Would Yu Pay

[TWR]

Motorway Service area prices that includes Fuel, Food? I've covered many routes in my driving days, but the way the prices were going that soon stopped, are the public aware of Garages just off each & every Motorway? if you took this route instead of Motorway fill up's their prices would soon fall, I understand they have to ship in Food etc, but I think they are taking the Izz out of the public.

[mikey4444]

TWR....I stopped buying anything in Motorway Services a long time ago. The exception would be something that they can't overcharge for, like a newspaper. But Mars bars, etc are hugely overpriced, so I won't boost their already excessive profits.

And yet there are millions of people that seem to have money to burn....amazes me to be frank !

[ummmm]

On long journeys, yes, especially with kids. I can't remember the last time I've had to fill up at a motorway s/stn but I do stop for a break, use the toilets and maybe grab a drink.

[Prudie]

It's often a nause though to leave the Motorway and local garages aren't signposted. I would only buy fuel at a svcs if I was running out but the convenience of the stop for food outweighs leaving the route and looking elsewhere.

[mikey4444]

Ummm...yes, me too. As far as I am concerned, service areas are purely for toilet needs !

[hc4361]

Their overheads are huge - the cost of providing free toilet facilities is very high and the majority just use the toilets without buying.

[ummmm]

Like Prudie I don't think the price increase is worth the diversion.

[Cloverjo]

I'd stop for the loo and possibly a bottle of water and a sandwich. Fuel prices are ridiculous.
I don't drive long distances on the motorway, myself. Last time OH and I stopped for breakfast, we had burnt toast and cold tomatoes. When we went to pay the price was so silly OH told the cashier he wasn't going to pay that. The cashier said 'I don't blame you.'

[mikey4444]

HC....I don't accept that at all. At this time of year, the shops and food areas are overwhelmed by shoppers.

When I go on a long-ish journey, I always take a flask and some sandwiches. The saving for people with a car-load of kids must be huge if they did the same.

One little hint though ::::::

Exeter M5 Services. There is what I have always called a "secret Greggs"......park in the left-hand side of the car park, and just walk through the trees for a few yards and there is a super "normal" Greggs, with prices the same as any other branch. A lot cheaper than buying anything from the Services, just a few yards away.

Sorted !

[bhg481]

If you look at the true cost-per-mile of running a car, rather than just the fuel cost, it's not worth going more than a few miles out of your way to save on fuel. The sensible thing is to fill-up before you join the motorway so that a fuel stop will not be necessary, particularly with a diesel car.

[ummmm]

I wouldn't buy a breakfast from one because they tend to be rubbish. I would buy a sandwich or a BK.

[TWR]

If all done their research for non Motorway Garages on your route, you may be surprised how close they are to an OFF/ ON Junction.

[mikey4444]

I used to have a guide book, called something like "Just off the Motorway" or similar. It listed every Motorway Junction, and the closest fuel/ food.

Not sure what happened to that book....probably lent to someone !

[hc4361]

mikey, have you never seen the coach passengers get off the coach, use the loos and then have their picnics? I agree lots of people do spend money but many that use the facilities don't.

By law the service stations have to provide free toilet facilities 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, without exception. The operators also have to maintain the slip roads and car parks - in many countries the government own and pay for these essentials including the toilet facilities and rent units to individual businesses for food, shopping etc.

You can be certain that you will get fuel and be able to use the toilet at 2am on Christmas day - will your local garage provide the same?
You would need a brass neck to park up at the off motorway garage, use the loo, let the dog poo, eat your sandwiches and drive off without spending anything - if it's open.

[mikey4444]

Fair enough I suppose HC !

[ummmm]

And they do have pleasant areas to sit down.

[mikey4444]

Yes........just don't buy any Mars Bars !

[Old_Geezer]

I so rarely stop at a service station that I don't care about the excess profit made on those rare occasions. The convenience is worth it.

[ummmm]

Mikey - I don't even know the price of a Mars bar from a regular shop so I doubt price would put me off.

[EDDIE51]

I went into a motorway service area and bought a cup of coffee a sandwich and a Mars bar. I got to the cash desk and said ''sorry I've only got a £20 note'' the cashier looked at my items and said '' then you had better put back the Mars bar''

[ummmm]

I find that hard to believe, Eddie!