Caltex removes E10 Pumps and replaces them with premium pumps

pana on 22/04/2014 - 16:30
Last edited 25/04/2014 - 21:31

Hi everyone,

My local Caltex in eastern suburbs of Sydney has just finished renovations which was good at first because everyone in the area likes the 24hr trading.

What is not great at all is that they have removed 3 of the 4 cheap E10 pumps and replaced them with premium pumps.

We have gone from having 4 E10 pumps to only one and of course they have put the E10 pump in the most difficult place to pull in.

The reality of the particular station is that it is so busy that your lucky to just get a spot and can wait 15 mins in peak times so you just pull into any pump you can find only then realising that you only have been strong armed into buying the rip off fuel or do a lap of the block and line up for the cheaper E10.

This is shameful.

I want to do something about this but I don't know what to do?

Any advice??

Automotive

Related Stores

Caltex / Star Mart
Caltex / Star Mart

Comments

  • ngf on 22/04/2014 - 16:35
    +89

    Don't get fuel there anymore. Find somewhere else with e10 is your best option if it's that bad. A scam would be selling e10 as premium, this is just adjusting accessibility

  • cloudy on 22/04/2014 - 16:36
    +128

    How is this a scam?

    So they have changed their mix of fuel they sell, I don't see anything wrong with that. If i was a preimum unleaded customer i would be happy, and this is the case with everything a retailer sells. Those who buy something that is in stock more are better off, its no scam. It just sucks you have less pumps to use.

    Sorry, no sympathy from me.

    • ozhunter on 22/04/2014 - 16:43
      +88

      Agreed. I find the title of this post more annoying lol.

        • tonyjzx on 22/04/2014 - 17:16
          +18

          scam lol

          if they post the price (which is the law) and you STILL go in there, well then whos the fool?

        • spoonmugen on 24/04/2014 - 15:27
          +4

          maybe e10 wasnt selling as well?

          just because you use e10… majority would still use 91/95 fuels…

        • Jackson on 25/04/2014 - 20:21
          +2

          I disagree, on the small sample of my friends everyone uses e10 except the people who need to use premium because that's what their car takes. Mind you in the east there are a lot of Audi, Volkswagen etc that demand that fuel so it's not impossible that they sell a lot of the premium.

          Fair enough it's not a scam technically, but it still is BS that they only have 1 pump of e10. There should be some regulation around that, as going in to the servo when you can't see how many pumps there are is at least an an issue for each person once

        • Click_It on 27/04/2014 - 12:22
          +1

          One of the local servos I use has a digital display of the total litres sold on each pump. E10 is by far higher than the rest.

          That said I don't touch the crap, save 2-3c and get 50km less to a tank. It's a false economy on most cars. If by premium, the OP means 95 (and not 98?) then I'd be chuffed as that's what I like using on my cars. I don't need 98 but avoid 91 unless its the non-ethanol variety.

          I don't want to be judgemental but I suspect there is more disposable income in the eastern suburbs of Sydney, than where I live on the Central Coast, and better quality cars that require better fuel, so it's likely E10 wasn't as popular there as it is in my area for example.

      • striker5950 on 24/04/2014 - 22:08
        +3

        did you know e10 burns faster, so by buying premium your fuel lasts longer. my car only takes 98 so i have no choice. but if u did, e10 and unnleaded is pretty much the same in the sense of $ to kms

        • [Deactivated] on 28/04/2014 - 20:17

          I find in my corolla I get same or better economy with e10 it definitely burns quicker when you open the throttle
          but smooth acceleration it hangs around beautifully particularly in highway driving

          Even if same economy to price ratio I feel supporting 10% of my purchase to ethanol companies is dollar well spent

        • EVL on 25/06/2014 - 14:39

          Pretty sure it's one company producing the ethanol..

      • gccmelb on 25/04/2014 - 00:17
        +5

        Personally I found E10 to be less fuel efficient then regular unleaded. So perhaps Caltex is doing you are a favour!

      • No on 22/04/2014 - 17:41
        +20

        I have a car that takes 98 RON only and have zero choice at half the pumps. People on diesel or LPG probably have zero choice at 90% of pumps.. If you choose something other than unleaded and your going to have to expect a little less convenience.

