Petrol/diesel savings?

Emmo-m-

Hey guys/gals

Are there many of you out that would travel to a specific garage to fill up if the petrol or diesel is cheaper than others close by?

With less options in the smaller counties is it more relevant? Or would Dublin/cork folk shop around in the city with so many more options?

I know the Black Friday deals do still have massive queues when the price is under €1 still but curious to see is this a regular thing people do.

Eoinbmw

Could you be arsed for a few cent?
In limerick there might be a 3-5 cent swing per liter across the city whats 5 x 30 1.50 saving !

I take note of petrol/diesel prices at pretty much every station I pass all the time so I’ve a fair idea of prices and always get fuel in the cheaper places which as I’ve a circle K fuel card that knocks off 4 cent on all pump prices is usually a circle K.

Never get comments like “would you be arsed to save 1, 2 , 3 euro on a fill” do ye throw change of a 5er in the bin when leaving a shop? Of course it’s worth it, it all adds up.

Atlantic Dawn

I generally just fill up in a few stations I know are not a rip off, I won't specifically set out to refuel, it will be done as part of a journey somewhere else.

Eoinbmw

Time is money! Would you sit in traffic for half an hour to save 2 euro?
It fairly obvious you should go for the best price fuel as long as its convenient!

V8 Interceptor

I always keep an eye out for the cheapest price. I don't lose anything because I do be driving by anyway. Even if its only 2 euro I save I still like to do it. Motoring is dear enough as it is.

sligojoek

All the time. I live 10 miles from Bundoran. It's always 5-7c /l cheaper than my local station. The chances are I have to go there or Ballyshannon once a week anyway so I always fill up while there. If I'm running low I'll go to Sligo town there it's about 3c cheaper than my local.

At the moment it's 1.34.9 in Bundoran as opposed to 1.38.9. It's been rising by a cent every 2 days since last Tuesday

Emmo-m-

Eoinbmw wrote: »

Could you be arsed for a few cent?
In limerick there might be a 3-5 cent swing per liter across the city whats 5 x 30 1.50 saving !

I suppose the counter to that would be if you have 5 garages in a small area , why NOT go to the cheaper one if you knew that was the case?

All depending on location etc.

Emmo-m-

I suppose everyone has their own routine...some fill up while their out usually , others like my mother would be inclined just to fill up once a month on limited driving , father more along the lines of each week and does a lot of driving so cost does come into play annually .

Big Words

Once you pass the three months burning the wine you are in the black.

raxy

I'm surprised there is only talk about which is cheapest. I generally go to applegreen near me. I have a topaz card but the reduction usually only brings it to the applegreen price anyway.
I also use an app to track consummation. I find topaz regular diesel gets less mpg than applegreen. The miles plus gets more that it but not enough to justify the extra cost. There is a third garage near me that I tried but got poor mpg so don't go there.
Haven't done the maths to work out the actual differences in cost per mile apart from a rough calc on miles plus to rule it out. I think it is worth about 2c more per l than applegreen.

Emmo-m-

raxy wrote: »

I'm surprised there is only talk about which is cheapest. I generally go to applegreen near me. I have a topaz card but the reduction usually only brings it to the applegreen price anyway.
I also use an app to track consummation. I find topaz regular diesel gets less mpg than applegreen. The miles plus gets more that it but not enough to justify the extra cost. There is a third garage near me that I tried but got poor mpg so don't go there.
Haven't done the maths to work out the actual differences in cost per mile apart from a rough calc on miles plus to rule it out. I think it is worth about 2c more per l than applegreen.

Good point! The fuel quality definitely makes a difference but I wonder how many “average” folk consider this over the lower pricing option?

Is the mom with 3 kids worrying about fuel quality or fuel price when they go to fill up the wagon?

tuxy

Emmo-m- wrote: »

Is the mom with 3 kids worrying about fuel quality or fuel price when they go to fill up the wagon?

Probably more worried about the selection of items available in the shop.

If you have a really tight budget then yes it's worth constantly keeping note of the difference in prices between stations but there are far easier ways of saving money. For example 1 less coffee on the go per week would probably save you as much.

Emmo-m-

tuxy wrote: »

Probably more worried about the selection of items available in the shop.

If you have a really tight budget then yes it's worth constantly keeping note of the difference in prices between stations but there are far easier ways of saving money. For example 1 less coffee on the go per week would probably save you as much.

Again depends on the situation I suppose and the amount of driving you do! If you do a lot of driving , every little helps! If your the fill up once a month type then maybe not but everyone likes to make a bit of savings right?

I think because people don’t really know the prices until they go to the garage they just stick to their routine or resident garage.

