Apparently we don't like paying for our petrol

Of the sites that had pay at the pump about 10 years ago instigated by the franchisors, many site operators had the systems covered up or disabled to force people into the stores because thats where they make the money.

EvanJames said :

I’ve been puzzled by the lack of pay-at-bowser facilities here, too. In the US, you only enter the servo shop if you want to buy something from it, and it’ll be a separate transaction. You’ve already paid at the pump. If you don’t, it won’t give you any petrol.

On the way to Perth, we encountered several fuel stations which were basically setup like a 24hr carwash, you swipe for petrol, pay at the pump and on your way again, there was no shop for conveniences. One has to imagine the savings to the business (insurance, security, wages, etc) would outweigh the profits that can be made from selling a few odds and ends in-store.

FioBla said :

I thought the epump exclusivity ended in mid 2010? (I don’t use Woolworths petrol a lot):
http://www.accc.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/866077

That was my understanding, too, FioBla

“Under the arrangement, the Woolworths Everyday Money Credit Card issued by HSBC, will be the only payment option at Woolworths’ new contactless pay at pump facility (epump) for a limited period of time.

Businesses may obtain protection in relation to conduct that might be at risk of breaching the exclusive dealing provisions of the Trade Practices Act 1974 by lodging a notification with the ACCC.

“In response to ACCC concerns, Woolworths has explicitly limited the operation of the exclusive arrangement until 15 August 2010,” ACCC Chairman, Mr Graeme Samuel, said today.

“The ACCC expects that consumers holding other contactless cards will be able to use epump after that date, if not sooner.”

I thought the epump exclusivity ended in mid 2010? (I don’t use Woolworths petrol a lot):
http://www.accc.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/866077

Gotta say, it’s one good thing about Woolies – it’s a shame you can only use it with their credit card.

I used to always get petrol at Mobil, Kippax as I could pay at the bowser, until it became 7/11 and they removed them 🙁

In Europe seems to be pretty common to pay at the pump. As has been said the only reason they don’t do it here is because they want you to buy all the extra crap, drinks, chocolates etc.

Gerry-Built said :

Woolworths petrol recently introduced it again, but you need to have their credit card (i think?)…

Yep, the woolies servos only have it for some special woolies card. I got all hopeful but then the hope faded as I read the instructions on the bowser. Paying at the bowser is so much faster, and you can even buy petrol when the servo is closed!

neanderthalsis said :

If servos were serious about stopping drive offs they would fit pre-pay card readers to all bowsers; you swipe your credit/debit card before filling. But since the cost of the new technology is probably more than they lose from drive offs, it hardly seems worth the effort.

Why would they want pre-pay card readers? then you wouldn’t go into the shop and buy $4 bottles (sir, you can get two for $6.00) of water that they make the real money off.

I’m sure “pay at the bowser” was common in the ACT more than a decade ago… then it disappeared… Woolworths petrol recently introduced it again, but you need to have their credit card (i think?)…

neanderthalsis said :

If servos were serious about stopping drive offs they would fit pre-pay card readers to all bowsers; you swipe your credit/debit card before filling. But since the cost of the new technology is probably more than they lose from drive offs, it hardly seems worth the effort.

Last time I did a drive off from the civic shell I got a call from the police ten minutes later suggesting I return to the servo and pay the five dollars. Next time I’ll remember to fill the car up. Mobile phones and a good police database seem to work.