Today I filled my tank at Rusty's market. As I have always done, for decades, I used the hold-open clip. When the tank was full, the shut-off mechanism failed to trigger and gas began overflowing from my tank. I pulled the nozzle out and it was still stuck in the open position, so I unclipped it. Meanwhile, gas had splashed out all over the place, including on my pants and boots. There was a big puddle of gas, so I went in to tell them about it.
A dude at the register finally looked up from his cell phone when I said "HI" loudly. I told him what happened, and he said "No worries." Surprised by his underresponsiveness, I asked if this happens a lot. He said, "It's a random thing." From the very faraway look in his eyes and his lack of awareness that there was actually a problem, it was easy to deduce that he was pretty wasted. I asked him if I should just leave or does something maybe need to be done, and he said very casually that I could go and they'd take care of it. But he wasn't moving. He had zero awareness or concern that if I were to leave, the next person who pulls into that spot would be stepping into a big puddle of gasoline.
At that point a manager comes out of the back of the store with some urgency and asks what that gas smell is. I said it's me, and I told him what happened. He said they'd take care of it and I could just go. I was stunned they were both more eager to have me leave than to ask me questions. I was getting the sense that this happens a lot.
The manager took the register dude with him and out they went. I stood there and waited a bit until I could see them pouring the emergency safety "sand" from the barrel into the puddle.
I said to the manager that I was concerned about starting my car, because I was afraid I'd cause an explosion. He said "This isn't the type of gas that will ignite. It's not the gas that will ignite, it's only the fumes." Given that fumes were coming off of my person, I wasn't entirely sure it was wise to start the car, but I did trust that the manager would know what he was talking about in this regard. So I started my car and left. Thanks for your concern, fellas.
Later, after walking with my neighbor who is a former safety inspector, I was encouraged to file a report with the police. She said there should have been an incident report taken at the gas station. She said they should have asked about my personal condition. They could have offered me paper towels to dry some of the gas off of my clothing. They could have asked if I'd gotten any gas in my eyes or mouth.
I went to the police station and made my report. The officer I spoke with said he'd go speak with the fire department, too.
I will not give Rusty's any more business. Who knows how often they inspect their equipment. I don't trust them. Their lack of appropriate response to the problem was freaky. read more