bwagy, the blog of Ben Young

Over the last few years we have seen the merging of convenience stores and petrol stations.  A way of value adding given shrinking margins on fuel for vendors.  Sweet.

However this combination slows down your service.  Pull into a gas station between 7.30am and 9.30am.  Chances are it won’t be a fast service.

How about this:

• You pull in and an attendant is waiting on you to fill your car.
• Once your car is filled you pay for your gas. Via credit card at the pump (handled by attendant).
• Charge $2 extra for this service.

Done under 2 minutes flat. (could even guarantee service time like McDonalds)

Easily cover cost of extra attendant per pump.  Help your customers out.

One step further.

• Charge $5 and give them a coffee / muffin at the same time.  You have probably saved your customer 20 minutes. 10 minutes filling up & another 10 minutes getting a coffee once they get to work.

Looking to differentiate? look at how you can ‘help’ your customers.  They will love it.

Tags: convenience, helping your customers, ideas, innovation, petrol stations

This entry was posted on Monday, June 2nd, 2008 at 9:47 pm.