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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think the air machine at the petrol station should be free!

55 replies

wineisnecessary · 22/10/2019 18:31

I know I am bu I'm more miffed at myself for not having cash .
So today went for petrol station ,filled up went in to the kiosk to pay bought some chocolate too and paid by card . I asked for the code for air to pump my tyre up as a little flat . I was told it's only 10p I said yeah but I've no change in fact no cash at all so don't you normally give a code for free if you buy petrol ? The cashier said not any more . I sort of repeated myself that I had no change and what was I supposed to drive on a flat tyre ? Cashier sort of shrugged so I Left in a huff .
I get that I should have some cash on me but you know I'm busy I wasn't prepared and I noticed when I got to work tyre was a little flat so went to pump up on my lunch break and put petrol in . I called into petrol station on my way home in the end after rummaging around in my bag for change . I just thought I've spent £50 here can't I have some free air ? my tyre was just ok to drive just but what was I supposed to do drive to cash machine and get change ? Ok fair enough but I didn't have time . I kinda wished I had a £20 note on me and insisted she change my money but I didn't I suppose this will teach me to be cashless . I get the cashier doesn't make the rules but just want to rant as had a rubbish day so it's ok you can tell me iabu .

OP posts:
Bananashake · 22/10/2019 19:50

I don't think it's the using it for free it'd that you need 10p cash and the payment can't be added to the payment you are making for petrol on your card that seems a bit difficult.

1DoesNotSimplyWalkIntoMordor · 22/10/2019 19:51

I have a tyre inflator in the boot of my car, I use it frequently for one tyre that has a mystery issue, it's easy to use and cost about £12 from Tesco.

Original poster
wineisnecessary · 22/10/2019 19:54

@heartsonacake at the time I really didn't know what I was supposed to do .
My tyre needed pumping and I had no way of pumping it . I was also a bit worried about driving on it .

OP posts:
gamerchick · 22/10/2019 19:55

Just get a compressor. They're little and cheap enough.

The machines are 50p minimum here.

GrandmaSharksDentures · 22/10/2019 19:56

Bloody hell, it's £1 here (London) and the air machine accepts contactless payment!!

pigsDOfly · 22/10/2019 19:58

I've had a look at the pumps and they all seem to work from what used to be the cigarette lighter socket but my car doesn't seem to have one, at least not that I can find, and I've searched carefully in the past. It's only socket is for an MP3 player.

Don't know how I'd get round that.

Don't think I've got the physical strength to use a food pump.

RingtheBells · 22/10/2019 20:00

I have always kept a foot pump in my car then you can pump them up anywhere and just check tyre pressures at home, I couldn’t be arsed to go to a garage to do it.

Blahblahblahnanana · 22/10/2019 20:01

There is a Sainsbury’s local to me that has one for free. I however only discovered this fact the other week, after using the nearest supermarkets paying one for months as I have a slow puncture...

gamerchick · 22/10/2019 20:02

You can get battery operated ones.

Blahblahblahnanana · 22/10/2019 20:04

I also in the last year was made aware (by a lovely AA man) that when you’ve a flat tyre that you need to press the flat tyre icon on the air pressure machine to be able to pump up the tyre...

pigsDOfly · 22/10/2019 20:05

Oh, okay. Thanks will look for battery operated ones.

RingtheBells · 22/10/2019 20:05

You can get portable rechargeable tyre pumps, I may treat myself to one if they go on offer, maybe on Black Friday, Amazon sell them

SirTobyBelch · 22/10/2019 20:07

Even when I have change I can't find an air machine that (a) works and (b) doesn't have a massive queue. About a third of air machines around my way are broken.

heartsonacake · 22/10/2019 20:13

@heartsonacake at the time I really didn't know what I was supposed to do .

Right, but that’s not the cashier’s problem to deal with, it’s yours.

dementedpixie · 22/10/2019 20:16

Our cheapest one is 20p and most expensive is 50p. Dont know any free ones

malmi · 22/10/2019 20:18

Margins on fuel are only about 2% for the petrol station. If you spent £50 on fuel they are making a quid on that transaction. Then you're effectively asking for 10% of it back for free.

If you spend a tenner on the high margin stuff in the shop then you're in a stronger position to ask for freebies.

Witchend · 22/10/2019 20:19

Why didn't you put the chocolate back and then you could have done it?

Caramelblonde70 · 22/10/2019 20:22

It's free at Sainsbury's 😊

DuesToTheDirt · 22/10/2019 20:23

I've never used one...always keep a foot pump in the car.

Also, I always keep some money in the car. I usually have £20 or so, a mix of coins and notes. It's handy for lots of things, from pound coins for supermarket trolleys, or tolls, to petrol to get home when you drive 70 miles and then find you left your bag at home (me), or go away and forget your wallet (DH).

Original poster
wineisnecessary · 22/10/2019 20:24

Thanks for your helpful contribution .
@heartsonacake .
It's not as if I was expecting the cashier to perform magic or something.
I actually did think they would give me a code especially after I'd filled up with petrol or I don't know let me add the 10p on my card with the £50 odd I just spent. I found out afterwards it stopped in the summer that you had to pay 10p not included if you spend £15 on petrol.
if I could go back in time perhaps I wouldn't of said that but if I could go back in time I'd take some change or maybe buy myself a pump . But you know I'm not perfect I'm just a busy working mum who didn't have any change . Hmm

OP posts:
ItsGoingTibiaK · 22/10/2019 20:25

Yeah if I've filled up with petrol I assumed it would be free

Do you help yourself to a Twix on the way out as well?

And I’m surprised at the number of people who don’t own any kind of pump - isn’t it a basic item for any car owner?

Original poster
wineisnecessary · 22/10/2019 20:27

@Witchend obviously I paid with the chocolate at the same time as my petrol on my card .
I had no cash !!!

OP posts:
Expressedways · 22/10/2019 20:30

Doesn’t the petrol station have a cash point? Couldn’t you have pulled out £10 then asked the cashier to change it or bought something to small to break it if not. Bit of a pain but it would solve the problem!

I’m convinced that we live next to America’s most expensive gas station (I’ve certainly never seen a more expensive one) and the air is full service only so you have to pay the man to do it. Last time it cost me $10! 10p is a bargain!

Original poster
wineisnecessary · 22/10/2019 20:30

@ItsGoingTibiaK I'll copy and paste my earlier post instead of replying
*
I wouldn't mind whatever it costs even if they could add the charge onto my card when I pay for petrol but no it's 10p coin only .*

OP posts:
Original poster
wineisnecessary · 22/10/2019 20:35

No cash machine either .
Nearest one 5 minutes walk away but I couldn't leave my car in the garage and I didn't have time if I'm honest . If I did I would of come back with a £10 to change but that would of probably annoyed the cashier having to give me a load of change .
I know for next time anyway .

OP posts:
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