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Discuss this article (30 Comments)Motorists 'disappointed' at pumping own petrol
by This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it on Sunday, 31 August 2008
MIXED RESPONSE: Some motorists are disappointed at having to pump their own gas. (Supplied)
The response of Dubai motorists towards pumping their own petrol has been “mixed”, a spokesperson for energy group ENOC admitted on Sunday.
Khalid Hadi, group brand and marketing manager for ENOC and EPCO, told Arabian Business some motorists have been disappointed, following the introduction of self-service petrol stations on August 12.
Compulsory self-service is underway at three sites in Dubai, and seven in the northern emirates, in an ENOC initiative aimed at keeping up with international trends.
Related: Dubai motorists to pump own petrol
“We will decide after the two month trail whether the campaign has been successful or not, but so far we have received a mixed reaction. There are people who are really happy with it, and other people, especially local ladies, who are really disappointed and say they will try other service stations,” Hadi said.
Hadi said some people enjoyed the novelty of filling their own vehicles.
“The interesting thing we have found through our feedback is that people from Europe, the US, and the Far East really understand the self-service concept. But unfortunately the people who are living in this region are not really used to it and we believe there is going to be some resistance. But I’m sure gradually people will see the benefit in the long-run.”
Hadi said at the end of the trial period, around October 12, a decision would be made on whether self-service will be rolled out to all ENOC service stations.
Employees were not facing the loss of their jobs, he added, with surplus staff being transferred to 10 new ENOC service stations which are set for construction. The staff would be employed within the various other vehicle services offered by ENOC.
READERS' COMMENTS
Disclaimer: The views expressed here by our readers are not necessarily shared by ArabianBusiness.com or its employees.
ENOC and Self Service
Posted by Salim ALSuwaidi, Sharjah, UAE on Tuesday 2 September 2008 at 21:08 UAE time
I never knew that Self Service petrol are cheaper than service petrol stations!
Thanks for the information, And for that im going to say::
ENOC Will gain alot of profit if you guys kept going there and pump ur car ur self and u r paying same money, If they didnt lower the price Don't waste your time and go there.
I wouldn't mind pumping my tank up if i'm paying less. BUT IF I'll pay the same amount, and other stations same amount with service and not qeueing in line to pay 1st i would go to the service stations and pay them better.
Now I Believe that these stations might face new problem since the Introduction of the Biofuel or Biodisel in the UAE, its Way more cheaper than normal fuel and its all bio and not chemicals, and Doesn't pollute or does pollution at all.
But I Don't know if Normal Petrol or Diesel Engines will accept that or they should change the engines? i should try going to wiki sites.
I would love to go Green such as changing from petrol to Gas but IM JUST GUESSING its not an easy job, and would cost lot of money, but safe usage of fuel which i mean you will drive more with less use.
I wonder if the Car Company will call out for their customer to change our engines to switch to Natural Gas or Bio fuel.
A dream will never happen unless authorities back them up and help us in this which is even kinda too much for them to do.
Dreams ..
Posted by Salim ALSuwaidi, Sharjah, UAE on Tuesday 2 September 2008 at 21:08 UAE time
I never knew that Self Service petrol are cheaper than service petrol stations!
Thanks for the information, And for that im going to say::
ENOC Will gain alot of profit if you guys kept going there and pump ur car ur self and u r paying same money, If they didnt lower the price Don't waste your time and go there.
I wouldn't mind pumping my tank up if i'm paying less. BUT IF I'll pay the same amount, and other stations same amount with service and not qeueing in line to pay 1st i would go to the service stations and pay them better.
Now I Believe that these stations might face new problem since the Introduction of the Biofuel or Biodisel in the UAE, its Way more cheaper than normal fuel and its all bio and not chemicals, and Doesn't pollute or does pollution at all.
But I Don't know if Normal Petrol or Diesel Engines will accept that or they should change the engines? i should try going to wiki sites.
I would love to go Green such as changing from petrol to Gas but IM JUST GUESSING its not an easy job, and would cost lot of money, but safe usage of fuel which i mean you will drive more with less use.
I wonder if the Car Company will call out for their customer to change our engines to switch to Natural Gas or Bio fuel.
A dream will never happen unless authorities back them up and help us in this which is even kinda too much for them to do.
Dreams ..
To Kenneth
Posted by Joey, Dubai, UAE on Tuesday 2 September 2008 at 17:18 UAE time
I do apologise if my "leftist" views interfered with your elitest set, Kenneth.
