btm
8th May 2008, 09:39 AM
Once again... i think we all already knew it, but here is the proof
http://www.news.com.au/business/money/story/0,25479,23663477-14327,00.html
Coles fuel docket 'no bargain'
SUPERMARKET giant Coles has been accused of overcharging loyal customers who use discount vouchers to buy petrol.
The chain was slugging motorists with the highest prices and leading the whole market to go higher in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide, said Australian Competition and Consumer Commission petrol commissioner Pat Walker.
Analysis of petrol pricing at 9am yesterday showed Coles Express sites had set the highest prices in the four capital cities, he said.
"On any given day the range from the lowest available retail price to the highest is usually between 15 to 20 cents per litre."
In Melbourne yesterday, Coles was selling petrol as much as 14 cents a litre higher than the Melbourne average.
The ACCC said buyers in the habit of using shopper dockets may not realise that other outlets are much cheaper - even after using their discount voucher.
"We have been monitoring over the past few weeks and have found Coles Express to be the predominant price hiker," Commissioner Pat Walker told the Herald Sun.
Mr Walker said at 9am yesterday Coles outlets were charging up to $1:55.9 cents a litre compared with the average Melbourne price of $1:41.8.
The ACCC commissioner said Coles was not doing anything illegal, but urged motorists to shop around to make sure they were getting the best price.
"Some people are creatures of habit in what they buy and they should not assume the branded sites will be cheaper," Mr Walker said. "We are really warning the public to watch the price boards."
Coles and supermarket rival Woolworths (branded in Victoria as Safeway) entered the retail petrol market in 2003 and control about 60 per cent of sales.
Coles has about 26 per cent of national market share and Woolworths 33 per cent.
Coles spokesman Jim Cooper accused the ACCC of being selective in its research.
"Fuel prices moved today as part of the normal fuel cycle, with all retailers moving prices and responding to competition," he said yesterday.
"We're disappointed that the ACCC would choose to conduct such a selective analysis of fuel prices, in terms of both the time frame and number of sites that were monitored.
"However, we're confident that our customers know that Coles Express offers competitive fuel prices seven days a week."
Consumer Action Law Centre director Gerard Brody said it was no surprise that motorists were not getting the best deal from discount vouchers.
"We continually warn consumers petrol discount vouchers might not get you the best deal," he said.
"Consumers shouldn't be fooled that the discount voucher from Coles will not necessarily get them cheaper petrol."
Mr Brody said regulators need to give motorists more information on petrol pricing.
"Sometimes vouchers unfairly or inappropriately tie people to particular outlets and that is anti-competitive," he said.
"People are not encouraged by what is the cheapest petrol in the market, but by a voucher from a supermarket or retail outlet.
"Loyalty vouchers can be more expensive for consumers overall."
Mr Walker said when the national fuel watch scheme starts in December motorists will be able to identify the cheapest petrol outlets and plan purchases.
"At the moment information is available in hindsight," he said.
http://www.news.com.au/business/money/story/0,25479,23663477-14327,00.html
Coles fuel docket 'no bargain'
SUPERMARKET giant Coles has been accused of overcharging loyal customers who use discount vouchers to buy petrol.
The chain was slugging motorists with the highest prices and leading the whole market to go higher in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide, said Australian Competition and Consumer Commission petrol commissioner Pat Walker.
Analysis of petrol pricing at 9am yesterday showed Coles Express sites had set the highest prices in the four capital cities, he said.
"On any given day the range from the lowest available retail price to the highest is usually between 15 to 20 cents per litre."
In Melbourne yesterday, Coles was selling petrol as much as 14 cents a litre higher than the Melbourne average.
The ACCC said buyers in the habit of using shopper dockets may not realise that other outlets are much cheaper - even after using their discount voucher.
"We have been monitoring over the past few weeks and have found Coles Express to be the predominant price hiker," Commissioner Pat Walker told the Herald Sun.
Mr Walker said at 9am yesterday Coles outlets were charging up to $1:55.9 cents a litre compared with the average Melbourne price of $1:41.8.
The ACCC commissioner said Coles was not doing anything illegal, but urged motorists to shop around to make sure they were getting the best price.
"Some people are creatures of habit in what they buy and they should not assume the branded sites will be cheaper," Mr Walker said. "We are really warning the public to watch the price boards."
Coles and supermarket rival Woolworths (branded in Victoria as Safeway) entered the retail petrol market in 2003 and control about 60 per cent of sales.
Coles has about 26 per cent of national market share and Woolworths 33 per cent.
Coles spokesman Jim Cooper accused the ACCC of being selective in its research.
"Fuel prices moved today as part of the normal fuel cycle, with all retailers moving prices and responding to competition," he said yesterday.
"We're disappointed that the ACCC would choose to conduct such a selective analysis of fuel prices, in terms of both the time frame and number of sites that were monitored.
"However, we're confident that our customers know that Coles Express offers competitive fuel prices seven days a week."
Consumer Action Law Centre director Gerard Brody said it was no surprise that motorists were not getting the best deal from discount vouchers.
"We continually warn consumers petrol discount vouchers might not get you the best deal," he said.
"Consumers shouldn't be fooled that the discount voucher from Coles will not necessarily get them cheaper petrol."
Mr Brody said regulators need to give motorists more information on petrol pricing.
"Sometimes vouchers unfairly or inappropriately tie people to particular outlets and that is anti-competitive," he said.
"People are not encouraged by what is the cheapest petrol in the market, but by a voucher from a supermarket or retail outlet.
"Loyalty vouchers can be more expensive for consumers overall."
Mr Walker said when the national fuel watch scheme starts in December motorists will be able to identify the cheapest petrol outlets and plan purchases.
"At the moment information is available in hindsight," he said.