      • ozhunter on 22/04/2014 - 19:04
        +19

        Are you saying that servos should have more E10 pumps so it is convenient for you? They could be losing potential unleaded customers by not having enough pumps.

        If you were a business and 90% of your customers bought product X while 10% buy product B, would stock the same of each product?

        • OzzyOzbourne on 22/04/2014 - 21:50
          +12

          They should have more lpg pumps for me!

        • edgar28 on 24/04/2014 - 11:20

          they should ban all RON91 product like many other country - greener globe

        • striker5950 on 24/04/2014 - 22:13
          +1

          no what they should do is start making 20 grand electric cars. its just a matter of time. in the mean time if you are rich TESLA MODEL S looks very interesting.

        • spoonmugen on 27/04/2014 - 00:49

          my point exactly … i'm sure they researched supply/demand and installed pumps to meet the consumer in the area

      • YTW on 24/04/2014 - 00:25
        +3

        I have a problem with that exactly. There's always a huge freaking line for the ONE premium pump at our local servo whilst all the other pumps sit empty. I hope that they upgrade my servo soon (it's well overdue) and change the pumps all over to having premium so that the demand will be catered to.

        They aren't idiots. They will have looked at the sales when doing the renovation and designed the pumps according to local sales.

        • Charlie-B on 25/04/2014 - 19:09
          +2

          What you need to do is open a thread and report your local servo as a scam for making you wait.

      • joannatan on 24/04/2014 - 02:47
        +3

        0 choice? if you have good plan, you can find other petrol station, use this website http://motormouth.com.au/pricesearch.aspx to find other petrol station near your place or on the road that offer cheap price.

        be smart, don't be smart a***

      • duxa on 28/04/2014 - 12:12

        there's an app called petrol spy, really good for petrol station locations and has some prices as well
        https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pineconeso…
        https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/petrol-spy/id826254811

    • zelda707 on 22/04/2014 - 17:23
      +11

      agreed, people seem to think that everything is a scam now

  • QW3RTY on 22/04/2014 - 16:39

    There's no control for how many pumps they have to have available. As cloudy said above, there are no controls for how much stock a retailer keeps on hand.

    It's just an inconvenience. The BP at the top of my girlfriend's road hasn't had fuel for the past month (Naremburn). It's annoying, but I can't exactly call the ACCC. Just choose a new petrol station and give them your business.

    • MATTDAMON on 23/04/2014 - 22:32
      +4

      Well strictly speaking this is not the case, i dont know if the OP's servo is a woolworths branded site, or independant, but Generally what pumps they run is dependant on the underground tank configuration and if the site has VRS or not.

  • Elppa8 on 22/04/2014 - 16:57
    +1

    Our local Caltex replaced some of the E10 91 with standard 91 for +2c difference (my preference). Strangely on a recent trip I came across premium E10 94 which I hadn't seen before.

    • MATTDAMON on 23/04/2014 - 22:33
      +3

      WEll they cant advertise it at 94 octane, but all E10 is regular 91 with 10% ethanol injected in during the loading process, so E10 will always be higher then 91 octane.

      • tohara on 24/04/2014 - 14:08

        my local freedom fuels only sells Ethanol mix fuels including 91/94/98

      • This Guy on 24/04/2014 - 21:14

        Only if they add the ethanol after they have mixed for 91.

        • MATTDAMON on 25/04/2014 - 22:42
          +1

          E10 is regular 91 with 10% ethanol injected during the loading process, it is kept seperate until the final loading stage because it reduces the amount of storage needed at terminals and helps prevent product becoming out of spec/phase.

          So generally 10% ethanol added to 91 gives it an octane rating of around 93-95 give or take.

        • This Guy on 26/04/2014 - 02:14

          Cool.
          Do you know when Manildra add ethanol for their 10% ethanol 91, 95 and 98 lines and what their actual RON's are?

        • MATTDAMON on 26/04/2014 - 11:13
          +1

          Well the ULP91 base needs to be minimum 91 octane, the ethanol is then added ontop. But there is no way to tell, but its a very safe bet to say its around the 94ish octane.

