On Tuesday Dec. 7th, around 3:00pm I sent my boyfriend's father to drop off my car at the repair shop. The tank was empty so I gave him a $100 bill and we agreed he would only fill up $10 - just enough to bring it to the shop. He arrived at the Chevron at 945 Brunette Ave, and asked them for $10 regular gas and handed the attendant the $100 bill. The attendant began to fill the tank. My boyfriend's father then noticed that it was filling up to beyond $40 and told him to stop. It stopped at $44.06. The attendant apologized and said that the cashier had typed the number in wrong (we are assuming he typed in $100 instead of $10). My boyfriend's father contacted the manager, Jamie Costa, and he apologized but said that he could not refund the money. Since it was my car and my money, I came down to the Chevron to see how they would rectify the situation. When I walked in I simply asked the cashier if I could speak with the manager and he said "oh is it because we took too much money? ". He knew exactly what it was concerning before I said anything else. I responded yes, $34 more than was authorized. Mr. Costa came out of the back room and I explained the situation. I basically said to him that I think it certainly isn't fair to be overcharged $34 and have to absorb the cost if the mistake was not the customer's. I have a myriad of reasons of why I need that $34, but regardless, this is simply a lack of basic customer service and an example of anti-consumer protection if they continue to operate in this manner. I have been going to this gas station for years because it is right down the street from my boyfriend's house. As a consumer I would expect to be respected, treated fairly and protected when there is a mix-up in which the customer is not at all at fault. The same would applies in my day job where I always uphold the highest level of customer service and that if there is an issue which is our fault, its simple: we don't charge the customer for it - I would not hesitate to make it right with my customers even if that means refunding a measly $34 (not to mention especially if they have spent thousands at my establishment over the last few years). I am not interested in the gas itself so I offered to bring my car back to remove it from the tank. Mr. Costa explained that this was illegal because it is a fire hazard. I understood this but then I asked him why he thought it was right to take $34 when it was not authorized. He told me to "think of it as an investment". That "the gas will be there in the future when you need it". I'm sorry, but did he all of a sudden turn into my financial advisor? Regardless if this is a good investment or not, who is he to decide where I should invest my money? If I choose not to invest it in my gas tank, what gives him the right to decide against that and take my money anyway? If it was a mistake on CHEVRON's part he should represent the company appropriately and make it right by absorbing the cost on their end and thereby reinstating my loyalty. I can say with all honesty if this issue is not resolved I am prepared to personally withdraw my business from this Chevron establishment. Furthermore, I hope to communicate my experience to my friends and family so they are educated to protect their wallets and possibly watch the meters so that this doesn't happen again.
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