Caltex Australia update

Received a letter in the mail yesterday regarding my claim for damage due to contaminated fuel...it was from a company who handles Caltex's claims against them. Basically, it stated that they had been out to the site, checked the tanks and found NO contamination of the fuel in there and that they were sorry, but felt they had no obligation to accept liability for my repairs and inconvenience. Felt a bit crappy at the news, made a coffee, sat down and re-read the letter and noticed...to my horror...that they had actually inspected the WRONG service station!!! Yep, thats right, they did an inspection on a garage in Kingaroy!?!? which is roughly 300 klms away!! How incompetent is that, when I have told them 3 times on the phone and sent them faxes, stating that the servo was in Elanora.....the saga continues, my next step is to go to the media (A Current Affair might do ) because now its about revenge, not reimbursement for my damage/repairs and I now have this letter as proof of their inadequacy. Will keep you posted
Micragirl

I suggest you speak a solicitor.
But here I do write a short and concise legal advise.

The claims made against Caltex are based on your allegation of contanminated fuel. Caltex have appeared to have gone to the extreme to cover up by incidentially investigating a completely site; hence your not entitled to compensation. The fallacy in that argument precludes that if you approach this on a legal echelon, you have a substanially strong case; in the view of the merits of your case. However, the very diffcult evidentary burden which you possess; the chances of your ability to ascertain evidence were majorly corrupted as it was Caltex that engaged the "investigation", this may determine that your case is not just about compensation but your case could establish a case of a denial of natural justice.

"the dealership (Nissan) is keeping a sample of the fuel for his report to back up the water issues. He said I have a good chance of getting compensation as he personally has had this issue with Caltex/Ampol petrol on many occasions."

I think this should very well be followed up.

I have already asked my solicitor to act on my behalf, he told me it would be $2000 just to set up a case against them, I am only seeking $520 in total for what I truly feel to be fair and decent compensation, small change compared to the solicitor's fees. Was told by the agent acting on Caltex's behalf that I wouldn't stand a chance of getting it because "there are strict laws and guidelines to be followed in the selling and distribution of fuel" which I don't doubt, but who is to say that those laws are being respected? I know for sure that this fuel was the cause of my dramas, they cannot prove to me otherwise, so why should I take it on the chin and walk away? If I give in now, then I am not being true to myself, I'm fighting to the end, and if 10 people stop buying Caltex fuel, then my point will have been made. They could have been gracious and given a "benefit of the doubt" ruling, I would have taken my compensation and walked away. Had they stated that they checked the correct site, I might have been more resigned, but they have made a big stuff up and I am running with it. Like I said before, its not about the money any more, the car is fixed and paid for, its cleaned me out financially, so what more do I have to lose? Thanks for your support, Micragirl

Go them for more than the reapirs. If the solicitor is switced on what about all your time,emotional stress etc.
You should also be claiming all costs to be born by Caltex.
Gee I like your attitude Micragirl.
Get mad and get even.

In support of your claims; I hereby will not engage in any form of business or custom with Caltex until this misdeed is remedied.

I received more correspondence from Caltex's agent yesterday. Another letter stating the same thing as the first one, this time with the correct site location. I do not know how to prove that the fuel was contaminated, apart from
1. An eyewitness to my filling up with Caltex fuel and subsequently witnessing the result of breaking down and stalling.
2. The fuel sample from my tank containing the water, not visible to the naked eye, but supposedly there.
3. The service station attendant pouring a bottle of metho into my tank - free of charge. (In some way I feel that this was an admission of guilt by the servo)
4. Proof that I purchased the fuel there in the first place.
5. Two mechanics, independant of each other, witnessing the fuel filter being full of water, I had 2 of them replaced during the drama.

I have been given the heave ho by this mob, after all, they will still survive without my future patronage. A company like Caltex makes millions, billions of dollars profit and they do not give a rat's about us, the consumers. Still not sure about which way to go now, A Current Affair are on holidays, so I have time to put together something. I wish I could just let it go, but I am sick of being shat on because I am the little guy/gal, I feel its time the people of this country started fighting back, how much more are we supposed to take before we rebel? (Thats not a question that I expect an answer to).

My next project will be McDonalds Family Restaurants and their policies towards their employees. Another multi million dollar company shatting on the very people who are forming the base for their success and profitability. More later...:P

Micragirl

Did you pay for the fuel by card? If so then this is proof you bought it.

Just the fact your car was running fine before and crap after kinda throws it for me. Then two mechanics saying it had water in the fuel and you have a sample.

Hmm they are being really slimey if they are still trying to get out of it, really sucks.

