colm_mcm

Stheno wrote: »

On the same side as tattersalls? The old station?

No, the fancy new one. Is that old one still there? Actually always got on great with whoever was working in the old one (probably the same staff!)


Actually, come to think of it, are there two essos southbound on the n7? This one is the one near rathcoole, narrow forecourt with a big wall on the left side.

Seem to remember another bigger esso southbound too. It's the smaller one southbound I'm thinking of with strange rules about having lights on.

colm_mcm

Pottler wrote: »

I think it's just a "lets have stupid rules and really enforce them" thing and I agree with the OP. If you're gonna drive off, you're gonna drive off, wether it's the driver or the passenger who fills the fuel.

Making you turn off your lights does what exactly? Your mobile phone might cause an explosion? Yeah right. Not having the pump clip working does what apart from causing a pain if you want a lot of fuel. Filling stations are starting to vanish up their own holes. Worse still, my regular one just got bought out by Totespaz so now my coffee will cost double and won't be as nice. Just like in all the others. Bah, Humbug.

I don't go to our local topaz because they keep offering stuff. If I bought fags, they'd be trying to sell me a lighter, buy a coffee and they tell me for €1 extra I can get a muffin etc. asking me if I've done the lotto. I know they're told to do this so I would politely decline.
one thing I must say which is pretty nice is that if the ATM is being filled you get a free coffee while you're waiting for it to come back on.

Stheno

colm_mcm wrote: »

No, the fancy new one. Is that old one still there? Actually always got on great with whoever was working in the old one (probably the same staff!)


Actually, come to think of it, are there two essos southbound on the n7? This one is the one near rathcoole, narrow forecourt with a big wall on the left side.

Seem to remember another bigger esso southbound too. It's the smaller one southbound I'm thinking of with strange rules about having lights on.

there are two on the southbound side, the one beside rathcoole which is a horror to get out of and also seems to have silly rules, and one then near Kill

The old one on the northbound side is still there. Staff there tend to be fine, the one you are talking about can be a bit of an experience at times, I've given up going there as there is plenty of choice on that stretch of road

bobin fudge

colm_mcm wrote: »

I don't go to our local topaz because they keep offering stuff. If I bought fags, they'd be trying to sell me a lighter, buy a coffee and they tell me for €1 extra I can get a muffin etc. asking me if I've done the lotto. I know they're told to do this so I would politely decline.
one thing I must say which is pretty nice is that if the ATM is being filled you get a free coffee while you're waiting for it to come back on.

haha i was going to say the exact same thing but couldnt be bothered and thought it probably happens to nobody else. One topaz in particular on the northside and the guy behind the counter tries to sell me anything and everything from firewood to fluffy keyrings to 2 for 1s

I always reply -no thank you