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A petrol station near my residence cheats on quantity by distracting the consumer while the petrol is being filled. Whenever I protest, the attendants argue that they have filled the correct quantity , but it is obvious from the car's petrol consumption that it is not so. What do I do? The next time you fill petrol, ask for a receipt from the dispensing unit itself (most modern petrol stations these days have that facility). This will help you get a correct gauge of the quantity dispensed. Use this receipt to expose the malpractice and lodge a complaint with the oil company.
All petrol stations are expected to display the name and contact number of the person in charge of such complaints in the oil company. So take the contact number and e-mail address and complain ( in writing ). . The Marketing Discipline Guidelines drawn up by the oil companies cast a duty on the pump owner to ensure on a daily basis, that the pump delivers correct quantity. And the dealers are liable for their failure to ensure this. In fact they can lose their dealership if found guilty of serious malpractices or irregularities at petrol stations.Since the department of legal metrology authenticates the quantity of petrol/ diesel dispensed at these retail outlets by calibrating and sealing the dispensing units annually, you can also complain to them about any shortfall in the quantity sold. While the first offence under the Legal Metrology Act attracts a fine, the second and subsequent offence, imprisonment. You can lodge a complaint with the police too-they an take action under the Essential Commodities Act.. I also find a large number of consumers sharing their bad experiences with petrol stations on social media sites. You could do it too. It not only prompts other consumers to be more alert , but can also force oil companies to investigate into such complaints and take necessary action. One such complaint by a Bangalore resident generated such a massive reaction from other consumers that the oil company was forced to seek out the complainant and even respond to his complaint on Face Book! How does one ensure that one is not cheated at petrol pumps? Well, first and foremost, ensure that the meter reading on the dispensing unit is zero and do not allow anyone or anything to distract you from the meter till the entire amount paid for is dispensed. Having said that, I must point out that in some instances, it is not possible for the consumer to detect short-measure. In March this year, for example, Mansa police in Punjab unearthed a big racket, wherein an electronic chip costing as much as Rs 40,000 was used to ensure short delivery of petrol and diesel from the dispensing units. At least 150 petrol pumps across northern India are compromised with such chips, the police had said, while booking the offenders under the Essential Commodities Act. In such cases, it is not easy for consumers to detect the fraud. So always keep a check on your vehicle's fuel consumption and if there is a change in the pattern (without anything being wrong with the vehicle), complain. You can also cross-check the quantity being dispensed by using the calibrated 5-litre measure (also stamped by the department of legal metrology every year) kept at petrol pumps for the purpose.. You should also check on
consumer complaint websites for complaints against petrol stations and
avoid those against whom consumers are complaining. These complaints
will also help you remain alert against malpractices at retail
outlets. I would also suggest that you identify one or two petrol
stations with a good track record near your place of residence or work
and stick to them.
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