A new type of fuel theft has forced the owners of two local petrol stations into a new pre pay policy.
John and Maureen Gifkins own Mobil Tahuanui and Mobil Stoke and introduced the 24 hour pre pay policy about a month ago. They say it was in response to some customers who would put petrol in their cars and then come in to pay, knowing their eftpos cards would decline.
John says they do that because once they “attempt” to pay it’s no longer seen as a fuel theft but a civil matter, so police don’t get involved. That leaves him trying to get his money back and he says it’s been happening more and more recently so they’ve had to act.
“Pre pay happens up north in the big cities and I believe it’s happening down south as well in Christchurch and other places. We didn’t want to be the first ones in Nelson to do it but we need to make a living, that’s what it’s all about.”
Police confirmed stolen petrol is an issue but don’t have figures because a lot of stations deal with it themselves.
John says enough is enough.
“It leaves us out of pocket and we can’t keep going like that or we won’t be able to pay our bills or pay our staff. It’s like any business.”
The new policy means that customers drive up and pay for the petrol inside before pumping it into their cars. Once the petrol is in they simply drive off.
Maureen says the policy did have an impact on their staff when it was first introduced as some customers became abusive but it has been getting much better as people get used to the policy. “Initially we took a bit of verbal from people that were not happy about it or unsure about it. But it’s getting better and now people understand why.”
They say they expect other service stations in Nelson to follow suit but aren’t concerned if they do or not. “This isn’t about anyone else, this is what we need to do for our business. It hasn’t been easy but we’re sticking to our guns on this, we need to.”
John wouldn’t say how much money is owed to the company from theft, or those unable to pay, but says he is successful in chasing some of the money himself, but not enough to carry on as he was.
“People that owe us money will still come in to buy petrol and when we hit them up about it they say ‘na, it was my friend in my car’. What can we do?”
