Tonight ` Can I drive? You can drive. Are you serious? Serious. (LAUGHS) It is the ultimate muscle car. You almost think, as well, in a car like this, that no one's going to mess with you. But someone messed with Mark's car. We've arrived and our car is full of water. More than 30L was drained. 30L? 30L. It cost $1,100 to clean. I said, 'How did this get in here?' And he said, 'Well, it's rained.' Plus... I don't like paying for petrol no matter how much it costs, to be honest. Our hunt for NZ's cheapest fuel spells bad news for the South. I'm bloody sorry. No, serious, I am. And some good advice for blokes. I got some artificial flowers in a vase from my husband ` it was hideous. Bad flowers and bad candles can kill the flames of desire. And then we heard, 'Kaboom! Smash!' Copyright Able 2016 Welcome to the show. For most people, a car is their second most valuable possession. And yet many Kiwis routinely hand their keys to parking attendants ` total strangers in fluoro vests. The guy in this story did just that. He went on holiday and left the keys to his pride and joy with Air NZ's parking service. Safe hands, you'd think, but the evidence suggests otherwise. Do you wanna drive? Can I drive? You can drive. Are you serious? Serious. (LAUGHS) (LAUGHS) A 2012 Mustang Shelby GT500. ENGINE ROARS I'm almost, like, nervous about its power. It's got six gears. Six gears? Yeah. I don't know if we're gonna get it up to six gear today. It's red and black. And black and red, is that because you're a Canterbury supporter? No, no chance. Oh, really? No, no, no. It's black and red cos it's a great colour scheme. It really is a great colour scheme, and it's a beautiful car. We don't spend a whole lot of money on things like` like toys. You get to an age where you think you're entitled to. And rightly so, I say. You almost think, as well, in a car like this, that no one's gonna mess with you. Well, unfortunately someone did mess with this car while Mark and his wife Janine were away on holiday. They only found out when they got back. Got out of the van that's giving us a lift from the airport, I'm getting the bags out of the van, Janine's gone inside to pick up the keys and pay for the parking. They'd left the Mustang at Air NZ's parking facility near Auckland Airport. Upon pick-up, they say a staff member was acting cagey about their car. I said to the guy, 'What's wrong with the car?' and he said, 'Oh, it got wet.' 'What do you mean, it got wet?' He said, 'Well, it's all wet inside.' I said, 'What do you mean, it's all wet inside? How did it get wet inside?' and he said, 'It's been raining really, really heavily here, so it's got wet inside.' You're joking. No, I can't believe that. But, sure enough, the inside of the car was soaked. Now, I'm not talking mopping up a spill here ` I'm talking soaked soaked. Just full of water. Just like a swimming pool, basically. The staff told them it must've leaked through the vehicle. That's all we got out of him and he refused to elaborate on that, didn't he? He wouldn't say anything else. So they left Air NZ parking very confused ` even more so when they started the car and the engine warning light came on. But wait, that's not all ` Our remote from the garage was in the car. It had been removed. So Mark and Janine took the car to get sorted the next day. From there, we took it home and got a company called Car and Carpet to remove another 30L. 30L? 30L. Yep, 30L of water removed from this car, and that's not all ` they took it to John Andrew Ford, who removed more water and then tested it for leaks. Is there any way the car could have had water leak in it? No. They tested it` For a week, they tested it. Not a chance. Not a chance. Oh yeah, remember that engine light that came on? Well, the diagnostics were also tested and confirmed the car ` at some point ` has been redlined. What does it mean if a car has been redlined? If a car's been redlined, it's been` the revs have gone to excess. They've exceeded where` The red line, essentially. Yeah, the red line. Yeah. Which is, you know, obviously not good for the car. All up thus far, $1200 worth of damage, and they're looking at potentially more, so as you can imagine, Mark and Janine have heaps of questions for Air NZ about what on earth happened to their car. Air NZ told them: But it wasn't, and the Bedfords believe something just isn't adding up. We are just at an absolute, utter loss. They've been unwilling to explain how any of this has happened` um, has made it worse. So once the car had been tested, Mark and Janine told Air NZ that 30+L of water had been removed from the car, and that there was no way that it could've leaked. Air NZ stood by its story, which really doesn't explain anything ` particularly how the water got in there. Air NZ weren't able to address the Bedfords' concerns, and wanted to wait until the diagnostics results came out before going further. They started off with a closed-up shop and we haven't been able