Forecourt staff return to Shell garage

1:00pm Friday 14th September 2012 in Latest

Forecourt staff Forecourt staff

THE GOLDEN age of customer service has returned as a Christchurch petrol station reintroduces forecourt attendants.

Shell, on Lyndhurst Road, in Somerford , has trained staff who will voluntarily fill your tank, clean your windscreen, or check the car’s oil and water levels, and customers just pay for the petrol and oil.

So it seemed fitting that a former forecourt attendant, Charles Leith, 55, from Fordingbridge , should meet one of the new ones, Danielle Goulding, 19, from Parkstone, to swap stories.

Danielle also took the opportunity to look at a classic 1969 Alfa Romeo 1750 Spider, owned by Charles.

Charles said: “I served petrol at my father’s garage in Poole Park during the summer of 1973.

“We used give every fifth customer who came in a bit of V.I.P treatment, by opening the bonnet, checking the oil and water levels, and filling up their cars.

“It was almost sometimes to see if we could get a tip, as we were paid 35p an hour back then, which was the same price as a gallon of petrol.

“The incentive was also there for customers to call in, at the time, so that people could collect their green shield stamps, to save up and buy something.”

“There wasn’t any instructions or training back then, the cars just came along and then we’d go over and help them.”

Now, the forecourt attendants for the 300 Shell garages across the country that offer this service, go through an intensive AA course to enable them to carry out a range of car care tasks.

But, as Danielle says, it seems that Shell really wanted to ‘bring the service back into service stations’.

She added: “It’s mainly older people that ask us to assist them. So, if they have trouble filling up their cars or something, then I can help, and whilst I’m doing that, they can go in and pay, so it can save time as well.

“There is a forecourt attendant available from 10am – 4pm, seven days a week here, and it seems that a lot of people really appreciate it, particularly if they are busy or less able to do it themselves.”

You have your say

Natalie Roberts, 44, from Verwood, said: “We used to have them at a garage in the village. It was good, especially for women.”

Darren Roberts, 38, from Verwood, said: “It’s bringing back customer service, especially with the rise in petrol prices, and it’s free as well.”

Cyril Lee, 75, from East Cliff, said: “It’s a very good idea to get the service. There’s a lot of elderly people that need help.”

Eve Hill, 23, from Christchurch,  said: “It’s a good idea and it would be nice if someone could help, as it can be a bit of a pain.”

Tim Nokes, 32,from Christchurch, said: “It’s making that real effort for the customer – going that extra mile, if you like.”

Comments(16)

Chiqqy says...
1:33pm Fri 14 Sep 12

I remember the last few attended service stations. I always wondered why they got rid of it. I think this is a great thing to bring back. :-)

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O'Reilly says...
2:02pm Fri 14 Sep 12

Don't forget to clean the windscreen Pet.....

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pete woodley says...
5:02pm Fri 14 Sep 12

Great,best wishes to all,now lets see more doing the same.

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pete woodley says...
5:03pm Fri 14 Sep 12

Great,best wishes to all,now lets see more doing the same.

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kazzy70 says...
5:41pm Fri 14 Sep 12

Its nice to see they have someone on the forecourt again but its not a new thing as my dad used to do it about 5 years ago until the person that took the franchise over for the garge got rid, he would fill cars up, put air and water in the cars, wash windows, put air in tyres, clean the pumps, weed and keep the forecourt tidy but the new people didnt think that was a good thing.

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BIGTONE says...
6:51pm Fri 14 Sep 12

pete woodley wrote:
Great,best wishes to all,now lets see more doing the same.
Ohh they will. Any excuse to bang another 5p on top per litre to "pay" for it.

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Vikki27 says...
8:09pm Fri 14 Sep 12

What a brilliant idea. Opening up more jobs and providing a more personal service. It would be nice to see more petrol stations follow suit.

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Phixer says...
8:53pm Fri 14 Sep 12

I would like to see American style pump guns which can be locked open while filling; saves the pain on arthritic hands.

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billd766 says...
2:53am Sat 15 Sep 12

It is still working here in Thailand at just about every petrol station across the country from the multi-national chains to the little villge shop who sell petrol and diesel from 44 gallon drums.
True they don't all clean your windscreen but a few times they have cleaned the visor on my motorbike helmet.

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muscliffman says...
1:24pm Sat 15 Sep 12

I hate to say it, but if this idea spreads how long before trusting folk stay in their seat and hand over their bunch of keys (for locking fuel cap) and plastic card with PIN (for payment) to a dodgy attendant who will copy them.
Already a lot of local card fraud has been sourced to fuel service stations, this could make it even easier. A shame.

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jeebuscripes says...
12:35pm Sun 16 Sep 12

Breaking news: someone got a job.

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Pezza1040 says...
3:48pm Sun 16 Sep 12

We the consumer will be paying for this service somewhere along the line you get nothing in this world for free

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mmm2008 says...
4:03pm Sun 16 Sep 12

Has Natalie from Verwood seriously said it was a good service, especially for women? Surely no responsible driver of any gender is unable to full up the car with petrol, and check oil/water levels and tyre pressure??!! I am female by the way and asked my driving instructor and parents to teach me this many years ago. I am sure the service is very good for lots of people however, and it is a nice touch for customer service.

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Wheeled1 says...
5:39pm Sun 16 Sep 12

A really good idea, especially for disabled drivers like myself. When I need fuel I have to make sure I have someone with me.

The only issue I have is that I pass near that station every weekday at 8.30am and 6.10pm on my way to/from work in Bournemouth, and so the hours the service is available are no good to me. It would be very useful if the hours good be extended on 1 or 2 days a week so that people that work could also benefit.

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MngsMnr says...
5:45pm Sun 16 Sep 12

I've used this service several times and think it helps speed up the whole process of getting fuel. I can be paying for it the minute the attendant hangs up the nozzle. I think it's great and those sceptics don't have to use it.

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it'sthatmanagain says...
6:26pm Sun 16 Sep 12

In Italy and Greece where we used to live, attended service was the norm. After hours the juice was cheaper, you paid at a machine. Incidentally glamorous Italian girls do not look under bonnets, thats a blokey job, they simply hand the keys and the money through the window giving the attendant a knockout smile......
Coming home to live, we miss that kind of service.

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