From: Ret. on
boltar2003(a)boltar.world wrote:
> On Mon, 24 May 2010 16:14:04 +0100
> "Mortimer" <me(a)privacy.net> wrote:
>>> Perhaps time to head down the gym?
>>
>> I had no trouble pulling the hose out of the pump for the first few
>> feet. It was about as difficult as extending an inertia reel seat
>> belt - slight spring, just enough to make sure the hose retracts
>> again. But on the pump that I mentioned (Asda supermarket) the
>> spring seems to get stronger the more you extend the hose. And to
>> extend it far enough to reach the filler on the wrong side took a
>> lot of strength. And that was with the back end of the car roughly
>> level with the pump, so the hose was taking the shortest line, just
>> touching the back of the car apart from the 18 inches or so distance
>> between the rear of the car and the filler.
>
> Must've been a dodgy pump then because I've never had an issue with
> the hoses. Its true they need a bit of a tug but nothing that most
> people couldn't manage.

Absolutely. I'm 63 years old and hardly a muscle-man - but I never have any
problems.

--
Kev

From: Ian Jackson on
In message <85ukgpFdofU2(a)mid.individual.net>, Adrian
<toomany2cvs(a)gmail.com> writes
>"Mortimer" <me(a)privacy.net> gurgled happily, sounding much like they were
>saying:
>
>>> I know petrol stations that will refuse to turn the pump on if you are
>>> facing the wrong way.
>
>> If you drove in from the other entrance, then that's unfair.
>
>Given that virtually every petrol station has a one-way traffic rule
>enforced by no entry signs at the exit, they may beg to differ...

If only that were true! My two local petrol stations have no such signs.
Anyone in their right mind will use their common sense, and enter in the
'right' direction, but, each time I visit, there's always someone who
wants to stand out from the crowd, and do the opposite.

My 'other' gripe is that, at one of them, all the pumps are angled at 45
degrees to a 'feeder' lane. On entering the petrol station, the obvious
thing to do is to drive down the feeder lane to a vacant pump or, if no
pump is vacant (or on the point of being vacated), drive down the lane
as far possible, and wait for the vehicle at the adjacent pump to drive
off.

But no. Many drivers stop dead at the start of the feeder lane, and wait
until they can see a vehicle leaving before they move any further. As a
result, a queue forms, often tailing back onto the road (which is not a
good idea, as the entrance to the petrol station is immediately after a
roundabout).

I've often considered suggesting to the staff that they should erect
'Entrance' and 'Exit' signs, and also a 'Move Forward' sign. However, I
reckon that I would be met with a blank stare. If I overcome my apathy,
I might try a letter to the corporation which runs the place, and see
what response I get.
--
Ian
From: Brimstone on
"Ian Jackson" <ianREMOVETHISjackson(a)g3ohx.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
news:cgwripG$Vs+LFwGx(a)g3ohx.demon.co.uk...

> I've often considered suggesting to the staff that they should erect
> 'Entrance' and 'Exit' signs, and also a 'Move Forward' sign. However, I
> reckon that I would be met with a blank stare. If I overcome my apathy, I
> might try a letter to the corporation which runs the place, and see what
> response I get.
> --
A tip, if I may. Start at the top with the Chairman or CEO's office, you
will at least get some reaction - usually.


From: NM on
On 24 May, 10:45, Mike P <mikewpears...(a)googlemail.com> wrote:
> On May 23, 9:57 pm, %ste...(a)malloc.co.uk (Steve Firth) wrote:
>
> > Adrian <toomany2...(a)gmail.com> wrote:
> > > > and the sensible ones who don't want to scratch their paintwork.
>
> > > You've got two hands. One to hold the handle, the other to hold the hose
> > > clear.
>
> > For the tine it takes to fill 100 litres? Don't make oi laugh.
>
> Well, I put 70 litres in the Xantia this morning from the "wrong side"
> without having my arms drop off, so I presume 100 litres wouldn't be
> any harder :-p
>
> Mike P

Doubled it's value instantly.
From: NM on
On 24 May, 20:10, "Brimstone" <brimst...(a)hotmail.com> wrote:
> "Ian Jackson" <ianREMOVETHISjack...(a)g3ohx.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
>
> news:cgwripG$Vs+LFwGx(a)g3ohx.demon.co.uk...
>
> > I've often considered suggesting to the staff that they should erect
> > 'Entrance' and 'Exit' signs, and also a 'Move Forward' sign. However, I
> > reckon that I would be met with a blank stare. If I overcome my apathy, I
> > might try a letter to the corporation which runs the place, and see what
> > response I get.
> > --
>
> A tip, if I may. Start at the top with the Chairman or CEO's office, you
> will at least get some reaction - usually.

Little anecdote which may amuse in the same vein.

Many years ago I purchased a new japanese motorcycle and it had a more
or less instant gearbox failure, the main dealer couldn't help as the
vital part was not in the UK anywhere, after repeated failures to get
any action, going into months, needing the bike for transport to work
meanwhile also suffering the finance payments I decided to visit the
importers who just by chance happened to be local.

The reception office greeted me in the approved corporate manner but
could not help however they were happy to forward the details to
someone who would help. She (Ms corporate mouthpiece) had pinned up
behind her on a notice board a list of internal phone numbers, I noted
the CEO's private number and after absorbing the corporate
commiserations I left.

Next morning I called the boss, to his credit he listened to my
problem then, as I anticipated. said he had no knowledge, would look
into it then get back to me.

The phone was jumping off the hook the whole day and the next, I had a
succession of "executives" calling to express their heartfelt sorrow
at my prediciment and eventually one admitting that there was a fault,
the problem had been addressed and the requesite modified parts were
in a container en route to Europe thence to the UK.

Subsequently I was invited to a main dealer where the problem was
resolved FOC.

So start at the top, it worked for me.