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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

All the people panic buying petrol

999 replies

Shitfuckcommaetc · 24/09/2021 16:45

Are fucking selfish, and will be the first to moan when they're takeaway can't be delivered, they can't get a taxi, or places are short staffed as people CAN'T GET TO WORK

god I'm pissed off

OP posts:
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6
MarbleRunaway · 24/09/2021 21:26

I was running on fumes today, I should have tried to fill up yesterday but just carried on as I normally would. I did manage to get some at the third place I tried but the queues were bad… and a lot of people were a suspiciously short time at the pumps implying they were topping up a tank that was at least half full already! I think they should have people on the forecourt and only allow those with the fuel light on to fill. That would stop panic buying (maybe 1/4 tank or less).

The situation exacerbates when people change their normal behaviour and buying habits. I filled up as that’s what I normally do when the fuel light comes on. I’d imagine very few fill up on half a tank…

CosmicComfort · 24/09/2021 21:27

It’s horrendous in my south coast town, hardly any fuel anywhere.

I use minimal fuel generally and filled up last week so no panic buying here, hoping that it resolves itself in the next week and I can fill up to take DS1 to University next weekend. Or more likely return home to fulfill my duties as a nurse. Have enough to get him there, I’m sure!

Am I the only one wondering how I become a HGV driver? I am currently a burnt out mental health nurse and a new career as a HGV driver had a certain appeal!

colette1970 · 24/09/2021 21:29

Went to my local Tesco garage at 2 pm put my usual £20 in for 3 week as was on red no problem went shopping and the tail back for petrol goes over half a mile people filling up big containers no need for it just buy what you normally get , think the petrol stations should ban people filling large containers .

Crimblecrumble1990 · 24/09/2021 21:31

@linelgreen

We were caught out years ago with the last petrol supply issue so today filled both mine and Oh cars up and also took the kids cars and filled them up so if we run out we could always use theirs as they are at Uni so not taken cars with them. Petrol is something that does not go off so will not be wasted as it will get used and cannot imagine what we would do without a car to use as public transport is terrible here.
Have you given this example to somehow show that you are not panic buying?

Or to illustrate why you are?

Truly fascinating behaviour if its the former.

frumpety · 24/09/2021 21:32

Do people really only have less than 30 miles in their tank, my petrol light comes on some were around 45

Yes me ! I was going to put some in this morning but there had been an accident near the petrol station I use and then I ended up being really busy and driving a lot more miles than I expected, started the day with over 100miles of fuel, ended up with less than 30. It happens.

SunshineCake1 · 24/09/2021 21:35

@IfImLyingImDying

Yeah the whole bog roll thing was daft. COVID doesn’t even give you the shits Grin
The point was if you had covid you wouldn't be able to go to the shop to buy more loo roll....
BecauseMyRingBurnsSheila · 24/09/2021 21:36

@MilduraS

Are you a bit dense? * I can't bend time!*

Is it really faster to drive half a mile each way rather than walk/ use bikes/ having the kids use scooters? You're consuming fuel, adding to traffic and no doubt contributing to a parking nightmare around the school because you can't be arsed to do a half mile journey. Get your shit together. Half the people filling up probably couldn't get to school or work by other means.

It's 0.6 miles to DC's school which is a 10 minute walk there and 10 minutes back. I do it because I work from home now. But DH HAS to drive to make it to work on time. So I can completely understand why the OP can't bend time.
AndStand · 24/09/2021 21:39

Erm......

All the people panic buying petrol
sunandmoon11 · 24/09/2021 21:40

I felt awful for joining in the queuing!

However my petrol light was on and I'd already played the petrol game getting to work so I daren't risk it. I even saw some people filling up cans and I thought there's really no need for it.

3luckystars · 24/09/2021 21:40

It just makes no sense. Wouldn’t panic buying electric scooters be a better idea? If it’s not fixed in a few days then nobody will have any petrol, not even the panic buyers.

