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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Calm Yourselves!

305 replies

HCHQ · 24/09/2021 11:56

Just back from putting air in the car tyres and the queue into the forecourt for fuel was ridiculous.

Appreciate it doesn't help that the news bulletins start with" BP closes some petrol stations" and that nobody hears beyond this to "Asda, Morrisons and other supermarkets are saying they have no problems, as have other petrol companies.”

Just stop it.

OP posts:
FreddyMercurysCat · 24/09/2021 14:20

Local Asda had a huge queue and a £40 limit and the local Tesco has run out of unleaded - the queues have caused chaos in the city centre

the80sweregreat · 24/09/2021 14:20

I don't blame people for being selfish really ; over the years having a car of some description has been a necessity and planners were so keen on building out of town shopping malls and supermarkets only accessible by having a car , new homes that are not that close to schools or shops ( so you have to drive the kids in each day ) whilst cutting back on public transport ( outside of london ) or making it difficult to go anywhere at weekends as the train lines are always disrupted.
You reap what you sow and the policies were short sighted and only lip service paid to climate change or air quality. Making people reliant on cars for revenue via taxes on fuel as well. Governments are keen to tax the car driver to the hilt.
Many people could not work without having a car. If you don't go into work you don't get paid. It's as simple as that , hence the queues now for fuel. I bet the cars driving our ministers and the royals around are well filled...

Octopie · 24/09/2021 14:23

@Ontheblink

My car has 5 miles left on it ( not sure how accurate) the nearest station is 0.9 miles away but with huge queues, WTAF, I have tried 4 time to fill up today but they are either closed or with Mike long queues. I am actually so pissed off!
I usually leave it until the light comes on but omg 5 miles! I'd try later tonight it'll probably be quieter, and some get deliveries during the evening so it won't necessarily be run out or anything.
Brownsnail · 24/09/2021 14:26

I think it's responsible to maintain a half full tank at least (I always fill up as my fuel gauge is heading down to half)
Likewise, seems pretty sensible to keep a week or two's worth of shelf stable supplies at home if you can afford to.
I don't trust that the things we need will always be available, and last year proved how quickly things can change.
It means I was able to keep out of the shops last year and away from the petrol forecourt today. No panic buying because I plan ahead.
Not rocket science.

FreeBritnee · 24/09/2021 14:27

It’s the media that stoke these shortages. Can’t they be gagged?

TattiePants · 24/09/2021 14:27

Bugger, I've just booked a supermarket click & collect slot for tomorrow morning and the only way to access it is past the petrol station. It's going to take ages isn't it!

TableFlowerss · 24/09/2021 14:28

@FreeBritnee

It’s the media that stoke these shortages. Can’t they be gagged?
Exactly!!!
Foxyloxy1plus1 · 24/09/2021 14:31

This is all because BP said they would shut 10% of their garages as a temporary measure. Every other provider said that there is enough fuel. Now there won’t be because the news has catastrophised yet again. I’m sick and tired of it..

Nelia5 · 24/09/2021 14:34

Queues in my area. I even saw a guy open the boot and fill up 3 petrol cans he had in there

GivenUpEntirely · 24/09/2021 14:39

I'm really annoyed because it's effectively blockading the main supermarkets around here. You can't get in without queueing with the cars waiting to fill up.

Rather glad I did a full tank this morning at 6am ready for caring duties (150 mile round trip) instead of the 'just' enough that my car normally lives on. Thank goodness for pay day! At least now if I get a 2am call I'll have enough in the tank to make the journey.

EloiseBridgerton · 24/09/2021 14:39

Only positive is that people can’t really store surplus fuel (wedge teas you could fill your house with loo paper last yr if you wanted to!). So there might be a mad rush but then people will calm down hopefully. Unless they’re taking a container to fill!

Claudethecat · 24/09/2021 14:39

We are supposed to be going away next week and need to get petrol before setting off. Hopefully it will have calmed down by then as I don't fancy trying to fill up today.

Claudethecat · 24/09/2021 14:41

I reckon there will be panic buying of Christmas goods soon. What a shit show we are living in.

the80sweregreat · 24/09/2021 14:43

It is indeed a shit show

Brownsnail · 24/09/2021 14:44

@Claudethecat

We are supposed to be going away next week and need to get petrol before setting off. Hopefully it will have calmed down by then as I don't fancy trying to fill up today.
It'll settle.
TableFlowerss · 24/09/2021 14:44

@Claudethecat

I reckon there will be panic buying of Christmas goods soon. What a shit show we are living in.
Well they’re taking about toy shortages in the media now so that will have started, they’ve been talking about food shortages. The news just makes it worse like
Gimlisaxe · 24/09/2021 14:45

On a different note, there is a petrol station near DS' school, I wonder how bad that is going to be on the school run.

SpeckledlyHen · 24/09/2021 14:46

I have to admit to rolling my eyes heavenwards this morning when I read the stoking of the fire re petrol shortages. Typically now I am not commuting a tank lasts me forever with little local trips but tomorrow I am driving approx 250 miles and need to fill up!

Brownsnail · 24/09/2021 14:48

@Claudethecat

I reckon there will be panic buying of Christmas goods soon. What a shit show we are living in.
Anyone taking notice of what's going on will know that all this has been predicted for some time, and will have already made at least some attempt to be prepared. Preparing for things ahead of time is looked down on in some parts of MN, but it's the last minuters that end up panic buying.
AntiSocialDistancer · 24/09/2021 14:50

I've been sitting pretty today thinking about how I don't need any fuel.

Then remember I have a long trip tomorrow!!! Will try and refill at a silly time to avoid the queues.

The bloody fuel companies are laughing all the way to the bank Angry

Octopie · 24/09/2021 14:51

@Claudethecat

We are supposed to be going away next week and need to get petrol before setting off. Hopefully it will have calmed down by then as I don't fancy trying to fill up today.
Go early tomorrow, even those who need to top their tanks up with a few quids worth won't bother early on a Saturday.
StoatMilk · 24/09/2021 14:52

@Stellaris22

It's stupid and highlights how over reliant people are on their cars.

We use ours once a week and won't be rushing out to the petrol station anytime soon.

You’re alright then Jack Hmm

Not everyone has the luxury of only having to use their cars once a week.

FreeBritnee · 24/09/2021 14:52

Anyone taking notice of what's going on will know that all this has been predicted for some time, and will have already made at least some attempt to be prepared.
Preparing for things ahead of time is looked down on in some parts of MN, but it's the last minuters that end up panic buying.

Here, I’ll toss you one Biscuit

PurpleDaisies · 24/09/2021 14:54

Anyone taking notice of what's going on will know that all this has been predicted for some time, and will have already made at least some attempt to be prepared.

Damn. I should have filled my bath up with petrol when I had the chance.

Sofiegiraffe · 24/09/2021 14:54

How does one "panic buy" fuel? You can only fit a certain amount in your car, surely. Or am I missing something...

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