Billionaire Adrian Portelli told presenter Rafael Epstein to ‘f**k off’ before hanging up during a live interview on ABC 774 Melbourne on Thursday.
Portelli, 37, dropped several f-bombs and sounded agitated as the brekkie host compared the entrepreneur’s LMCT+ rewards business to a lottery.
Known as ‘Mr Lambo’, Portelli was interviewed during a personal appearance at his new petrol station in Preston, Melbourne.
Portelli was offering $1-a-litre fuel to the subscription members of his ‘rewards’ club, as Epstein asked him how LMCT+ was any different to gambling.
‘We offer discounts for shopping. That’s what we do,’ Portelli said, sounding frustrated.
‘Over $100,000 in discounts we offer with that membership. Okay?’
Adrian Portelli told presenter Rafael Epstein to ‘f*** off before hanging up during a live interview on ABC 774 Melbourne on Thursday
Portelli, 37, dropped several f-bombs and sounded agitated as the brekkie host compared the entrepreneur’s LMCT+ rewards business to a lottery
Earlier in the chat, Epstein had raised the issue of LMCT+ placing kiosks in shopping centres to attract subscribers, and asked Portelli whether they were any ‘different’ from poker machines, also known as pokies.
‘Tell me what pokie is offering $100,000 in day-to-day savings that you’re trying to insinuate,’ Portelli said.
The My Reno Rules sponsor grew argumentative after Epstein said he had not insinuated anything, only asking questions.
‘You are [insinuating],’ an angry Portelli continued.
‘You’re comparing us to a lottery or a gambling company.
‘So, tell me what gambling product can you sign up to or spend your money with, where you can save money in day-to-day living?
‘Instead of pushing this narrative, why don’t you promote something like this that’s helping people save on a day-to-day basis.
‘And now we’ve added petrol, and we’re soon going to be adding grocery stores, and people are going to be saving on day-to-day necessities with their one membership?’
Known as ‘Mr Lambo’, Portelli was interviewed during a personal appearance at his new petrol station in Melbourne’s Preston. Pictured: Portelli talks to his customers
Epstein then said that patrons of LMCT+ had to pay a subscription fee to earn discounts as a reward and asked why Portelli did not offer free memberships.
‘If I had a free membership, what’s the point of having a membership? That’s not a membership now, is it?’ a shocked Portelli replied.
He continued, sounding exasperated, ‘The membership is, you pay your fee, and you get access to perks.’
Portelli could be heard saying ‘f***’ as he then shot back at the radio host’s persistent questions about the LMCT+ business model.
‘If I wanted to shut down Melbourne, I would have opened up 99 Cents to the whole of Melbourne,’ Portelli shouted.
Epstein then tried to back off and attempted to break off the chat, but Portelli had the last word.
‘I’m going to leave it there, A, because it’s enough time, but also, there’s probably enough F-bombs, but I appreciate you coming on the radio,’ he said.
‘F*** off,’ Portelli told him, before slamming down the phone.
