Petrol station charging for air

3pigs

pulled into a garage to put air in my wheel and get diesel 1 euro for air :mad:lucky i had not yet put the fuel in i will never spend another cent in that garage again i spend at least 100 euro in this garage a week so for being greedy they lost my custom

dgt

Know how much a compressor costs to buy and run? Or when vandals come along and break the equipment?

Newaglish

3pigs wrote: »

pulled into a garage to put air in my wheel and get diesel 1 euro for air :mad:lucky i had not yet put the fuel in i will never spend another cent in that garage again i spend at least 100 euro in this garage a week so for being greedy they lost my custom

Go buy one of the machines yourself then.

Supergurrier

Truckermal

I spend the same on fuel every week and they make me pay for the car wash, cheeky buggers allthough the air is free..

Sir Arthur Daley

3pigs wrote: »

pulled into a garage to put air in my wheel and get diesel 1 euro for air :mad:lucky i had not yet put the fuel in i will never spend another cent in that garage again i spend at least 100 euro in this garage a week so for being greedy they lost my custom

Its outrageous Joe. :rolleyes:

ironclaw

I know Topaz you need a €1 to use the pump but its refunded when you replace it. I don't mind personally as it stops the handle getting use and abused. Compressors are actually savage expensive to run and maintain. Anyway, if someone is willing to skimp on a €1 for the only piece of equipment that actually connects you to the road, I can only imagine their attitude to other expenses. And how often do you need Air? Perhaps once a month for a fill? If even? Get a pressure gauge and then you only need to fill when you need to.

Motoring is expensive. Time to get over it really.

porsche boy

Was it a 'charge' or 'deposit'?
Some places now use the things of shopping trollies to ensure the air line gets put baxk properly and not left on the ground where it can ne driven overb

porsche boy

Was it a 'charge' or 'deposit'?
Some places now use the things of shopping trollies to ensure the air line gets put baxk properly and not left on the ground where it can ne driven overb

kona

Some people just don't have a clue.

Celly Smunt

It's amazing the amount of people you see who actually deflate their tyres using the new electronic ones.

Default setting is 26 as far as i can remember.

Start with 30,end with 26.YAY INFLATED TYRES!

Mr.Fred

Are you sure they're actually charging for air or is it just like the shopping trolleys in the supermarket.

They make you put a euro you have to return the connecting piece to it's holder. I'd imagine they aren't cheap to replace and regularly broken by being fecked on the floor.

rob w

My local garage hs been charging for a while now....

It says the money goes to SVP though, don't agree with paying for air but at least it's going to a charity! Can't remember how much it is, but definitely less than 1 euro!

meoklmrk91

Tbh I think a compressor is one of those things that a garage should do complementary, I know it costs them money but I only ever pump my wheels at my favourite garage's where I spend all my money on petrol, drinks, food etc. so I think it's nice when they have a free compressor for customers.

visual

I always though as part of their licence to trade air water and toilets where to be provided.

Ive seen a few garages charge for air a bit cheeky I think.

Celly Smunt

visual wrote: »

I always though as part of their licence to trade air water and toilets where to be provided.

Ive seen a few garages charge for air a bit cheeky I think.

Well technically the air is still free,the use of equipment isn't however.

RebelButtMunch

Dead right. Take your custom elsewhere

djimi

My gf got air the other night; I was actually horrified to discover that they charge €1 to operate the machine.

That said, you got 5 minutes of time for air, vacuum etc so its not too bad that you can give the car a quick once over with the hoover at the same time.

Still pretty ****ty to find that they have started charging for something that has always been freely available.

colm_mcm

Its a result of a couple of things;
Kids messing with them
People not putting the inflator gauge back then someone drives over it
People nicking the inflator
Cost of providing what is a service that they don't really have to provide, no more than disposable gloves or a bin, its just a courtesy.

I worked in a garage that had free air, nozzle would get need replacing every few weeks, they're €50 plus VAT each. Margins in petrol itself were tight enough without that too.

Oryx

Over half of the petrol stations around here don't provide compressed air at all, those that do, the airline is often broken.

Just buy a footpump, its handier.

corktina

I use a foot pump and I don't even have flat feet.

(coat, getting...)

No Pants

Get a pressure gauge and a foot pump and do it yourself. I check my tyres every weekend, along with oil and water levels, etc. I don't generally do much mileage.

corktina

Oryx wrote: »

Over half of the petrol stations around here don't provide compressed air at all, those that do, the airline is often broken.

Just buy a footpump, its handier.

heh heh ...handy foot pump....I geddit!

djimi

colm_mcm wrote: »

Its a result of a couple of things;
Kids messing with them
People not putting the inflator gauge back then someone drives over it
People nicking the inflator
Cost of providing what is a service that they don't really have to provide, no more than disposable gloves or a bin, its just a courtesy.

I worked in a garage that had free air, nozzle would get need replacing every few weeks, they're €50 plus VAT each. Margins in petrol itself were tight enough without that too.

A lot of places put the shopping trolley type Euro slots on the air nozzle, which I have no problem with and which would sort a lot of the issues that you have mentioned above.

