New rule at Sainsbury's

It is sad, at work we have to suspect pretty much every customer from 11 year olds to flippin' old women for being shoplifters. You'd be surprised who steals things, and what they steal!

[timwilky]

Originally Posted by Miles

I always fill whilst sat on the bike. Pay at pump is king, and even if you've got to go into the shop sitting on the bike allows you to get more fuel in, and sit down whilst filling.

I also find it much easier sat on the bike, less cumbersome.

+1

I also refuse to remove my helmet, if they do not want my custom, I will go elsewhere.


what gets me is at one very popular filling station with bikers I know, there is a guy who writes down your reg number as you fill. I guess it is as a result of ride/drive aways but still a little disconcerting.

Originally Posted by DavieSV

The highest point you can fill to, when upright, is to the center line of the hole at the bottom of the filler. The air pressure in the remaining space will not allow any more in.
If the bike is on it's side stand, the higest point is the side of the filler hole which is above the centerline, less air in the top of the tank = more fuel

Does your tank not have a breather tube? I'd take it to the dealership & get that sorted TBH.

I have always* sat on my bike, with the sidestand up, to put petrol in. On my bike, I've covered 34k miles (120mile ish tank range - someone else can work out how many times I've filled my bike), and the use of other bikes, I must be at 45k+ since passing my test.

Nothing seriously bad has happened. Yes, my foot has slipped because some other numpty has spilled petrol on the floor before me, but that happened as I was reaching for the pump.

Yes, there's a risk of fire, yes there's a risk of dropping the bike, yes, there's a risk of splash back, but there's a risk of being run over by the bus when you cross the road!

About the worst thing I've done was to fill up, on the bike, then get off & start walking away. Then I had to turn around & catch the bike because I forgot about the sidestand. That only ever happens once!

Helmets? Generally stays on, but if they want me to remove it, it's not a big deal. I can appreciate some people can feel threatened by it.

*Except for the one garage that refused to turn the pump on until I got off the bike. I was desperately short of fuel (wouldn't of made it to the next petrol station), so I got off, put 2 litres in, then went to the next one to spend my money.

[jamesterror]

I work for Sainsbury's?

If this is a national implementation then it will be sent out to all stores regarding this, however the store I work at doesn't have a petrol station but we still recieve info/updates regarding it.

I'm at work tonight so will have a look.

Originally Posted by timwilky

I also refuse to remove my helmet, if they do not want my custom, I will go elsewhere.

Surely by then you've already filled up? Or do a fair number of stations not allow you to fill up unless you've taken your helmet off first?

It is sad that stereotypes exist, that many bikers are tarred with the same brush and seemingly put in the same category as chavs in hoodies but these places have every right to take precautions in my eyes. I have a friend who spent all last summer working in a petrol station, he was left on his own most of the time and had to close the station on a few occasions because of intimidating vehicle owners (admittedly in Bristol ). If people pop into a newsagents for some fags or a motorparts shop for a spark plug then those people (again I'm going by my own observations) always take their lids off, it's just common courtesy! People are more comfortable with strangers when they can see complete facial expressions and in return you will be treated with the respect you deserve for bothering to take it off and speak face-to-face.

Anyway I think I'm digressing from the OP, sorry!

[timwilky]

I have only hit the remove helmet once, Tesco filling station. I had filled up and gone into the shop to pay. "Sorry we cannot serve you with your helmet on"

No problem I just want to pay, I already have the fuel, You need to remove your helmet. slapped money on counter and walked out.

Idiots. Why try to refuse payment?.

I have worn my helmet in banks etc, with bike parked outside. Bank robbers don't queue, cashier on seeing me said good afternoon Mr Wilkinson, never a murmur about the lid. I do not understand why some organisation have a beef about bikers.

Filling stations etc, have nowhere clean/safe for me to put my lid whilst fumbling for wallet, holding gloves etc. Safest place for it is on my head

Remove it to prove I am not a thief, bollox. If somebody said to me I think you are a thief I would be the first to issue proceedings for slanderous allegations. so why should I pander to their misguided prejudice

Originally Posted by missyorkie_chris

Surely by then you've already filled up? Or do a fair number of stations not allow you to fill up unless you've taken your helmet off first?

It is sad that stereotypes exist, that many bikers are tarred with the same brush and seemingly put in the same category as chavs in hoodies but these places have every right to take precautions in my eyes. I have a friend who spent all last summer working in a petrol station, he was left on his own most of the time and had to close the station on a few occasions because of intimidating vehicle owners (admittedly in Bristol ). If people pop into a newsagents for some fags or a motorparts shop for a spark plug then those people (again I'm going by my own observations) always take their lids off, it's just common courtesy! People are more comfortable with strangers when they can see complete facial expressions and in return you will be treated with the respect you deserve for bothering to take it off and speak face-to-face.

Anyway I think I'm digressing from the OP, sorry!

Unless I'm stopping for a long period like shopping or eating/drinking, I don't remove my lid. I certainly wouldn't just to pop in and buy the paper or something.

Originally Posted by timwilky

I have worn my helmet in banks etc, with bike parked outside. Bank robbers don't queue, cashier on seeing me said good afternoon Mr Wilkinson, never a murmur about the lid. I do not understand why some organisation have a beef about bikers.

Did you first have your helmet on when you made an account with them? Also being a regular customer doesn't really compare as obviously your bank know you well and wouldn't wish to annoy you by asking...

Originally Posted by timwilky

Filling stations etc, have nowhere clean/safe for me to put my lid whilst fumbling for wallet, holding gloves etc. Safest place for it is on my head

Well as there's always two of us if I'm about to pay for fuel, one can look after the gear while the other pays Juggling stuff is annoying but if it makes things a little more comfortable for the person behind the counter then I'd rather just take it off and am happy to. Plus I'm more likely to bump into something with my lid on in a shop, I'm known to be a clumsy oaf

Reminds me of the story of a single mum being asked who the father is and her being unsure as he still had his crash helmet on!

At the end of the day it's their site and their rules, we recently had a safety meeting and risk assessment for walking up stairs at work so nothing surprises me anymore!

I don't take my lid off for stations but helmets are very intimidating so I do in shops and banks, just good manners. My usual corner shop has a nice lady who smiles and is helpful but the one time I kept my helmet on she did look scared and wasn't very happy. It's only 10 secs FFS after all and I am very handsome so shame to hide it

Originally Posted by timwilky

I have only hit the remove helmet once, Tesco filling station. I had filled up and gone into the shop to pay. "Sorry we cannot serve you with your helmet on"

No problem I just want to pay, I already have the fuel, You need to remove your helmet. slapped money on counter and walked out.

Idiots. Why try to refuse payment?.

That made me chuckle, sometimes i sit on the bike sometimes i get off. Depends on the weather.