This story was sent as an email to my colleague and we all had a number of stories to share on the below mentioned content. This may be useful for you as well… Be aware…
I would like to bring to your kind attention the “Great Indian Petrol Pump Fraud” happening all over Bangalore (and I believe all over India).
Today in the morning, I saw the fuel gauge of my car touching the “Empty” sign, so I thought that while on my way to office, I will fill petrol worth 1000 Rs in my car. When I reached the petrol pump at 9:30 Am today(24th April 2008)(BP petrol pump near Richmond road) I showed the crisp 1000 Rs note to the attendant at the petrol pump and told him to fill 1000 Rs. I repeated 1000 to him 2-3 times so that he registers 1000 Rs in his head fill the petrol for 1000 Rs. I repeatedly told him because of the past experience whenever I had asked him to fill petrol worth 1000 bucks at different gas stations(i.e. for eg. at Advaitha Gas station, near udapi garden BTM to name one of them),the attendant always filled 200 rs of petrol and said “Sir your 200 rs of petrol is filled” . I used to say I asked you fill 1000 Rs of petrol not 200 worth. He would look at me like an innocent kid and would start filling the remaining 800 Rs of petrol.
But this procedure of 200+800 didn’t stop at one petrol pump but gas attendants at all the petrol pumps followed this weird ritual. I could sense something fishy but not before losing money to this procedure 3-4 times. So coming back to Today’s incident I asked the “Honest” petrol pump attendant to fill the petrol,While filling the petrol my attention was diverted towards the pollution check centre at the same petrol pump but when I looked back at the meter indicator, I was shocked to see the familiar “200” mark at the petrol pump meter. I told him again why didn’t you fill for 1000 Rs. He said that he heard 200 Rs. So I told him to fill 800 Rs of petrol also. After he had filled the petrol, I got in the car and started towards my office. While on my way to office, I observed the fuel gauge in my car. It had moved from
“Empty” first to half and then little further. But from my past experience that when I used to get 1000 rs of fuel filled in the empty fuel tank, It used to come to certain level but today it hadn’t come till there. So I thought SHOOT….I got duped again.After reaching office I checked the Internet for same Frauds which had happened before my case. I was shocked to find that many other people also faced the same problem of 200+800 and some bikes of 40+60 bucks (these petrol pump attendants don’t leave anybody).I spoke to my boss and a colleague of mine at office they told me of the same incident. I was like … this problem is not only with me but with people all over Bangalore. Basically people all over Bangalore (maybe all over India) are getting cheated in this ingenious fraud which is promoted by our friendly neighbour hood petrol pump owners and their honchos gas attendants.
The ingenious technique these people follow is discussed below in italics
When asked for diesel worth Rs. 500. The attendant filled up only Rs. 100. noticing that I told him to fill for Rs. 500 but by that time he is done with 100 so the attender said he will fill up for remaining Rs.400…that is when he did a trick of as though he is resetting by playing games of hurry burry and continuing to fill and when he is done for Rs. 400 he asked for 500 (100+400) but in reality he only filed for 100+300 as he is not really reset the machine to zero even though it appears as he reset it.
So after reading the messages on the website I went back to the petrol pump ,parked my car in middle of the petrol pump called the attendant and told him that you have cheated me of 200 rs of petrol instead of filling petrol worth of 1000 Rs you have filled the petrol worth only 800 rs ,I told him I am going to sue your petrol pump and I want to write a complaint against the same .He got frightened said “Sorry Sir By mistake i have not reset 200 rs”. He didn’t ask me any more questions and directly filled 200 Rs of petrol.
I wonder that BP, IOC, HP talk about going in losses and hence they ask govt. to increase the price of diesel and petrol but in reality petrol pump owners are helping us save lots of oil by asking us to pay 1000 rs but giving us petrol worth 800. What a brilliant way to conserve oil and make profit for petrol pump owners. I guess people should know about the ingenious way in which petrol pumps owners helps us. (Pardon me for the sarcasm) 🙂
I don’t know the name of the person who actually wrote the initial mail, it is very descriptive on a number of ways that people may get deceived. Even I have noticed many such incidents a number of times across various petrol pumps. Be careful my friends, I know you too would have a similar experience in your neighborhood petroleum pumps. If you noticed anything different from the above mentioned, feel free to share it. This helps others to know what to do when they go for fueling next time!
suri says
Me also faced same issue for my Bike. thats why my suggestion is to go for SHELL petrol bunk. its very good and no more cheating like this.
harsha says
I had a similar experience of a Petrol Bunk in Banasawadi trying to cheat me.I asked for Rs.2000, he filled for Rs200 and then told me that Power went off and resumed again and started filling.In the end I got bill of Rs.2200.
