A MANAGER at a petrol station told The Chronicle the strange tales and techniques that people use to barter their ways out of paying at the pumps.
Sarah Gills, who has been manageress at the BP Service Station on Tarvin Road for two years, listed motorists excuses, seeing people flee from the pumps, and absent minded drivers simply forgetting they filled up.
“One man came into the station and said the cash machine has snapped my card and he flashed it at us. That is impossible card machines don't snap cards.
“We always take their phone number and call them to see if it is genuine, his wasn't but eventually he was forced to give us the right number.”
She described how some notorious fuel thieves target different petrol stations across the region and even wait for new staff to start work before trying their luck again.
“One guy from Wrexham does it every month, if a new cashier starts he targets them because they do not know how to deal with it.
“Some people simply fill up and then go and get a Subway, they sit and eat it and then get back in their car and drive away. We then have to chase them up to get the money.
“There are genuine people who have forgotten their money or drive off without paying. One man even came in with the money and chocolates and flowers to apologise for his mistake.”
