$9 Wash actually costs $10!!! Beware
I've lived just around the corner from this ARCO station for the past 14 years. I've seen a sharp demise in the level of quality as well as service over the past couple of years. Over the weekend the only thing they had to offer was 91 Octane fuel, and when I went in for a receipt (because half the time the pump does not provide one) Moe (clerk) said something about American politics, sanctions, yada yada yada. How about making sure your supply of fuel gets to the station on time.
The restroom, although very convenient is dirty, and smells foul.
But this brings me to this morning, and thought I'd fill my tank, and get a car wash. The LCD screen on the pump allows you to choose from 3 choices of Car Wash. $7, $8, $9. I opted for the $9. Pumped fuel, and again, had to go in to obtain my receipt with the car wash code on it. The station charged me $10! I asked the clerks, and neither one of the 2 employees were willing to help answer the question of why the difference in advertised price, and the amount paid. They stated that I should talk to Sam (not sure if he is the manager), so I tracked him down, and asked him about it.. He stated that there are numerous signs (which is true) that they offer 7, 8, and 10 dollar car washes. I stated that I understood this, but why would the pump menu give offerings for a $9 wash?? He explained to me that it USED to be $9, and that it is almost impossible for them to change the menu screen on the pump, so I should just consider that it is the "Works Wash" and the $9 portion is just the "NAME" of the wash. I agreed that they could name the wash whatever they like, but if he thought is was a good idea to put a dollar value in the name??? So, the "Works Wash $9" actually costs $10. Sam did not see any issue with this. We agreed to disagree on that point. So, I asked if I could get a $1 refund on the wash with the knowledge that the wash is indeed $10 from here on out. He flat out refused. He did offer to refund the entire $10 ( I guess there is no mechanism in place to credit a dollar, but there is to cancel an entire order). I stated that just myself alone represents $3500 on average a year ($70 a week as I driver to/from Anaheim from R. Cucamonga daily) and if he was willing to lose that business over a $1. He shook my hand and said, "Have a good day, my friend."
Well, I know its just a dollar, and I know that my $3500 may not even affect them in the least, but for a station to not even be willing to settle this over $1 tells me all that I need to know about how this station is run and why there has been such a decline in the service, quality, and convienience.
Bye Bye ARCO, Hello Shell (just across the street).