Rhoads says
Dude, a really nice and descriptive write-up. Add Chennai to it. I believe this happens across all cities in India.
Sanjay says
There is no longer any need to feel helpless if you feel that you are being cheated each time you visit a petrol station to fill your vehicle’s fuel tank. There are now steps you can take to be quite sure that the fuel you get at a petrol bunk meets all the standards set for such fuel. All you need to do is insist on certain checks.
And the Centre backs your need to check on the purity of petrol. To check the menace of fuel adulteration, the ministry of petroleum and natural gas has asked all petrol bunks in the city to allay the fears of patrons by allowing them to check the standard of the fuel. A campaign has begun for the purpose, called ‘Check and Fill.’
Consumers can ask for a spot check of the quality of fuel at any of the petrol bunks in the city if they suspect any adulteration.
Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has already kickstarted the campaign atnearly 90% of its retail outlets, and others are yet to follow suit.
An IOC official told DNA, “We want our consumers to test and then believe that we provide good quality fuel. Many a time, we have found consumers feeling suspicious about the quality. There are occasions when customers feel that they have got less fuel than they have paid for. We have been insisting, through the ‘Check and Fill’ campaign, that they check the quality and quantity on the spot if they have any doubts.”
Petrol bunks are being equipped with fuel quality testing instruments like the hydrometer and thermometer that are certified by the weights and measures department. Customers can take the help of workers at the fuel station to test the fuel. If any bunk official disagrees to a fuel test, customers can immediately contact the helpline. Action will be initiated against erring petrol bunks, assure IOC personnel. Complaints can be filed either with the bunk owner or with oil manufacturing companies (OMCs) on their respective toll-free numbers. IOC can be reached at 1800-2333555 or 1552333.
NG says
I have just got a new bike and have gone for filling petrol 3 times at 3 different locations in Bangalore. And every time they had set the meter reading less than what i have asked for but fortunately i was not cheated…
First day I asked him to fill for 300 Rs. Suddenly another employee comes and start asking for bill and stuff. Then the person filling the petrol stopped at 100 Rs. Then I told him that I had asked for 300 Rs. So then he filled 300 and i paid and left.
Second day I asked to fill 200 Rs. But he filled only for 150. I thought this much petrol should be enough for me so i didnt say anything and left.
Third day I asked for 300 Rs. petrol. Again i found that the person has set the metre reading to 100 only. I immediately asked him to put it at 300.
So i was fortunate enough to not be cheated 3rd time in a row.
All three experiences made me think why these people don’t want to sell their petrol and always keep the meter to less than what you ask for…
Then I researched on the internet about this… seeing the comments and listening to others’ experience on this, i now realize they were actually trying to cheat me with the same technique as mentioned in most of these comments.
A few employees in my office were also talking about this today and they told that this technique used by those cheaters is known as 40-60 trick 😀
Thanks all for sharing your experiences.
Amit Jain says
This happens at most of petrol pumps, either these guys will fill petrol for 200 as if they heard only 200 and then story continues or they will stop filling petrol with statement that power has gone and in next few seconds they will start filling up again and will add this 200 amount to total bill, though meter will start from 200 onwards..
seems this is standard practice in most of petrol pumps, authorities should have strict checks for such issue.
P.S. no one issue computer generate receipts which are now installed in most of pumps as that shows exact amount for which petrol has been filled.
dhilip says
This happens in most of the petrol pumps. for eg. hp near tin factory and all the petrol pumps in bommanahalli.
YOU WILL TELL THE GUY RS.100 PETROL FOR THE BIKE. The other guy who collects the money would have seen that but still he ll come and ask how much by then the petrol pump would have touched 80 and above.
Pure cheaters. I have caught them several times and even one of my friend fought with them as he fill full tank and it showed more amount as it was empty tank. 🙂
hope all should do that…
Always fill in Shell. i trust them.
Prachi Chandrakar says
Dear All,
I am an officer working with HPCL. Very surprised to hear such feedbacks from our valued customers. To resolve this issue effectively, can u all pls try to mention the exact name n location of the retail outlet at which u thought u were cheated.
