Motorway service stations ripping off drivers
February 10, 2011
A survey has revealed that motorway service stations are ripping customers off by charging over 90 percent more for drinks and snack. According to consumer watchdog Which?, Burger King, WH Smith and Marks & Spencer are taking advantage of the millions of people on the road who are forced to eat at service stations.
Drivers, who also have to pay a premium for diesel and petrol at motorway pumps, see huge mark-ups on food and drink. WH Smith was found to be the worst offender, charging 91 percent more for bottled water than they do in regular shops. Bottles of Coke were also 18 percent more than usual, at £1.69 a pop.
Marks & Spencer have also been named in the report, charging 25 percent more for bottled water at their motorway Simply Food outlets and 16 percent more for a humble bacon and egg sandwich. Hot food is also sold at a premium, with Burger King selling their cheeseburger meals for £6.15, a massive 12 percent more than in their normal outlets.
Paul Watters, AA’s head of policy, condemned the high mark-ups. He claimed that such high prices dissuaded tired drivers from stopping for a rest. Steve Fowler, editor of Which? magazine, also called the price hikes “unforgiveable”. He added that retailers, including petrol stations, were taking advantage of motorists in the most brazen manner.
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