        • This Guy on 26/04/2014 - 12:31

          Even their 10% ethanol 98?

        • MATTDAMON on 26/04/2014 - 14:47
          +1

          It should be regular 98 with 10% ethanol added, im not 100% on that specific product because its loaded out of vopak which i dont go into.

        • This Guy on 27/04/2014 - 20:50

          Thanks.

  • theone4Abargain83 on 22/04/2014 - 17:01
    +4

    Have you considered (not making a judgement about you or about the people in your area,) how busineses look at sales. If something is not selling but something else is, it makes sense to only offer more of the product that sells.

    They may also be taking a biased view looking around at the type of demographics; people and cars (luxury vs standard passenger vehicles) that they drive.

  • millhouse on 22/04/2014 - 17:18
    +17

    "Caltex business choice noticed… this will make your blood standardise in temperature" is more appropriate.

    It's like calling a supermarket a scam for not stocking an item that only you ever purchased. As other posters stated, they may be looking at what sells, or the demographics, etc. Further, labelling it a scam is just flat out libellous.

  • Peace Maker on 22/04/2014 - 17:29
    +34

    Sensationalist use of the word 'scam' by the OP is making my blood boil, and I have no love for any of the fuel retailers.

  • Ughhh on 22/04/2014 - 17:40
    +52

    This post by the OP is a scam!!! 5 seconds of my life ripped off. Gonna report to ACCCC

    • sparkles on 22/04/2014 - 19:29
      +11

      Yup, title of thread is the only scam. It's like complaining that Woolies have put your favourite (watered down!) orange juice on the top shelf and now it's harder to reach. Boo hoo.

      I want to do something about this but I don't know what to do?

      Buy unleaded instead, like everybody else.

    • spychiatrist on 22/04/2014 - 21:36
      +3

      ACCCC = Mods

  • TheAviator on 22/04/2014 - 18:33
    +4

    I'm guessing it's supply and demand, people in your area must be more interested in the premium fuel than E10.

    • [Deactivated] on 23/04/2014 - 10:03
      +2

      People country-wide, more like it, despite their greedy price-gouging, trying to force us to use that e10 garbage!

  • Mainsail on 22/04/2014 - 20:48
    +3

    "I want to do something about this but I don't know what to do?"

    Use another petrol station.
    If it really bugs you write an email to Caltex, but they wont change anything after a renovation.

    Not a scam though.

  • browser on 22/04/2014 - 22:55
    +2

    If you think about it, higher price items don't always translate to higher profit.

    A business rather sell things that are in demand and can turn over quickly, than trying to sell things no body wants.

    The fact the 4 E10 pumps reduced to 1 probably means E10 wasn't as popular. You may well be a dead hard fan of E10, but many more people aren't.

    Wait or go somewhere else, the choice is yours, simple!

  • Soundwave on 23/04/2014 - 08:08
    +7

    Wow, what a pointless post.

    You're complaining about one E10 pump? What about all the deisel or LPG users. At most petrol stations there are only 1 or two pumps for those fuel types. And for deisel users it can be real annoying especially when behind a Prado or truck that has a tank 150 litres plus.

    I deliver cars and when it's deisel, I tell them it's best to use one station constantly as you will automatically know which pump to go to. Because you might be behind a line and then get up closer to find there isn't a deisel pump.

    Also, you should use premium. It may cost more up front but it's better for the engine, gives you a better drive and lasts longer so in the long run could actually work out the same price because you're not fueling up as much.

    • Rel63 on 23/04/2014 - 23:57
      +2

      Yes i agree. I could never understand why so many ppl paid extra for the 98/ultimate petrol. UNTIL i bit the bullet and tried it. I though i would give it a go and have found my car is running so much better. I have improved from around 12 litres to under 10 litres per 100km, saved about 10 litres per tank (i get an extra 100kms each tank)which is worth more than the extra cost. This has stayed consistent for a few years now.
      I worked at a BP for 6yrs and the first 3 we sold E10 fuel (stopped when supplies were not available during the 2010 floods-and never restocked it again). I was surprised by how many ppl (men) used E10 in their boat engines and mowers. We were trained to advise customers DO NOT USE E10 FUEL IN BOATS OR MOWERS, it can be dangerous in boat engines as it might leave you stranded and it most likely will screw up your mower motor. Most customers we told this too just said "Oh OK, but still continued to do this.