to break that. How does it make you feel? I'm just gutted, you know. Absolutely gutted. If someone was responsible for it or left the windows open ` well, we can work through that and come to some sort of settlement. But just to say, 'Well, your car's leaked,'` Leaked 37L of water? Seems very peculiar, but what did Air NZ have to say about all of this? They sincerely apologised for the inconvenience caused, and they are in discussions with the Bedfords' insurance company. Which is great news ` but how did 37L of water get into the car? OK, so Air NZ told us ` and I quote ` 'The car was parked partially under a canopy,' and that, 'during heavy rain, the water can pool and funnel down a single stream.' They say it's expected that cars parked outside are waterproof, but that in a heavy downpour, 'the concentrated volume of water may have been greater than could be reasonably expected.' So we thought, let's chuck it into the carwash ` where there's about 150L of water ` and see if there's some magical way the water could get in. Right, we're off. Wind the windows up. Yeah. (LAUGHS) We didn't bring our swimming caps. No, no, or our togs. So according to the International Carwash Association, the average carwash is 150L. No, no. Can't see any water coming in. Can you see any water coming in? Nope. Nothing. Right down` I've got none on my side. Nope. No water? No water. None in the back? Nope. Dry. It's dry. Dry as a bone. OK, so we've just gone through the carwash, which has, on average, 150L of water. I can confirm that there's no water in this car, so we still really don't know how 37L of water got into Mark's car. Air NZ also said to us that there's no way that the car was redlined while in their care. They say it did not leave their premises. They didn't explain why the garage door remote was removed, and, again, we just don't know how that water got in there. See ya later. Tell you what, I reckon we could have a Dumb Excuse category to go with our Dumb Charges on that one. Yeah, which is coming up after the break. You just wanted to drive that car! I did. I did. Also after the break, we hit the road again in search for NZ's cheapest petrol. I don't like paying for petrol no matter how much it costs, to be honest. You don't have to have gorse pockets to feel the pain. I like it when it's lower. (LAUGHS) So who's pumping NZ's cheapest gas? Sorta like the Warehouse of the fuel industry. And... She didn't want to do anything for her 30th, so I did nothing. It was a disaster. Want to keep that special spark alive? And then we heard, 'Kaboom! Smash!' This candle could ignite more than the flames of desire. It wasn't a crack ` it was a full-on explosion. 1 Welcome back. Nothing is more annoying than a dumb charge, and, ooh, we've had some real doozies this year. Yes, my favourite so far is Kiwibank's $38 fee for cash deposits exceeding $15,000. But it is just one of many extra and hidden charges Kiwi consumers are forced to pay, like Bridget found out. This week's Dumb Charge is about kids and airlines. I recently booked a flight from Brisbane to Auckland with Qantas, and they charged me $12 for my son, who is under two. Because he's so little, he'll sit on our knee. He doesn't have any luggage and won't take up any space, and he isn't provided a meal. This is the first time I've seen this charge come up from any airline when I've been travelling, and I think it's just dumb. We put it to Qantas, and this is what they had to say: Infants are charged 10% of the base fare of the adult ticket if they're sitting on their parents' laps. So, in this case, the base fare is $128, so the infant fee is $12. It's a fee, albeit a very small one. 'Seriously, though,' says Qantas. Most airlines will charge for an infant, as they are considered a passenger. Come on, Qantas. The excuse that other people do it, so it's OK? That doesn't cut it. I'd get it if you said an infant still needs attention from staff ` perhaps even extra assistance in an emergency ` and maybe if Bridget had it explained that way, it wouldn't have seemed so dumb. Here's a question for you ` What would you rather have ` cheap petrol, or high quality fuel, friendly service and convenience? Well, I'm picking cheap petrol. There's nothing worse than pouring money into the tank. A couple of weeks ago, we asked you to send us photos of the cheapest petrol in town. And the results would suggest some Kiwis really do have a bit to grumble about. I don't like paying for petrol no matter how much it costs, to be honest. I like it when it's lower, so of course I'm going to go where it's cheaper. I love the Gull gas station. Love a petrol station? Really? Prices are too high. Stick with Gull. This is Gull Masterton, the most southerly Gull station in the country, on a 15c discount day. And look ` other Masterton stations all matched Gull ` well, almost all. When we turn up, we make a difference. We're the guy that agitates the market, that brings the prices down. Are you