SNAP Account - A Scourge

UK PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS FORUMS THE UK PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS FORUM (INTERACTIVE)
61

Sam @ SNAP:
Hi kjw21. Thanks for your comment.

The tax problem only arises when the employer is covering the cost of the food (which is a benefit in kind) when it is a part of the parking cost, and in fact needs to be declared separately by the fleet operator. If they do not know its there, and assume that all of the cost is for parking, then they can get into hot water.

I’m glad you think we provide a useful service, we do try to advertise on our good points! I just felt that the tax issue needed to be discussed to counter the suggestion that we are taking money from drivers pockets.

How come a few (and a really mean few) places on SNAP offer food or ‘special snap deals’ on food? Would that not be a tax fiddle

62

Sam @ SNAP:
Hi kjw21. Thanks for your comment.

The tax problem only arises when the employer is covering the cost of the food (which is a benefit in kind) when it is a part of the parking cost, and in fact needs to be declared separately by the fleet operator. If they do not know its there, and assume that all of the cost is for parking, then they can get into hot water.

Very True

Sam @ SNAP:
I’m glad you think we provide a useful service, we do try to advertise on our good points! I just felt that the tax issue needed to be discussed to counter the suggestion that we are taking money from drivers pockets.

Well, nobody ever advertises their bad points do they?

In my opinion, SNAP is ideal for trampers, but sites should stop ripping off the companies, look at the fox pub near Colsterworth, they charge a lot more for snap parking, I think this is given back to the driver as a meal voucher but either way, its a rip off. I couldn’t be paid enough to park there, especially if you read up on the number of thefts in the truck park.

The parking charges are very high for HGV’s (up to and possibly more than £25 for 9 hours parking), and there is no value in that at all, for the driver or the company. With the SNAP account you have to pay for a shower and a stupidly inflated price for food, whereas you could pay for parking and add a couple of quid on to get a £7ish voucher which makes the meals only a couple of quid from the drivers pocket. The sites should allow SNAP drivers the option to pay the shortfall to get the voucher and shower token.

I do not do any form of tramping, but if I did, I would not like the idea of the SNAP account as you could end up paying £3 for a shower and lose out on a meal voucher worth up to £9 for the sake of a couple of quid. Many companies I have worked for in the past have either paid for the parking+voucher or said if the driver pays the difference from normal parking, they can buy the voucher and pay the difference, unlike Stobarts and a few others who will only pay parking. This is the reason why I would discourage ANYONE from stopping at EXTRA MSA’s - Pay £20+ and get ■■■■ all for it.

Either way, the drivers parking on a site are bringing them revenue, and it is a lot when you see 100-300 trucks parked up, all paying £10-25 each. This custom should be rewarded one way or another.

[/Rant Mode Off]

63

trubster:

Sam @ SNAP:
Hi kjw21. Thanks for your comment.

The tax problem only arises when the employer is covering the cost of the food (which is a benefit in kind) when it is a part of the parking cost, and in fact needs to be declared separately by the fleet operator. If they do not know its there, and assume that all of the cost is for parking, then they can get into hot water.

Very True

Sam @ SNAP:
I’m glad you think we provide a useful service, we do try to advertise on our good points! I just felt that the tax issue needed to be discussed to counter the suggestion that we are taking money from drivers pockets.

Well, nobody ever advertises their bad points do they?

In my opinion, SNAP is ideal for trampers, but sites should stop ripping off the companies, look at the fox pub near Colsterworth, they charge a lot more for snap parking, I think this is given back to the driver as a meal voucher but either way, its a rip off. I couldn’t be paid enough to park there, especially if you read up on the number of thefts in the truck park.

The parking charges are very high for HGV’s (up to and possibly more than £25 for 9 hours parking), and there is no value in that at all, for the driver or the company. With the SNAP account you have to pay for a shower and a stupidly inflated price for food, whereas you could pay for parking and add a couple of quid on to get a £7ish voucher which makes the meals only a couple of quid from the drivers pocket. The sites should allow SNAP drivers the option to pay the shortfall to get the voucher and shower token.

