Find out what testers thought of fuel delivery service Zebra Fuel NOW CLOSED

[JustineBMumsnet]

This is the feedback thread for the Mumsnetters who have been testing Zebra Fuel: a fuel delivery service where you can order fuel to be delivered directly to your vehicle via an app.

Here’s what Zebra has to say: "Zebra Fuel is a digital petrol station, delivering fuel directly to vehicles in London. We want to make trips to the petrol station and standing at pumps, history! Saving customers wasted fuel, time and money.
Booked through our app, one of our proprietary vans and specialist drivers will come to your vehicle and safely dispense fuel whenever you choose. You only need to unlock your fuel flap and you can carry on with your day! Our fuel prices are lower or on par with local petrol stations. We are currently delivering diesel with petrol deliveries starting soon. Welcome to the petrol station of the future, Zebra Fuel!"

Testers, please answer the following questions as well as completing a short survey:

1. What do you think of the concept of Zebra?
   
2. When signing up and ordering your fuel, did you have any problems or suggestions?
   
3. How was your driver and the filling experience?
   
4. Did not having to go to a petrol station save you time? If so, what did you do with this time?
   
5. Thinking of going to the petrol station, is there anything that annoys you or you dislike about it?
   
6. What would you say is the best feature or attribute of Zebra?
   
7. Is there anything you think Zebra could do better, or anything that would stop you from using Zebra again?
   
8. Would you recommend Zebra to a friend?
   

All testers who complete their feedback will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £100 voucher for the store of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck!

MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs apply

[ColdCottage]

How do they make a profit or is there a surcharge on the fuel?

[carolinefromislington]

Tester review:

1. What do you think of the concept of Zebra?

Unique! Certainly not something I thought I needed but it worked well so maybe I'd use it again

1. When signing up and ordering your fuel, did you have any problems or suggestions?

Wasn't easy to pick exact spot on the map but delivery driver found the car no problem. Originally I had the option to put in 15K then it jumped up to 25L- no idea why. Otherwise straight forward

1. How was your driver and the filling experience?

Very friendly and went smoothly

1. Did not having to go to a petrol station save you time? If so, what did you do with this time?

Minimal time saved

1. Thinking of going to the petrol station, is there anything that annoys you or you dislike about it?

When I'm with my baby it is a faff having to get him out to go and pay etc. Also don't really like him breathing in the fumes at the petrol station

1. What would you say is the best feature or attribute of Zebra?

Takes an ever growing market (online shopping) to a new area

1. Is there anything you think Zebra could do better, or anything that would stop you from using Zebra again?

Only had the option to put in min 25L fuel which is quite a lot. Presumably it's not cost efficient for them to do less but would be off putting for some I expect

1. Would you recommend Zebra to a friend?

Yes although in reality I don't know loads of people who would use it. It's not a huge inconvenience to pop into a petrol station when you're in your car!

[Flickbev]

12/01/2018 14:45 JustineBMumsnet


This is the feedback thread for the Mumsnetters who have been testing Zebra Fuel: a fuel delivery service where you can order fuel to be delivered directly to your vehicle via an app.

Here’s what Zebra has to say: "Zebra Fuel is a digital petrol station, delivering fuel directly to vehicles in London. We want to make trips to the petrol station and standing at pumps, history! Saving customers wasted fuel, time and money.
Booked through our app, one of our proprietary vans and specialist drivers will come to your vehicle and safely dispense fuel whenever you choose. You only need to unlock your fuel flap and you can carry on with your day! Our fuel prices are lower or on par with local petrol stations. We are currently delivering diesel with petrol deliveries starting soon. Welcome to the petrol station of the future, Zebra Fuel!"

Testers, please answer the following questions as well as completing a short survey:

1. What do you think of the concept of Zebra? Bonkers! Why would anyone need it? It wasn't something I'd ever thought I needed but was so easy I will probably use it again,
   
2. When signing up and ordering your fuel, did you have any problems or suggestions? Only I found it hard to apply the £20 credit and annoyed I couldn't look round the app after the sold page.
   
3. How was your driver and the filling experience? The driver was v polite abs efficient. I was in a Skype meeting at work so handed the driver the keys and he knocked when he was done. So easy.
   
4. Did not having to go to a petrol station save you time? If so, what did you do with this time? Yes but only 5 mins as I drive past a petrol station locally. It is hardly a massive time saver.
   