      Plus another side effect of the Ethanol drive was to overprice the crops required to make it. It then became too expensive as a food source.

  • Karsta on 23/04/2014 - 08:09
    +3

    Pana are you serious? Scam what scam you really need to wake the hell up. Ohh no only one pump your lucky you Don't live in a small town!

  • Grent on 23/04/2014 - 08:16
    +9

    Any Ozbargainer should know that E10 is not better value anyway.

  • iconia on 23/04/2014 - 08:22
    +4

    Op works for ACA or Today Tonight?

  • srhardy on 23/04/2014 - 08:39
    +4

    the scam is selling E10 91 with standard 91 for +2c more than stand unleaded RON91 (which is often testing as 94-96 RON). Its the WORSE 2c saving you can make into a modern car if longevity, performance and reliability is important. The saving should be 2c per E, so 2*10(e)=20c a litter and even then i would have to think about it… Your a fool if you think 2c is worth the wait let alone the savings IMO

    You LOOSE 10% with E10 fuel in distance, so say 550k on RON91 becomes sub 500k on e10… so the maths is 50k at say 12c per km (on a modern 4c, the maths is worse in a 6 or 8) 12x50= is $6 … now say 60L of RON91@$1.50 is $90 for a tank, save 2c for E91 is $1.20 so your $4.80 worse off and this is conservative but the minim your worse off and like i said RON91 is a minim RON rating as many times its near RON95 in testing for quality, its often the sticker on the bowser your paying extra for as RON95 is guaranteed minim RON95 and is often a little higher.

    RON98 is a waste of money at the HUGE price premium of often in excess 10c or more per litter no matter the small increase in distance… RON98 is RON91 with a booster added (it all comes from the same tank on delivery, its all additives and RON98 has more booster and cleaners - thats it… Buy your own and mix a lot cheaper and I'm told a cup of diesel added does the same thing for 2c < this is all most cleaners in bottles are FYI ****

    *** you can't boost diesel with petrol, ever - be warned that would be a dumb thing to do!!! ***

    • [Deactivated] on 23/04/2014 - 10:09
      +1

      I've never seen these RON ratings on pumps. Which one are you saying is the best economy-wise to be using, so I can find out what it's name is at the different garage brands? RON91!?

      • Speckled Jim on 23/04/2014 - 10:46
        +1

        A little hard to follow (had to read some of it twice). He's saying RON91 is best value, as it's often underrated. Which is news to me.

        The 2c price difference (E91 vs. R91) is less than 2% saving at the pump, but ~10% worse off in terms of fuel economy.

        I've never used E91 and it's not because I dislike farmers. More a concern for engine longevity.

    • bs0 on 24/04/2014 - 07:32
      +3

      Your maths… Are you saying that you lose 10% in distance because 10% of the fuel is e10?
      I would argue that is wrong as the ethanol does burn and provide energy to the motor. Saying the difference is 10% is very specific…

      Interestingly ethanol RON is > 100.

      Edit: nrma suggest 1-3.5% increased fuel consumption. http://m.mynrma.com.au/services/motorserve-fuel.htm

    • nicksinternet on 24/04/2014 - 11:43
      +4

      You are wrong. It is not 10%, it is 1-3.5%. You are sensationalising as much as the OP is

      http://m.mynrma.com.au/services/motorserve-fuel.htm

      And everyone stop bashing the OP. He had a fair reason, albeit somewhat inaccurate, to think he was being price gouged. We all know fuel companies do indeed scam, that is what a cartel is all about. He was more concerned about being forced to buy a perceived more expensive product rather than his own convenience and product preference.

      • retiredfeline on 24/04/2014 - 11:47

        I think if the OP had thought for a bit longer before posting he might have realised he has no right to tell a retailer what mix of products to offer. What next, posting a sensational whinge about a local shop not stocking a preferred brand of potato crisps?