I do not do any form of tramping, but if I did, I would not like the idea of the SNAP account as you could end up paying £3 for a shower and lose out on a meal voucher worth up to £9 for the sake of a couple of quid. Many companies I have worked for in the past have either paid for the parking+voucher or said if the driver pays the difference from normal parking, they can buy the voucher and pay the difference, unlike Stobarts and a few others who will only pay parking. This is the reason why I would discourage ANYONE from stopping at EXTRA MSA’s - Pay £20+ and get [zb] all for it.

Either way, the drivers parking on a site are bringing them revenue, and it is a lot when you see 100-300 trucks parked up, all paying £10-25 each. This custom should be rewarded one way or another.

[/Rant Mode Off]

I agree, I’ve never stayed at an extra services, I’d rather park in a layby, do these places not want to encourage drivers to park there, all a extra does is drive you away, there is no value for money for anyone parking there! The same can be said about MANY SNAP account places!

Swindon is a joke it’s £14 on SNAP if I remember correctly, it’s then £3 for a shower and if you eat in the cafe another £5+, that’s £22 for a crummy shower, a greasy spoon meal, a parking space, a locked toilet after about 7pm. Yeah value for money there! Yet if you pay to park it’s £17, you get a parking space, a shower, something towards a meal.

JOKE!

64

The Fox - A1 Colsterworth

SNAP Account - £26 inc VAT PARKING ONLY

Yet a few miles away, you have Colsterworth Truck Stop which is £13.55 inc VAT on SNAP

RIP OFF, I know a couple of companies that have banned drivers from using it. (I’m naming no-one) :laughing:

Nearly double the price? Thats why you call me Terry Tibbs :smiley:

65

NewLad:

Sam @ SNAP:
Hi kjw21. Thanks for your comment.

The tax problem only arises when the employer is covering the cost of the food (which is a benefit in kind) when it is a part of the parking cost, and in fact needs to be declared separately by the fleet operator. If they do not know its there, and assume that all of the cost is for parking, then they can get into hot water.

I’m glad you think we provide a useful service, we do try to advertise on our good points! I just felt that the tax issue needed to be discussed to counter the suggestion that we are taking money from drivers pockets.

How come a few (and a really mean few) places on SNAP offer food or ‘special snap deals’ on food? Would that not be a tax fiddle

We always investigate any instances of this, but as far as we are aware no one is offering food as part of a SNAP parking payment. Please let us know if you know otherwise. We know some sites, for example Red Lion, offer a discounted food voucher to drivers parking on SNAP and this is completely fine as it is not part of the parking charge.

66

Sam @ SNAP:

NewLad:

Sam @ SNAP:
Hi kjw21. Thanks for your comment.

The tax problem only arises when the employer is covering the cost of the food (which is a benefit in kind) when it is a part of the parking cost, and in fact needs to be declared separately by the fleet operator. If they do not know its there, and assume that all of the cost is for parking, then they can get into hot water.

I’m glad you think we provide a useful service, we do try to advertise on our good points! I just felt that the tax issue needed to be discussed to counter the suggestion that we are taking money from drivers pockets.

How come a few (and a really mean few) places on SNAP offer food or ‘special snap deals’ on food? Would that not be a tax fiddle

We always investigate any instances of this, but as far as we are aware no one is offering food as part of a SNAP parking payment. Please let us know if you know otherwise. We know some sites, for example Red Lion, offer a discounted food voucher to drivers parking on SNAP and this is completely fine as it is not part of the parking charge.

Why would I let you know which parking places are giving drivers perks lmfao

67

NewLad:

Sam @ SNAP:

NewLad:

Sam @ SNAP:
Hi kjw21. Thanks for your comment.