4th horsemen

dgt wrote: »

Know how much a compressor costs to buy and run? Or when vandals come along and break the equipment?

In fairness, you should not have to pay for using the air facility in a petrol station. If they cannot afford to have one put in then they should not have one. Unless its a legal requirement or something.

Sure don't they charge more than enough and over the odds for everything else that they sell in the petrol stations!

Sir Arthur Daley

4th horsemen wrote: »

In fairness, you should not have to pay for using the air facility in a petrol station. If they cannot afford to have one put in then they should not have one. Unless its a legal requirement or something.

Sure don't they charge more than enough and over the odds for everything else that they sell in the petrol stations!

No one forces you to use the coffee machine or any other facilities, if they want to charge that is there choice.

colm_mcm

4th horsemen wrote: »

. If they cannot afford to have one put in then they should not have one. Unless its a legal requirement or something.

That makes no sense!

4th horsemen

colm_mcm wrote: »

That makes no sense!

Makes sense to me

Just don't think they should be charging for that.
But you don't have to use it I guess, and I would def go somewhere else to inflate my tires for free.

YbFocus

For the use of the compressor the odd time I need it and the obvious upkeep that running a compressor has I really wouldn't mind paying a Euro.
More than fair, if you have a slow puncture that your nursing get it patched or whatever.
It's really not that big a deal!

Interslice

I'd rather pay a euro for air than use a free broken one that lets the feckin air out.

Although when you pay a euro and it runs out halfway though the third tyre . Fookin 2 euro for air :mad:.

The_Honeybadger

Don't mind paying a small charge for air, as stated the equipment costs money and is often abused. I had a slow puncture due to a damaged rim a while back and found it incredibly frustrating when most petrol stations had a broken air pump, there are times you'd pay a lot more than a euro for it. Businesses have to make money, just because air has always been free doesn't mean it always will / should be.

3pigs

ironclaw wrote: »

I know Topaz you need a €1 to use the pump but its refunded when you replace it. I don't mind personally as it stops the handle getting use and abused. Compressors are actually savage expensive to run and maintain. Anyway, if someone is willing to skimp on a €1 for the only piece of equipment that actually connects you to the road, I can only imagine their attitude to other expenses. And how often do you need Air? Perhaps once a month for a fill? If even? Get a pressure gauge and then you only need to fill when you need to.

Motoring is expensive. Time to get over it really.

i am over it i,m spending my 5k a year in another garage its not the euro i put i,d say a couple of euro in the poor box every time i,m in the garage

3pigs

Newaglish wrote: »

Go buy one of the machines yourself then.

i might use the thing once a year the garage lost over 5k a year over being hungry its not the euro i put a least 10 euro a week in the poor boxes a week

Sir Arthur Daley

3pigs wrote: »

i am over it i,m spending my 5k a year in another garage its not the euro i put i,d say a couple of euro in the poor box every time i,m in the garage

You spend 5k a year using forecourt air inflation equipment?

wonski

colm_mcm wrote: »

Its a result of a couple of things;
Kids messing with them
People not putting the inflator gauge back then someone drives over it
People nicking the inflator
Cost of providing what is a service that they don't really have to provide, no more than disposable gloves or a bin, its just a courtesy.

I worked in a garage that had free air, nozzle would get need replacing every few weeks, they're €50 plus VAT each. Margins in petrol itself were tight enough without that too.

There are better ways to protect equipment, than charging the others for it imo. Asking people to pay for it, so the others can break it again and again?
1, or 2 euro deposit should do. I am getting the foot pump as soon as more stations follow this route.

Stations in Ireland do not have any facilities that are provided worldwide - gloves, paper towels, bucket of water with a brush, toilets etc. In here you get nothing. Unless you pay - then you get an air.

Jesus.

OP, well done you. Typical Irish attitude of trying to squeeze every last cent out of the customer. This is the Rip-off Republic at its finest. Anyone slating the OP should go to the States for a while and you'll find out quickly how customers are supposed to be treated.

They've lost your business OP and its their loss. I hope other people say enough's enough too when it comes to ridiculous scenarios like this. Its time to draw the line.

PeteK*

I used the Topaz station today at Glasnevin for the first time.
It looked like a trolly contraption. I don't mind having to pay but it's annoying when you have no coins.

Anyway, it turned out it could reach and I didn't need to use a coin.

The Topaz beside Joe Duffy BMW and the Petrol Station at Constitution Hill (though out of order at the moment) are free to use.

The Station (911?) at Joels/Louis Fitz Hotel have wet paper towels to wash your hands.. very handy!
Some pumps have fuel all over them and it's annoying if they don't have the facilities to wash your hands afterwards.

Jesus.

PeteK* wrote: »

It looked like a trolly contraption. I don't mind having to pay but it's annoying when you have no coins..

The trolly contraption isn't paying though as you get your quid back

PeteK*

Jesus. wrote: »

The trolly contraption isn't paying though as you get your quid back

Yeah but I still had no coins to use. Unless it took 50c coins, does it?