Pl keep giving such honest n frank feedbacks. U deserve right quantity n quality of pure fuel with ur hard earned money. Help us serve u better.
Regards
Prachi
Surya says
I’m very surprised that you gentlemen ACTUALLY look into such FEEDBACK. Because, there are lakhs of poor chaps who are being cheated every single day in this country due to fraud filling techniques and also due to adulteration of fuel. I know a friend who lost Rs.2 Lakhs because his brand new Ford Figo’s engine died after just 1500kms.. And he was denied warranty.. Because of FUEL ADULTERATION.. And, he couldn’t sue the Oil company because they had given him DUPLICATE receipts during his two tank ups.. Thats why now me and my colleagues all use Shell.. They’ve a great service attitude, give proper electronic bills from the pump and MOST IMPORTANTLY, our vehicles are running without any issues now.. So, Mr. Chandrakar, please try to ensure you guys give us the service for the SKY HIGH petrol prices.. And, another small doubt.. Currently, the CRUDE OIL price is below $90 per barrel, but you gentlemen don’t seem to have reduced your fuel prices.. What’s with that..??
Frustrated customer says
I guess the most corrupt oil company of all is HPCL. They have been cheating customers all along. In fact, I have three HP bunks near my house and all are big cheaters and sell highly adulterated petrol. I go 3 kms extra distance to tank up but never visit any HP bunk.
Govt. should shut this PSU down. They are pirates in blue uniforms.
vikky says
ya.. its a real and very big steal………. so wana be care full……….
Ramesh Kumar says
What you said is not happening in Bangalore alone its also happening in Chennai. I also promptly went to the companies website and wrote my experience. Recently i heard one of the fuel company is trying to automate the process of filling after getting numerous complaints from customers(read this in Hindu paper recently). Now a days i simply stop them at the minimum level they filled. by this way they have no other choice but to fill it if they haven’t.
jOSEP says
It happened to me on 8th May 2011, SUNDAY from one petrol bunk near Sony World Signal in Koramangala(After Sony world signal Immediate left while going to IndiraNagar side). I asked attender to put the petrol for Rs. 500 in my Santro car. But when the reading reaches for Rs.120, the guage stopped. They told me a power cut happened. In another 1 minute the guy came who pretended to reset the reading to make it for the remaining Rs.380.And they offered me a hand written bill instead of the computerized one to hide what exactly happened, I assume. Initially I smelt something abnormal from the petrometer needle position.Later I got to know that I was really cheated because I got only 50 Kms with the petrol they put for which I paid Rs.500. I know, at any cost my car is having more than 15 Km mileage in any road condition. Please beware of these pump guys at the PETROL BUNK on the IMMEDIATE LEFT HANDSIDE OF KORAMANGALA SONY WORLD SIGNAL ON GOING TO DOMLUR .
Dhivya says
It happened to me yesterday-31/5 in the bunk near saidapet signal:(
i asked to fill for 200rs,he filled only for 50rs. i then said “hello i asked for 200”,i was keenly looking into the monitor whether he is resetting it or not… since he thought i might look at him whether he is resetting or not, he asked me to look at the front tyre of my bike and told that my front tyre pressure is less. when i was looking at that tyre he added 150 without resetting… 🙁 when i asked he said “he added 50 first and then 150 again”… i felt that he is innocent and left… but later i can find my fuel level is lesser than usual..
Dwarak says
BPCL Petrol Pump – Jayanagar Service Station
Even I have similar experiences in this petrol bunk during 2005-2006. They would divert you by talking about cards and other stuff.
Umesh Chandra says
Hi folks,
I am a fellow night shifter in bangalore city and I stumbled upon this thread off google, cuz like all of you I too almost fell into the ‘cheated’ catagory last night well 5am to be precise.
I get off work around 0415am yes early morning and I drive from and to work. On my way back since my car was giving trouble, I figured it wouldn’t hurt to fill up 200 rs of petrol on the way back so I dont have to worry about an empty tank. Hence I pulled into the 24 hour pump on residency road by HP where I usually fill up at this hour as its the only one open all night in the area. I stopped and the attendant told me to back up and come to a separate pump (a third one) as the other two may have got dry. After the previous person filed up for 500 rs, he took off and I parked my car to fill up. Waiting for him to peep into the window, I told him 200 rs. Since I notice the previous fellow fill up 500 rs I saw him enter 100 on the meter and then bending down to my window when I asked him for the ‘meter reading’ he says to me that ‘petrol is petrol’ I did not figure out what he said. Still I notice from the car that the meter was saying 100 instead of 200.
