By V M Sathish

Are you willing to pay Dh50 as service charge to get someone else to fill your vehicle’s tank with fuel at any of the Enoc or Eppco fuel stations in Dubai?



Don’t be surprised if you are asked this question by fuel station staff undertaking a survey about extending the self-service system that was introduced almost a year ago.



Over 65 Enoc/Eppco fuel stations have introduced the self-service system from midnight to 6am, and the firm’s current survey is seeking customers’ feedback about the same and their willingness to pay extra for not using the self-service option.



A flat service charge of Dh50 for any amount of fuel filled by an attendant is among the many queries by Enoc/Eppco surveyors randomly polling customers at the fuel pumps.



The second option is a flat service charge of 60 fils per litre and the third is a zero service charge option. As per the second option, if a customer fills the vehicle tank with 100 litres of diesel or petrol, he or she will be charged Dh60 at the rate of 60 fils per litre.



A customer filling 50 litres of petrol will pay Dh30 as service fees, which amounts to more than 30 per cent of the cost of fuel. In the case of heavy vehicles, the service charge can go up depending on the quantity that goes into their tanks.



The customer survey is being carried out at Enoc/Eppco fuel stations, in an apparent move to introduce what is termed a heavy “full service option” for customers reluctant to use the self-service system and needing the help of a fuel station attendant.



Emirates 24|7 had reported earlier that fuel stations in the UAE are planning to expand the self-service system and give an ‘incentive’ to customers using self-service in the form of a subsidised or discounted rate. This survey could be a prelude to introducing a fee for customers not opting for self-service.



The response to the self-service system was mixed, with some customers reluctant to get out of their vehicles. In one case, a self-service customer caused a fire in the Al Nahda outlet of Eppco, which was luckily brought under control by the staff before it could spread to the fuel tank.



The majority of customers are not keen to pay for the service of an attendant. Some said they will begin using the self-service option if service by an attendant is charged.



“I am ready to fill petrol for other customers and make a quick buck if there is such an option,” quipped a customer participating in the survey.



Self-service was introduced in fuel stations in Europe, USA and Canada to reduce cost of manpower and to reduce chances of strikes by staff.



Earlier story: Fill your own petrol and get a discounted rate

https://www.emirates247.com/business/energy/fill-your-own-petrol-and-get-a-discounted-rate-2014-02-11-1.537953



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