LAWRENCE GULLERY
Hawke's Bay motorists are set to cash in on a new petrol-buying scheme that's already saving South Island drivers up to 36c a litre at the pumps.
The scheme could reach the Bay by mid-year. The Fuel Savers scheme offers members a discount of 6c a litre for every $20
spent at selected retailers.
At the most, up to 36c a litre can be saved as customers are allowed to add vouchers from a range of retail outlets, to a maximum of $120 of purchases. The vouchers must be redeemed at Caltex or Challenge service stations.
Fuel Savers sales manager Rick Harris told Hawke's Bay Today yesterday the scheme would be launched in Waikato and Bay of Plenty in February.
"They are central and a good place to lead out from to other North Island areas," he said.
"We're looking at Rotorua, Taupo, Tokoroa, Hamilton and Cambridge to start off. The plan is to head over to the east coast by mid-June."
Mr Harris he had been busy responding to calls from North Island communities wanting to know more about the scheme. "We've had so much interest. I just have to go out and talk to people," he said.
Merchants pay a fee to join the scheme, targeted at small and medium businesses, rather than larger outlets such as supermarkets.
Customers who shop at participating retailers use receipts to cash in on the petrol discount scheme.
"It encourages people to shop locally. The more business that goes through the local area the better," Mr Harris said.
It is free for customers to join Fuel Savers; all they have to do is sign. About 34,000 people in Christchurch and upper South Island had already joined the scheme.
Hastings City Marketing manager Sally Jackson said retailers here were considering the Fuel Savers concept: "Retailers are always looking for ways to add value for their customers."
