A What Car magazine survey has found that drivers are being ripped off at motorway service stations in a number of ways.
Fuel is more expensive at service stations by, on average, 5.2% for unleaded and 3.4% for diesel, meaning that drivers would pay £77 more each year if they filled up completely at these stations. A serious consideration if your job involves a lot of travelling and for haulage companies, for example.
Even food and drink does not escape. One WH Smith sold bottled water at a mark-up of 9% over its high street shops. M & S was found to have charged 16% extra for sandwiches and 15% on sausage rolls. Burger King puts a premium of 12% on its prices. A ‘whopping’ increase! Let’s hope the burgers taste 12% better as a result! Maybe that’s the answer. The survey did not tell us whether the food and drink tasted better.
Chief Editor of the magazine Steve Fowler said that these practises were unforgivable; given the already high fuel prices and that a 91% mark up on a simple bottle of water was ridiculous. He suggested that drivers simply avoid using service stations where possible, other than to take breaks, of course.
This could even have a negative impact on road safety, if the high prices charged put drivers off stopping altogether, according to the RAC’s Phil Gomm.
The answer then is probably to plan better for journeys. Buy petrol in advance, supermarkets are often cheaper and have regular offers. Stock up on provisions for the journey, particularly important for kids and on hot days plenty of water is a must. Just use service stations for taking a break and stretching your legs.
