Topaz Card Changes

September1 · 23-08-2013 04:44PM

I do not like the changes, but is there any alternative for consumers? Other providers seem to cater only for companies.

rovoagho · 23-08-2013 05:51PM

Who are the ones that do business cards? Been ages since I researched this.

_Kaiser_ · 27-08-2013 04:08PM

So a week late, but just received the below email from Topaz:

I refer to our recent conversation regarding your fuel card account. Regrettably it will not be possible to maintain your current credit terms and pricing mechanism.

Thank you for your call.

XXXXXX

I have thus replied as follows....

XXXXXX,

In that case please issue my final invoice and close the account.

There is no incentive for me to continue giving you my business under your new terms and conditions and in light of the fact
that in the main, Topaz garages are more expensive per litre than other main brand outlets.

Please confirm receipt of same and the date I can expect the final bill.

Regards

Off to Maxol/Esso etc I go in future so..

eringobragh · 06-09-2013 12:32PM

Well I've used mine for the last time - I was using Esso prior to this but the fixed rate was cheaper then them so I've been using the motorcheck card for several months, a quick comparison of my area shows:

Esso 158.8c , Topaz 165.9c -

So it's back to Esso in the morning

The fools sent me these 2 texts today!

Funnily enough its nearly the same reason I stopped using the Benchmark statoil card in the day, they offered a fixed price but if the petrol station was cheaper you still paid the dearer price on the card - Direct Debit cancelled and binned

Topaz card will stay in the glovebox now and only be used as a last resort - so much for rewarding loyalty :mad:

Motorcheck · 06-09-2013 01:38PM

Hi there, Sorry to see that the price on your card isn't as competitive as it used to be. It's crazy how fuel prices fluctuate throughout the country. I haven't come across a differential of 7 cent anywhere but if I was you I'd be heading to Esso as well!

Apologies for the double text too - it was an automated service that hadn't been reconfigured but it's sorted now.

_Kaiser_ · 06-09-2013 01:47PM

Motorcheck wrote: »

Hi there, Sorry to see that the price on your card isn't as competitive as it used to be. It's crazy how fuel prices fluctuate throughout the country. I haven't come across a differential of 7 cent anywhere but if I was you I'd be heading to Esso as well!

Apologies for the double text too - it was an automated service that hadn't been reconfigured but it's sorted now.

Any further comment on the actual points being raised in this thread though?

Why not just come out and admit that this change is nothing to do with adding value and everything to do with protecting revenue. At least that'd be honest.

But regardless, for the record you (and Topaz) have lost out on about €200 from me alone since I received the above responses. My final bill has been issued and will be debited next week, after which the card will be cut up and binned.

coylemj · 06-09-2013 02:07PM

Kaiser2000 wrote: »

But regardless, for the record you (and Topaz) have lost out on about €200 from me alone since I received the above responses. My final bill has been issued and will be debited next week, after which the card will be cut up and binned.

+1 My Topaz card was from Axa but if anyone from Topaz is following this thread, I have spent €410 on petrol since I stopped using the Topaz card in June. Since then I have bought based purely on the pump price and not once in a Topaz station.

Motorcheck · 06-09-2013 02:10PM

The 2 cent off pump offer is (in our opinion) a better offer for our national customer base. We understand that it's not going to be for everyone and accept that in your case you have found a better alternative. Believe me - we would be delighted if we could guarantee that the price will be the cheapest everywhere but that's just not possible.

Regarding the weekly direct debit, as we explained to you on the phone, this is a decision that was taken by the stakeholders to reduce their exposure to bad debt. It was a necessary concession which has proven popular with some and unpopular with others.

coylemj · 06-09-2013 02:27PM

Motorcheck wrote: »

Regarding the weekly direct debit, as we explained to you on the phone, this is a decision that was taken by the stakeholders to reduce their exposure to bad debt. It was a necessary concession which has proven popular with some and unpopular with others.

