Have you bought petrol today when you wouldn't normally have?

[GreatPotato]

The BP petrol station here is closed and every other garage has queues on to the road.

I'll admit I did think I'd get petrol when I was out today. I have half a tank and I do generally keep it topped up for emergencies, although I would probably have left it until next week to fill up normally.

In the event, I didn't bother queuing but I'm guessing most of the people "panicking' are just filling up a few days earlier than they usually would. After all, a tank only holds so much, it's not as if you can buy a year's supply like toilet rolls

I filled up yesterday as I always do on payday. Had no idea the country was about to go mad.

My husband keeps a jerry can of petrol for garden tools. Chainsaws, mowers etc. It needs filling up but he was too embarrassed to go and do it in case people thought he was just panic buying.

I am an old gimmer, and was always told never to let the fuel tank get nearly empty, as it had crap in it which would not be good for the engine. Sounds like petrol tanks have improved in quality.

In the early 1970's, when the price of oil, and hence petrol, rose alarmingly, car owners were actually issued with ration books, though they were never needed.

I haven't filled up, and a friend who just popped by didn't notice any petrol queues at the garages they passed on their way over. (Near Durham.)

No. I have over 1/4 of a tank and that will last me at least another couple of weeks. I think the panic buyers are complete twats.

Sad to report that my husband has now caved and gone to fill up his car with petrol. I think this thread sent him over the edge. He's promised to let me know how it goes.

Oh FFS, had a busier day than expected so am on the red now. Just went to fill up and the petrol station is closed because they’ve run out. Will have to try again in the morning.

Am 38 weeks pregnant and half an hour away from the hospital. Just hoping I don’t go into labour tonight else we’re a bit screwed.

So many selfish people out there causing issues for others.

I filled up after work today when I had nearly a quarter of a tank. Normally I’d have waited until the light came on which would have been some time over the next couple of days. I’m just as entitled to buy it as all the people on here saying they NEED to go here there and wherever but everyone else is a selfish fucker.

So many selfish people out there causing issues for others.

I agree. People don't just take what they need. They also take cans. It's selfish.

Nope, we've got half a tank and no essential driving this weekend. DH is supposed to drive 2 hours and stay over for his work on Monday and worst case, he'll just have to WFH.

But I can see people worrying if they need to drive for work. One garage I drove past today, which was BP, seemed no busier than usual and had petrol.

@Itsnotover

So many selfish people out there causing issues for others.

I agree. People don't just take what they need. They also take cans. It's selfish.

Agree - and with so many petrol stations being unattended nowadays there’s no way to ration the amount of petrol people are taking.

No, I have an EV.

NOT SMUG AT ALL

Luckily I had topped up on Wednesday so have a full tank now, but I get anxious if I have less than half a tank (🙈 I know) so normally don't wait for the light

No. I have just under half a tank. DH put his in as usual on Thursday morning. I can walk everywhere I need to get to. DH drives 20 miles each way to work each day so does need his car, but he is a teacher and could presumably revert back to zoom in an absolute extreme crisis situation. I'm leaving it for people like carers who need the petrol to do their essential job.

Nope. I fill mine up when the light comes on and tells me I have 50 miles left. But now because of others I'll have to start looking for fuel when I have half a tank and don't really need to fill up. So further exacerbating the problem.

Thanks uk media for causing this shit storm.

I took a can. Because it’s a can I keep for the mower. The can was empty so I filled it. It’s about 5L. I have not been able to cut my grass for a month because the bloody green waste collection has been cancelled for ages. So yes, I filled a can and I would do it again. My garden is overgrown and the green recycling truck is finally coming next week so I want to cut it this weekend. I use the garden every day as I have a dog and I don’t like turds hidden in the long grass.

And a man commented when I filled the can. Telling me it was so small it wouldn’t go far. Actually it’ll enable me to cut my grass loads of times but I didn’t fancy engaging with him.

I don’t even believe there is a shortage of people who can drive HGVs. We probably just give them shit all pay so they’ve left.

I have 1/4 of a tank so would usually refuel about now. I am concerned if I go and fill my tank I will be accused of "panic buying" as I don't NEED it for work etc. I will need petrol to visit my great grandma for her birthday on Sunday so hoping I can get some tomorrow

No. There's no shortage and I've got enough to get to work and back next week

Hopefully they will have sorted the supply issue by next weekend.

We just picked our car up from the garage with practically no petrol... couldn't believe the queue at the petrol station. Didn't have time to wait as had to pick up children. Just running on fumes. Pretty annoying.

Nope

I filled up because I'm taking DS to uni tomorrow - was down to almost nothing. Second place I tried had diesel, it only took about 10 minutes.

@Djifunrsn this was addressed on the radio today, bbc, apparently it’s because heb applicants cannot get their license, as Dvla is months (a year) behind due to covid+civil servants . I got my license a full year late

There is a massive admin backlog

I have had to drive from reading to Ipswich today. Tried all the petrol stations in between and made it home on fumes. Will have to walk to a petrol station when they have petrol today. The people who have panic bought can quite frankly fuck off

@DirectionToPerfection

No, there are no shortages here in Ireland.

That’s because you’re not a very stupid country, unlike the UK. Only the UK would be foolish enough to impose sanctions on itself by voting for brexit.