With the current ongoing economic crisis, everyone is looking to make savings anywhere they can. Here at The Fuel Store, we really appreciate how the current economic climate has or can impact our customers, so we have put in place a free invoice review process as part of the services we offer potential customers.

What is it we actually do?

We always start by identifying your needs, this will allow us to see how we can assist you and which product we offer to be most suitable for you based on your business needs. We then ask for the most up-to-date invoice you have with your current fuel card provider; this will allow us to analyse the current services you are a) paying for b) receiving and c) compare them to what we offer.

We use the above information provided by customers to provide you with a breakdown of what each suitable product has to offer, its benefits and all the terms & conditions for that product. Please note, our Fuel Card specialists can only advise which product is suitable for your business’s needs based on the information customers provide them.

As a family-run business, we aim to be as transparent as possible which is why we have no hidden fees or charges for any of our services. For more information on this service get in touch with one of our Fleet Advisors on 0121 272 7780 or by filling in our contact us form.

We aim to provide a fuel card that will meet all business needs, whether you are a sole trader, SME or PLC with over 50,000 fleet vehicles, we guarantee we have a fuel card suitable for your needs.

What is The Fuel Store Card?

The Fuel Store Card is our most popular fuel card, which comes with various perks. Are you on a long journey and need to fuel up? No problem, The Fuel Store Card is a part of the largest multi-branded fuelling network in the UK, which was founded in 1981. You can use our bespoke site locator tool which can be accessed in your customer portal to find the closest fuelling station to you, designed with customer convenience in mind.

Is it easy to use?

Yes! When you sign up to a Fuel Store Card you will have a dedicated onboarding agent when you register, that will thoroughly support you throughout the registration process. Once onboard, you will also have a dedicated account manager, so that you always have support when you need it. Say goodbye to paper receipts, you will receive weekly HRMC-approved invoices that can access via your customer portal.

What am I getting for my money?

The Fuel Store card comes with a 7-day free credit, for more information on this click here. You will also get maximum security; we constantly monitor your account for fraudulent activities and flag up any spending behaviour that seems out of the norm for your account.

Did you know that with The Fuel Store Card, you have no transaction fees? What you’re fuelling is what you’re paying for. You will have access to fixed weekly discounted commercial diesel prices, your account manager will always keep you looped in on the latest market prices so that our customers can get the best deals.

As a Fuel Store Card customer, you will have the ability to apply for a credit limit on your account subject to eligibility and expenditure habits. For more information or assistance, you can contact our sales team via email or via phone on 0121 272 7780.

Here at The Fuel Store, we aim in helping businesses, by offering a variety of fleet management services. To help manage your fleet, there are a variety of fuel cards we can provide for your specific business needs.

The Advantage Card – How does it work?

Starting a new fleet can be both exciting and a nervous experience. Helping in this new beginning, the Advantage Card is a handy tool to assist with building credit. With this card, a prepay facility is available, allowing you to pay for fuel or top up as you go 24/7.

You will have access to weekly fixed prices at a discounted rate through the advantage network and with there being no contracts, you will have total freedom in how you use your card.

Notifications are sent every Friday afternoon regarding your weekly fixed prices, and you will have your own dedicated Account Manager providing you with account advice and insight.

Your card pins and personal details to access your online portal will be sent to you separately.

Invoices and other personal information can be found on your personalised online portal allowing a simple paperless process. Here, you have access to a site locator telling you about stations local to you and those compatible with your chosen card type. These useful tools and features have been built to make using your cards a simple and more efficient process.

The Application Process

Applying for this card uses the same, simple process that is used if you were applying for any of our other cards.

You will only need your bank information when you set up fixed direct debit payments if you chose to use this payment method. Payments can also be made by the following methods:

• Debit Card (any value – minimum: £50)
• Credit Card (any value – minimum: £50)
• BACS (any value – minimum: £50)
• Direct Debit (fixed value taken on a Tuesday)

Qualifying

To qualify for an Advantage Card, you will need to be a registered business. These criteria are being reviewed by Credit Control. For more information or assistance, you can contact our sales team via email or via phone on 0121 272 7780

Whether you are a sole trader or manage a fleet of vehicles, maintaining and managing admin for accounts can be time-consuming at the best of times. Finding information that is relevant to specific departments or information that you urgently require can be quite tedious. In order to improve our customer experience, which we highly value at The Fuel Store, we have created a customer portal that ALL our customers can use to manage their fuel card accounts in one place.

Our customer portal allows users to have control over their accounts by monitoring various key elements that are important to them! Need to check how much you’re spending on a monthly basis? No problem, our customer portal allows you to do exactly that.

