Motorway service stations too expensive

Guys, send all your motorway whinges here:
http://motorwayservicesonline.co.uk/forums/viewforum.php?f=32

And this is their explanation for the prices:
http://motorwayservicesonline.co.uk/misc/prices/

Welcome Break, M4 Membury. Never stop to eat there unless you are ready to face poor service from grim staff, poor product and high prices.

Honestly, I don't know why are all moaning. Yes, it is overpriced, but everyone knows this. So either just go in and use the loo and drink your own coffee in your car, or realise that yes, they have you over a barrel, you are a captive audience and pay the money.
The service stations are run as a business - businesses make money. And it is not always fair, but that is life.
I agree with most of the points made - the food and drink is overpriced, quality is not always great and choice is limited. But you do make the choice about whether to stop and buy or stop and drink your own.

After a couple of solid hours driving on the motorway, the body demands a break, a nice cup of tea, a trip to the loo and something, anything, good to eat. But motorway service stations have drivers and restless families over a barrel.

At what is the only stop-off option, any pleasant amble is replaced by a weave across a crowded car-park. All for a cup of coffee more expensive than petrol, real milk optional and the ambient jingle of a mini video games arcade.

Fast food staples or a sandwich with a shelf life longer than a weekend break. The only joy perhaps is choosing a "meal deal" from the chunky doorsteps, bonus bag of crisps and share-size soft drink.

The loos are sometimes overcrowded, dirty, lockless and unloved.

Make up some 'sarnies' and a flask, it will save you the earth.

I currently work at a msa, the food and drink that we serve are of the same quality as high street stores - which I'm sure most of you would be willing to pay. The other thing that does my head in about the customers is the way that they moan about anything possible ... please bare in mind that each food establisment within the msa has about 4500 transactions per week, which in effect is about 10000 people, this is much busier than a high street store. And can you please stop moaning about the prices to the staff - we don't have any power to change them, if you dont like the prices its simple ... go somewhere else for your dry soya hot cappucino with extra shot and flashing lights!

I've just seen Clint's post. I have" read this before I post" but he hasn't taken any notice so . I couldn't help thinking his parents didn't really name him Clint but the registrar didn't believe she could've heard them right .

I think there should be a fight back in an ideal world.A bit of ingenuity is required. First step would be for a few people to volunteer to go and hand out free coffee to the nearest service station to them .It could become a nationwide craze. Soon everyone would be turning up sharing home made cake jam.People in this country aren't really that mean. It could become a big social occasion. Britian at it's best with the Dunkirk spirit. The most fun and entertaining part would be seeing those Service Station companies brought to their knees , being forced out of their business because of their greed.
Maybe Watchdog ,or Rogue Traders should have a go at giving out free coffee at service station and let us enjoy seeing Moto and the like losing out on £1000's for a day.

I'm sick of Service Stations prices. They're a complete rip off !!
Recently my wife and I stopped at services on the M1 near Northampton for a quick eat and drink and added the cost together as we choose our food and drink. For 2 x baguettes, 1 x Mug of coffee,1 x Mug of tea we were looking at a total cost of £13.50 !!! This is daylight robbery. We weighed up our options -

1) pay and try to enjoy the over priced food and drink.
2) Take the food and do a runner
3) Put the food back, go home and enjoy our own food and save £13.50.

Number 3 won. It made the most sense and I wasn't prepared to pay for something that would take me nearly 2 hours at my hourly work rate to pay off!

We can't be the only couple to do this. Why haven't the service stations realised this is happening and lowered their prices. Surely it's better to sell more at a lower price than not sell any at a higher price.

If you cant afford it, then don't buy from them. I cant stand people like you that just complain, but then still use it. I think its expensive too, but have you seen how busy they all are? Specially the Moto on the M40 by Ardley/Oxford. If I owned it and people kept on coming, then I would also make them pay outta their bums. Its called BUSINESS!!!!!! Stop complaining and think of your own idea to make lots of money so you can afford your sandwich and coffee without crying about it!

You are all moaning about it but you are the ones handing over the money. Don't you think this should be stopped, you people paying the prices in the first instance?

What needs to be stopped is those that pay the asking price for food and beverage then go and moan about it. You need to be protected from your own stupidity.

This is Britain so take a reality check.

I worked at one of our service stations for 15 years! And all I can say is even if I was desperate for a job and working at one of your service areas was the only position available. I would remain unemployed! Thanks Moto services! Thanks for nothing

Who ‘s selling the café… and who’s got the money in the hand???
Who’s need that money???
I think people in Britain are rip-offs simply because they’re to std
To refuse a 3£ coffee…
So stop complaining and drink the money!!!