Sign of the times? A filling station is making motorists....

[iandbeech]

... pay for their fuel BEFORE filling up due to some driving off without paying. I can see the reasoning but it could be tricky if you don`t know how much is needed to fill the tank up to the brim.

Apparently known customers at the Clacton on sea (in Essex) filling station can fill up and pay afterwards in the usual manner but how long before this policy goes nationwide? :rolleyes:

[groucho]

Wouldn't it be simpler to put your credit card in the machine and pay like that? Most people pay by CC anyway.

[trackcar]

this is common practice in rough areas anyway .. my ex lives in halifax and there's plenty of stations around there that insist on paying first ... though what's to stop you paying forn a fiver's worth and putting 30 quid in and just driving off i've no idea .. other than you're own conscience of course.

[timbob]

Unless you pay for a certain amount, and the pump automatically cuts out once you reach that threshold?

But then what happens if you pay slightly over the odds for what you estimated to be a tank-up, and what you paid for doesn't fit? Do you get reimbursed?

[MrsRotty]

On our trip to Cyprus they have autopay machines that take cc and notes out of hours.You tell the machine which pump you're using, then put your money in, and the pump cuts out when you reach your limit. But most filling stations out there still have attendant service when they're open.

Ali

[theexcession]

Bout a year ago when I was living in Woodford Green, suddenly all the gas stations put up notices saying 'All fuel must be paid for before dispensing after 10pm' - Never took a blind bit of notice of any of this and always filled up before going to the cashier.

Sadly nowadays I'm not so sure you can get away with it.

Over here in Ireland I now go and fill up and generally drive off with only a little wave - all without any problem at all. I just go and pay up at the end of the month - seems they are perfectly happy with this arrangement but then I do see the pump boys and the owner down the pub most weekends.

Different world init?

best
Ex

[off_again]

Had one of these in Reading not so long ago. Pulled up, started to fill up but no fuel. Officious attendant shouted over the loud speaker that they wouldnt start the pump until I presented my payment before fuelling....

Well, that was that. I went in and asked why. "Drive-off's you see" I had as a reply. I then went on to ask why I would want to leave my credit card with this chap when he could scam it with all the time in the world...... no answer.....

So I drove off and filled up at the Shell down the road....

[puggit]

off_again said:

Had one of these in Reading not so long ago. Pulled up, started to fill up but no fuel. Officious attendant shouted over the loud speaker that they wouldnt start the pump until I presented my payment before fuelling.... Well, that was that. I went in and asked why. "Drive-off's you see" I had as a reply. I then went on to ask why I would want to leave my credit card with this chap when he could scam it with all the time in the world...... no answer..... So I drove off and filled up at the Shell down the road....

More fool you for stopping in Whitley Wood

[old64er]

Most motorway service stations have this policy for commercial vehicles.

A friend of mine ran a 7 1/2 tonne Ford for karting and we were asked to pay up front? not like we could make a speedy getaway

[cnjohnson_uk]

In Frome in Somerest there is a new ASDA store and their petrol station is attendentless. Everyone has to pay by credit card (a maximum allowance of £55)

It is quite spooky really.

[-DeaDLocK-]

trackcar said:

what's to stop you paying forn a fiver's worth and putting 30 quid in and just driving off i've no idea...

They can restrict the pumps. If you pay a fiver chances are the pump will only deliver a fiver's worth.

[lv2spd]

This is very common in the states, but is usually ignored by the locals and regulars.

[plivesey]

I was in Bristol a couple of weeks ago, about midnight, on one of my motorbikes. Tried to fill up with fuel at a Texaco. The attendant wouldn't start the pump unless I took my crash helmet off and kept it off all the time I was filling up. To stop me riding off without paying, so he said. I tried logic on him but to no avail.

Am I the only person who can see the obvious flaw in this procedure? I went to the Shell down the road which was 3p a litre cheaper anyway.

[tallbloke]

With petrol prices as they are, you have to wonder who is more danger of being robbed by who.

[andy mac]

petrol stations don't actually make much money on a litre, or whatever. Its merely tha fact that people buy so much of it that they make a profit.

[minimax]

iandbeech said:

... pay for their fuel BEFORE filling up due to some driving off without paying. I can see the reasoning but it could be tricky if you don`t know how much is needed to fill the tank up to the brim. Apparently known customers at the Clacton on sea (in Essex) filling station can fill up and pay afterwards in the usual manner but how long before this policy goes nationwide?

you think this is new?

filling stations in nottingham after 8pm require pre-payment, and circa 70% of the ones in newcastle too

[JonRB]

tallbloke said:

With petrol prices as they are, you have to wonder who is more danger of being robbed by who.

Nice one.

[rolex]

JonRB said:

tallbloke said: With petrol prices as they are, you have to wonder who is more danger of being robbed by who. Nice one.

Seconded

[_VTEC_]

Was going back through Italy a few weeks ago and stopped at a Shell to fill up. Had to go through a barrier (akin to a toll booth) on my way out.

[jasandjules]

Place in Colchester has a drive through exit to pay..You fill up then drive to the window.... With large lumps of concrete to dissuade you from driving away fast.

Nothing to stop you reversing back out though.......