Maybe , I’m just assuming here

tuxy

Emmo-m- wrote: »

Again depends on the situation I suppose and the amount of driving you do! If you do a lot of driving , every little helps! If your the fill up once a month type then maybe not but everyone likes to make a bit of savings right?

True but fuel prices is one thing I constantly see people obsess over while throwing money at lots of stupid things!
Of course never looking at the price per litre is the other end of the spectrum.

wonski

raxy wrote: »

I'm surprised there is only talk about which is cheapest. I generally go to applegreen near me. I have a topaz card but the reduction usually only brings it to the applegreen price anyway.
I also use an app to track consummation. I find topaz regular diesel gets less mpg than applegreen. The miles plus gets more that it but not enough to justify the extra cost. There is a third garage near me that I tried but got poor mpg so don't go there.
Haven't done the maths to work out the actual differences in cost per mile apart from a rough calc on miles plus to rule it out. I think it is worth about 2c more per l than applegreen.

Strangely Applegreen used to be commented around here about fuel quality before. In a negative way.

Over the years I haven't noticed any difference in quality. Always fill up in well established premises and had no issues at all.

I do drive old bangers, though, so maybe they are less fussy about what you pour into them

As for the price I only drive 200km a week with some odd longer journeys every fortnight, so can't even tell what was the price last time I filled up.

Those who drive more can definitely see some savings over the year. But it only takes a cup of coffee and a muffin to kill all the savings

Emmo-m-

tuxy wrote: »

True but fuel prices is one thing I constantly see people obsess over while throwing money at lots of stupid things!
Of course never looking at the price per litre is the other end of the spectrum.

Peoples silly spending habits is probably a topic for another day 😂

Emmo-m-

wonski wrote: »

Strangely Applegreen used to be commented around here about fuel quality before. In a negative way.

Over the years I haven't noticed any difference in quality. Always fill up in well established premises and had no issues at all.

I do drive old bangers, though, so maybe they are less fussy about what you pour into them

As for the price I only drive 200km a week with some odd longer journeys every fortnight, so can't even tell what was the price last time I filled up.

Those who drive more can definitely see some savings over the year. But it only takes a cup of coffee and a muffin to kill all the savings

If you always get a coffee and a muffin when you fill up but now your fuel is cheaper , I guess you still make the savings 🤷*♂️

Interested to see the difference in the perspective from different counties and driving amounts.

Is it a mental thing , some people just like making a saving?

w211

tuxy wrote: »

Probably more worried about the selection of items available in the shop.

You are right, that are the problem. On that tiny shop, there is not even the car fuses anymore. Only the snack and the alcohol. Welcome to the drink and drive!

V8 Interceptor

raxy wrote: »

I find topaz regular diesel gets less mpg than applegreen.

All in your head. Fuel comes from the same place.

Big Words wrote: »

Once you pass the three months burning the wine you are in the black.

Eh?

wonski

w211 wrote: »

You are right, that are the problem. On that tiny shop, there is not even the car fuses anymore. Only the snack and the alcohol. Welcome to the drink and drive!

How many times you arrived at the local petrol station and boom. One of your fuses blows at that very moment.

I guess zero times

Most cars have spares anyway, or you can remove one that is not needed at the time anyway.

ml100

I drive a diesel car so you tend to stick to the few garages that I've been using for years and haven't had any injectors replaced yet!, not much point saving a few cents a litre on diesel if it started off green!

w211

wonski wrote: »

How many times you arrived at the local petrol station and boom. One of your fuses blows at that very moment.

I guess zero times

Most cars have spares anyway, or you can remove one that is not needed at the time anyway.

You missing completely the point. They do not selling even the most basic stuff. The fuse was only the sample. The car does not need the overpriced snacks and drinks.

Wildly Boaring

ml100 wrote: »

I drive a diesel car so you tend to stick to the few garages that I've been using for years and haven't had any injectors replaced yet!, not much point saving a few cents a litre on diesel if it started off green!

Amen
I fill at a local, very busy station.
Know the owner.

Generally the cheapest or 2nd cheapest in town.
Now a circle k.

Plenty horror stories about diesel. Sure maybe one day he'll do us all!!!

Also does a €3 jet wash when you fill.

9935452

ml100 wrote: »

I drive a diesel car so you tend to stick to the few garages that I've been using for years and haven't had any injectors replaced yet!, not much point saving a few cents a litre on diesel if it started off green!

I do the exact same thing.
I even keep the receipts if there is an issue you might have some comeback.
And also if stopped by customs you have some proof whats in the tank.