I would also like to address the subject of wages; someone commented on ENOC wanting to improve revenue by cutting back on staff at pumps. It could be suggested that this person is so far removed from the real world they fail to even vaguely estimate what sort of wage these people are on. I truly believe if ENOC cut back on 200 members of staff it would be for an extremely petty increase in profit.
And to Jan, the guy who talks about his poor, hard-done-by wife who gets petrol all over her hands when filling up the tank... This is more a sign of her incompetence, and nothing at all to do with the task at hand.
Furthermore, protests of "Dubai is much hotter than Europe" are truly ludicrous. If it is so unbearably hot, how do you go out and do your shopping? Oh, my mistake, the houseboy probably does it.
Posted by Joey, Dubai, UAE on Tuesday 2 September 2008 at 17:18 UAE time
I do apologise if my "leftist" views interfered with your elitest set, Kenneth.
I would also like to address the subject of wages; someone commented on ENOC wanting to improve revenue by cutting back on staff at pumps. It could be suggested that this person is so far removed from the real world they fail to even vaguely estimate what sort of wage these people are on. I truly believe if ENOC cut back on 200 members of staff it would be for an extremely petty increase in profit.
And to Jan, the guy who talks about his poor, hard-done-by wife who gets petrol all over her hands when filling up the tank... This is more a sign of her incompetence, and nothing at all to do with the task at hand.
Furthermore, protests of "Dubai is much hotter than Europe" are truly ludicrous. If it is so unbearably hot, how do you go out and do your shopping? Oh, my mistake, the houseboy probably does it.
Jumping Jack flash - better pump that gas
Posted by cool dude, San Francisco, The land of the free on Tuesday 2 September 2008 at 16:34 UAE time
Very amusing - "unfortunately the people who are living in this region are not really used to it and we believe there is going to be some resistance. But I’m sure gradually people will see the benefit in the long-run" - how can anyone see the benefit of pumping their own gas if the price is the same as that at full service gas stations!!! Duh ! Is ENOC / EPPCO stupid or what ? Clearly people living in Dubai are not.
Posted by cool dude, San Francisco, The land of the free on Tuesday 2 September 2008 at 16:34 UAE time
Very amusing - "unfortunately the people who are living in this region are not really used to it and we believe there is going to be some resistance. But I’m sure gradually people will see the benefit in the long-run" - how can anyone see the benefit of pumping their own gas if the price is the same as that at full service gas stations!!! Duh ! Is ENOC / EPPCO stupid or what ? Clearly people living in Dubai are not.
This would be a failure!!!
Posted by SR, Dubai on Tuesday 2 September 2008 at 12:54 UAE time
For once ENOC should cut the crap about international standards etc. and accept that this is only a cost cutting measure. Simply, because international standard is that self service pumps serve cheaper fuel!
Even if they adopt that (i.e. serve cheaper fuel at self-service pumps), it would still fail because I don't think they can make that much of a difference in terms of price per gallon to induce more people to serve on own! If you look at the scenario in the US, it is a huge country, most people travel a lot, so even a small price difference can make a reasonable difference in terms of monthly savings.
On the other hand, if ENOC is really serious about this, why not introduce to the plush Dubai stations as well, without limiting it to outskirts & industrial areas in Sharjah?
Since lots of people have commented about being lazy etc. I bet most motorist in UAE do not know how check the level of engine oil / change a flat tire. They will only know how to drive as fast the vehicle possibly can, but that is a different story altogether! Anyway I guess is the culture here!!
Getting back to the point, I guess ENOC should be aware of the local culture / customer preferences, before simply launching the initiative under the pretext of switching to "international standards"!!
Posted by SR, Dubai on Tuesday 2 September 2008 at 12:54 UAE time
For once ENOC should cut the crap about international standards etc. and accept that this is only a cost cutting measure. Simply, because international standard is that self service pumps serve cheaper fuel!
Even if they adopt that (i.e. serve cheaper fuel at self-service pumps), it would still fail because I don't think they can make that much of a difference in terms of price per gallon to induce more people to serve on own! If you look at the scenario in the US, it is a huge country, most people travel a lot, so even a small price difference can make a reasonable difference in terms of monthly savings.
On the other hand, if ENOC is really serious about this, why not introduce to the plush Dubai stations as well, without limiting it to outskirts & industrial areas in Sharjah?
Since lots of people have commented about being lazy etc. I bet most motorist in UAE do not know how check the level of engine oil / change a flat tire. They will only know how to drive as fast the vehicle possibly can, but that is a different story altogether! Anyway I guess is the culture here!!
Getting back to the point, I guess ENOC should be aware of the local culture / customer preferences, before simply launching the initiative under the pretext of switching to "international standards"!!
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