Couldn't they have put people whose direct debits bounced onto a weekly payment scheme or just cancel their cards outright and leave the rest of us on the old scheme?

Can't see the logic in punishing the majority for the shortcomings of the few and losing a heap of customers in the process.

eringobragh · 06-09-2013 02:28PM

Motorcheck wrote: »

Hi there, Sorry to see that the price on your card isn't as competitive as it used to be. It's crazy how fuel prices fluctuate throughout the country. I haven't come across a differential of 7 cent anywhere but if I was you I'd be heading to Esso as well!

Apologies for the double text too - it was an automated service that hadn't been reconfigured but it's sorted now.

Crazy eh? Go to pumps.ie and see for yourself - or better still compare Topaz to any other station in your area it doesn't offer value for money without a gimmick involved

It was however normally a 3-4 cent margain - but hardly the point, it's a crap deal even with the puny 2 cemnts off

That said I'm out.

eringobragh · 06-09-2013 02:33PM

Motorcheck wrote: »

The 2 cent off pump offer is (in our opinion) a better offer for our national customer base. We understand that it's not going to be for everyone and accept that in your case you have found a better alternative. Believe me - we would be delighted if we could guarantee that the price will be the cheapest everywhere but that's just not possible.

2cents for some, fixed price for others :pac: -

Best of luck - I can't see this proving popular - I've told my colleagues, friends & missus to cut up the cards now (one's I have previously recommending this scheme to)

_Kaiser_ · 06-09-2013 02:38PM

coylemj wrote: »

Couldn't they have put people whose direct debits bounced onto a weekly payment scheme or just cancel their cards outright and leave the rest of us on the old scheme?

Can't see the logic in punishing the majority for the shortcomings of the few and losing a heap of customers in the process.

Exactly.. it'd be like cancelling everyone's credit cards because a few don't make the payments. Or initiating proceedings against everyone with a mortgage because of the chance they MIGHT default (despite no evidence to indicate this
and a flawless payment record)

I think this thread has shown that there is clearly a market for the card as it was, and I'm surprised that in the competitive fuel retail game that companies are willing to alienate loyal high-spending customers because of the actions of others.
Also noting that we often hear here that the real money is in the shop, no fuel sale = no/less sandwich sales, no coffees, no sweets etc.

Motorcheck · 06-09-2013 02:55PM

Hey don't get me wrong. It's great to have your feedback on this and no doubt it will be taken into consideration as the offer develops. @eringobragh - pumps.ie is a great service but don't rely on the prices shown to be the actual pump price at the station. There are times when it can be inaccurate too.

eringobragh · 06-09-2013 03:03PM

Motorcheck wrote: »

Hey don't get me wrong. It's great to have your feedback on this and no doubt it will be taken into consideration as the offer develops. @eringobragh - pumps.ie is a great service but don't rely on the prices shown to be the actual pump price at the station. There are times when it can be inaccurate too.

My eyesight was accurate enough to see theres at least 4 cents difference between topaz malahide road and esso richmond road yesterday!

m'lady · 06-09-2013 03:11PM

I had one of these cards for a few years and only cancelled it relatively recently, was actually considering getting one again but after reading this I certainly won't be.

This has really shown lack of loyalty to the customers who paid (a lot of money in most circumstances) on time, without fail. Who on earth would want a DD every week??

This is a move that I really think will be regretted. I will be sticking to the old fashioned method and pay with my bank card or cash!

hadook · 06-09-2013 03:34PM

I have a Topaz/Motorcheck account and haven't received this notification, is it definitely being pushed out to everyone? And if so, why isn't everyone being notified?

My bills are around 1k a month and split between personal mileage and business mileage so getting a monthly statement suits for claiming expenses, budgeting etc.

I can guarantee that moving me to weekly bills/dd's will result in me taking that 12k a year and shopping around. If I have to stick it on the credit card for ease of expense claiming I'll have no brand loyalty whatsoever.

eringobragh · 06-09-2013 03:39PM

hadook wrote: »

I have a Topaz/Motorcheck account and haven't received this notification, is it definitely being pushed out to everyone? And if so, why isn't everyone being notified?

