As per usual, now that petrol prices are going down, in Kaleen, CALTEX Kaleen we are not able to buy cheaper petrol, because as usual ALL I mean ALL of the standard ULP pumps are out of order.
Amazing isn’t it ALL standard ULP pumps even though they may be on the same pump unit as the Vortex or Vortex Plus.
Also I can guarantee that between now and tomorrow that no fuel tanked will arrive in the night and that no technician will come to rectify the problem, just some dude will pop around the pumps and remove the labels and reactivate the pumps at the console.
This event will happen after a phone call to tell the operator to do it – this phone call will arrive very soon prior to any action from any authority happening.
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What’s Your opinion?
Petrol swiz?
The trouble is that servos make very little on petrol (in the order of a couple of cents per litre), and make high margin on goods sold in store.
I used to work in a servo years ago, and what surprised me was the amount of extra goods and services people would buy (drinks, chips, chocolates, car washes, oil, fuel system cleaner, smokes, etc), when blind freddy could see that these items were priced significantly higher than elsewhere.
I suspect the ‘out of order’ on fuel pumps is more to do with making people come back on Thursdays (pay day for many) when they have more money and are more willing to buy extra goods and services. When I worked the servo, petrol profit didn’t vary much (even though price did), because the price we were charged by the distributor varied so often. Servos pretty much have to follow the distributor – if they weren’t also involved in pumps being ‘out of order’, I’d be a bit surprised.
Actually, it is illegal to advertise a product for sale if you are not able to provide a reasonable supply of it. It’s called bait advertising.
And I guess it’s even worse if you do have a supply of it, but you’re withholding it.
That’s what I want a source for Madman, either way.
Plus it just seems like such a beat up. I approach things in life with a very sceptical mindset. When it comes to RiotACT posts attacking a SPECIFIC business entity, I ramp that sceptical mindset up to its fullest.
Considering that stations turn off pumps for many reasons including controlling traffic and smoothing flow, low tanks, line of site issues, etc. Considering that stations make money from the product in the store. Considering the potential loss of good will. Considering that its usually not that far to the next station.
It just seems hard to believe. It would have to be a pretty decent margin on the Vortex blend.
I myself don’t know how this works to benefit the petrol station.
You’re paying for something thats more expensive, which they have to pay for at the more expensive rate then usual ULP to supply it….
Therefore the same amount of money is being exchanged.
In theory
ULP Standard
Station buys 10L at $10
Station sells 10L at $15 profiting $5
ULP Premium
Station buys 10L at $20
Station sells 10L at $25 profiting $5
That’s how I see it – they’re buying something more expensive and selling it at the margin to consumers.
I’m not too fussed with this as I only fill with premium.
If you genuinely want to save money around these parts buy your petrol late on a Tues/Wed evening when it nice and cold. Something to do with the exapnding/contracting volume of petrol according to heat and you have the cheaper prices as well. Throw in a 4c off voucher and Bob’s your uncle.
If what you want isn’t available in Kaleen its a 5 min drive to Dickson or Gungahlin. Vote with your feet
johnboy said :
If they have a ULP price up then I’ll agree (if it is as the op suggests). I’m off to find someone who works at a petrol station.
That is of course predicated on the idea that there is a greater margin on Vortex. Does anyone have a source to back this up? Greater cost to us doesn’t necessarily mean greater profit for them don’t forget.
Go to another servo, there are lots of them in Canberra.
I generally fill up on Tuesday or Wednesday evenings, and my gripe is that the Premium98 pump is sometimes out of order (if I have the V8 for a fill).
Maybe they are a toothless paper tiger?
Who knows. Such issues are meant to test us…
I find it annoying how the stations put up in big flashy writing the price of the ethanol petrol (the cheapest), get you in there and then there is only one pump for this type of petrol, so you end up spending 5 c more per litre anyway…
jakez said :
Because the petrol they keep selling is more expensive.
They really should be required to sell the vortex for the price of the advertised ULP or it’s misleading advertising for mine.
Can anyone pinpoint when this ‘out of order’ phenomenon/rort began? It seems to be quite recent, ie, last 5-10 years.
Also, how does this grand conspiracy work for the benefit of Kaleen Caltex?
Sorry for the multiple posts.
Thumper, I thought the ACCC was a paper tiger?
That’s life.
yes, the are pricks, but they are very rich pricks and this is one of the ways they have become so.
The government can’t do anything about it as the ACCC has always been a toothless tiger.
If refusing to sell ULP is a crime then shame on this country. You have no right to their property so suck it up and go to a different petrol station and watch the market place work.