having a good day? Dave Bodger is Gull's boss. Thanks for your business. We opened in Hawera about six weeks ago, and the opposition prices came down, I think, 10-15c ` bang ` overnight. Cheaper petrol when Gull is in the local market ` the AA calls it the Gull effect. Gull is sort of like the Warehouse of the fuel industry. There is certainly a role in NZ for a low-cost operator with low overheads who can just keep prices down and keep the competition honest when it comes to fuel prices. So what are those fuel prices like? A couple of weeks ago, we asked you to send us photos of the cheapest fuel in your area. One thing became immediately apparent ` cheap fuel is in short supply down South. These are all Wanaka prices on 13th June. Ouch. But this is Twizel, early June ` cheaper than Christchurch, that. This is the Makaroa tourism centre near the Haast Pass back in January. And you've gotta love this one ` the very honest truck stop at Ikamatua on the West Coast back in 2012. It's an Allied site now, and sadly the sign is no more. The price of fuel is higher in the South Island compared to a lot of the North Island, and the reason for that is because there is no Gull. Wherever Gull goes, fuel prices come down and that gives more choice and sharper pricing for motorists. We asked the other big brands if they agree there is a Gull effect. The guys from Z were happy to front on camera. I certainly admit that Gull actually have a role to play, but in terms of who we compete against, right now � of our competition is not Gull. That competition includes BP. They wouldn't appear on camera, but had this to say: The other big player is Mobil. They wouldn't go on camera either, but shared BP's sentiments. Interestingly, if your pics are anything to go by, the prices go down when Gull swoops into town. Check this out ` In Tokoroa, you can get Gull gas for $1.76. Atiamuri station will give it to you for $1.62, and the Gull in Hampton Downs will also hook you up with $1.62. But the big players maintain motorists want more than a cheap deal. So why is Gull petrol cheaper? The answer, in part, is due to a no-frills policy. They are lean and mean. They don't employ many staff, and they also pay less excise on their premium petrol because at Gull they sell ethanol-blended petrol. There is a tax break on ethanol and naturally they should be passing that saving on to motorists. So where is the cheapest petrol in NZ? Well, forget about the Gull effect. Let's talk about the Morrinsville effect. Yep, it's actually a thing, according to your pictures. The Mobil has been offering $1.58 petrol, and the BP and Caltex followed closely behind on $1.59. And, yes, there is a Gull in Morrinsville. Sadly, though, there's none south of Masterton, and the bad news is Gull has no plans of migrating to the South Island any time soon. I'm bloody sorry ` no, seriously, I am ` but we can't see a viable return on it right now. Right, as a Southerner, I feel cheated personally, so I'm going to move to Morrinsville. Oh yes, good idea. Now, those Morrinsville photos, by the way, were all taken in mid-June. Right. Listen up, guys. After the break we have some tips on what to buy ` and what not to buy ` that special woman in your life. Finding the perfect present is never easy. I bought her perfume one year and it's still not been used to this day. There are bad presents and really bad presents. I got some artificial flowers in a vase from my husband ` it was hideous. Nothing says 'romance' like a candle, but this one could ignite more than the flames of romance. And then we heard, 'Kaboom! Smash!' And it wasn't a crack ` it was a full-on explosion. Welcome back. Now, nothing says 'romance' quite like candles. That soft flickering light creates an ambience that is undeniably romantic. Indeed, but a word of warning ` there are some candles out there that can shatter the flames of desire. Here's Mark with some romantic tips. Finding the right present for your loved one can be a minefield. Just ask the punters at Maloney's Barber Shop. Don't ever buy shoes unless you know the size. The stakes are high... I got some artificial flowers in a vase from my husband ` it was hideous. ...especially if you're a bloke. I bought her perfume one year and it's still not been used to this day. That's a fail. She didn't want to do anything for her 30th, so I did nothing. Yeah, I know. It was a disaster. That's a big fail. Just love. (LAUGHS) Eh, it's for free. Bingo. But a good go-to can be one of those luxury candles. I got a lovely gift from my husband for our anniversary, and he sent me some beautiful flowers and in the lovely box was also a gorgeous candle. It was one of these ones from Ecoya, a high-profile NZ brand, about $50 a pop, so not cheap. So far, so good, until... I probably had 2cm left of wax in the bottom and I lit it, as you do, and I was, I think, doing my daughter's homework, and I just heard a big pop and then a crack and then a small explosion. Helen's