KEY POINTS:
The AA says boycotting the 'big petrol companies' won't bring down petrol prices, but did offer other solutions for managing the sky-rocketing cost of fuel.
AA was reacting to online trader WeBuy, who want its membership to boycott the four main fuel suppliers in a protest over their "astronomical profits" in the current unstable market.
But AA spokesman Mike Noon says while people should seek out the cheapest fuel, they should focus on ways to save fuel, rather than on revenge.
"Basically it is an indicator and a measure of the extreme unhappiness around the world because of fuel prices and New Zealand is no different. They are very concerned and very angry but I don't think this will have any positive effect," Mr Noon said of a boycott.
He said people wanting to save on fuel should look at more conventional ways such as reducing speed, combining journeys and taking off roof racks if not needed.
"That's going to have more impact on you saving fuel, rather than this idea of you taking revenge on the petrol companies," he said.
Mr Noon urged motorists to keep an eye out for the cheapest price on the boards.
At the moment that is the minnow petrol company Gull who remains at least one cent below the big players.
"Good on them. I'd encourage people to go to whoever has the lowest price. If Gull has the lowest price then they should go there. It gives them more business and encourages competition," he said.
But WeBuy were today encouraging its members to buy petrol at cheaper retailers.
Its founder and director Brooke McKenzie urged online buyers and sellers to purchase fuel only from Challenge and Gull outlets.
Oil producers were saying there was ample daily production for world demand and the current high prices were ridiculous and not their fault, the newsletter said.
"In New Zealand we haven't seen anything yet," Mr McKenzie said.
"Oil is produced in United States dollars and our dollar has been defying gravity for a long time. If the slide that has started continues, then fuel prices will become unbearable for many."
Mr McKenzie said WeBuy had informed independent fuel group Challenge of its plan to ask members to buy only from Challenge outlets for the rest of the year.
"There are 100 Challenge stations throughout New Zealand. If there's not one near you and there's a Gull station, then go there.
"Don't go directly to any of the big boys," Mr McKenzie said in his newsletter. "Drive past Mobil, BP Shell and Caltex. Tell them literally to `get stuffed'."
Challenge Petroleum was bought by Caltex New Zealand in 2001 but its website says most Challenge sites are independently operated.
nzherald.co.nz has been asking motorists to send in their local petrol prices over the past two days.
The Gull station on Ti Rakau Drive, Botany, Auckland, is selling 91 octane for $1.96.9, at least three cents lower than any other station readers around the country have told nzherald.co.nz about.
At the other end of the scale, motorists in rural areas are paying far more. The highest price for 91 octane petrol reported to nzherald.co.nz yesterday was $2.19 near Opotiki in the Bay of Plenty.
Today nzherald.co.nz heard that petrol on Great Barrier Island cost as much as $2.50.
However, if things seem bad here spare a thought for motorists in Europe. Several overseas readers wrote in to point out they were paying $3 or more in the UK, the Netherlands and Germany.
Gavin in California said prices there are US$4.50 a gallon, which equates to about $1.40 per litre.
In Spain, the regional government of Catalonia has enacted an emergency action plan to bring in fresh food and fuel supplies after nearly half its forecourts ran dry and supermarkets shelves were left bare.
The situation was the result of the second day of an "indefinite" nationwide strike staged by lorry drivers in Spain seeking their government's help to contain the effects of expensive petrol.
Scattered protests by drivers and fisherman in France and Portugal also continued yesterday.
- NZPA, with NZHERALD STAFF, INDEPENDENT