The tax problem only arises when the employer is covering the cost of the food (which is a benefit in kind) when it is a part of the parking cost, and in fact needs to be declared separately by the fleet operator. If they do not know its there, and assume that all of the cost is for parking, then they can get into hot water.

I’m glad you think we provide a useful service, we do try to advertise on our good points! I just felt that the tax issue needed to be discussed to counter the suggestion that we are taking money from drivers pockets.

How come a few (and a really mean few) places on SNAP offer food or ‘special snap deals’ on food? Would that not be a tax fiddle

We always investigate any instances of this, but as far as we are aware no one is offering food as part of a SNAP parking payment. Please let us know if you know otherwise. We know some sites, for example Red Lion, offer a discounted food voucher to drivers parking on SNAP and this is completely fine as it is not part of the parking charge.

Why would I let you know which parking places are giving drivers perks lmfao

haha, good point!

68

Sam @ SNAP:

NewLad:

Sam @ SNAP:
Hi kjw21. Thanks for your comment.

The tax problem only arises when the employer is covering the cost of the food (which is a benefit in kind) when it is a part of the parking cost, and in fact needs to be declared separately by the fleet operator. If they do not know its there, and assume that all of the cost is for parking, then they can get into hot water.

I’m glad you think we provide a useful service, we do try to advertise on our good points! I just felt that the tax issue needed to be discussed to counter the suggestion that we are taking money from drivers pockets.

How come a few (and a really mean few) places on SNAP offer food or ‘special snap deals’ on food? Would that not be a tax fiddle

We always investigate any instances of this, but as far as we are aware no one is offering food as part of a SNAP parking payment. Please let us know if you know otherwise. We know some sites, for example Red Lion, offer a discounted food voucher to drivers parking on SNAP and this is completely fine as it is not part of the parking charge.

You obviously didn’t see my post about the fox then?

69

Does parking at the fox include a meal or a contribution towards a meal?

70

NewLad:
Does parking at the fox include a meal or a contribution towards a meal?

Im sure it does, I have never stopped there but know a few that have. Also, they have a big sign saying 2 free pints with parking on the wall.

71

For £26 I’d be expecting a gobble off a fit bar lady/waitress!

72

It appears the current rate (Edited jan 2014) is here

viewtopic.php?f=11&t=103673

the fox truckers:
We would like to announce that the fox is now under new management. We are offering 2 rates of parking £20 which includes a free meal and drink or £12 for parking only. We have free internet sky tv fully stocked bar hot showers and also offering single rooms at £15 per night. We have overnight security and cctv. Any input from drivers more than welcome :slight_smile: opening hrs mon-thur 4.30pm till 11pm Free tea coffee toast station for all parked drivers

So £12 for parking only, yet it is £26 with a SNAP account - I call that a SCAM

If SNAP wanted any proof of the “Extras” then they come back to advertise the fraud.

the fox truckers:
Hi guys ur extras r included with fuel card and snap just says parking on receipt

I have taken a PDF print if this gets edited.

73

NewLad:
For £26 I’d be expecting a gobble off a fit bar lady/waitress!

Well, that was the norm in the past… (Maybe still available? I dont know - I wondered why they used the word “Extra’s” on the above post)

74

at the end of the day,snap costs me money,so I avoid it where possible.

75

Fella,

I don’t mean to be rude but man up eh.

If you were single you’d need to cook at home. If you cba then it’s a takeaway no change from a Tenner time you’ve had a drink with it (I assume using the kettle is out of the question for you too)

I make money on my night out money because like most I’ve been doing this shot long enough to buy good healthy food to cook, park for free, abuse the services rather than letting then abuse me, prepare my own life to suit the job I do (make healthy meals at home that just need heating etc)

None of the above is rocket science and none of it is any different to what 90% of drivers do.