What can you use it for?

Good question. Our user-friendly dashboard has been designed with simplicity, so navigation shouldn’t be an issue. Below is a list of some of the useful features it can be used for:

• Access and download your invoices weekly
• Monitor daily fuel usage and patterns
• Allow you to view monthly expenditure reports
• See the current balance on your account
• Card list
• Pin reminders
• Trend analysis on fuelling habits
• Allow Fuel Card customers to top-up online or make payments onto fuel accounts

There are so many great features on our dashboard in addition to the above that haven’t been named. More importantly, you can really utilise it to draw out the data and information you want to focus on. Did we forget to mention the dashboard is unique to you, each report you see will be personalised based on your account.

Incorporating smart fuel tech, such as Fuel AI, this itself has been pioneered in a way that ensures The Fuel Store has an industry-leading portal. Again, focusing on being user-friendly, Fuel AI is a tool that can be used to access driver behaviour. For more information on Fuel AI click here.

How much does it cost?

Absolutely nothing. Once you have an account with The Fuel Store, as an additional benefit you will have access to it after the registration process. You will receive your login credentials around the same time as your Fuel Card either by email or post depending on your communication preferences.

What else does it do?

We are consistently evolving and improving the functionality of our portal, by adding features that are useful to you. Need to fuel up? No problem, the portal will allow you to choose sites to fuel up at that are economic for the driver’s journey.

Our bespoke customer portal was designed with our customers in mind, giving them more control over their accounts in addition to adding more value for money in comparison to our competitors. For more information on our customer portal click here, alternatively why don’t you get in touch with a member of our customer service team via email or via phone on 0121 387 3238.

Now more than ever, during the height of the 2022 energy crisis, we could all benefit from tips and advice on how commercial and domestic properties can save on their utility bills. Here at The Fuel Store, we appreciate how this has impacted our customers, so we have put together a guide with helpful tips on how you can do precisely that.

1. REVIEW YOUR ENERGY BILLS FOR SMALL SAVINGS –

Switching providers was always a method used to save money on energy bills, to find the best deals on the market. However, with the state of the current market, this method has become dated and inefficient. Most suppliers are now only offering variable tariffs to consumers; few utility companies are providing customers with fixed tariff options. These tariffs usually allow you to save in the long run by securing a tariff with unit prices based on the current market for either 12 to 24 months. With that being said, it is always advisable to monitor your bills by comparing what your supplier is charging against what other suppliers are offering. Many businesses may find it time-consuming and difficult searching for the best deals on the market, this is something we can do for you via our energy specialists.

2. CHOOSE ENERGY-EFFICIENT APPLIANCES –

Who would have thought that replacing old appliances with energy-efficient appliances can help save £££ on your energy bills, based on reports by Which? Consumers and Businesses can save, on average, approximately £550 annually. Even making minor changes to your laundry habits, such as doing your wash on 40°C instead of 60°C can significantly reduce your monthly consumption. You can read Which?’s report here.

3. ADD INSULATION WHEREVER POSSIBLE –

Who wouldn’t want to save £290 on their energy bills, well according to the Energy Saving Trust, you can do this by insulating both your loft and cavity walls! Laying insulation with a thickness of 270mm can assist with retaining heat within a property that is typically lost through the roof. Even though solid wall insulation has a much higher upfront cost, it is much more cost-effective in the long term. In addition to this, replacing single-glazed windows with double-glazed windows is always a good investment for any property.

4. KEEP YOUR BOILER PRESSURE TOPPED UP –

Efficiency is the theme of this blog; ensuring you have an energy-efficient boiler can help significantly reduce your energy bills. Replacing a dated G-rated gas boiler with a modern A-rated combi boiler, a thermostat, and thermostatic radiator valves could make an enormous difference to your payments. However, you need to bear in mind the upfront costs that come with installing and replacing a boiler; for some, this may not be financially feasible as it can be pretty costly. Alternatively, a handy life hack worth considering is ensuring your keeping on top of your boiler pressure. This allows your boiler to work more efficiently when heating your property.

