How Larry Lanier Helps People Avoid Becoming a Crime Victim

In 2010, Atlanta, Georgia resident Larry Navy Lanier witnessed a number of violent crimes committed at a gas station and he decided that something needed to change. During that time, the effects of the recession were still felt as well, and many gas stations had started to shut down their doors because of various pressures, including declining profit margins and problems with crime. While the recession is now over, more and more gas stations continue to close for a variety of reasons.

The Vision for Mobile Fuel

Lanier's vision was based on how to help motorists avoid becoming a victim of crimes that usually happen at gas stations. The idea that he came up with was to develop a system whereby fuel would be delivered to wherever it is needed. This innovative idea really took off; his company, Mobile Fuel, is now present in 18 cities, employing over 1,400 people, and has 82,000 customers, and still growing.

For Lanier, the goal was to make fueling more convenient, and this shines through in his Mobile Fuel system. People can simply become members online for as little as $8 per month. There are no contracts or minimum terms to sign up for, and delivery is 100 percent free. Members can schedule their delivery through the website, which can be to any location. The company is open 24/7, which means people can get their fuel where and when they need it. All Mobile Fuel employees are Certified Fuel Technicians who fill up the vehicle while also completing a 32 point safety check of the vehicle, free of charge. Lastly, a confirmation email is sent that highlights the entire interaction.

Popularity of Mobile Fuel

Larry Lanier's concept was so popular that the company had been growing rapidly. They now serve major cities in North America, with 24/7 services available for business accounts, and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. services for residential clients. The company's goal has always been to empower motorists so that fueling their vehicles would be safer, enabling them to be more productive as well because they no longer have to go to the gas station.

All members are guaranteed to receive premium gasoline for their vehicles. The price of their gasoline is set in line with the Fuel Gauge report that the Triple A creates every day. Each member can add as many as three vehicles to each fueling location as well. It takes around five minutes for a vehicle to be fueled up, which has enabled people to spend their time far more efficiently; they no longer need to find gas stations, which are becoming harder and harder to find.

How It Works

The price starts for as little as $8 a month, although most people sign up for $20 a month. This includes free delivery and a 32 point safety check each time fuel is added. Furthermore, membership comes with a 30-day risk-free trial, after which people can receive a full refund should they not be happy with the service. To date, nobody has ended their contract yet, with many indicating that they were incredibly impressed with the service.

Lanier wanted to make sure that his company became the go-to source for fuel, and he seems to have achieved this. All fuel provided is guaranteed to be safe for engines. Should an engine problem occur regardless, then Mobile Fuel will resolve it. An ASE certified mechanic must complete the form along with an estimate of the repair costs, and Mobile Fuel will then reimburse either the repair facility or the client after investigating the submitted claim.

The fuel, meanwhile, is purchased from various terminals across the country. Mobile Fuel has contracts with a number of specific refiners so that they can keep their prices low. Meanwhile, because all refineries share pipelines, the fuel itself is generic and guaranteed to be of high quality. They are, after all, the exact same pipelines as those used by major gas stations across the country.

Mobile Fuel as an Independent Marketer

Mobile Fuel is an independent marketer. This means that they do not own or operate any terminals or pipelines. Rather, they are a retailer and their role, essentially, is to bring quality fuel to customers. To support the local economy, something that Lanier was particularly keen on as he has seen the impact of the recession on his country and also the continuing effect of the shutting down of so many gas stations, Mobile Fuel never purchases any crude oil. They also do not influence the purchasing decisions of refinery owners.

With his brain child Mobile Fuel, Larry Navy Lanier has set the standards for what people now expect of their fuel supply.