Hence I got out of the car not convinced of his deed and not wanting to loose 100bux early in d morning, as soon as I got out, he goes and changes the meter to 200 from 100.
When I confronted, he of course goes into denial and raises his voice, until I had v little patience to get into a fist fight.
This kind of cheating happens in Bangalore allllllllllll the time people. If you and YOU alone are not vigil about fillin petrol in your car, you will be taken for a ride and they WILL rob you off your money.
These illiterate attendants need to be taught a lesson. I wish there was a toll free number for registering petrol pump related complaints instantly. But one may wonder if that will work as the cops in Bangalore city are allll repeat ALLLLL for sale. Be it for 5rs or for 500rs.
They ALL take bribes.. shamelessly. Pathetic..
I myself call them G.A.B (Govt Authorized Beggars)
Umesh
RMR says
I have ready almost every comments. All the mischiefs by the pump attendants can be avoided if the customer is alert.
1. Ensure that Zero is shown
2. Ensure the right product and quantity has been informed to the delivery boys
3. After the dispensing is over , ask for the computerised bill. All the pumps of 2005 make and later have in built bill printing machines.Which gives the print of last transaction. Certain pumps can show the last five transactions. If it is an automated outlet or an E fuel station, you can verify the dispensing quantity of any nozzle at a given time.I would say customer should prefer going to an E fuel station.
Another thing I dont agree is the vaporisation and sucking back product to the sump which Mr Sailesh was mentioning. There is no such provision, it requires a co axial hose and a vaccum pump which can generate such vaccum to suck the product back thru co axial hose. There are no such pumps available. There are certain outlets which has stage II vapor recovery system which is purely for safe guarding environment and it does not have capacity to take the product back as I mentioned earlier. The hole at the tip of the nozzle is only to ensure shutting of product dispensing when the tank reaches near full, another safety future.
Demanding for an electronic bill will reduce malpractices by the pump boys to a large extent.
Riya says
Oops.. I forgot to mention RO stands for Retail Outlet
And PA stands for Pump Attendants
🙂
Riya says
In my case let mr tell frankly even though Iam a lady iam an active dealer. I used to engage here in my RO more than 14 hours every day. First of all let me tell using mobile phones in the petrol bunk is very dangerous. We used to educate our customers about this always by showing them vedios of accidents occurred in many places. None of my PA carries mobile phones with them. Mobile phones are allotted only in sales room. Surya, what you said is correct even I found many filling guys of different bunks are using even two mobiles at a time. As I told , now a days the dispensing units are very sensitive, mobile phones create a static electric shock and cause blast specially on petrol units . You can register your complaints in a suggestion/complaint book available at the RO or you can directly speak to toll free customer care number or to field officer of the RO
Toll free number is to be displayed in every outlet.
Regards 🙂
Riya says
Hi Surya,
Every Dispensing unit is calibrated by legal metrology department once in an year. Customer has right seek for the calibration certificate of the DU’s..
You can ask for a calibrated 5litre measuaring can for checking the correct delivery of fuel
You can also ask the outlet manager to show you filter paper for knowing Petrol adultration
You can cross check the density mentioned in the register at the outlet
In your case, there may be short delivery for the unit. Sir, these are merely electronic devices. And very sensitive too.. Surya , let me ask.. If you got blocked your ATM card in an ATM machine, you slaps the security in charge at the counter ? ?
Surya says
No, I wouldn’t.. But if the same security guard tried to make my card get stuck on purpose, then I’d whack him back to his senses.. I’m PRETTY SURE that you too would do the same Ms.Riya.. That was my situation.. These pump attendants know what they’re doing.. They’ve been trained specifically for that.. The owner isn’t an Idiot to just let some guy dispense petrol from his bunk, is he..? Is that what you would do Ms.Riya..? Allow some XYZ guy to handle your customers or your expensive and dangerous equipment just like that..?