Just because you drive a lorry doesn’t mean you have to be a fat unwashed thug, Luke amongst others is living proof of this. Perhaps give his videos a watch and learn something from someone who is making the most of what he has available

If you’ve no microwave, buy one for your own benefit, if you’ve no cooker , the same, if you’ve no fridge there’s probably no hope for you unless you’ve only just started on nights out.

It’s not SNAP that’s a scourge it’s whiny ■■■ ■■■■■■■ who especially everything on a ■■■■■■■ silver tray

76

trubster:
So £12 for parking only, yet it is £26 with a SNAP account - I call that a SCAM

I’d call it a discount for cash. SCAMS tend to be hard to find or hidden, not advertised :smiley:

77

Mike-C:

trubster:
So £12 for parking only, yet it is £26 with a SNAP account - I call that a SCAM

I’d call it a discount for cash. SCAMS tend to be hard to find or hidden, not advertised :smiley:

A discount of over 50% for cash in hand over a payment on account? Not a scam?

Try telling that to the tax man.

“Payment Surcharges” have been banned for some time now on credit and debit cards, not sure if it affects business to business sales / sales on account, probably not. Either way, think of it from the companies point of view, they are getting ripped off £14 each time a driver parks on that site EVERY TIME!

That and the reputation is probably why a certain company has stopped people stopping there and insisted on colsterworth truckstop or peterborough MSA as an alternative

78

trubster:

Mike-C:

trubster:
So £12 for parking only, yet it is £26 with a SNAP account - I call that a SCAM

I’d call it a discount for cash. SCAMS tend to be hard to find or hidden, not advertised :smiley:

A discount of over 50% for cash in hand over a payment on account? Not a scam?

Try telling that to the tax man.

“Payment Surcharges” have been banned for some time now on credit and debit cards, not sure if it affects business to business sales / sales on account, probably not. Either way, think of it from the companies point of view, they are getting ripped off £14 each time a driver parks on that site EVERY TIME!

That and the reputation is probably why a certain company has stopped people stopping there and insisted on colsterworth truckstop or peterborough MSA as an alternative

There’s an option here, let the driver pay cash. SNAP has to make money, how do you think they do that? And payment surcharges are not banned either. Who’s operating the SCAM, The Fox or SNAP ?
Here’s another thought, do you reckon Peterborough MSA charge SNAP the same as they charge a driver with cash at the till ? If so how do SNAP make it pay?

79

Mike-C:

trubster:

Mike-C:

trubster:
So £12 for parking only, yet it is £26 with a SNAP account - I call that a SCAM

I’d call it a discount for cash. SCAMS tend to be hard to find or hidden, not advertised :smiley:

A discount of over 50% for cash in hand over a payment on account? Not a scam?

Try telling that to the tax man.

“Payment Surcharges” have been banned for some time now on credit and debit cards, not sure if it affects business to business sales / sales on account, probably not. Either way, think of it from the companies point of view, they are getting ripped off £14 each time a driver parks on that site EVERY TIME!

That and the reputation is probably why a certain company has stopped people stopping there and insisted on colsterworth truckstop or peterborough MSA as an alternative

There’s an option here, let the driver pay cash. SNAP has to make money, how do you think they do that? And payment surcharges are not banned either. Who’s operating the SCAM, The Fox or SNAP ?
Here’s another thought, do you reckon Peterborough MSA charge SNAP the same as they charge a driver with cash at the till ? If so how do SNAP make it pay?

I know the answer to that one but I will wait for SNAP to answer it.

Either way the amount paid by the company should be the same or within a few percent rather than more than double the price.

The snap charge is not £50 at the MSA which is what they would have to charge to stick to the same principles of ye olde fox.

The next question is… “What does the fox say?” :smiley:

I’ll get my coat

80

trubster:
Either way the amount paid by the company should be the same or within a few percent rather than more than double the price.

Doesn’t work that way with MSA meal vouchers though does it? Someone parking can have a voucher for 50% off a meal where as someone just eating has to pay full price? Same principal.