A mini crime-wave has hit Sankey, the Ace of Hearts Petrol Station (which is technically just over the border in Merseyside and therefore not in Sankey) has been subject to a number of “drive-offs” over the last week. Noel & Joan have successfully alienated all their regular customers by strictly inforcing a “pay before you vend” policy. As I pointed out to todays till person, “How am I supposed to pay in advance when I don’t know how much petrol my can will take?” (I needed petrol for the lawnmower on this occasion). “How are you paying?” she asked, to which I replied “Cash of course!”. She estimated a full petrol can would cost about £5.75 so I gave her £5 and said I would sort out the rest after vending. In actual fact I was still filling the can when at £9.53 the petrol cut off. I went into the shop to moan yet again as it was only 2/3rds full.
They have apparently lost around £200 worth of petrol from people driving off without paying, at todays prices that is only 3 Volvo Estates worth of petrol. It was amazing just how much consternation could be caused by the introduction of the new policy. Everyone was moaning at the till person, just putting £5-10 in their tanks and I suppose then going round to ASDA to fill the tank full. I can see the new policy stopping drive-offs but equally I can see people just taking their business to the ASDA nearby as I proved the point sucessfully that for cash purchases, you can’t know how much a full tank will be and therefore estimate the cost. I’m not going back until they revoke the stupid policy. They should invest in some number plate cameras…