Tell me.. How many times do you enforce that your employees should not use mobile phones near the dispensing units, let alone the customer who is happily talking on the phone while filling up.. I guarantee you, every single time i go the bunk early in the morning to tank up, i see some attending moron yapping about on his mobile phone right next to the dispensing unit.. So, whom should i blame that upon..? The individual..? Or the owner who’s foolish enough to sit home and just check on his bank balance rather than take corrective measures to avoid an impending catastrophe..??
Riya says
Hi everyone..This is Riya. I’m from kerala. Glad to say that Iam a fuel station owner.
I have read almost all the posts.I dint saw any comment of a petrol bunk owner here. 🙂
Friends, nowadays, in every fuel station we can see only electronic dispensing units(DU)
This has a speciality that, once the nozzle is put back to boot (attached to unit) we can not continue it from previous amount.eg: if we fill it for 200 first, and the nozzle is kept back to boot, it wont start again from 200, but it’ll starts from 0.00 only..but you have to make sure that its kept back, or unit is not running before registering the amount.
Honestly saying that we owners are not making profit out of cheating you people..see if a goverment employee done corruption, the govt is not getting the profit.
In my outlet, I used to do many loyalty tests and always do mysterious sales tricks frequently to check the behaviour of my pump attendants.
Surya says
Hi Riya.. Nice to see a pump owner stepping up.. Congrats to you for your honesty in running your business.. But, not everyone is so very good.. Besides, if the AUTOMATED pump is calibrated wrongly, then whose fault would it be..? The point is, with more and more automation comes better opportunities for malpractice and fraudulence.
Take my case.. I once filled up my Pulsar 220’s tank from reserve to brim and the meter showed 21 litres.. This was at 5am.. Then i told the guy that i’ll pay only for 15 litres and that i’ll complain to the bunk owner, he started to raise his voice.. I gifted him a hard slap, which made him accept payment for 15 litres.. The worst part is that this particular bunk was run by an EX-SERVICEMAN.. I wonder if he knows of the situation in his bunk.. ;-( Sometimes, violence does pay.. 😉 This Bunk is in Shanthi Colony Main road in Anna Nagar, Chennai.. Its a BP Bunk right next to the Titan Eye+ Opticals.. Avoid it like the plague unless you too wanna give him a left hook.. 😉
Ritu says
Today was THE limit.I knew this particular petrol pump in Gurgaon cheats, but today when I got petrol worth Rs,500 the Fuel indicator still stayed on Empty.Iam so upset with these guys.I got no value for my money.How do I prove or whom do I contact or report to?These guys must be cheating so many other people!
Raj says
Ritu,
I am told by a reliable service manager of Honda that only when 10L is filled the meter will respond visibly. The empty mark on my City is when 5-10L is still there! As a long distance driver, I have tested this and driven 100Km after the empty light came on!
Gautam Jain says
if one guy do 1 day duty he will get profit 1000/rs by short filling as per this acct one petrolpumps having 8 person per shifts so only guys earn like 8000/ so immage how much getting profit owner..
and owner r earning in mixing that is too danger than short filling…
there is no time to see all above suggestion when we in hurry, that is a very plus point to cheaters ..in villages now taking petrol in bottles and filling self . but it is not possible to city rider…
Sailesh says
Few things to keep in mind.
1. Try avoiding filling of petrol during 12 noon to 9pm. Since petrol is stored in sumps, it gets heated a bit and expands (Liquids expand at relatively high temperature)
2. Tell the guy to set the initial meter reading to zero.
3. Tell the amount clearly to the guy who fills the petrol (and not to the guy who stand besides him [To avoid any miscommunication]) and tell him to repeat it once.
4. Tell him to pour petrol in medium mode. Pouring it fast makes it to vaporize and some of the petrol will flow back to the sump through the holes provided at the sides of the petrol pouring pipe(Though the meter reading will not be affected due to this loss of yours).
5. Don’t get distracted while the petrol is being filled up.
Anuj Goyal says
same thing we faced , while driving from Bangalore to Mysore we stopped at a Petrol pump and asked this guy to full the tank , generally Tank gets full in 1700 Rs , this guy first told me that he had put 300 Rs fuel , and then again he started filling in tank and now his meter was showing 1750 Rs , I was shocked and when we shouted on him very politely that guy waived off that 300 Rs without calling his manager …guys beware…two times if these guys are filling fuel that means its fraud…
Suneel says
How about the car manufacturers actually set up an internal meter which works on weighing the petrol/diesel and then specifying the exact number of litres in the tank.
