Discussions

This is an idea that I have been floating around for a while now that is gaining traction in the US. Would anyone in Brandon have interest in having a service that delivers fuel directly to their cars for say 5 dollars? Whether it be at your house or your work place.  
 
I know it sounded big in large cities in the states, but didn't know if people in Brandon would see use for it.  
 
All feedback is welcome!

If you want to come down and fill my truck's tank with Gas, I'll pay you $5. I usually pay $80 at the pumps.  
 
Awesome deal.

Haha, yeah I was expecting someone to point that out.  
 
Profit margins are getting slim then!

As my buddy Kevin O'Leary would say “It's a stupid idea, it's going to zero, take it behind the barn and shoot it." No offense but no one is going to pay you $5 to come with a hose and fill their car up outside the office. Gas is already too much in 5 mins or less you can drive to a station and get your own for free (and before Bob chimes in not freefree )  
 
Don't give up. I like your entrepreneurial spirit but this isn't the one.  
 
Edited by TWENTY, 2017-04-21 00:10:11

I don't think its a terrible idea, just wrong market. Big cities where you need to get through traffic, and then probably wait for a bit at the pump, makes sense. Rarely do you have to wait for a pump and if you do, it is never to long.  
 
If you could somehow save me 3 or 4 cents from the pump price then maybe i am more interested.  
 
It would be great Friday of long weekend, come out of work and car all gased up ready to hit the road. But a normal wednesday after work, where i drive past a few stations on way home, I can swing in and fill up.

jc1998 said "This is an idea that I have been floating around for a while now that is gaining traction in the US. Would anyone in Brandon have interest in having a service that delivers fuel directly to their cars for say 5 dollars? Whether it be at your house or your work place.     I know it sounded big in large cities in the states, but didn't know if people in Brandon would see use for it.     All feedback is welcome! "

It''s an interesting concept but in this area people won''t support it. Plus there is gonna be a whole nightmare of provincial and federal regulations for you even getting started with moving fuel, storing/selling it as a commercial operation that would kill it. This is Canadian government they like the rule books/licencing fees/fines for breaking rules and enviromental stuff to if you spill any. I''d bet the insurance costs would be huge to. This is not going to be like farmers having a slip tank moving diesel for their equipment.  
Robert  
 
Edited by Farmboy74, 2017-04-21 11:27:25

Pay for the annual membership and CAA will do this. The cost for them to come is free and you just pay for the gas they bring you. Cash or credit card.

But I think it is a bad idea. People fuel their vehicles so they can run errands, drive to work, go shopping, etc. On the way to do these things there are always lots of easy access gas stations. These gas stations have rewards cards and memberships. Plus people often grab smokes and treats at gas stations.  
 
Back to the drawing board ??

If someone orders gas from you and their car is parked in a parking lot with other cars around, do you block the other cars while filling ?  
 
Have you checked what your liability insurance would be, I assume gas stations probably pay a fair amount of insurance.  
 
What do you do if you accidentally spill fuel on someone else's property, ie the parking lot owner ?

Great to to explore entrepreneurial ideas and ask for feedback, keep doing it and eventually you'll hit something good!  
Agree with what other posters have said, this probably isn't the right market for this. In a large urban area like >:1,000,000, where suburbs are 30+ kms out, and the core area is a major headache to drive in, having gas delivered could be appealing. But then you would have to deal with this and the costs associated with it.  
Brandon's essentially just a big farm town in comparison, and easy to get gas anywhere and anytime.  
 
Another thing with this is even if it worked, it would have a limited lifespan as a business. There's set to be a big shift towards electrical and hybrid cars in the coming years, especially as new technology is making their range, performance, and price very appealing, especially for urban commuters, don't bet against Elon Musk is sort of a slogan going around.  
Maybe a mobile charging station would be viable in a few years?