Fuel cards: honesty or truth?
25 June 2014
Fleet managers have been reminded by The Fuelcard People of the importance of verifying fuel card suppliers’ claims. Steve Clarke, group marketing manager, said: “Always remember the difference between truth and honesty. If a supplier tells you that it offers fixed weekly pricing, that might be true, but if it forgets to add that it also levies transaction charges, it is not being honest.”
Failure to understand a supplier’s charging structure could be an expensive mistake. Two competing suppliers might appear to be offering the same deal, but if only one imposes transaction charges, the other supplier could work out to be hundred or even thousands of pounds cheaper.
“You can usually expect any supplier to tell you the truth,” said Steve Clarke, “but do not assume that it is being honest. It might not be telling you the whole truth, or nothing but the truth. Always check suppliers’ claims and always check the small print.”
Honesty has been a burning issue in the fuel cards market since the 2013 introduction of unexpected additional charges by some suppliers. Thousands of fleet managers were unhappy that such ‘network fees’ and other transaction charges were buried within invoices, without explanation. Many of them switched suppliers as a consequence.
“Other companies might try to position a £2 charge as being small,” said Steve Clarke, “but when you add £2 to each refuelling of every car, regardless of the amount pumped, it soon adds up. For the record, The Fuelcard People does not impose network fees, transaction charges or anything similar, under any name. Never has, never will.”
Other Press Releases By This Company
- 04/08/2014 - Cheaper refuelling simplified for the public sector
- 21/07/2014 - Fleets losing money by not learning from the past
- 30/06/2014 - What would you do with an extra £200 per car?
- 30/05/2014 - Fuel cards: look beyond the obvious
- 11/10/2013 - The Fuelcard People launch new website
- 16/09/2013 - Fleet managers: always read the small print
- 16/08/2013 - Get yourself a dongle!
- 28/06/2013 - Fleet managers: the only way is up
- 31/05/2013 - Poor service wastes time and money
- 30/05/2013 - Fleet managers: the rainforest people say, “Thank you for helping.”
- 17/05/2013 - The easy route to the best fuel card
- 16/05/2013 - Fleet managers told to stop 'shredding banknotes'
- 29/04/2013 - Look for fuel cards with more than discounts
- 19/04/2013 - Fleet managers gain accurate HMRC reporting with MileageCount
- 12/04/2013 - Dedicated Fuelcard service for Fleet Managers
- 22/03/2013 - The Fuelcard People with the personal touch
- 20/03/2013 - Businesses warned: beware of false fuel card claims
- 20/03/2013 - Paperwork wastes time and money
- 01/03/2013 - Fleet Managers advisewd not to put up with "call centre syndrome"
- 20/02/2013 - Allstar tells unhappy customers to leave
- 11/02/2013 - Businesses lose money taking the ‘easy option’
- 01/02/2013 - Fleet managers: summer is on its way
- 29/01/2013 - Six Golden Rules for businesses looking for best fuel cost savings
- 21/01/2013 - Businesses warned: you spend too much on fuel
- 14/01/2013 - Fleet managers reminded to watch their cashflow
- 20/12/2012 - Is your fleet a victim of moonlight robbery?
- 20/12/2012 - Fleets have lots to celebrate in 2013
- 26/11/2012 - Company fleets: not a government priority?
- 20/11/2012 - How fleet managers can save trees, time and money
- 05/11/2012 - M6 tolls made simple with fuel cards
- 31/10/2012 - Fleet managers warned: emissions reporting is coming
- 12/03/2012 - Now is the Spring of our discount tankful
- 12/03/2012 - Are you shredding your money?
- 28/09/2011 - Comparing fuel prices? Fuelcard People urge Fleet Managers to try the telephone test