    • This Guy on 24/04/2014 - 21:58

      Octane tells you how hard a fuel is to burn. The higher the octane, the harder to ignite. You need this in high performace cars as they run at higher pressures. This means higher octane = lower energy density.

      98 is for turbocharged engines. It is a waste of money for almost anything less.

      E10 has around 31.2 MJ/l (MegaJoules of energy per litre).

      91 has around 34.8 MJ/l.

      So yes, 91 has around 10% more energy per litre than E10.

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gasoline#Comparison_with_other_… (figures are not perfect, used as a guide)

      Diesel has an octane of around 15-25. It is oil, not an octane booster.

  • samfisher5986 on 23/04/2014 - 11:11
    +1

    Seems like a great decision, E10 isn't worth it.

  • [Deactivated] on 23/04/2014 - 17:16
    +4

    This is a nothing topic.

  • Kevan2 on 23/04/2014 - 20:42

    Most of shell in my town took out 'green fuel'. The trap is unleaded is 91 where as the green fuel is 94 and the unleaded 94/95 is a higher price. By choice I purchase and pay for 98 for better(¿} performance. At least it seems so to me.

    • edgar28 on 24/04/2014 - 11:21
      -2

      many countries already ban RON91 replace with 94/95 as minimum for greener world.

  • pmupsinep on 23/04/2014 - 22:42
    +3

    E10 is the scam.

    • MATTDAMON on 23/04/2014 - 22:51
      +1

      Not really. It actually costs more to manufacture then regular 91, because UN1170 Ethanol is quite difficult to transport and store and is quite susceptible to contamination. Keep in mind this is pure ethanol, and can definitely tell you for 100% right that if product is out of spec its never loaded onto road tankers, let alone delivered or sold to customers.

      • Matt P on 03/05/2014 - 13:12

        plus Australia can't produce enough ethanol to make the amount of E10 it requires, so sometimes and in some chains, the E10 isn't e10, its regular ULP ;) (source: shell account manager)

        • MATTDAMON on 03/05/2014 - 15:57

          Not true. Unless the drop hole or spillbox is marked as ULP91 rather then E-10 then it doesnt happen.

          I know with shell specifically you cant load ULP91 on a E-10 site at all, the system wont allow you to, and noone can override this unless its signed off by melbourne.

          Not to mention the bay controllers will stop flowing and trigger an offspec alarm if the ethanol % drops below 8.95%.

          Source: I load the stuff, daily.

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 23/04/2014 - 23:40
    +3

    My servo doesn't have E85 ethanol pumps for my performance car. SCAMMERS!!! j/k

  • [Deactivated] on 24/04/2014 - 05:29
    +1

    Less.of the crap fuel and more of the good. Problem?

  • porsche26c on 24/04/2014 - 06:09

    i think they have redeveloped based on demand. if in the eastern suburbs based on income, people will have luxury cars (again just an assumption) then most people will be placing premium fuel which should be placed based on the engine - min 95.

  • [Deactivated] on 24/04/2014 - 07:08

    OMG! WTF! WOW

  • grasstown on 24/04/2014 - 07:45
    +1

    Name and shame!

  • [Deactivated] on 24/04/2014 - 08:31
    +2

    Does OP work for NewsCorp?

  • tonyjzx on 24/04/2014 - 08:59
    +4

    i can categorically state that my blood did not in actual fact, boil

    i checked with my $10 tmart laser thermometer gun and my $5 dealxtreme swiss army knife

  • chukkii on 24/04/2014 - 09:35
    +11

    This feels like a shitty Today Tonight story

  • dannyboi on 24/04/2014 - 09:40
    +5

    This thread is a scam. My blood isn't boiling. I demand my money back.

    • zelda707 on 24/04/2014 - 11:13
      +1

      Probably should report to ACCC

  • Bullzye on 24/04/2014 - 09:47
    +7

    What is up with these scam posts recently….it's OZbargain not OZscam…if something is not up to your liking doesn't mean it's a scam. First the hotel guy and now this…

  • lolmao on 24/04/2014 - 10:10
    +3

    not sure if trolling or stupid

  • djones145 on 24/04/2014 - 10:23
    -1

    massive scam! i would take this to today tonight or ACA, they would love this!

