BP and Shell Boycott

Cuey · 07-08-2007, 04:53 PM

Has anyone else got the email about the boycott of BP and Shell Fuel for the next few weeks ???

The basis of it is that they own the majority of all Fuel stations and if they don't get any revenue and people go to other places such as independents and lesser known companies that a price war will commence and force prices down

Has anyone heard of it ? I got the email today, and will you participate in it in the hope of it working ?

Zed7fiddy · 07-08-2007, 04:54 PM

This was tried about a year or two ago, dont think it really worked, i use BP normally anyhow so ill be doing my bit!

DOC · 07-08-2007, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cuey

if they don't get any revenue and people go to other places such as independents and lesser known companies that a price war will commence and force prices down
?

A price war would suit the big players and only hurt smaller players, as for it working, ? I'd probably have a better chance of blowing smoke rings out of my backside.

Hunter · 07-08-2007, 05:00 PM

I think boycotting Shell is not a bad idea for one other reason: their treatment of various countries over the years. Shell have a terrible environmental track record and even had one guy in Nigeria arrested and sentenced to death for daring to protest against their operations there. Shell wasn't directly responsible but leaked memos from Shell and the government in Nigeria at the time basically proved that Shell wanted him 'dealt with' ASAP.

AUIIForte · 07-08-2007, 05:05 PM

Count me in!

Dave_au · 07-08-2007, 05:08 PM

Hahhhahhahahahahahah.

No one cares. An immaterial amount of customers will boycott - it won't effect profits at all. In fact, dare I say they wouldn't even notice a decline in sales for the day.

Van D · 07-08-2007, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave_au

Hahhhahhahahahahahah.

No one cares. An immaterial amount of customers will boycott - it won't effect profits at all. In fact, dare I say they wouldn't even notice a decline in sales for the day.

Though I agree... the email said over the next few weeks, not one day.

I don't go to shell or BP anyway, so meeehh.

[Tonko] · 07-08-2007, 05:39 PM

It has been tried, and it failed...
What are they supposed to do? If they lower prices, everyone will go there for the cheap fuel. And they get their customers back.
pointless.

**Dave R** · 07-08-2007, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cuey

people go to other places such as independents and lesser known companies that a price war will commence and force prices down

This will not work for a couple of reasons. Firstly, a mere email circulating will not reach the mass market. Additionally, the people who actually do decide to boycott will be a minority - not even close to a recognisable chunk out of Shell/ BP's business. Lastly, the independents would have to first lower their own prices to start a price war. And in the event of a price war, the independents would get severely owned.

This boycott plan would have to be massively successful (as in, ~5% of motorists boycotting) and run for a series of months to even get close to a price fluctuation - which will not happen.

Green X · 07-08-2007, 05:43 PM

Well there are 2 refinery's in WA, BP and Gull so doing this will do nothing as one refinery couldn't support all of WA so BP would just sell it's fuel to Gull.

sarrge2001 · 07-08-2007, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DOC

........ I'd probably have a better chance of blowing smoke rings out of my backside.

If that succeeds, can you post it here as a video??

Elks · 07-08-2007, 07:02 PM

The big cartell thing actually operates in line with the other great duoploly which is Coles & Safeway.(Woolworths in some parts) with there shopper dockets.

Coles uses Shell & Safeway uses Caltex now often branded as Coles Express and Safey Fuel.

This is so bad that Mobil at one stage considered pulling out of Oz. Forget the independants, they have no chance, if Exxon-Mobil can't compete no one can.

:

Haven't seen the e-mail, but why not buy from an independant.

asusdragon · 07-08-2007, 07:06 PM

yeah been tried a few times before and unfortanly i will only use BP fuels, and meh its more th government you need to look at also, they make bout 20% on the fuel in tax so when fuel was 80c they were make 16c but not fuel is at $1.40 they make what 28c think my maths is off there but meh you get the picture

RG · 07-08-2007, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarrge2001

If that succeeds, can you post it here as a video??

Kinky!

Au2falcons · 07-08-2007, 07:10 PM

Not sure why you'd bother with Shell or BP, Caltex is the biggest supplier. They have their own service stations, Woolworths, taken over most Ampol service stations and supply to many others.