This can be a very good project to engineering students in their final years and can be sold to the public at a very reasonable rates.
Just my 2 cents.
satish says
hai frinz this is satish .Here every one talking about cheating thtz fine but we can stop by using petrol check meters It works as how much fuel before u go pump after tht we can check how much filled we can note by using this like now a days every vechile has fuel indiacator it showz how much fuel in our vechile like this way we can arrange fuel check meters .By doing this we can easily stop the fuel correption !!!
i think it may helps
thanks
satish
Ritesh says
I live in Delhi. I have found that all the petrol pumps cheat. If you divert your attention even once from the counter you are cheated. Another thing, please tell the attendant to click the hose pipe once and then to leave it. By clicking it before the meter has stopped they try to give you less than the paid amount.
Lakshmi says
Aaah…When I used to study in India, and occasionally fill petrol in my friend’s scooty, I would watch the meter like a hawk. Someone else will meanwhile come and talk something random to disengage one’s attention.
So much prefer the US way at the gas station..its all self service..swipe the card, fill how much you want and move on!
Sangitha says
Good post and better comments. We have faced this a couple of times – credit card has been charged for a bit more, the zero was not set and the driver tried to get a kickback in front of our faces! Now we tell them to fill up the entire tank, only go to pumps that have a bill attached and watch like hawks. It helped that our fuel guage did not work – we had to know our mileage and how much gas we had really, really well. Sometimes, faulty gadgets are not a bad thing! 😀
Kalyan says
Sheesh… I was one of those who never really bothered to check in a petrol pump… buggers
Nishant Singh says
A similar thing would happen in Petrol Pumps in Andheri, Mumbai after which I have stopped filling petrol at any of the Andheri petrol pumps. Its been a good 3 years I think! The attend would start filling while another will distract the motorist and before you know it the petrol filled in was much lesser in quantity!
Anyways, another trick (unsure if its a trick) is to fill in petrol worth less money. Like say I asked for Rs.200 worth of petrol but was given petrol worth Rs.199.98. That is just 2 paise less but imagine this happening on a high traffic petrol pump.
icelobber says
Same here in Pune, some of these bastards have a realy poor acting skill too.
Another trick is even though the meter is automatic, they click it once when its near 90 (i fill for Rs 100) and then the fuel flow lessens up even though the meter is running. I asked them why stop it if the meter is automatic and they say that its to make it stop at 100. Really these bastards are in control of their frigging managers.
Mohan says
sorry to hear that! Did you complain?
Tiutus says
Hi! You may like to get a small solution to your problem. Im from Kerala, the frauds at petrol pumps are common. My only advice to you is to ask a receipt for the petrol. Make sure the receipt is stamped so you have no problem! ty
Ranjith Kumar says
Hi,
First of all I thank News9 for doing this wonderful job of exposing such an fraudsters happening in pertrol bunks .
My comment is to tel about the remedies to taken for avoiding such things happening to our customers , though these things are being exposed in no ways ppl again are being assured that coming onwards there can can be no ways of cheating to be done in any of the petrol pumps.
As an consumer my solution is that let every pumps instal an transperent measuring unit in which let the fuel first fill in according to the consumer requirement so that everyone can see the exact quantity which is out of the pump n from that let it get dispensed to our tanks n hence a naked eye visibility of measurement is assured for n consumer .
this is just an idiology but can be implemented in an sophisticated ways to bring out new revolutions in this sector n mainly to avoid such fraudsters.
Thank you.
S.S.Shah says
I live in Delhi. I got cheated by the petrol pump attendants by another method.
At this petrol pump where I got cheated I asked the attendant to fill Rs. 500/- Diesel in my Indigo. The attendant asked me to check zero mark. As I was a little off from the meter I got down from car and stood near the meter. Everything was going fine as I was monitoring the meter but suddenly when the meter was reading around 300 another attendant appeared from another direction and asked me to pay money and sign on the bill which I never asked. Within a fraction of a second as my attention was diverted the attendant who was filling diesel abruptly pressed some key on the meter and diesel stopped. On hearing the diesel stop sound I immediately turned towards the meter and it showed zero for some seconds and then 500. I got cheated. The attendant had reset the meter. At the rate at which the diesel was being filled into the tank I think I approximately lost around 100 to 150 rupees. Petrol pump name is “Kapoor Auto Service Station Patpargang Society Area, I.P. Extension, Delhi-92”. Never ever remove your attention from the meter till you see the full reading. Petrol pump attendants funda divert the attention (specially when you are alone) and cheat easily.
