MURRAY WILSON/STUFF

Getting change from fuel vouchers was a problem for the Lawrence family when they went on holiday.

A Palmerston North family feels short-changed by BP service stations refusing to provide change for gift vouchers, and is taking the matter to the Commerce Commission.

Jody Lawrence and his wife saved for more than a year to take their seven children on a holiday to Auckland. They gathered $500 of Motor Trade Association vouchers to cover the fuel costs, but almost every BP petrol station they used refused to give them any change – despite the terms and conditions printed on the vouchers.

It cost them $40 in change over the trip. That took the shine off the holiday, Lawrence said.

MURRAY WILSON/STUFF

Jody Lawrence says several BP stations refused to give the family change for their MTA vouchers, despite the clear terms and conditions on the back of the vouchers.

"It took us almost a year and a half to save for a family holiday, so it means a lot to us."

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BP would lose his family's custom. "We won't go back. We're a big family and we spend over $100 a week on fuel ... they've lost that over $40," Lawrence said.

"If I have to fight them in court, I will. It's the principle of the thing.

"All of that change adds up. They're counting on them not to put up much of a fight over less than $10 [each time]."

The family had already taken the issue to BP's head office, with receipts and copies of the voucher's terms and conditions.

BP's head office told him it was MTA policy that the petrol company didn't need to give change on the vouchers, Lawrence said.

However, MTA spokesman Ross Cameron said all association members, such as BP, were required to give change.

BP spokeswoman Anna Radich said all company-owned BP stations accepted MTA vouchers, and abided by the terms and conditions available on the MTA website which state:

"Each MTA member has their own policy in place for giving change ... Prior to purchase, please check with one of the staff to clarify their policy."

However, the terms and conditions on the back of the vouchers are clearer – change will be given, but how the change is provided is up to the shop.

BP chose to provide change in BP gift cards, and would look into any complaints about company-owned stores not doing so, Radich said.

A Commerce Commission spokeswoman said Lawrence's complaint was still being assessed.

"[However] in general, if a trader claims to offer change on MTA gift vouchers, but doesn't, this may raise issues under the Fair Trading Act."

 - Stuff