By Jadryn Dick
Puma Jandakot shuts off its Premium pump today
On Sunday just gone – October 18 – motorists couldn’t believe their eyes: a Puma fuel station in Perth’s south was selling fuel for 14.9 cents per litre.
The unmanned station on Soloman Road in Jandakot was advertising fuel for 149.1 cents per litre, but at the bowser was charging only 14.9 cents for premium Pumamax 98 octane.
Due to a human error by staff when entering the price into the bowser, people queued from 9am until 3pm for the deal of a lifetime.
One man reportedly drove his ute full of jerry cans down to fill each of them up and paid only $150 at the pump.
Many consumers at the fuel station today hadn’t heard about the incident.
Tony Koch from Jandakot said he didn’t know about the cheap fuel until it was too late.
“I missed the whole thing,” said Mr Koch.
The price was changed after a passerby notified another Puma station of the error which shut down the pumps until the price was changed.
Kyle Huynh of FuelWatch said he had never seen an incident like this happen before.
Having allegedly breached the 24-hour pricing policy set by FuelWatch, Puma could face fines if the incident is investigated.
“Fines include anything from a simple warning letter all the way up to an infringement,” said Mr Huynh.
“We will look into the matter, although the incident has presented no loss to the consumer and a warning letter will more than likely be sent.”
Many like Tony Koch see the incident as a win for consumers who are constantly battling fluctuating fuel prices.
“One day it’s a $1.18, tomorrow it’ll probably be a $1.35,” said Mr Koch.
An attempt to contact Puma Fuels today for comment was unsuccessful as its general inquires line had apparently been disconnected.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aaMubkxyoA]