Wishbone Ash

Marissa Shaggy Slogan wrote: »

..Never get comments like “would you be arsed to save 1, 2 , 3 euro on a fill” do ye throw change of a 5er in the bin when leaving a shop? Of course it’s worth it, it all adds up.

It's not like throwing change of a fiver in the bin!

I usually fill up at my local station which is locally owned. It's a few cent more expensive per litre but I'd happily pay that as my money is being kept in the locality.

...and, as I don't actually fill up more than once per month, I couldn't be arsed driving around for a lower price or knowing all the prices in other filling stations. My time is too valuable and life is too short.

Emmo-m-

So price is on the agenda for most drivers but in different routines it seems.

Most would be aware of prices locally , keeping receipts etc. interesting to see the different perspectives.

I wonder if prices were readily available to us , would it make a difference ?

johndaman66

A lot of people on both sides of the fence, the spendthrifts and the tight hoors if you want to put it that way, don't seem to see the wood from the trees. I see the operative words in the opening post being "close by". If there were 2 filling stations close by with one a good few cent cheaper than the other (seldom see it to be the case in reality) I'd go to the one with the cheaper prices. Ditto if there was a cheaper price a considerable distance away I knew I was passing later and not going to run out of fuel in the meantime.


On the other hand I wouldn't cross the city in rush our traffic on purpose for the sake of saving a few cent per litre (have being in the company of people who have done this). As with lots of things a middle ground approach is always to be welcomed.

Emmo-m-

I do tend to see a price difference in some garages within close proximity to each other also. I’m on the north side of Dublin!

Nothing worse than going to a garage then driving past a cheaper one on the way home or 5 mins away ha

pummice

I fill up at local tesco station (not the dearest, not the cheapest) and use clubcard to get points. The points result in vouchers and I can get €15 phone credit with each €5 voucher

mikeecho

I use one of the stations near me that recently had their forecourt, pumps and tanks all changed.

Less chance of muck in the brand new tanks.
Yeah it's 1c more expensive, but I know it's a Coco station, so it shouldn't have dodgy fuel.

Emmo-m-

mikeecho wrote: »

I use one of the stations near me that recently had their forecourt, pumps and tanks all changed.

Less chance of muck in the brand new tanks.
Yeah it's 1c more expensive, but I know it's a Coco station, so it shouldn't have dodgy fuel.

Is the worry of dodgy fuel more so outside of Dublin? I would rarely hear of that worry form here...just Curious?

Emmo-m-

pummice wrote: »

I fill up at local tesco station (not the dearest, not the cheapest) and use clubcard to get points. The points result in vouchers and I can get €15 phone credit with each €5 voucher

Are the vouchers/points the main reason for going there?

I wonder how many people would go to a specific garage if there was a fuel price promotion or offers on?

Wildly Boaring

Emmo-m- wrote: »

Is the worry of dodgy fuel more so outside of Dublin? I would rarely hear of that worry form here...just Curious?

Where do you thing all the laundered diesel that slab Murphy and the boys wash gets to?

Filling stations in the south.

Emmo-m-

Wildly Boaring wrote: »

Where do you thing all the laundered diesel that slab Murphy and the boys wash gets to?

Filling stations in the south.

I literally have no idea haha! It’s never even crossed my mind about dodgy fuel where I live.

But I’m beginning to wonder is the dodgy fuel a bigger issue than the actual price outside of Dublin or the bigger cities?

mikeecho

Emmo-m- wrote: »

I literally have no idea haha! It’s never even crossed my mind about dodgy fuel where I live.

But I’m beginning to wonder is the dodgy fuel a bigger issue than the actual price outside of Dublin or the bigger cities?

I'm friends with a guy that owns branded petrol stations in cork city and in the past he was visited by guys with northern accents offering him a good deal on a few thousand litres of Diesel.

He polietly declined their offer. That's why I only buy fuel from either his sites or from company owned sites.

With CircleK, currently only one or two non company owned sites offer the plus fuel.
So if I'm traveling outside and of my locality I try and find a CK stn that offers plus fuel.. as it's almost certainly company owned and operated, thus removing the possibility of any laundered fuel.
To me that reassureance is worth the extra few ¢ per L


If you look at pumps.ie , there are places selling Diesel for sometimes up to 10¢ cheaper that the average price.. to me that's a red flag.
Even my local home heating oil distributor who has Diesel pumps at the Depot doesn't sell fuel that cheap.

Wildly Boaring

Emmo-m- wrote: »

I literally have no idea haha! It’s never even crossed my mind about dodgy fuel where I live.

But I’m beginning to wonder is the dodgy fuel a bigger issue than the actual price outside of Dublin or the bigger cities?