5. INSTALL AND USE CENTRAL HEATING CONTROLS –

You can cut your property’s carbon emissions by 320kg annually by installing room thermostats, a programmer and thermostatic radiator valves when used correctly. This, in turn, will also contribute to saving on utility bills! As mentioned before, upgrading your boiler will help with cost savings; however, upgrading your thermostat, programmer & thermostatic valves is a more affordable option than can be considered. These gadgets will allow you to do the following:

• Set your heating and hot water to turn on and off to suit you
• Heat only the parts of your property that need it
• Set different temperatures for different areas of your property
• Keep your property at a comfortable temperature without wasting heat

6. DRAUGHT PROOFING –

Draughts coming in through gaps such as your doors and windows can always be bothersome! Draught-proofing can save approximately £35 annually on an average-sized property, according to reports by the Energy Saving Trust. Although this may not seem like a lot, it can certainly contribute to maintaining comfortable room temperatures. Take a look at the following areas:

• Windows – Use draught-proofing strips around the frame. Brush strips work better for sash windows
• Doors – Use draught-proofing strips around the edges and brush or hinged-flap draught excluders at the bottom
• Floorboards and skirting – Floorboards need to move, so use a flexible silicone-based filler to fill the gaps Loft hatches – Use draught-proofing foam strips to keep heat in.

7. USE LESS HOT WATER –

Consumers and Businesses use energy to heat their water all year round. Things like turning off your tap when brushing your teeth, or in between washing dishes can make a significant difference to your utility bill. Also, if you have a water meter, you will definitely notice the difference! If you have a hot water tank (rather than a combi boiler), make sure you’re using your heating controls to turn your water heating on and off, so you only heat as much water as you need at certain times of the day.

8. SEE IF YOU QUALIFY FOR ENERGY GRANTS –

There are various energy grants that are available and can be used to pay a portion of utility bills that the government provides. Here are a few that you may want to explore:

• Warm Home Discount
• Winter Fuel Payment
• Boiler Upgrade Scheme
• Support with loft & boiler insulation

9. TURN YOUR THERMOSTAT DOWN BY 4 DEGREES –

According to reports published by the Energy Saving Trust, turning down your thermostat by 1-degree can help save 10% on your energy bill. You can also consider installing a smart thermostat in your property, that you can remotely manage on your mobile and desktop devices.

10. USE PORTABLE HEATERS TO HEAT 1 ROOM –

It can be more cost-efficient to use a portable heater to heat one room at a time for those who live alone, work from home or spend more time in one specific room in a property.

With the unpredictability and drastic changes in the current energy climate, it is becoming more crucial to monitor and reduce commercial and domestic costs by changing your daily habits and utilising the above tips. Whether you do a monthly comparison of unit prices on your energy bills or simply turn your thermostat down by 1 degree; annual savings most definitely can be achieved.

Here at The Fuel Store, we provide a brokerage service that offers a free no, obligation in-house energy review. Our services are efficient and bespoke, based on individual business requirements. For more information on our energy brokerage service, click here.

Read more about the Author:

Leython Wedderburn

Energy Sales Manager

Leython has 12 years of experience in the energy industry, for more information on the services we provide, you can contact him via email, via LinkedIn or on 01213873245

How much are you spending on energy for your business? It’s time to look for a new provider to be certain you’re receiving the best deal. The Fuel Store works with some of the UK’s leading business energy suppliers to bring you a great selection of offers.

Business energy differs from residential so the best deals can sometimes be hard to find. Our energy specialists will compare the whole market and provide a tailored quote to suit your business needs.

To What Extent Is Commercial Energy Different From Household Energy?

• Business Energy Contracts Are Generally Longer

While variable and fixed-rate tariffs are available, all business energy agreements are taken out for an agreed duration, which can be anything up to five years. Your existing offer isn’t eligible for renewal until it reaches a “renewal window”, which is typically around one and six months before its planned expiration date.

• There’s No Cooling-Off Period.

A cooling-off period, which allows you to terminate your contract without incurring any fees, is not required for commercial energy switchovers. These changes take around 17 days to complete. Make sure you’re entirely satisfied before accepting any contracts with commercial energy providers, as there is no such get-out option.

What Kinds Of Energy Contracts Are Available For Businesses?

To prevent spending too much on your energy, make sure you’re on a suitable contract with your gas or electricity supplier. Energy providers will generally offer better rates to commercial customers, but it is more difficult or expensive to stop your contract early because of this. The following are the primary commercial energy contracts on offer:

• Fixed-Term

The fixed-term contract charges a fixed price per unit (kWh) for the contract’s life. The overall amount you pay each month will fluctuate depending on your consumption.

• Variable-Rate 

Your unit rate may change throughout your contract due to market activity.

• Deemed Rate

Your current tariff will terminate, and you will be placed on one of these rolling, out-of-contract tariffs. You will be charged the most costly rates if you do not transfer suppliers or arrange a new arrangement.

What Happens If Your Commercial Energy Contract Expires?

A costly out-of-contract rate will kick in once your conventional energy contract expires, so you should do a utility comparison for your company and find a better deal before that happens.

