A Show of Consumer Power Or Poverty?

A SURGE in pump prices led to last month's petrol and diesel sales crashing to winter levels, an AA analysis of Government figures shows.

Drivers bought nearly 1.48 billion litres of petrol in July 2013 - an 8% fall on the June 2013 figure.

This was only 45 million litres more than the record low in February this year and just 11 million litres more than the January 2013 total.

July 2013 sales of diesel were down 5% on June's, dropping to just over 2.21 billion litres. These figures include commercial usage.

The AA said that in June 2013, when the average cost of petrol levelled at 134.6p a litre after surging to 140.0p in the spring, stable lower prices lifted petrol sales to a level last seen in November 2011.

But last month, a sudden 5p-a-litre rise in wholesale costs raised the average pump price from a low of 133.7p on the last day of June to 135.8p by the middle of July and 137.2p by the end of the month. It finally started to level off at 137.6p in the first week of August.

Tax income from duty on petrol and diesel sales fell £142 million in July compared to June and £35 million compared to July 2012, the AA said.

AA president Edmund King added: "It's staggering that when brilliant weather sent consumers into the shops and gave the UK's retail sector a strong boost, the complete opposite happened at the pumps.

"Not only are petrol sales shadowing the record lows of this winter, but are lower than last July which included a week of Olympics football, opening ceremony and initial events."

He went on: "It seems that, as each penny increase registers on fuel forecourt price boards, drivers automatically cut back - even if they're in the mood to spend elsewhere."

It's the only way to push prices back down but what drove this - choice or lack of cash?



http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/news/petrol...100500066.html

Re: A Show of Consumer Power Or Poverty?

My you do dig up some interesting subjects to discuss Karen!
To me it sounds like folks are at last using their heads, and only using the car if really necessary.
I suggest to car drivers, if someone like Shell put up prices don't buy theirs travel just a bit further to buy another brand, they would still see that the public have power, better still ban using Shell for more than a month, even if it costs you just a touch more to get petrol.
But my guess is they would soon get the message and wise up.

We should do this with our daily shopping, I am told folks who have a smartphone can get an App that let's you scan the bar codes, and a list will come up where you can get it cheaper.
Also lets take a certain cereal, if they raise the price, ban it from your shopping list.
Problem is getting everybody to adhere to it, which is very hard to do.

Re: A Show of Consumer Power Or Poverty?

But putting up prices is known to affect people's purchasing habits? Similarly if alcohol is put up then people cut back. As far as cars and fuel is concerned people should cut back in my opinion and only use them when necessary. Online shopping for instance is growing in popularity and doing so can save a huge amount in parking fees and fuel costs etc as well as taking vehicles off the road.

Re: A Show of Consumer Power Or Poverty?

Bring back Boycott Leagues! Not that many would join in, but us lesser off might! Being digital could mean they spread easier though, more effective! My daughter always tells me where she finds essential groceries cheaper & vice-versa. Things like washing powder vary considerably.

Re: A Show of Consumer Power Or Poverty?

Only really use the car for work these days, days out are happening less which is sad. Got a holiday booked but planning very much to stay within the close area of the cottage as fuel is just too dear. Might be greener but isn't very enlightening to have to stay so close to home all the time.