My bills are around 1k a month and split between personal mileage and business mileage so getting a monthly statement suits for claiming expenses, budgeting etc.

I can guarantee that moving me to weekly bills/dd's will result in me taking that 12k a year and shopping around. If I have to stick it on the credit card for ease of expense claiming I'll have no brand loyalty whatsoever.

Hey hadook , Check your junk/spam folder it was sent on the 20th August and I'd imagine it's across the board considering the website is now updated to reflect the changes:

Our free fuel card entitles you to 2 Cent a Litre Off any fuel purchased at a Topaz station. You also get up to 1 week's free credit as all purchases are paid for by direct debit.

Motorcheck · 06-09-2013 03:47PM

hadook wrote: »

so getting a monthly statement suits for claiming expenses, budgeting etc.

You will still be able to retrieve a monthly statement.

06-09-2013 04:02PM

Im confused, i have been using the motorcheck fuel card for about two years. I received the email stating the change from fixed price to 2c discount.

However i did notice that at http://www.fuelcard.ie/topaz/ there seems to be a Topaz branded card which is still a fixed price. Now i thought this may just be an old page on the fuelcard.ie site, i did try to sign up but it says they already have my application(presumably when i signed up at http://www.fuelcard.ie

I left it at that but today i have received a text stating the new fixed price from tonight 158.24 cpl. Now i used to receive the texts every week for the motorcheck card but it stopped about a year ago for some reason.

So now im wondering why am i receving this fixed price text from "Topaz" Is it a different card, did Topaz want control for there card and hence forcing motorcheck to change their card?

eringobragh · 06-09-2013 04:15PM

cisk wrote: »

Im confused, i have been using the motorcheck fuel card for about two years. I received the email stating the change from fixed price to 2c discount.

However i did notice that at http://www.fuelcard.ie/topaz/ there seems to be a Topaz branded card which is still a fixed price. Now i thought this may just be an old page on the fuelcard.ie site, i did try to sign up but it says they already have my application(presumably when i signed up at http://www.fuelcard.ie

I left it at that but today i have received a text stating the new fixed price from tonight 158.24 cpl. Now i used to receive the texts every week for the motorcheck card but it stopped about a year ago for some reason.

So now im wondering why am i receving this fixed price text from "Topaz" Is it a different card, did Topaz want control for there card and hence forcing motorcheck to change their card?

you might be onto something there , monthly DD as well - funny they share the one domain name?

_Kaiser_ · 06-09-2013 04:36PM

Motorcheck wrote: »

You will still be able to retrieve a monthly statement.

I think you're missing his point (though I stand to be corrected) - that being that monthly statements are only part of the benefit he (and the rest of us who are unhappy with the change) is getting. The monthly billing cycle that was offered is a lot more convenient to those who get paid monthly (ie: most people I'd say). The fixed price is an additional bonus as it removes the need to be constantly sign watching.

In fact, as I highlighted earlier in the thread, the convenience of ALL of these items meant that in many cases we were prepared to pay HIGHER per L prices for them.

You've/Topaz (has) also assumed that loyal customers who have always paid on time (in my case for many years) are now likely to default without any evidence or indication of same.

What this move has done is throw all that goodwill and loyalty away and (certainly in my case) alienated me/us from the brand.
I haven't set foot in a Topaz in weeks and have no plans to - but I must admit that it IS somewhat heartening to see others voting with their feet (wheels?) and taking their business elsewhere as ultimately it is clearly only the bottom line that matters.

06-09-2013 04:46PM

eringobragh wrote: »

you might be onto something there , monthly DD as well - funny they share the one domain name?

hmm having said that i just received my first weekly invoice and it is indeed a 2c discount. Still its all a bit strange and inconsistent.

eringobragh · 06-09-2013 05:00PM

cisk wrote: »

hmm having said that i just received my first weekly invoice and it is indeed a 2c discount. Still its all a bit strange and inconsistent.

does your card have the motorcheck branding?

hadook · 06-09-2013 07:57PM

eringobragh wrote: »

Hey hadook , Check your junk/spam folder it was sent on the 20th August and I'd imagine it's across the board considering the website is now updated to reflect the changes:

Thanks eringobragh, not there either.