Naive if you think being in Dublin protects you from dodgy people

mikeecho

Wildly Boaring wrote: »

Naive if you think being in Dublin protects you from dodgy people

The last time dodgy fuel was an issue was when unleaded was adulterated.. dodgy Diesel seems to escape under the radar a lot.

Save pennies, and spend pounds on repairs

And with brexit on the horizon.. expect a lot more slab Murphy tankers coming to a town near you.

Emmo-m-

Wildly Boaring wrote: »

Naive if you think being in Dublin protects you from dodgy people

Not at all...what I meant was I’ve probably been going to the same garage for 10 years even through all the different brands.

I never knew people were conscious of the dodgy fuel etc purely as it’s never been something to cross my path.

Emmo-m-

mikeecho wrote: »

I'm friends with a guy that owns branded petrol stations in cork city and in the past he was visited by guys with northern accents offering him a good deal on a few thousand litres of Diesel.

He polietly declined their offer. That's why I only buy fuel from either his sites or from company owned sites.

With CircleK, currently only one or two non company owned sites offer the plus fuel.
So if I'm traveling outside and of my locality I try and find a CK stn that offers plus fuel.. as it's almost certainly company owned and operated, thus removing the possibility of any laundered fuel.
To me that reassureance is worth the extra few ¢ per L


If you look at pumps.ie , there are places selling Diesel for sometimes up to 10¢ cheaper that the average price.. to me that's a red flag.
Even my local home heating oil distributor who has Diesel pumps at the Depot doesn't sell fuel that cheap.

Pumps.ie doesn’t look the most reliable but yep agreed that should be a red flag.

I wonder if a rating system by users for these supposed “dodgy” garages is the way forward or a combination of price awareness and fuel quality for all garages.

Drivers really need to have more data available in this day and age imo

ml100

Sometimes I end up working late at night, if you pass a petrol station with an unmarked tanker delivering fuel at 3 am I think it's safe to say something is up!

mikeecho

ml100 wrote: »

Sometimes I end up working late at night, if you pass a petrol station with an unmarked tanker delivering fuel at 3 am I think it's safe to say something is up!

I've seen plenty of plain white tankers delivering to stations.. most has either Reynolds branding, or a little placard on the side saying maxol/CircleK etc.

Most artic drivers are contractors, so I wouldn't expect branded tankers all the time

From 5am on. .. plenty of fuel trucks, some branded, some not.. all on the n25/40, m8 all coming from White gate.

tuxy

Exactly and 3am would seem like a convenient time to have fuel delivered.

Emmo-m-

So what should be the moral of the story or next step?

Do we somehow rate these suspicious garages for poor quality fuel? Do we flag suspiciously low priced garages?

tuxy

Emmo-m- wrote: »

So what should be the moral of the story or next step?

Do we somehow rate these suspicious garages for poor quality fuel? Do we flag suspiciously low priced garages?

What's the point when people will swear blind that one legitimate brand of fuel is better than another that comes from the exact same source.

All you can do is if your car does break down for what seems like bad fuel, have that fuel tested and post the results in as many online sources as you can.

mikeecho

tuxy wrote: »

Exactly and 3am would seem like a convenient time to have fuel delivered.

I've seen plenty of branded tankers delivering to branded stations at 3am

A lot of trucks move during the night while most of the population are asleep.
Easier and cheaper to move tankers when the roads and forecourts are empty.

Business doesn't stop at 5pm

raxy

V8 Interceptor wrote: »

All in your head. Fuel comes from the same place.




Eh?

I was tracking usage with an app so not all in my head. Applegreen would get around 4.75 l/100km, topaz got around 5.

sligojoek

raxy wrote: »

I was tracking usage with an app so not all in my head. Applegreen would get around 4.75 l/100km, topaz got around 5.

What's the app called?

DaveyDave

I don't believe these miles plus fuels. I get anywhere between 6.4-6.8L per tank with the same driving. It would be hard to tell if these fuels are working their magic or if I was just lucky enough to not hit every red light on the way to work.

To answer the original question, no. I wouldn't drive to another station to save a few cent per litre. The fuel burned there and the time spent means the savings are meaningless.

mikeecho

raxy wrote: »

I was tracking usage with an app so not all in my head. Applegreen would get around 4.75 l/100km, topaz got around 5.

I use the circle k plus diesel, and be recently I switched back to the regular diesel.. I bought almost 200L as a station was doing a 10c off offer, and my fuel card gave another 4c off.

After a week, I've noticed a difference in fuel economy, engine performance and engine noise

Once I've used up the regular diesel, I'll be switching back to milesplus.
I only use 35L a week, so it's not a major extra expense.

raxy

sligojoek wrote: »

What's the app called?

Fillup