PS : It happened on 17 Jan 2010, 7:30 am
Mohan says
Hmm… that is a new kind of cheating! thanks for sharing your experience Mr Shah.
satya prakash says
I would like to tell all people about “FRAUD IN HYDERABAD PETROL BUNKS in HYDERABAD”.
I have a bajaj pulsar 150dts i.
It was in reserve AND i went to a petrol Bunk near hafeezpet.(on 29 th november,2009).
I am very much sure that it has got 1 litre in reserve the reserve tank.
We asked for a full tank……AND TO MY SURPRISE HE POURED 18 LITRES .
DEAR INDIA PLEASE AWAKE,When pulsar has a full tank capacity of 13.8 litres including reserve
how can one pour 18 litres in to it.
That means for every one litre of ours he is looting 285 ml.
I RECOMMEND ALL THE PEOPLE TO USE SHELL OR RELIANCE…..
Please forward this message to all friends of yours….
Mohan says
That is too disgusting to know. Did you make an attempt to complain to the right people? If you haven’t, please do. Let us bring in the change.
Sanjeev says
Thanks. please keep on writing useful tips to save money on facebook , orkut so that these petrol pumps attendants are not spared.
also we must go consumer court and forum to avoid malpractices.
SR says
Hmm.. nice article and I believe most of us have gone through this.
However, I have notice the HP petrol pump on the ring road, JP Nagar as a bigger fraud, I used to fill in this pump for several years. My tank in reserve and having run about 10 kms (capacity of the complete tank being about 42l)- I asked this guy to fill the tank.. Guess what the meter exceeded the tank capacity. I no longer fill at this pump and use a BP pump on bannerghatta road after IIM.
I have come to realize this is a nice way to check if you are being taken for a ride – check ur tank capacity, when its almost empty, have it filled completely.
Can anybody recommend a couple of good HP pumps in Bannerghatta Road, JP Nagar, Jaya Nagar or Koramangala/hosur road (closer to silk board) or the ring road.
Thanks
Gowtham says
BASTARDS!!
This happens to me here in Chennai. In most of the indian ooil pertol bunks..
Sanjeev Mishra says
Guys,
We all are get cheated through these petrol pump and no one is around to understand our problem. I have found a government site http://pgportal.gov.in/ but I have not tried it yet.
Please try to put your complain on this website and lets see the result.
Ritu Chawla says
True. Absolutely true. Such incident has happened to me twice. I am a resident of Delhi & Yesterday late evening I faced it. I felt cheated and first thing in the morning today I searched internet to see such frauds and found it here. I have written a complaint to Consumer Court also and feel strict action should be taken against these people at Petrol Pump. I wish and hope that such people are given lesson not to repeat it in future with anyone.
arun says
happens everywhere!
keep your eyes on the meter.
do not get distracted even for a second.
prevention is better than cure!
Yogesh says
I have faced this twice in the HP petrol bunk near to bagmani tech park, at the exit of the DRDO gate.
I asked to fill petrol for Rs300 to the attendant. he will insert the pump into the tank. Then the bill collector would give speech with me. by the time I turn around the counter will say 50. Then he will refill for Rs 250. I am 100% sure that he set RS 50 on the counter and just placed the pump into the petrol tank.
When I pointed it during the first visit, He gave me Rs 50 back. Next time he told me that he will do only like this.
Mohan says
@Selva
Well, it is already written over and again! This is a common practice among almost all petrol pumps in Bangalore as well as India. They try to cash on customers negligence. The only way is get rid of this is to be alert whenever you enter a petrol pump.
Selva says
Unfortunately I faced the same problem while I was filling the petrol for Rs500 at Marathalli around 9PM yesterday, Initially pump boys themselves were forcing me to come nearby their pump machines.I surprised and my doubt been started from that moment itself. finally reached one of the pump machine and I looked very seriously and asked the pump boy to put the petrol for 500 Rs loudly at least two times.