Has anyone watched the Caltex share price skyrocket over the last few years??? High share prices are a result of great profits, same goes for the banks.

AU2PWR · 07-08-2007, 07:13 PM

A Boycott for One day does about 2/10ths of F)(* All ...

BROCKYB8 · 07-08-2007, 07:19 PM

well the only prob is that alot of the cars today that are high performance tend to run on the bp ultimate and or shell crAp.

XRchic · 07-08-2007, 07:41 PM

My car runs on tune 2 on BP Ultimate and tune 3 is Ultimate + octane booster. So no chance. My only choices are Mobile Synergy and BP. And BP is easier to find here.

FPV8U · 07-08-2007, 07:45 PM

The only 98 fuel in my Area is Shell & BP so i'll have to Boycott the Boycott.

matt-chops · 08-08-2007, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DOC

...I'd probably have a better chance of blowing smoke rings out of my backside.

I'd pay money to see that. How much?

DOC · 08-08-2007, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt-chops

I'd pay money to see that. How much?

There really are some sick puppies on this forum , paying money, video's.

:

desGT · 08-08-2007, 09:31 AM

Who started the email? Some joker? Mobil? A 13yo?

If a boycott was serious, it would be properly organised in such a way that we would all know about it via newspapers and TV stations to get the real point across and a real result.

I am not saying it is a bad idea, just the source and its organisation! It almost smacks of spam.

Unco · 08-08-2007, 11:04 AM

i did get the email last week but i always fuel up at the local independent servo anyway. only wish more people would do the same.

SPK-250 · 08-08-2007, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DOC

A price war would suit the big players and only hurt smaller players, as for it working, ? I'd probably have a better chance of blowing smoke rings out of my backside.

Ha ha me too!

I only ever put BP or Mobil in my car anyways. No way would i put Caltex or any of the supermarket crap fuels in.

FoMoKid · 08-08-2007, 01:15 PM

BP and Shell have government, fleet, corporate customers that must use thier fuel otherwise the driver has to pay from their own pocket, so such an exercise would be futile.

MITCHAY · 08-08-2007, 02:47 PM

I only fill up with Ultimate. And never think of using Shell anyways

:

I thought they would have to have huge stockpiles for a boycott to work and even then it would have to be quite a lengthy one.

XPcoupe · 08-08-2007, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Green X

Well there are 2 refinery's in WA, BP and Gull so doing this will do nothing as one refinery couldn't support all of WA so BP would just sell it's fuel to Gull.

There only a couple of Refinery's in each state and all the independents buy of them so if they don't make there money one way they will make it through the independents. We will never win. Also as already said Telstra have Shell or Mobil fuel card options only. Vic Police have Shell cards with 2 tanks a 8hr shift.
Do you think our 1 tank a week would affect there sales.

Laminge · 08-08-2007, 08:54 PM

Thanks to this thread I saw a BP today , looked at my fuel gauge, stopped and filled up!

Jason[98.EL] · 08-08-2007, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laminge

Thanks to this thread I saw a BP today , looked at my fuel gauge, stopped and filled up!

lol

i am the same when i need fuel i get it regardless of the servo brand name

jason

ZC001 · 08-08-2007, 11:42 PM

I think this boycott has some merit in theory. Unfortunately the email I received is a powerpoint so I cant paste the details here for anyone who has not read it yet.

The plan is to boycott the two brands with the major market share. Petrol prices currently go up/down on weekly cycles by ridiculous/disgusting amounts. The justification given for this by wholesalers is battling for market share. If this factor is truly so important that they can discount by 10c/litre on quiet days in an attempt to retain market share, it would not take much change in buying habits by consumers to force major discounting by any brands affected by a boycott.

So if enough motorists were to boycott the two major sellers, given the "allegedly" fragile nature of the retail fuel market, this should immediately result in substantial discounts to the retail price as the affected companies try to retain their market share . Of course this will result in an increase of customers back to the major brands, so the others will then have to follow suit to be competitive.

(of course this whole scenario ignores my personal cynical opinion that oil companies are just gouging us by charging as much as possible at the times people use the most petrol, holidays, weekends and filling up on payday.).