New petrol discount programme

Mail Contractors are always looking for ways to reduce fuel costs. For a number of years Mail Contractors have been able to access fuels discount cards through membership of API. An API membership form is sent with POAAL membership receipts. If you have mislaid your API form and would like to apply for API membership, please contact the POAAL National Office.Some Contractors in metropolitan areas have been able to access the "shopper docket" discount schemes offered at certain service stations. A new discount programme has been launched this year that will be available at a number of independent service stations.The Service Station Association has launched SaveSmart, a discount petrol programme allowing independent service stations to offer 4c per litre discounts to customers.Service stations that join the scheme are able to offer customers a 4c per litre discount on fuel purchases of up to 50 Litres. The discount will apply to all fuels sold at the service station, including LPG, and will not be restricted to petrol.The SaveSmart service station promotion requires customers to purchase specially marked items available at service stations, such as bread, milk, bottled water, and soft drinks.Each month at the participating service stations, customers will be able to obtain the petrol discount by purchasing one of the three promotional offers being run in the service station shop.The scheme is designed to counter the discounts offered through supermarket and petrol station allieances such as Coles/Shell and Woolworths/Caltex.The ACCC reviewed the shopper docket promotions in 2003 and 2004 and found that the schemes encouraged competition and lower prices in the fuel market. ACCC Chairman Graeme Samuel said early last year that "[the] ACCC considers that there are substantial benefits for consumers from shopper docket discounts. These offers are pro-competitive because they drive competition between supermarkets and petrol retailers. In addition to the effect on price, retailers must become more innovative in non-price factors, such as additional services, to gain or maintain market share."The ACCC continues to monitor, on a case-by-case basis, any complaints of unconscionable behaviour in either the grocery or petrol retailing sectors.For more information visit the SaveSmart website.