Fuel price dilemma at Elgin BP explained

FUEL prices have come down with 69 cents and Kempton resident and regular customer at the BP petrol station at Elgin Mall was not too happy when he wanted to fill up his car on Wednesday morning and the station had not updated the new price.

“When fuel prices go up, we have long queues at petrol stations the day before the increase. When prices go down, people drive on fumes to make it to that day,” said Duane Mathers.

Mathers said he was approached by the petrol attendant who said management had not reduced the price of the fuel yet and asked if it would be alright with him to pay the old price.

“I told him I was not prepared to do this and that I would take my business elsewhere and I left. I think it is criminal that an owner of a petrol station can take advantage of the situation to put some extra money into their pocket. The same goes for the petrol station owners who fill their tanks the day before the price goes up and then put signs up that there is no fuel. But after midnight the signs disappear and business is up and running,” said Mathers.

In reply to the situation, Horacious Dolwana, manager at the station, explained there was some difficulty with their speed points which did not correspond with the reduced price on the pumps.

“We sometimes experience some technical difficulties that are out of our hands. The price was changed on the pumps at midnight and this morning we realised the speed points were not matching the price and was still showing the old price. These two must correspond to get the right amount.

“We are very happy to pay the difference to the customers that experienced this problem and we apologise for any inconvenience,” said Dolwana.