  • Randxyz123 on 24/04/2014 - 11:31
    +2

    Not really a scam since a lot of cars use the premium pumps now days… They have done this for a reason, they must've noticed a increase in demand for the premium pumps therefore delivered what customers want. In fact the premium fuel will make your engine run a lot smoother…

    • nicksinternet on 24/04/2014 - 11:47
      -1

      All of the repliers to the OPs thread are the scammers. He had a legitimate concern even if not quite accurate.

      Whats more bothering is how inaccurate many of the repliers who want to jumpon the troll wagon to bash the OP.

      "They have done this for a reason, they must've noticed a increase in demand for the premium pumps therefore delivered what customers want. In fact the premium fuel will make your engine run a lot smoother…"

      ^Comments like this are just stupid. http://m.mynrma.com.au/services/motorserve-fuel.htm

    • pegasusx on 24/04/2014 - 12:29
      +1

      Well its false in terms of the performance part. As engine timing has much to do with performance. If your engine is tuned (timed)for E/91RON fuel, putting RON95/98 wont do much for it. On the flip side if your engine is tuned for RON98, putting in E/91RON fuel will cause it to run rougher as once in a while it will stutter or pre-detonation (pinging. Happened to my Japanese E46 import which I later found out ran on RON100…

      • MATTDAMON on 24/04/2014 - 12:33

        Keep in mind many european vehicles its not so much the RON rating, its about using low sulfur fuels, 95 and 98 are guaranteed 50ppm fuels, 91 isnt (well mandated by law anyways)

        • IamEzza on 24/04/2014 - 13:36

          Interesting. So this would mean that 91 and 95/98 would be separately sourced fuels since removing sulphur is more expensive.

        • MATTDAMON on 24/04/2014 - 13:51
          +1

          Well its all from the same crude stock, just refined to different levels also stored and transported seperately. Given the bulk of our petroleum comes from O/S now (singapore/india/Korea) what base stock is being used is anyones guess.

          91/95/98 also have different densities once additives are inserted into the product.

  • pitiek on 24/04/2014 - 12:28
    +2

    Typical bait and switch that Courier Mail do in daily basis.

    Change the "Caltex scam exposed" with "Cyclist riding on the road" and wait for some neg comments..

    • Speckled Jim on 25/04/2014 - 18:02
      +1

      Fellow member,

      MY car is now 20 years old and was purchased for $400. I refuse to put ethanol blended ULP into it for the sake of engine longevity. It's done 204,000km and runs okay for an underpowered 1.5 carby Lancer.
      I'd like to keep it that way, as it's not worth rebuilding this engine or getting a reconditioned one.

      Rich man's club. Gimme a break.

    • ronnknee on 26/04/2014 - 07:42

      Mate, you do realise that E10 and 98 aren't the only options for fuel? There are also the standard 91 and 95. From what both you and OP are saying, it sounds that you two have not been to other petrol stations or done enough research yourselves.

  • Jesmond on 24/04/2014 - 14:32

    Next from maniac OP: How to blow up your local Caltex.

  • drdolphin on 24/04/2014 - 14:42
    +3

    My blood isn't boiling after reading this. Am I doing it wrong?

    • xuqi on 25/04/2014 - 13:10

      Congratulations on being sensible.

  • nuno on 24/04/2014 - 15:29

    I'm surprised there are lawn mowers out there that still use E10.

  • [Deactivated] on 24/04/2014 - 16:48
    +1

    I would imagine a proportion of people have steered away from E10 perhaps. It is not suitable for all vehicles, diesel vehicles are becoming more popular, some people don't like the fact that food crops are being turned into fuel. Either way I think they are probably adjusting towards what their more popular product is maybe.

    I tend to get Premium a bit, especially when travelling. The higher octane means more KMs with less fuel/a little more oomph when towing.

  • zootv on 24/04/2014 - 17:09

    Sounds like residents of the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, who also drive cars that take E10, are going to be doing it tough…

    • Abaddon on 25/04/2014 - 22:28

      Unlikely. You'll find United stations scattered around, with ample e10 (and some E85 usually). Will have to deal with the 15 taxi's queued up at every one though.

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