Motorcheck, not only did I not receive any contact from Topaz on this subject but there's no note of this change being made to my account on http://www.topazcard.ie/onlinedata nor was I made aware of this via post when a 3rd card on my account was requested and posted out last month.

I got a weekly invoice from Topaz this evening without any notification at all from the company of the change. You have my mobile, my email address and my home address and the best you can give me is an email has probably been identified as spam by my mail provider and automatically deleted? You've lost yourself a customer. I'll be voting with my feet on this one and cancelling my account and taking my business elsewhere.

hadook · 06-09-2013 07:58PM

eringobragh wrote: »

does your card have the motorcheck branding?

One of my cards is Motorcheck branded, 2 are plain Topaz.

TomTom · 09-09-2013 03:59PM

I'm facing the same issue here. I just got an email today from Motorcheck about my weekly direct debit. I have checked my spam and this is the first I have heard about this. I rang topaz and they confirmed that I was moved to a weekly direct debit.

This is of no use to me, and the two topaz stations I used to use on my commute are badly priced so the 2c saving is not worth my while. The new service is useless to me as the monthly DD was the reason for me using it. Plus I now have to incur 4 charges from my bank each month to accommodate these changes.

I have called around and the majority of company’s do not do cards for personal accounts, but one is calling me back as they might be able to help me. They are not affiliated with Topaz. I spend about 6000 a year, which is not major by most accounts but a fair few people like me are going to walk and the losses have to add up.

I am both disappointed in the lack of communication from Motorcheck about the changes and how big the change in service are without any consultation with customers.

One company I spoke to, who do not deal with personal customers did inform me that they were moving smaller customers to weekly or fortnightly billing and this is happening across the board due to credit liability so please don’t try and play this off as a benefit to us, its a protection to topaz at the expense of Motorchecks regular customers.

Max Power1 · 09-09-2013 04:06PM

TomTom wrote: »

don’t try and play this off as a benefit to us, its a protection to topaz at the expense of Motorchecks regular customers.

This is the be all and end all really
There is no benefit now to using this card. The bank charges for the 4*dd per month will eat up the 2c/litre "discount"

As I said, I never used the card anyway as local stations were cheaper than the card price 100% of the time. But I certainly will *never* use it now. I used to check the price every week as I wanted it to be cheaper so I could use the card but no.

Wake up Topaz/Motorcheck, this change will hit you guys in the pocket and screw up your customer retention

wonski · 09-09-2013 05:54PM

Just got the email today, not to mention last Friday sms with fixed price followed by "ignore our last message as you can now enjoy 2c off"...
I can understand that personal fuel cards are now like a chequebook - old dated and not needed since most have credit cards.
I am surprised they didn't close all accounts and move on, because weekly billing and direct debits are expensive and difficult to keep track of.
Good bye Topaz!

TomTom · 10-09-2013 11:06AM

On another note, I am facing a bill for last months fuel and now have to pay for this months fuel as it progresses. I only realised this last night. Like most, I have a finely tuned budget each month and now face the prospect of having to find 500 - 600 euro at very short notice as no notice of this change was given to me.

10-09-2013 11:20AM

TomTom wrote: »

On another note, I am facing a bill for last months fuel and now have to pay for this months fuel as it progresses. I only realised this last night. Like most, I have a finely tuned budget each month and now face the prospect of having to find 500 - 600 euro at very short notice as no notice of this change was given to me.

This happened me also, I had my bill from a previous month and was then faced with paying the current months bills also.

There is not one single advantage to weekly billing and its totally unfair that loyal customers who paid on time every month have been forced onto this joke of a system.

Topaz Card Changes

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