Heard about the fuel station scam?

[Two on Tour]

So, is it not actually possible to buy fuel and pay by cash anywhere in France?

Don't know, never tried as we have always paid for fuel by card.

 

[Spriddler]

Our daughter works in a fuel station at the moment near St Alban's and they have lots of drive offs. Police are not really interested so it becomes a civil recovery claim which is hard work. They also have a blacklist of vehicles that have driven off previously which is checked before the pump is authorised. The French or US system would largely solve the problem.

Whilst paying for fuel at my village garage the cashier turned off a pump where a lad had started filling. He said the police aren't interested, and anyway the 'runners' fit temporary false (stolen) number plates. Fortunately he recognised the lad from a CCTV image on the village 'Trader Watch' website.

 

[Bailey58]

Has the OP actually been to France and met the “brexit hating French”
Having just travelled almost 1800 miles in France and met with French people in all walks of life, from campsites to village markets, from supermarkets to village fates we have yet to encounter any “hateful” people at all.
What we have found is a warm welcome from wonderful people that we have missed due to Covid19
Cheaper diesel, cheaper meals out and an environment void of all rubbish across the whole of the country

I think the clue was in the statement, it wasn't British hating French.

 

[Odd-no-more]

Cash - ever heard of it?

So last century

 

[bobnick]

When i want to use cash i always ask if they will take real money

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[gus-lopez]

I understand that some UK fuel stations are now operating the same.

Filled asda Taunton yesterday took £1 card test.
Filled asda South Woodham today blocked ,£99?

Thought a few supermarkets in this country do it for £100. Some it’s just £1.

So why do the same company operate different ways of paying ,as above?

Tesco fuel stations do it
Asda auto pumps take £1 to check the validity of the card

As above pound yesterday at one, ninety nine today at another

The unattended pumps here used to take £1 to verify the card but now all have to follow the card scheme rules.

?Really,? As above.

So, is it not actually possible to buy fuel and pay by cash anywhere in France?

Yes,I only ever pay with card or cash at attended stations during the day.

 

[Bubba]

Not quite as bad but similar has been common practice in "drive off" areas across the pond for 30 years or more. You go in, pay what you think you will need. The pump will only dispense that amount. If you can't get it all in, they refund the amount not taken.

Our daughter works in a fuel station at the moment near St Alban's and they have lots of drive offs. Police are not really interested so it becomes a civil recovery claim which is hard work. They also have a blacklist of vehicles that have driven off previously which is checked before the pump is authorised. The French or US system would largely solve the problem.

So would "Attended" service stations. Where a employed staff member puts the fuel in the vehicle.

 

[Chris CM]

I’ve never experienced this in Spain or France, but then I never use “pay at pump”, does this practice only apply to “pay at pump”?

 

[Just smiffy]

I’ve never experienced this in Spain or France, but then I never use “pay at pump”, does this practice only apply to “pay at pump”?

Yes…

 

[Mikethebike2016]

Cash - ever heard of it?

Unusual to find a filling station in France nowadays that will take cash, definitely not any supermarket.

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[Riverbankannie]

So would "Attended" service stations. Where a employed staff member puts the fuel in the vehicle.

Not necessarily, just could be someone in the office to take card or cash payment, however if you want fuel at lunchtime or Sundays or anytime out of hours,the unattended pump could be your saviour.

 

[Boldly]

Most stations in France or Spain have a machine to pay cash. Some just authorize the pump to dispense paid for amount. Some give receipt with barcode to be read by pump

 

[Rumour and Innuendo]

We spent three weeks in France and only paid for fuel at a kiosk once. We had a notification from Starling that they had taken 120€. Once we had finished and the transaction was complete, we had a message that the amount had been amended. Not once did we have to wait days for it. I think we did nearly 1200 miles with around 9 fill ups, including one in the UK