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OK, I will pre pay, but you could've asked a little more nicely. |
 | By Andy Tarnoff   Publisher E-mail author | Author bio More articles by Andy Tarnoff |
| Published May 20, 2009 at 10:38 a.m. |
|
This morning, I stopped the Marathon station at 3087 S. Kinnickinnic Ave. to put a little gas in my car. A hand-written sign on all the pumps rubbed me the wrong way:
"PREPAY OR LEAVE," it said. As if paying $2.45 per gallon isn't bad enough, this stern warning put me in a slightly bad mood.
Of course, I always pre-pay, anyway, using my gas credit card. And I'm sure "drive-offs" are becoming an increasing problem at gas stations. But maybe a "You must pre-pay" sign, or a "Pre-pay only, please" placard would've done the trick. "PREPAY OR LEAVE" seems a little harsh, doesn't it?
I'm scratching my head to remember other indications that businesses are getting especially testy during this recession. The bank below our office now has a sign at its door directing customers to remove their hats, hooded sweatshirts and sunglasses before entering. I don't recall seeing such statements in writing before the economic downturn.
But surely there are other signs of the times, in which courtesy and customer service have given way to frank statements and bold requests. Any jump out at you? Let us know using the Talkback feature below.
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10 comments about this article. Post a comment / write a review. |
Recent Talkbacks ...
Posted by sandstorm on May 21, 2009 at 1:57 p.m. (report)
Wez, you're a sensitive soul. glad to see a fragile heart like yours is still beating.
| Rate this: |
Posted by Wez on May 21, 2009 at 1:09 p.m. (report)
Oh my god, Sandstorm has a problem with my comment, I'm so distraught. I just meant it like they may not know all the words in the English Language so they take words they know and put them togehter, that's all. Okay, I am completely wrong...
| Rate this: |
Posted by devidia on May 21, 2009 at 12:06 p.m. (report)
On the upside, it could've said "PREPAY OR DIE!!!!!"...
| Rate this: |
Posted by Joscasta on May 21, 2009 at 8:37 a.m. (report)
I don't go to that Marathon or the BP, just terrible awful service. I go to the Clark station on the corner of KK and Clement, I have never had a problem with them turning on the pump for me, since I do go inside sometimes to make a purchase using my credit card after I fill my tank. Good friendly service, with gas a bit cheaper than other stations.
| Rate this: |
Posted by brewers__fan on May 20, 2009 at 6:33 p.m. (report)
Bad english is a problem at a large number of gas stations, at the same time I'm sure there was a better to ask for prepayment. I love it when I buy something and the attendant doesn't say hi, Thanks for stopping, have a nice day.... something. I've stopped going to a lot of gas stations just because they are rude. There is always someplace else I can go to spend my money. The thing that really kills me at some gas stations is the $75 credit limit per purchase. As gas goes higher I end up having to make two purchases just to fill the tank.
| Rate this: |
Show me the other 5 Talkbacks
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