5. Thinking of going to the petrol station, is there anything that annoys you or you dislike about it? The smell and getting fuel on my hands. The queue to pay... but it's hardly a massive inconvenience.,
   
6. What would you say is the best feature or attribute of Zebra? It's so easy!
   
7. Is there anything you think Zebra could do better, or anything that would stop you from using Zebra again? I got annoyed with the app- once I'd brought the fuel I couldn't navigate off the sold page without cancelling the delivery.
   
8. Would you recommend Zebra to a friendl? Yes! I already have.?

[deejaykay]

1. What do you think of the concept of Zebra? It seems like a good idea but a little unnecessary.
   
2. When signing up and ordering your fuel, did you have any problems or suggestions? No it was all straightforward.
   
3. How was your driver and the filling experience? Very efficient and friendly.
   
4. Did not having to go to a petrol station save you time? If so, what did you do with this time? Not really and when you consider you may have to wait in for the hour that they will deliver in could end up being more time consuming.
   
5. Thinking of going to the petrol station, is there anything that annoys you or you dislike about it? Not really, smells a bit I guess but it’s quick and easy.
   
6. What would you say is the best feature or attribute of Zebra? Easy to use.
   
7. Is there anything you think Zebra could do better, or anything that would stop you from using Zebra again? I didn’t realise there was a delivery fee so I think that needs to be clearer. And since I don’t find it difficult to pop into a petrol station I will probably save myself the delivery fee and do it myself.
   
8. Would you recommend Zebra to a friend? I don’t think so. It’s easier to go to a petrol station I think.

[BigGreenOlives]

I am not a tester but I was really irritated by this test. There is enough traffic on the roads already, adding to this with vans travelling around with flammable fuel seems unsocial too me. Petrol stations provide locals with shops, cash machines, employment and air pressure machines, these are all beneficial. Extra black vans on the street? No thank you.

[DatsunCogs]

I'm going to complete this properly when my fuel comes on Tuesday but having just used the app wanted to comment that I found it a bit annoying that when you go to another area of it via the menu you have to start your order again from scratch, I would prefer it if you didn't lose what you've inputted so far.
Great idea though! Will answer all the questions later this week.

[DatsunCogs]

Okay, my Fuel came today:

1. What do you think of the concept of Zebra? Great idea that I would use in emergencies
2. When signing up and ordering your fuel, did you have any problems or suggestions? See above - found if you left a page on the app it lost your details which I found annoying
3. How was your driver and the filling experience? Barely saw him, waved out of the front door while I made lunch for the baby!
4. Did not having to go to a petrol station save you time? If so, what did you do with this time? Was at baby lunch/sleep time but was good to use this time to get jobs done too
5. Thinking of going to the petrol station, is there anything that annoys you or you dislike about it? Not really
6. What would you say is the best feature or attribute of Zebra? It's easy
7. Is there anything you think Zebra could do better, or anything that would stop you from using Zebra again? I didn't know there was a charge - although they obviously have to make money somehow! But unlikely I would pay unless I just couldn't get to a petrol station myself
8. Would you recommend Zebra to a friend? Yes

Thanks for my fuel :)

[Nobeachbody]

1. What do you think of the concept of Zebra?

Great idea though can’t imagine how they’ll make any money out of it!

1. When signing up and ordering your fuel, did you have any problems or suggestions?

No all very straightforward.

1. How was your driver and the filling experience?

Excellent. He was friendly and helpful and arrived remarkably quickly- within about 15 minutes!! Not sure whether the service would always be so prompt or whether it’s because we are testing it. But excellent nonetheless.

1. Did not having to go to a petrol station save you time? If so, what did you do with this time?

Yes, I absolutely hate going to the petrol station, no idea why but I often drive around on barely a teaspoon of petrol getting stressed out about running out rather than filling up. Ridiculous! The time
I saved - which to be honest was only about 15 minutes, I just spent working.

1. Thinking of going to the petrol station, is there anything that annoys you or you dislike about it?

Everything. The smell of petrol, the whole tedious process, the inevitable queues to pay, petrol on your hands, yuk!

1. What would you say is the best feature or attribute of Zebra?

The convenience. If I never had to go to a petrol station again it would be no great loss.

1. Is there anything you think Zebra could do better, or anything that would stop you from using Zebra again?

No as long as their prices remain comparable with petrol station would be delighted to use them every time.

1. Would you recommend

definitely.

