I recently changed filling stations, from an Exxon, with an On the Run convenience store, to a new Sunoco station, featuring an APlus convenience store. Both are about equidistant off the parkway I take to work, and both offer easy access back to the parkway.
The difference between them has nothing to do with the price of gas; no, it deals with the attitude of the store personnel. I usually purchase items from at least two of the four food groups1. I’d been going to the On the Run for several years, and had to plead for a small bag in which to tote my bounty, which was always offered grudgingly by the rather surly store clerk and his assistant. At APlus, I’m greeted by smiling faces, who put my Deer Park and pastry in a bag, no questions asked.
Today sealed the deal; as I paid for the day’s snackage, I asked for change for the air machine, the right front tire on the Saturn having all of 10 PSI in it2. Four shiny quarters in my chinos, and I headed for the air machine, whereupon I couldn’t find the coin slot, but a button that said “operate”. I pushed it, the chug-chug of the compressor started, I aired up the tire, and was on my way.
Free Air. Heckuva’ deal. And the fact that Sunoco is the Official Fuel Supplier of NASCAR, and APlus the Official Pit Stop of NASCAR, has nothing at all with my decision to patronize the Sunoco. It does not hurt, however.
-k-
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One Comment
Amen. I changed grocery stores this year. From the one where I had shopped for YEARS to one 7 minutes further. Why? For the exact same reason. No more was I going to shop at a store with surly cashiers who acted like checking my groceries was just way toooo much work. After all, it interupted their “he-said-she-said” comverstions. AND never a greeting or a Thank You. When I retired I gave up having to deal with thankless younguns’.
I doubt I will ever go back for my weekly visits, but Bruce was in there last week for a quick sack of dog food and said the entire crew was different. Amen. Now I might stop for cat food too!