A new petrol station rip-off?

Dr Lobster* · Sat 29 Jan, 2011 18.49

has anybody noticed that petrol stations seem to be reducing the number of pumps dispensing their regular fuel and pretty much forcing you to use their higher-octane/premium fuel lines, such as excellium?

my local total petrol station had a refit about a year ago and now some 'lanes' don't have any regular fuel at all, and this isn't clearly marked. because this is where i fill up my car most of time, i haven't been fooled into filling up my car with it.

but at a bp station i filled up with the other day, they seem to have changed the configuration of the pumps (i use this one semi-regularly as it's on my way to work) and this station has got the premium fuel only on the front pumps and both types on the rear pumps. exploiting how most people will go to the front pump to allow the bloke behind to fill up too.

i didn't notice they'd done this so this time, so i ended up filling my car up with the premium stuff. i know it's only another 8 pence per litre, but it seems just a little bit sneaky to me.

this happening anywhere else?

all new Phil · Sat 29 Jan, 2011 19.03

There's a Total garage near me that does the same. Also has one bit that only has diesel, which is annoying.

Don't understand why they don't all just have all available at all pumps. Why would they ever have thought, when they designed them originally, that it would be a good idea not to do so?!

As for the "premium" fuel as well - I notice that, when both are available on one pump, they seem to label the standard unleaded as "Premium Unleaded". Is this a further method to try and confuse people into buying the more expensive one?

Critique · Sat 29 Jan, 2011 19.06

The nearest station to me has the normal layout, with Unleaded, Diesel and Premium Unleaded in all three lanes. However, one of the out-of-town Sainsbury's only sells Unleaded, no Diesel or Premium.