Comments on: Do petrol pumps pinch my pennies?

By: Jarvis Kay

Jarvis Kay — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 17:01:03 +0000

@arty All the best, but apparently a 1p ‘jump’ can be due to meter to register the fuel flow/movement because of the flexing in the pipes as the nozzle is returned. It’s apparently within tolerances the -½% to +1% of the pump.

By: mal macdonald

mal macdonald — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:05:36 +0000

Do as I do when you finish topping up the tank you make a note mentally as to what is on the pump i.e £10-£20 just give the cashier the exact amount and if the pump has recorded any thing over tough that is the amount that was on the m/c thats all your getting.argue in court for a penny I doubt it.

By: arty

arty — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 23:19:48 +0000

I was in my local ASDA store today 28.01.10 and put £15 in but when I went to the cashier it was £15.01. when I told her the pump was faulty her reply well its serviced every 3 to 4 mths. I told her I would be complaining she just said ahh well you do that.

By: Jarvis Kay

Jarvis Kay — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 19:00:20 +0000

I’m glad you got the 1p back, but according to Leicester trading standards, the sudden jump of 1p IS within limits.

If you win, then all the best and well done.

By: John Unsworth

John Unsworth — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 22:04:54 +0000

Today I went to my local Morrisons Petrol station and was very careful in rounding it off to the pound (£27) yet when I put the nozzle back into the pump I saw that it clicked up 1p. When I questioned as to why at the till I was told that this happens. I stood my ground and got my 1p. back and the person who was behind me took a stance complaining that it had done the same with him yet at a different pump.
THIS IS DEFINATELY A FIDDLE and appears that it is the supermarket chains that are mainly involved in this scam. I am going to contact trading standards.

By: Andy Clinton

Andy Clinton — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 18:29:25 +0000

Happened today.You just know when you feel you have been screwed.Went to petrol station near in-laws.Not filled up for a couple of weeks.Put £49.94.The highest I have ever put in is £46,but it’s gone up a couple pence and I used a tad more petrol,and I recall the wife saying a few weeks ago she felt she had paid more than normal.
Not sure.Niggling doubt in my mind

By: Paul Annett

Paul Annett — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 06:18:17 +0000

Thanks Jarvis!

In particular, this paragraph:

Sometimes the price advances when you close the nozzle and return it to storage. This can be caused by the hose swelling slightly which allows a fractional amount of fuel to pass through the meter. Because of the high price in petrol only a very small amount of fuel is needed for the price display to change by 1 penny therefore this problem is much more prevalent now than it used to be. One penny’s worth of fuel only equates to a very small amount and is well within the permitted tolerances of -0.5% and +1%.”

By: Jarvis Kay

Jarvis Kay — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 20:50:06 +0000

http://www.leics.gov.uk/index/business/tradingstandards/ts_consumers/petrol_pump_questions_answered.htm

That possibly explains it.

By: Symone Holmes

Symone Holmes — Tue, 12 May 2009 13:56:12 +0000

I have noted this several times and have come to the same conclusion,as have several friends of mine. 1p extra from each customer adds up to a lot over a year. It makes me mad.

By: mike briggs

mike briggs — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 15:57:29 +0000

I have noted this at asda stores eventualy stopped using asda (all a stores.)always check pump before you pay