Petrol Prices are affecting my business

[PatriciaApple-Bay]

I feel quite frustrated and I dare to say that I feel a bit powerless to see what the solution it can be, because the Petrol Prices are affecting my business because, many times we have to collect computers for our business, and we struggle to pass that petrol price in our day to day business.

In many occasions we could opt to buy stuff from this or the other supplier, however, in this particular case, it's impossible, we need the petrol so, we must pay whatever price it's at the pump.

The government should scrap a planned increase in fuel duty to help "hard-working, vulnerable Britons", a Conservative MP has said. BBC Report from yesterday (15/11/2011)

Yes, stop increase, and by the way, please think about lowering a bit the tax on it as well so we can carry on.

[Bobb1979]

Completely feel your pain. Worst thing is whatever the increase, you just have to keep taking it.

Just a little thing but if you are covering alot of miles its worth registering ( if you havent already ) for a morrisons card or tesco to get points for filling up , the vouchers make christmas a bit nicer knowing you get a free shop

( not really an answer to the question though so sorry off point ! )

[Apprentice Guru]

Again, only a part-solution, but it might be worth looking at organisations that provide cost saving services for business as they will have a fuel service.

[Phoenix Driving]

Only a short term solution, but go on ebay and search for tesco petrol, you can buy 5p off per liter vouchers, they are valid untill the 18th Dec, loads of people are selling them, you can use 3 at a time, I run a driving school, and have brought loads, I will save around £6.00 per tank, and I have enough for 17 fill ups.

I would up your prices, customers should understand as they buy fuel too, good luck.

[Apprentice Guru]

Only a short term solution, but go on ebay and search for tesco petrol, you can buy 5p off per liter vouchers, they are valid untill the 18th Dec, loads of people are selling them, you can use 3 at a time, I run a driving school, and have brought loads, I will save around £6.00 per tank, and I have enough for 17 fill ups.

I would up your prices, customers should understand as they buy fuel too, good luck.

I did a search on Ebay, now much as I'm not impressed with some of the ruthless strategies Tesco use, as far as I'm aware they act within the law. What you're advocating here is theft from a company (albeit one that can probably stomach the hit) by its staff members. I'm not sure that's great advice to give on a business forum.

I certainly wouldn't approve of you advising customers of mine that my staff are prepared to rip me off...

[tony84]

I did a search on Ebay, now much as I'm not impressed with some of the ruthless strategies Tesco use, as far as I'm aware they act within the law. What you're advocating here is theft from a company (albeit one that can probably stomach the hit) by its staff members. I'm not sure that's great advice to give on a business forum.

I certainly wouldn't approve of you advising customers of mine that my staff are prepared to rip me off...
Are you serious?!

Im not 100% sure this is a crime, someone gets a voucher decides they dont want it so sell it? BUT presuming it is, its quite low on the list of crimes - probably someway behind murder. Maybe on the same level of putting 12p worth of sweets in a 10p mix?

[this and that]

I did a search on Ebay, now much as I'm not impressed with some of the ruthless strategies Tesco use, as far as I'm aware they act within the law. What you're advocating here is theft from a company (albeit one that can probably stomach the hit) by its staff members. I'm not sure that's great advice to give on a business forum.

I certainly wouldn't approve of you advising customers of mine that my staff are prepared to rip me off...

get a life ffs, crime :rolleyes:

[Phoenix Driving]

I too, am confused how is using an unwanted voucher a crime ?

On the voucher it does not say non transferable, even if it did what's the harm ?

[tony84]

I too, am confused how is using an unwanted voucher a crime ?

On the voucher it does not say non transferable, even if it did what's the harm ?

you better put a balaclava and gloves on. You dont want to get recognised.

[Vangelis_Stama]

This is a problem - passing on rising costs to a customer. Many large organisations do it through visibility. They usually put a fuel surcharge on their invoice to separate fast rising expenses which should be passed on to the client and their charges which can rise more steadily and sensibly. This makes it clearly visible to the client that you are not stinging them more to increase your profits but to cover your costs.

I don't really know your business model so I can't say whether this strategy will work with your clients but it is one method generally adopted in business.

[ekfarrow]

I feel your pain, I have 2 vans and we cover a lot of miles every week at a cost of around £200per van per week. Not a lot you can do :(

[tony84]

cant you get your vehicles changed to LPG?

[this and that]

I actually dont worry about fuel costs anymore because there is nothing I can do about it, its a bit like worrying about the weather

[Farleys Furniture]

Has anyone moved to biofuel or anything like that? Its been recommended to me but I'm not sure its worth it.

[internetspaceships]

Patricia if you need things like G5 Macs and Xserves do drop me a line as we decommission these.

Cheaper to pay £50 for a pallet delivery than drive :-)

[Talay]

I actually dont worry about fuel costs anymore because there is nothing I can do about it, its a bit like worrying about the weather

Unless you are a taxi or something would the increase in fuel at the pump costs really bite into profitability that much ?

For quite another reason, I am looking into running electric vans.

[Homshaw]

A lot of the price of fuel is down to taxes

If anything happens in Iran I hope they take steps to reduce fuel duty

I have heard people suggest that a 3 day disruption in the Gulf of Hormuz could lead to prices of $250 a barrel

[Method Man]

I've had to forget about using my car because of the cost of fuel.

I bomb about on a "maxi-scooter". I do about 100 miles a week commuting and it costs me £8-£9 depending on traffic.

£15 a year tax and £89 a year insurance.

Not much fun when it rains and wouldn't be much use to a removal company but otherwise it does me fine

[nachman99]

Get a credit card that converts to BAMiles for example and it'll soon add up. Get enough and "sell" them or enjoy a decent holiday for nowt

[Dr Dorian Hindmarsh]

I'm reading this and feel I should add something.
the cost of fuel in the UK is 75% tax (ish), but the cost of the oil has very little to do with production and the value of the pound or dollar. The cost of oil is based around the price of gold...yup! Gold. and that's rather expensive if you've been cashing in your family stash recently. The Government is in a pickle, since the cost of fuel goes up, we, the drivers, stop using it..they get less tax...
Do they A, reduce tax on fuel, we use more they get less or B, increase tax, they make a little more short term, we use it even less and get no where...
it's a tricky one...
Fact is, using a EV is a good idea for tax reasons, environment, and cudos, but factor in that the capital cost of the van includes 30% of the fuel in the huge onboard battery your buying. which will decrease in life as it gets older...

Best bet...Hydrogen, but then I would say that I'm making hydrogen fuel...:)