Since I aware of the petrol bunk fraud in Bangalore, I concentrated only on the digital meter, though he tried many a time to distract me from that I didn’t. He set the meter for 50 Rs, and stopped at 50 Rs and was asking me excuse, and he wants to continue for another 450 after that. But I refused and shouted at him to stop there and paid only 50 Rs. and complaint it about this issue to the manager(looks like share will go to all of them in a bunk including manager and cashier also) he just winked and playing like he is very much angry to the pump boys in front of me and commanded to another pump boy to fill the petrol for remaining 450 Rs, that pump boy was telling at least 5 to 6 times “Sir zero”, sir 0 ….I’m not sure I might have been cheated again by that pump boy also, who knows?
Sana says
BPCL Petrol Pump – Jayanagar Service Station at the South End traffic signal in Jayanagar, Bangalore is a big fraud. The workers here are very sly and seasoned manipulators. They seem to be old hands in this thing.
Just yesterday I wanted to fill up my tank. One of the persons enagaged me in talk and was trying to convince me that using a credit card does not attract any transaction fee. This is the first time someone in petrol pump tried to persuade me to use a credit card to make the payment!! Then the person who was actually dispensing the petrol stopped at Rs 150. When I asked him why he had stopped, he told me that he heard that I wanted to fill Rs 150 worth fuel. When I told him I wanted to fill the tank, he continued filling the fuel. He did not show me the zero setting. All this while the other guy kept pestering me about payment with credit card and distracting me. The dispensing guy finally told me that he has filled the tank. This time it came to about Rs. 1180. When I proceeded to pay only Rs 1180 they told me that I need to pay the additional Rs 150 they had filled earlier. I did not have the time to argue since I had to catch up with a meeting. So I feel I ended up paying Rs. 150 more. The manager at the pump was not of much help. He seems to be mixed up with these fellows. Avoid this petrol pump like the plague.
Vijeth says
The first article in the site here was received by me also. It was written by a gentleman call Sriram Raghavan
i|Nautix India.
However, in the light of sharing a little bit of what i know, the best time to fill petrol/diesel is early morning. This is an assured way to getting value for money, technically speaking, as it reduces vaporisation.
Thanuja says
This is very much true!! Even I faced similar situation at HP pump near Koramangala check post and Indian Oil pump at Bannergatta road (near Apollo hospital). Eventually I stopped filling petrol from those pumps. Initially they used to divert my attention by cleaning front glass or some thing else and cheated me many times with filling petrol. My car acquires 35 Ltrs max. But one day I got reading as 34 ltrs since I mentioned full tank + Top up option, even having more than 5 ltrs+ at the reserve!!
We should be very careful at petrol pumps. Nowadays this kind of fraud is happening more often!!
webinfo says
Check out http://www.petrolstop.com a newly launched website for petrol pumps in various cities including bangalore, one can update, rate and post details on individual petrol pumps.
Mohan says
Hi Ankit,
Nice to have your comment on my blog. I didn’t have the name of the person who originally had drafted and forwarded that mail. Full credits to you friend 🙂
Thanks,
Mohan
details says
Vehicle Population in Bangalore City
Category Wise ( up to 30.06.2007)
Two Wheelers L.M.V A/R H.T.V. H.G.V Others Total
2101174 434428 91899 77842 94921 82300 2880426
Source
http://www.bcp.gov.in/english/trafficpolice/aboutus/aboutus.htm
I will take into consideration only Two Wheelers and LMV(Light Motor Vehicles in other words “Cars” because I believe that A/R + HTV + HGV people are smart enough to not get duped.
So in Total
BIKES + CARS ( in Karnataka)
2101174 + 434428 = 2535602 Vehicles.
Avg fuel consumption for a bike = 500 Rs per month ( Rough estimate) .
Avg fuel consumption for a Car= 1000 Rs per month ( Rough estimate) .
2101174 * 500 + 434428 * 1000 = 1050587000 + 434428000
= 1,48,50,15,000 = Total Cost of Fuel Consumed Per Month
(20/100)[% of People Getting Cheated) * 1,48,50,15,000
= 29,70,03,000 ( Fuel Consumption of 20 % of Vehicles of People who are cheated ) Per Month
(20/100) (% of Amount Cheated of petrol ie) * 29,70,03,000 = Rs 5,94,00,600 Per Month
Ankit R says
My mail is finding many takers.. Hahaha.. I sent my name in the mail.. But people removed my name from the mail.. 🙂
Still the Work is done.. :-).
Print media has been informed . So lets see maybe you people will see an interesting article in Indian Express soon 🙂
I have got Rough estimate of calcualation also.
I will be glad to post the details here.