Ecoya candle hadn't been blown out ` it had actually blown up. The candle had exploded and all the glass had pretty much split on` majorly on one side, and little fragments of glass and all the wax had escaped, so clearly it had exploded. Which, on the face of it, is kind of worrying. There is the apparent fire risk, and probably I was more concerned about the little pieces of glass possibly going places that my daughter would be, you know, tearing around the house. It's just not good. Across town lives Lucy, who's flat out most days keeping an eye on young Gemima and Louis. We had Ecoya candles on our wedding gift registry, so we'd got given quite a few. She lit one in the hallway one day. And we were sitting in the living room, me and a friend just chatting away, and then we heard, 'Kaboom! Smash!' so went out there, had a look, and it was clear the candle had smashed all over the floor and there was glass all over the hallway. Once again, not ideal if you've got kids in the house. It's a bit freaky thinking that it could've been me or the kids going past with hot glass smashing all over us. Both Lucy and Helen say they complied with the safety instructions that came with their Ecoya candles ` So that's 1cm, right? So mine had much more than that in it when I started burning it. It probably burnt for an hour before the snap, crackle and pop happened. I mean, what do you do? It just exploded. I've had other candles before. They just burn out when they get to the bottom, or if they get low, they just seem to go out. Never had any other glass candle explode like that, and it wasn't a crack ` it was a full-on explosion. Sometimes you can think it's just you, but when they posted about their exploding Ecoya on Facebook, it became apparent they weren't alone. They're like, 'I burn those candles,' and then the next couple of messages were, 'That happened to me,' 'Oh, no, that happened to me.' It was increasingly scary, and how many people have kids` Just on so many levels it's kind of wrong and ridiculous. So what's going on, Ecoya? They're exploding because people unfortunately aren't taking notice of the burning instructions. Which include ` according to Claire Barnes, Ecoya's brand manager ` trimming the wick before you light it. If the wick becomes really long because it hasn't been trimmed, it can be providing slightly more energy than required to melt the wax. And it just blows out? Well, it usually doesn't blow out. This is not` It blows up? (LAUGHS) Not blows out? No, it doesn't happen often. We have had some instances, every single one of which we've looked into, and every single one of which, there's been very little to no wax left in the bottom of the jar, and you would have to burn it for relatively significant amount of time with no wax in it and with a longer wick than we'd usually recommend for anything to happen. Ecoya says it's 100% confident in the safety of its products, which comply with the highest possible standards. You don't think it might` You could put something on there saying, 'If you burn this too far down, it could explode and send shards of glass out,'? Um, I don't think we would need to say that. What we have done is we've ` well before now ` investigated legally what we need to do to ensure that we are doing everything to ensure that the consumer is safe, and all of those requirements that have come back, we have adhered to. But all the safety regulations in the world can't disguise the fact that candles are a naked flame, and you need to be careful. Ecoya sent new ones to Lucy and Helen after theirs blew, but their experience has left them feeling a bit burnt. I didn't want another candle, particularly. I just` I just` You know, like, I wouldn't bother buying this brand. You don't want to have a candle that you have to watch and be super careful with, thinking, 'Oh gosh, it's getting low. I'd better blow it out,' you know. And Ecoya do want to hear from anybody else who might have had the same thing happen to them. Yes, and make sure you do follow those instructions. So that's the show, but Pippa and I will be on Facebook for the next half hour to answer your questions. Our programme is all about your problems, your thoughts, so please do contact us. We're on Facebook. Email us. Write to us. Coming up next week ` A valuable crop destroyed by a chemical cocktail. We've pretty much got a dead crop with no comeback, and the people have just wiped their hands. Wiped their hands, and left him holding the wilted remains. This is, sort of, 67 grand, then, that should've been. Should've been, could've been, but it's not. It's disastrous for a man who makes his living off the land. As soon as I started asking questions, it was like` It looks like we're gonna be left holding the lemon here. Who's to blame? So we've got dead crops, a debt, and everyone's running for cover. Who should reap the consequences? Who ordered the chemicals? He just hung up on me. That's next week. Goodnight.