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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Pay at Pump... Why don't people use these?

62 replies

DuelingFanjo · 08/06/2010 10:22

I can understand that some people want to pay with cash and some people want to buy something from inside the shop but why oh why are there some people who just hold everything up by going in to pay with a card when they could do it all at the pump?

Am I being unreasonable to think these people are weird?

OP posts:
SPBHatesFootball · 08/06/2010 10:23

well at spermarkets you quite often have those 5p a litre off vouchers too

Crazycatlady · 08/06/2010 10:24

Pumps usually have a limit of £60 for card transactions. Given fuel prices, it costs a lot of people over this limit to fill the car up. Ours costs £75. So we have to go and queue...

DalbySun · 08/06/2010 10:25

Slow people at the petrol pump is a major bloody pressure riser for me! hate it. The worst ones are the ones that see a massive queue behind them, stroll back to their car, sit down, faff with the radio, open up a sandwich they've just bought, check their phones .... ffs move somewhere else!!!

but yes, why pay with a card in the shop when you could have just done it outside? so annoying. I think some people just enjoy being irritating.

Crazycatlady · 08/06/2010 10:26

Plus, I think you have to go into the shop if you want a proper VAT receipt.

MeganMog · 08/06/2010 10:28

I have a company provided fuel card, and we are not allowed to use them at "pay at pump" - I guess because they want the cashier to confirm the card is being used for the correct car.

suitejudyblue · 08/06/2010 10:30

YANBU, unless I have a money of voucher I would never go inside and queue if I don't have to.
Crazycat - I'm pretty sure you can get a VAT receipt from the pump at the garages near me.
The ASDA pay at pump only garages are the best - cheaper and no faffing at all.

luciemule · 08/06/2010 10:30

or they might to buy something like a drink/snack from the shop?

ajandjjmum · 08/06/2010 10:31

The limit has gone up to £99 now - at least at Tesco.

These systems are (apparently) vulnerable to fraud - although I'm very lazy and always use them.

You can get receipts from them

PuppyMonkey · 08/06/2010 10:31

Whenever I've tried to use them, they are out of order.

SPBHatesFootball · 08/06/2010 10:32

dh doesnt trust them, despite working as a programmer
i use them if i can but almost always need to go in

Original poster
DuelingFanjo · 08/06/2010 10:34

ah well, fair enough points. Though I never fill my car up to be honest because I don't have to drive for miles and could probably fill it for less than £60.

Are there some people who just don't want to use the pay at pump for some reason?

OP posts:
SPBHatesFootball · 08/06/2010 10:35

I've never had this conversation with my mum but can almost guarantee she'd say they're too complicated

southeastastra · 08/06/2010 10:37

cause you can't buy kitkats at the pump

EleanorHandbasket · 08/06/2010 10:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Flisspaps · 08/06/2010 10:37

Our Pay at Pump had issues with cards being cloned, we just feel a little bit more secure going into the kiosk I suppose.

ben5 · 08/06/2010 10:38

tescos always seemed not to work and by the time i'e played with it would of been quicker to of gone inside!

akhems · 08/06/2010 10:39

For some reason it always rejects my card, so I have to go into the kiosk anyway and then the same card flippin works

BigBadMummy · 08/06/2010 10:43

There is a part of me that thinks "hmm, I put in my card and my PIN and THEN I fill up".

How do I know it will charge me the correct amount.

Quite often I also want to grab a drink / paper / belgian bun / packet of mints.

Sometimes I want to use cash.

And sometimes I just want to see the smiley face of Sanjeev, telling me to drive carefully and asking after the DCs.

Elenio · 08/06/2010 10:49

i wonder why the UK does not adopt the same service that is used in the rest of Europe, where every petrol station has a pump attendant?

they fill the car, you pay them with card or cash and drive off. simple!

Crazycatlady · 08/06/2010 10:49

you know having thought about it, i haven't seen one of those 'pay at pump' things for years, certainly not in town. But then there are no industrial size mega-super-markets in London that have fuel stations so perhaps that's why?!

Or are they being phased out due to fraud issues?

WowOoo · 08/06/2010 10:55

I prefer paying a person and usually get the paper at same time.

Doodleydoo · 08/06/2010 10:55

In the five years my current local supermarket has had them they have never worked, the one time they did work it didn't work for me as I have a company fuel card too. It would have made my life a little simpler as I really can't add more chocolate to my thighs without consequence which always happens if I go in!

Coralanne · 08/06/2010 11:07

It's called freedom of choice.

YellowDaffodil · 08/06/2010 11:14

Our local one has a £60 limit also - can't fill the tank if I use it.

clam · 08/06/2010 11:17

Can't get Tesco school vouchers there.
And is there a facility for swiping your club card?