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Petrol station tenant meets frustration - "Can't do anything about it"

Petrol station tenant meets frustration - "Can't do anything about it"
Rising fuel prices are causing frustration. According to an industry association, petrol station employees are feeling the effects. (Archive image) / Photo: Sebastian Kahnert/dpa
From: DieSachsen News
"You're too expensive. I'll take public transport now." According to an industry association, this and other frustrations are currently being expressed at petrol stations. But it is not the tenants who set the prices.

Filling station operators in eastern Germany are feeling the frustration of higher fuel prices, according to the regional industry association. "Of course, our colleagues at the tills are already very aware of people's displeasure," said Hans-Joachim Rühlemann, Chairman of the Association of the Garage and Petrol Station Industry (VTG) North-East.

He defended the petrol station leaseholders with regard to the price development. "It's not their fault at all." Price sovereignty lies with the oil companies. "They pass on the prices. In the meantime, everything has become so automated. The salesperson at the till or the cashier at the till often doesn't even notice."

The VTG Nord-Ost is responsible for Berlin, Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia.

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Filling up in mini portions

According to Rühlemann, people are sometimes reluctant to fill up, especially in areas where more people are living on a budget. "They sometimes come and fill up for five euros because they absolutely have to do this and that tomorrow. That's quite clear to see." He cited Berlin-Reinickendorf as an example.

Other customers switched to other means of transport. "I can no longer afford it. You're too expensive. I'll take public transport now," they say at the checkout. Drivers who have a ticket for public transport anyway would use it more often.

More fuel tourism expected

In contrast, fuel tourism to the eastern neighboring countries of Poland and the Czech Republic is currently limited. Rühlemann assumes this is because some people still have something left in their tank anyway. "But if this continues for a few more days, it will certainly increase." With super petrol, you can currently save 40 to 45 cents per liter in Poland.

Rühlemann also responded to criticism that fuel prices had already risen, even though the fuel in the tanks had been purchased before the increase in crude oil prices. "There's some truth in that, but of course it works the other way around too." If prices at the pump go down again at some point, this sometimes happens quickly due to competition. Then petrol stations also sell the actually more expensive fuel at a significantly lower price.

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