Sir Arthur Daley

PeteK* wrote: »

Yeah but I still had no coins to use. Unless it took 50c coins, does it?

That is a sad complaint now in fairness.

Jesus.

PeteK* wrote: »

Yeah but I still had no coins to use. Unless it took 50c coins, does it?

It can be inconvenient alright if you don't have a euro coin on you mate. But it seems to deter vandals so I think its fair enough.

Now actually charging for it, like what the OP is describing, is just downright miserly. Not to mention stupid when it comes to good business sense.

scotchy

I noticed that my regular petrol station was charging a euro for air about a month ago (not the supermarket trolley deposit thing, its €1 for air).

My first reaction was F*** them, I'll get my €100 fill-ups of diesel somewhere else and that'll teach em . But they're the cheapest station by far in the area so just have to grin and bear it.

Not happy about it, but I can see this being the norm soon. :mad:

.

corkgsxr

Oryx wrote: »

Over half of the petrol stations around here don't provide compressed air at all, those that do, the airline is often broken.

Just buy a footpump, its handier.

Mm try 60psi van tires. You'd be looking like he hulk on one side

3pigs wrote: »

i might use the thing once a year the garage lost over 5k a year over being hungry its not the euro i put a least 10 euro a week in the poor boxes a week

Should be checked every about 2 weeks. High miles every week.


I wouldn't mind at all paying for air if the gauges were accurate and if the compressor was up to the job. Most wont go far over 40psi. Useless to me.

And why haven't garages copped on and bought the one you clip a flexi hose to your wheel and go up to the machine and press up or down.

Theres feck all you can break

DuckSlice

In the Uk(not sure about northern ireland tho, just mainland UK) a garage that you dont have to pay for air is rare. so it probably wont be long before they follow suit here. it was never that dear tho. i think 40p got you 2minutes of air, which was sufficient if you had all the caps off before you put your money in.

i would say get used to it otherwise you will be left with very few garages to get your fuel in if you base where you get it on if they charge for fuel or not.

discombobulate

Don't mind paying the euro. Was in the Texaco on the templeogue road today. Was very surprised they offer it for free considering they have the fancy electric one. Thought it was great and will be back there.

Spent a few quid on a roll then too. Their Diesel is a bit pricier than most though. They have apparently the biggest automatic car wash thing in Ireland. Bloody massive. Wouldn't trust my car in it though.

One thing that annoys me the most is no paper wipes for wiping any fuel that gets on your hands or overspills off.

Topper7

I've recently found myself spending a lot of time in N. Ireland & as far as I'm aware it is the norm up there to charge. I think the norm rate is 20p/min with a min charge of 40p. Also another thing I notice up there is there are no fuel attentdants that offer 2 fill your car when you pull intoa station. While there are very few of these anywhere anymore I still come accross the odd garage that does it in the republic.

colm_mcm

I've added a poll to this thread.

wonski

colm_mcm wrote: »

I've added a poll to this thread.

The only problem is that if i need to use it i pay anyway, as i would pay for a milk to the coffee if asked to pay. But if all start to charge, i might use my own pump rather than pay them for the privilege.
What i try to say is the poll is kind of funny, because if you have a choice, you don't want to pay, but if you have to use it, you will pay.
We will see how many people are happy to pay.

bucketybuck

Filling stations charging for air is one of those things that a certain subset of people just cannot be rational about, hence the childish whinging displayed in this thread. Some of the equipment needed to provide the service can be very expensive and is often damaged by customers, but still people think it should be a free service because, well, just because. The same people probably wouldn't splash out a few quid on a mini-compressor that plugs into your car cigarette lighter, they would rather some random business cover the cost instead.

Whats funnier is that people want these free services from what is basically a shop. Of all the places to moan about having to pay for something they are moaning about having to pay for something from a shop! I suspect there is a little misunderstanding about what a business like that is all about...(ie: the whole payment for goods and services thing).

dgt

4th horsemen wrote: »

In fairness, you should not have to pay for using the air facility in a petrol station. If they cannot afford to have one put in then they should not have one. Unless its a legal requirement or something.

Sure don't they charge more than enough and over the odds for everything else that they sell in the petrol stations!

So you wouldn't mind if you had a business and I walked in off the street to charge my phone/boil the kettle/defecate in the urinal etc because your services entitle me to avail of all your services for free?

Back to the station: perhaps a free car wash? Maybe a litre or 2 of milk and wine? Sure feck it, you're entitled to some money from the till to pay the mortgage because they're getting your custom. You're entitled to it

Because that's what's being suggested there. A sense of entitlement to a service where the business has to pay up for and the customer gets the benefit of this service. Who usually breaks in the process of. Business out of pocket.

But some people are too tick to see that. Maybe that's for the better though

Seems plausible that, there's a new years resolution: start your own business

biko

Esso charges http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056624246
Topaz charges http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056694544
Both in the pale. I've yet to see this carry on in Connacht.
Not sure what you're trying to accomplish by threatening to take custom elsewhere on an internet forum. How about asking the manager about it instead?