Tesco petrol price - clever rip-off?

[Dog Star]

Not a "fook me look at the price of petrol" thread in the usual sense...

Just been out for a drive and on the way back needed petrol. Went past a Tesco, "I'll stop here" I thought, bound to be cheapest, however I changed my mind when I saw the queue. Petrol £1.27.9, diesel £1.30.9

Just down the road there was a Shell station - petrol £1.22.9 and diesel £1.27.9, similar at Texaco.

WTF? It occurs to me that Tesco might be profiteering from people who are rushing out to fill up before VAT goes up (evidenced by the humungous queue) and who assume that their fuel will be cheaper. Seems sharp practice if true, but why should I be surprised?

(Still cost me £93.58 to fill my SL500!)

[Dog Star]

hyperblue said:

Dog Star said:

WTF? It occurs to me that Tesco might be profiteering from people who are rushing out to fill up before VAT goes up (evidenced by the humungous queue) and who assume that their fuel will be cheaper. Seems sharp practice if true, but why should I be surprised?

They do that instore too, so I wouldn't be surprised.

True enough - I used to work there when I was at school on Saturdays and noticed the odd thing like it was cheaper to buy two 2 litre tubs of ice cream than one 4 litre tub.

ZOLLAR said:

Can't see how it is a rip-off, they clearly display the price if they are dull enough to assume its cheaper then thats their problem not tesco's.

OK, fair point - poor choice of words, but my other one of "sharp" is better.

Edited by Dog Star on Monday 3rd January 15:22