[justamoment]

Tested this service over the weekend.

1. What do you think of the concept of Zebra?
   

I was conflicted about whether the idea of a fleet of smaller fuel-delivery vans was better or worse than big fuel tankers lumbering through London - would be interested to know what that equation looks like in terms of carbon footprint etc. Also, until we're all in cleaner, electric vehicles, I guess you can also take into account the fewer miles we'd each be driving to and from petrol stations individually to fill up. Ultimately, I like to try new ways of doing things so thought I'd give it a try in the hope it might be a more efficient way to refuel, without the need to sit in queues at the pumps where so many drivers seem to leave their engines 'idling'.

1. When signing up and ordering your fuel, did you have any problems or suggestions? Very straightforward to download the app and create account. A bit clunky to navigate adding in the promo code prior to placing order - (not on the payment page as you might expect like most other online purchase experiences) so had to call and ask where to add this in, though the customer service was very proactive and couldn't have been more helpful.
   
2. How was your driver and the filling experience? Very friendly driver, approachable, open to my queries, though I didn't have to go out and meet him - he said some people like to & some don't. Liked that I could track the delivery van when expecting it and the text alerts.
   
3. Did not having to go to a petrol station save you time? If so, what did you do with this time? Yes - I usually have to queue at the petrol station so need to allow extra time for journeys if I know I'll need fuel. Also saved stress of potentially running low on fuel, which occasionally happens unexpectedly, running the risk of being late!
   
4. Thinking of going to the petrol station, is there anything that annoys you or you dislike about it? It's (another) one of those chores I could happily leave behind! Mostly, I just find going to the petrol station a tedious, grimy job that can be stressful on occasions when I'm pushed for time but have no option but to queue for the pumps.
   
5. What would you say is the best feature or attribute of Zebra? Convenience. Fairly competitive cost of fuel.
   
6. Is there anything you think Zebra could do better, or anything that would stop you from using Zebra again? Naively, perhaps, I wasn't expecting the 'delivery fee', so think that needs to be more explicit from the outset. However, I found that on balance, the lower cost per litre relative to the petrol station practically cancelled-out the charge for my order.
   
7. Would you recommend Zebra to a friend? Yes I think so as I think I'd be tempted to use the service again myself, just takes a bit of planning, to book for when you know your vehicle won't need to be used for a particular hour slot and awareness of when fuel is running low, to make it most cost-efficient to refill. It would be even more tempting without the 'delivery charge' - I guess I think of it as a similar potential service to online food shopping.
   

Thanks for the opportunity to trial the service.

[justamoment]

Forgot to add re Q4 that the saved time meant I could stay home and socialise with my friend for a bit longer instead of having to leave earlier to refuel en route elsewhere.

[EllasMamaa]

Tester feedback

1. What do you think of the concept of Zebra?
   

Absolutely love the concept. Makes so much sense.

1. When signing up and ordering your fuel, did you have any problems or suggestions?
   

No problems whatsoever. It was pretty straight forward. I would’ve loved to have ordered monies worth as opposed by the litre.

1. How was your driver and the filling experience?
   

My driver was so friendly and did not take long at all. He even found my car even though it was parked at the back.

1. Did not having to go to a petrol station save you time? If so, what did you do with this time?
   

Yes and it was very convenient as I did not have to get my baby out of the car to go and fill up.

1. Thinking of going to the petrol station, is there anything that annoys you or you dislike about it?
   

Having to get my baby out of the car to go and pay. Especially when she is sleeping.

1. What would you say is the best feature or attribute of Zebra?
   

The convenience of them coming to your location.

1. Is there anything you think Zebra could do better, or anything that would stop you from using Zebra again?
   

N/a

1. Would you recommend Zebra to a friend?
   

Absolutely

[DailyMailareDicks]

This looks like a great concept, as a disabled driver and busy working Mum, I would value this service. My husband has to take my car out to fill up, as there isn't any local pump assistance near me that operates outside of 9-5. Would be a dream to get this service to turn up to my workplace.

[crazycatbaby]

Just been reading this with interest...I'm slightly confused about getting babies out of the car to pay though?

[starrysights]

I would LOVE this service and yes I was confused about that too!

[Footle]

People are freaked out about leaving their children in the car when they go to pay at the counter, so they take them with them. I think this only applies to first babies who are also singletons. Peace of mind is sacrificed to logistics with subsequent children and/or multiple births.