Annoyedanddissapointed · 24/09/2021 21:40

@Tavelo

As a non driver that walks to work I'm enjoying the shitshow. And before any one cries but what about the strain on ambulances, food delivery drivers etc I honestly feel such contempt at the UK population's reliance on cars that I don't even care. How many children are born with body and brain issues because their mothers lived near traffic when pregnant? How many people suffer early deaths because of pollution? Grim.
Glad you are enjoying it. I am sure the tradesmen around here would be so happy having to walk with ladders and tools. Oh, food places owners might just crack on and get their cash and carry stuff ina cart to pull 5 miles or smth. Yaaaay
5329871e · 24/09/2021 21:41

@Shitfuckcommaetc

After not being able to fill up on the way back from work today I'm having to walk 3 miles to work to start at 6am to start my 12hr shift. Cant afford a taxi and buses don't run that early

So yea, anyone with a full tank sitting on the driveway who fancies giving me a lift?!

Selfish fuckers.

3 miles… AIBU to think you could easily walk or cycle that?
TartanJumper · 24/09/2021 21:41

@LaRobeRouge

The media have whipped this up. People don't want to panic buy but then they risk being left high and dry when they need petrol. I admit I filled up this morning as we're driving 300 miles tomorrow. I had planned filling up tomorrow morning but couldn't risk it.
Yep. They reported a "shortage", people went out to fill their tanks. I can walk to work, so I'm not too bothered personally, and won't bother. Hopefully emergency services have a plan to ensure their vehicles get filed.
TartanJumper · 24/09/2021 21:44

5329871e, I wouldn't walk miles to start work at 6am. Assuming an average speed of 3 mph, you'd have to leave at 5am. It's dark, and I would't feel comfortable walking. And after a 12hr shift, couldn't be arsed to walk back (in the dark, albeit a more reasonable time with more people around) either.

vera99 · 24/09/2021 21:47

To all that voted Leave, you sent a strong message to 100 of thousands of EU workers to f off. So they did, and here we are. Maybe something to consider as you scrabble to find some fuel eh...

GloriaSilver · 24/09/2021 21:47

Wow, amazing how many peoples fuel lights came on today. Uncanny.

5329871e · 24/09/2021 21:48

@TartanJumper

5329871e, I wouldn't walk miles to start work at 6am. Assuming an average speed of 3 mph, you'd have to leave at 5am. It's dark, and I would't feel comfortable walking. And after a 12hr shift, couldn't be arsed to walk back (in the dark, albeit a more reasonable time with more people around) either.
It obviously depends on your fitness. But I cycle 35 mins to work and back each day. Tonight my shift finished at 9 pm so I came back in the dark. It’s actually fine. I think more people need to try it to realise they can do it.
MumofAceDD · 24/09/2021 21:48

Well, yes, Bungleandgeorge my fuel light comes on at 45 miles and then tells me in 5 mile increments what I have left. I don’t rush to the nearest fuel station as soon as it comes on, as I might be almost home and it be late. So we had driven home from swimming the other evening when it came on, and then DC had a cough so we had driven to drive in covid centre yesterday (could not get fuel at that point because self-isolating) and then today when his test came back negative, there was 30 miles according to the gauge. It might sit in the drive waywithout going anywhere so it doesn’t matter. But I need to go somewhere tomorrow so it did matter.

TartanJumper · 24/09/2021 21:51

It obviously depends on your fitness. But I cycle 35 mins to work and back each day. Tonight my shift finished at 9 pm so I came back in the dark. It’s actually fine. I think more people need to try it to realise they can do it

I think this depends where you live, too. My route is simple now, but my previous job- the two mile walk included some lonely roads and alleys that I wouldn't like to walk down very early morning alone. But I'm generally an anxious person anyway!

maddiemookins16mum · 24/09/2021 21:53

I have a quarter left, have to drive 89 year old MIL to a town 40 miles away and back on Thursday, plus get to and from work daily. I’ll be up at 7am tomorrow ‘panic buying’.

vera99 · 24/09/2021 21:55

He has a lot of mowers and strimmers...

All the people panic buying petrol
Doris86 · 24/09/2021 21:57

@vera99

To all that voted Leave, you sent a strong message to 100 of thousands of EU workers to f off. So they did, and here we are. Maybe something to consider as you scrabble to find some fuel eh...
The main reason for the driver shortage is covid, not Brexit.
simitra · 24/09/2021 21:57

As usual you can blame the red tops and their moronic consumers who have the average reading age of 11.

ilovesushi · 24/09/2021 21:59

There is a distribution problem. People need fuel. They're filling the tank because they know they have trips they need to make. I don't see that as panic buying.

lannistunut · 24/09/2021 22:02

The main reason for the driver shortage is covid, not Brexit. Bollocks.

Covid is part of it but the reason they need the visa change is 100% Brexit.