Go to consumer affairs or whatever the consumer watchdog is called in Qld.
You have enough proof on your side to make a really good case.
McDonalds ?? now you are going to tell me they hire juniors and get massive subsidies from the Federal Govt.to help with their training ??Pay them nothing and work the shitter out of them. Ever see mature age people working in McDonalds??
Tell you a good story. No McDonalds in Vietnam. When yhey wanted to open stores they told the Vietnamese Govt. the standard of beef in Vietnam was not good enough and they would have to import. Govt.told em to go jump. They kicked up a hell of a stink but it just made the Govt. more determined. Sure its a communist Govt. but in some cases they have their benefits.Anyway nothing wrong with the beef in Vietnam. Feel that it was cheaper to import than to buy locally but that is not helping Vietnamese farmers who are dirt poor anyway.
Anyway glad to see you are not giving up Micragirl.

McDonalds gave my son who is 27 (no I'm not very old, just had him young :P) a job. He earns $8-21 an hour as a casual, he has to work back past his knock off time for no extra pay, he drives 15 klms to the place and they send him home because its "quiet", again with no pay. He is required to "clock off" if there's no customers, and then "clock on" again when there is. He works 5 days a week, doing 3 hour shifts, travels 150klms to get there and home and gets just over a hundred bucks a week. When he complains to management, they offer him the door, as there's always someone else to take his position. Why, you ask, does he continue to go? Because they have promised him better pay and better shifts when he's been there 3 months. Poor kid is so naive that he doesn't realise that he'll be out the door in 3 months time, for they will then recruit another person and use them like they have used him. It stinks. How is a guy supposed to get ahead with wages and conditions like that? He works in a country town in the Riverina district, not much work going there so he's stuck with it til something better comes along, or til he sees sense and comes back to the Gold Coast. So much for the country life.

Sure McDonalds hires older staff. Theyre coming back from retirement because they get stuff all pension. Also, they hire disabled people just so they can look like theyre "reaching out" to the community and what have you.

I had a similar problem last week from Caltex... Except the Vortex (Premium) i got, lasted about as long as unleaded and just wasnt the same as Vortex. Hence, I do believe they sold me unleaded. No way of proving it now, used all the fuel and theyve probably emptied the storage tank by now.
In short, fuel companies, are assholes. Plain and simple.

McDonalds suck and so does there food. I like hungry jacks as they make real burgers :)
Caltex suck, I know this as I worked for them for over 5 years :( You dont have a chance in hell of winning a fight with them unless somthing amazing happens to prove your case.
You only chance is making it public with programs like ACA or Today tonight but whatever you do make sure you have some good proof or you will end up getting sued by caltex.

Some Australian company hey....

I'll continue buying BP thanks.

Well here we are 9 years later....and with no word of a lie I have not entered a Caltex garage since this fiasco, out of respect for Mikey.

I give you respect for not giving in.

Wow, never saw this thread before, but interesting, mainly because I have found consistently Caltex fuel is shit, I used to like BP, but somewhere along the line all their regular range turned to shit, now I only ever buy Mobil if I can, my Micra runs smooth constantly if I stick with the Mobil.

I have found 7-Eleven (Mobil) to be consistently the cheapest in my area of South-West Sydney between Bankstown to Liverpool.

Personally though, I have found Shell V-Power to run the best in my Micra, clearing up my flat spot around 2,300-2,400rpm. On the downside though, I have found Shell to be the most expensive in my area.

Just filled my e85 micra with eflex from caltex. Ran so shit for the whole tank. Back to united for some e85 and no dramas. Apparently the fuel comes from the same refinery, definitely not the same fuel though.

eFlex is not a true E85. It's anywhere between 70%-85% ethanol.

The United E85 is almost a true E85. They're bringing out their "Race Blend E85' now.

That's probably the reason why eFlex ran so crap for you as your car was tuned for proper E85.

Yeah i realise this. But it only ran crap when it was cold. Regardless, the guy was trying to tell me that united and caltex e85 is the same fuel. Also that must be why i got slugged 1.40 per litre instead of the 125 it was 2 weeks ago.. well i hope so anyways

The funny thing about some fuels, is a few brands have good top level premium fuels, very few now have 91/92 that is worth a damn.

BP is the classic example, their Ultimate is great, their regular is terrible (and worst economy of any fuel you can buy), and even their premium middle level fuel is ok but so overpriced when Mobile regular is as good.

Shell is the other fuel I will buy, but I think again their premiums are better than regulars, Mobil is the only company who make a 91/92 that actually seems to have octane, from memory someone did a test some years back, many brands were dipping into the 86-88 range on fuels rated 91-92, the numbers in general are often just a lie.