The Weekly Gripe

Motorway services, food over priced - MSA forum

Motorway service stations too expensive

Take out a mortgage

If you want to buy food or a drink at many of Britain's motorway service areas, bring lots of money becasuse it aint cheap. What's the most expensive service station you have come across on your travels?



Millions of people drive on British motorways every day and being one of these people I'm sick and fed up of being ripped off when I stop at a service station for a break and something to eat.

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Posted Comment Visitor
08-1-2010 More people would leave the motorway and go to somewhere decent to eat it would be good if cafes and pubs etc were to advertise nationally that they are just off the motorway and provide a small map I know I would prefer not to eat in a motorway cafe we take something with us I can't stand overpriced plastic food.GM
23-9-2009 I agree totally with your comments however, I run a business (a pub) just off the motorway and I encourage people travelling to use my facilities (not alcohol for drivers but food and other drinks) but it is difficult to publicise my offering as people are coming from hundreds of miles away thats why they need a break. The motorist can help, get out of the habit of using service areas, use a map rather than or as well as sat nav because if you see a town or village next to a junction odds are that there will be some facilities and it won't take long to have a look, ues the internet most people have it in there homes and it doesn't take long to plan your break and finally tell your friends and colleagues if you find somewhere good because when they travel anfind somewhere they'll tell you. So we the small trader will help you if you just have a look for us as we don't pay the kind of rent that puts use at the end of a sliproadEdward Skinner
24-8-2009 It just amazes me how many people say : "Plastic cup 0.05p, spoonful of instant coffee powder 0.5p, sachet of milk 1p, sachet of sugar 1p, 2 slices of bread 3p, blob of butter 2p, spoonful of jam 1p, so why the hell must I pay £2.50 for a coffee and two slices of toast when it costs less than 10p?" Well, thickos, the entity that provides you with those services has overheads to pay, staff, rent, cleaining, capital costs, depreciation, tax, social charges, losses, breakages, insurance, licences, just to name a few. When I owned a restaurant and people adopted that approach I used to tell them to leave, if they hadn't eaten, or if they had, I'd tell them to pay what they could afford (which either shamed them into paying the correct price, or they paid nothing) and to never darken our doorway again.MikeP
24-8-2009 Referring to the above subject, I think £3.0 for a sandwich and a big cup of coffee is not bad after a good long drive. One must not forget that companies on the motorway have to make a living, rent, taxes, staff, rates etc. Customers are always oblivious of the fact that expenses are involved in any business they automatically think that the trader is ripping them off. Just imagine if there were no services along any motorway. I have been to many coffee shops and restaurants; you find the cheap and the expensive. If you cannot afford the luxury make your own packed meal and warm coffee and enjoy the misery of having to much and drink under the pouring rain. At least appreciate sitting inside in a warm place having a good rest. £3, give me a break. I own a coffee shop internet cafe in Brighton, a guy comes in and requests 5 minutes on the internet with his memory stick. How much would you expect me to charge this guy 5p or £1 minimum for 45 minutes minimum charge? Many would explain it as a rip off but I want you all to think of how many businesses are struggling to serve you given the above expenses they have to cover. Last but not lease, if you want to save your wallet don’t eat junk food in service stations, be wise on what you chose.The Plain Truth
14-8-2009 Ozzie Welshman haha every Sheeps worse Nightmare! Are you in Wales at the mo? I didnt realise you had internet connection over there yet!Jewish Scotsman
05-8-2009 For many years I had a job that entailed driving hundreds of miles a week, and sometimes much of the distance was covered via motorways, leaving home at 6 in the morning and returning in the evening and yet by planning ahead I had little need of motorway services. Fill up (with food, drink and petrol) before you leave or begin the return journey (and have a leak as well) and it will be a rare journey in which a visit to these temples of overcharging and under provision is necessary. If a break is necessary for a rest, most services have free parking for up to two hours.Manx Hound
05-8-2009 Very clever Bobby Carrot, very clever indeed. Your parents must be so proud. I'm going to have a look for a gripe from some poor service-station worker who can't understand that there is still a retard out there who doesn't know how to properly use a toilet. Also you have successfully proven Darwin's theory of evolution wrong, those stupid enough to piss on the floor should have been bred out a very long time ago.Ozzie-Welshman
03-8-2009 I always get a sense of satisfaction at motorway services by pissing on the floor! The staff are useless too I suspect they only work there because they failed the intelligence test for Mcdonalds.Bobby Carrot
19-6-2009Corley services are a classic rip-off.Crap food,lousy service,& indifferent staff.Cost us nearly £20 for two greasy half cold fry ups,and tea for two.Told them where to shove it.This is daylight robbery.These places should be boycotted.Roadrunner
14-4-2009I have just returned from London for a day out with my little girl. Travelling from Wiltshire on the M4 I pulled into Heston Services to use the toilet facilities, to my surprise no toilets in this service area, all out of order and told to use the garage toilet facilities. At the services there were approximately 10 - 15 people in front of me, this is without doubt pathetic, what are Moto Services thinking of? One of the busiest stretches of mortorway in Europe, without a doubt a major lack of service. I tried to call London Capital Radio, but could not get through, I have just emailed CEO of Moto to suggest he calls me. Anyone else witness this today?Nick D
10-3-2009your all sad, its bl00dy £4.80 it is not as if it is that muchHi
19-2-2009they are charging through the nose because they are running a monopoly and when u have been driving four hours and are gasping for a cuppa (£9.95) and a quick bite to eat (£69.95) and a pee (£9.95), you need to use it. They have you over a barrel and your trousers down.Guerbberchille

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