Inability to pay at petrol station - credit agreement?
Discussion
Stupidly filled up and realised my only means of payment was via contactless on my mobile...which of course they wasn't able to accept.
Had no ID on me other than a work access card. I was asked to leave something of value, this wasn't going to happen since the only thing I had was my phone and I was due on a work call in the next 30 minutes. The manager then asked me to write my details down (fine, no problem there) but then asked me to add on the bottom 'I agree to return and pay' since this will form a credit agreement with the petrol station.
I asked if the station was registered with the Financial Conduct Authority to which he replied no. On the basis I responded that it was not a credit agreement and would not hold up as such. I'm not arguing this was not an agreement between myself and the station (although only I signed it) but I do have an issue with it being termed a credit agreement.
I'm assuming the guy felt a little on the back foot here as he then suggested calling the police, again I mentioned that I'm not refusing to pay, I'd left my wallet at home (realising after filling up) and I'd be back that day to settle up - surely this is firmly in the civil side of things rather than criminal?
Opinions welcomed - am I wrong? - Its worth adding this was a small Gulf-affiliated forecourt.
Had no ID on me other than a work access card. I was asked to leave something of value, this wasn't going to happen since the only thing I had was my phone and I was due on a work call in the next 30 minutes. The manager then asked me to write my details down (fine, no problem there) but then asked me to add on the bottom 'I agree to return and pay' since this will form a credit agreement with the petrol station.
I asked if the station was registered with the Financial Conduct Authority to which he replied no. On the basis I responded that it was not a credit agreement and would not hold up as such. I'm not arguing this was not an agreement between myself and the station (although only I signed it) but I do have an issue with it being termed a credit agreement.
I'm assuming the guy felt a little on the back foot here as he then suggested calling the police, again I mentioned that I'm not refusing to pay, I'd left my wallet at home (realising after filling up) and I'd be back that day to settle up - surely this is firmly in the civil side of things rather than criminal?
Opinions welcomed - am I wrong? - Its worth adding this was a small Gulf-affiliated forecourt.
Opinions welcomed.
OK, well first you should have checked that you were able to pay before filling your car up.
Secondly, how far was the closest cashpoint? I mean, even if it was a couple of miles that would be within walking distance - so refusing to pay/can't pay, blurred edges.
So then you went into the petrol station where the manager there has probably heard every story under the sun. He's asked you to promise to go back and pay rather than being totally awkward - he could have called the police, that could have delayed you further no matter how much refusing/cannot pay arguments you made.
But instead you decide to make it HIS fault you didn't check and couldn't make the payment and gave him some "smart" reply.
My opinion - you were a dick.
OK, well first you should have checked that you were able to pay before filling your car up.
Secondly, how far was the closest cashpoint? I mean, even if it was a couple of miles that would be within walking distance - so refusing to pay/can't pay, blurred edges.
So then you went into the petrol station where the manager there has probably heard every story under the sun. He's asked you to promise to go back and pay rather than being totally awkward - he could have called the police, that could have delayed you further no matter how much refusing/cannot pay arguments you made.
But instead you decide to make it HIS fault you didn't check and couldn't make the payment and gave him some "smart" reply.
My opinion - you were a dick.
Yeah, you were being a knob.
If you accidentally filled believing you had the means to pay and then didn't then I'm sure that happens all the time. Getting weird with the staff when offered the opportunity to resolve it by coming back later to pay is a bit of a dick move regardless of what you think of the legal status of any agreement.
If you accidentally filled believing you had the means to pay and then didn't then I'm sure that happens all the time. Getting weird with the staff when offered the opportunity to resolve it by coming back later to pay is a bit of a dick move regardless of what you think of the legal status of any agreement.
No matter what is written on the piece of paper or what you signed, the agreement is what it is. At the end of the day a court would decide whether it was a credit agreement or whatever. If you returned and paid it would never get to court so it doesn't matter.
Perhaps he should have asked if you have business cover on your car insurance if you're taking work calls
Perhaps he should have asked if you have business cover on your car insurance if you're taking work calls
Pete102 said:
Stupidly filled up and realised my only means of payment was via contactless on my mobile...which of course they wasn't able to accept.
Had no ID on me other than a work access card. I was asked to leave something of value, this wasn't going to happen since the only thing I had was my phone and I was due on a work call in the next 30 minutes. The manager then asked me to write my details down (fine, no problem there) but then asked me to add on the bottom 'I agree to return and pay' since this will form a credit agreement with the petrol station.
I asked if the station was registered with the Financial Conduct Authority to which he replied no. On the basis I responded that it was not a credit agreement and would not hold up as such. I'm not arguing this was not an agreement between myself and the station (although only I signed it) but I do have an issue with it being termed a credit agreement.
I'm assuming the guy felt a little on the back foot here as he then suggested calling the police, again I mentioned that I'm not refusing to pay, I'd left my wallet at home (realising after filling up) and I'd be back that day to settle up - surely this is firmly in the civil side of things rather than criminal?
Opinions welcomed - am I wrong? - Its worth adding this was a small Gulf-affiliated forecourt.
Quoted, purely for when the OP deletes it as it hasn't gone his way. Had no ID on me other than a work access card. I was asked to leave something of value, this wasn't going to happen since the only thing I had was my phone and I was due on a work call in the next 30 minutes. The manager then asked me to write my details down (fine, no problem there) but then asked me to add on the bottom 'I agree to return and pay' since this will form a credit agreement with the petrol station.
I asked if the station was registered with the Financial Conduct Authority to which he replied no. On the basis I responded that it was not a credit agreement and would not hold up as such. I'm not arguing this was not an agreement between myself and the station (although only I signed it) but I do have an issue with it being termed a credit agreement.
I'm assuming the guy felt a little on the back foot here as he then suggested calling the police, again I mentioned that I'm not refusing to pay, I'd left my wallet at home (realising after filling up) and I'd be back that day to settle up - surely this is firmly in the civil side of things rather than criminal?
Opinions welcomed - am I wrong? - Its worth adding this was a small Gulf-affiliated forecourt.
Completely agree with all the comments about the OP being a wally.
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