I dont use petrol vouchers
Here's a good one - fuel vouchers. A bit obvious right? But I've seen people turn their noses up at them. Some think those petrol stations are watering down the fuel and will only go to a non-voucher station (BP). Others will happily go to participating stations but just don't want to be seen using a voucher!
I'm one of those people who dont use fuel vouchers. Not because I turn my nose up at them though.
Where I live there are 2 petrol stations, both independantly owned and both very close to the prices at the discount station most times within 2 cents. To get to a petrol station that takes vouchers I have to drive about 20 mins.Admitantly I could use them by going slightly out of my way to/from work but I dont for the following reasons.
1. If I and others who live where I do dont use the local independants, what will happen when they go out of business - I'll have to drive 20 mins to get to the discount petrol station. The local is on my way, walking distance and they know me and my family by name.
2. The locals give great competetive service with other parts of their business eg: tyres " Its time to get your tyres rotated, just drop in and we'll do it for you (free)". They have told me that they dont make any money on their petrol. They make money on the drinks, chips and extra services etc.
3. My car takes 52 litres as do most average cars. Now if I absolutely run it dry I can only get a maximum of 4 cents x 52 off my petrol = $2.08....................... When I did use these discount stations, sometimes I would have to wait for 15 minutes or more to get to a bowser. So to see if it is worth my time, I multiply $2.08 x 4 (four lots of 15 minutes) to see what it actually costs me in my time and that is $8.32. I earn far far more than that an hour. Actually, if my local independant is only 2 cents a litre dearer, my saving would now only be $1.04 and my hourly "rate" $4.16.
Not worth it really when you are time poor.
I just wonder what will happen to the "discounted" price when these stations put all the independants out of business. Its an old business practice................put prices at cost or below for as long as it takes to put your competitors out of business.... then... charge what you like for your product. Maybe I'm too cynical but petrol companies have been known to colude with each other on pricing before............
I live in the Newcastle area and we pay around 15 to 20 cents a litre more than Sydney. It would be far better if I could get a "pay Sydney fuel prices" voucher.