If you don’t know when your existing contract will end, don’t panic; your provider will contact you when the renewal window opens with an offer of a new deal. However, don’t accept any deal until you’ve evaluated the alternative options. Contact us to discuss this in more detail. Our account managers will work to understand your business requirements and provide the most suitable options.

If you want to save money on your energy bills, then ask our team about an energy audit to identify areas where your company can reduce demand and save money.

Contact our friendly team on 0121 272 7780 

We have changed. Here’s why… 

In January this year (2021), The Fuel Store turned 5 years old. In our first 5 years, we have grown an incredible family of Fuellers and an equally incredible base of customer partnerships, many of whom have been with us since our first year. 

We have always focused on delivering exceptional customer experiences and in doing so we have challenged the industry norms and set out our declaration to be the 1# choice in the industry. 

We’re grounded in the family values that helped us go from a small start up to one of the fastest growing organisations in our industry. While we’re determined to continuously expand and deliver more, we’ll never lose the roots that got us to where we are: amazing customer experiences. 

At this point in our journey, it felt right to refresh our image to reflect the innovative and challenging brand that we are, along with consolidating our value proposition to give us clarity of vision to keep The Fuel Store on course to become the best in the industry over the next 5 years and beyond. 

To help shape the next iteration of our brand, we had some fantastic, honest conversations with our customers and our employees so that we could be sure we fully understood who we are and the value we deliver. We are proud today to be launching our new brand identity, our value proposition, and our vision for a better future, not just for The Fuel Store, but for the entire industry.  

Our Value Proposition: We fuel better. 

To us, fuel is more than a commodity. It’s a job well done, it’s delivering vital goods and services, it’s growth and expansion, and it’s reaching limits you didn’t think possible. 

Our business was founded on one principle: fuelling better for our customers. Through delivering better service, better pricing, better products, and better terms we’re changing the customer experience in our industry and delivering exceptional results. Whatever the new standard becomes, we commit to going above and beyond. There’s one thing our customers can count on when they choose The Fuel store: they’re getting the best of the best. 

We have focused our commitment for better on 3 core pillars: Service, Sustainability and Simplicity. 

The 3 Ss underpin our value proposition. They are the framework that determine the decisions we make for our customers, for our business, and for our community. 

Service. Service is everything. Whether that’s directly linked to our customer experience or our employee experience, our obsession for service delivery is unwavering. Everything we do should contribute to outstanding service. 

Sustainability. We have a responsibility. To our customers, to our employees, to the environment, and to the local community in which we sit. From choosing new products or supplier partners, to hitting send on an email, everything we do should be contributing to the longevity of The Fuel Store and the customers and communities we serve. 

Simplicity. We remove complexity. Complexity is everywhere. It’s in our business processes, it’s in our systems, and it is in our service delivery. The simplest solution is often the best solution. By removing complexity for ourselves and for our customers, we clear the way for efficiency and satisfaction. 

Our Mission: We fuel the “impossible” 

When we entered this industry, we saw a challenge that no one acknowledged. “Bad” was just the way it was. From day one, we created a business our family and our customers could be proud to put their name to. So, we took a chance and did the “impossible” – we delivered genuinely amazing customer experiences. 

Fuelling the “impossible” means providing insights that help our customers make better decisions. It means providing service that overcomes obstacles and gets drivers back on route. It means launching services that our customers don’t even know they need yet because we’re protecting their fleet now and into the future. It means we don’t believe in “average” or that things “can’t be done”.  

We care, so we’ll do what it takes to open doors and push boundaries if it means our customers and our business are better than they were the day before. 

Our Vision: The team that transformed the industry for good 

When we “fuel the impossible”, we’re continuously evolving. Each day we turn “better” into the standard- a standard that’s completely revolutionised the way business is done since we opened our doors. Changing the industry “for good” means our legacy is permanent, but we’re also changing it for “good”. No more bad behaviours and bad service. We’ve set the pace, and it’s up to everyone else to get up to speed. Where Fuellers gather, the impossible is achieved and industries are transformed. 

Our mission and our vision are clear. We are committed to being the best and we are committed to delivering better for our customers, our employees, and our community.  

This brand refresh brings all these elements together. Better has always been our way, but now we have the clarity of message and visual identity that reflects our passion, personality, and drive. 

At every level of our business, as Fuellers we embody these values, and we are excited to bring our vision into reality.  

Yes, we sell fuel cards, but we deliver outstanding fleet management solutions. Sure, without us, you could fuel anywhere, but with The Fuel Store you’re going places. We fuel better for the long haul. Keep on moving. 

To find out more about how and why we have refreshed our brand, you can contact us via the website, call us on 0121 272 7780, or email [email protected]