Stop & Shop Gas Rewards Program
Although the store is older and sometimes low on stock (particularly on Sale and popular Items) - it is convenient to "Condo Heaven" in Middletown and frequented by the Middletown/Cromwell Locals that access Routes 3, 9 and Interstate 91 along Route 372 (Berlin Road).
The staff us pleasant and I overheard one customer mentioning to the Produce Manager one evening that she wanted to compliment an employee that had gone to the back to find her a particular item that she could not find. In my experience - the staff, particularly the late-evening Crew around from 7:00 PM until Midnight, when I return home from work and shop for groceries, is usually very friendly, thoughtful and helpful - if not a bit slow attend the registers due to the skeleton crew at the front of the store.
The Gas Station adjacent to the property, however, is a bit more dismal. Staffed by one person, poorly lit and closed by 10:00 PM (usually earlier) despite the store being open until Midnight most evenings - it looks old, dilapidated and out-of-place along the line of Berlin Road Competitors, including the new Cumberland Farms (offering $0.10-off per gallon by using their SmartPay Phone Application or Loyalty Card), Shell, Exxon and the other usual offerings.
This morning, after accumulating a $0.50 per gallon discount for Gas from shopping at Stop & Shop - We went to fill both a large SUV and a smaller economy car with Premium Gasoline ($4.15 per gallon for $3.65 with my $0.50 Discount) and was confronted with Marilyn - the Gas Station Attendant.
Emerging from her small post - she yelled at the first island of gas pumps and stated that "You can't fill two cars per Manager's Orders!" While we mentioned that we have done the same before - she debated "It's 'Managers Orders,' but you might be able to hang the pump up and run the card again."
When we mentioned that we had done the same before at that and other stations, Marilyn yelled, "You're NOT supposed to. But it might work if you stop 'conversating' and try!"
Somewhat annoyed by her combative nature and poor grammar, I noted, "I don't mind being told policy, but 'conversating' really isn't 'Proper English' - perhaps 'conversing' or 'speaking' would work better. Meantime - I'm just going to fill the tank."
She proceeded to yell - "I can shut the pump off!" at which point she quickly retreated to her attendant booth, turned-on the microphone and yelled on the speaker, "Shut Up Dumbass!"
I had missed the comment, which my Partner caught, and approached the attendant station calmly, asking, "Can you repeat that?"
"You heard me!" she shouted (this time through the glass, without the audio-enhancement).
What ensued was an unwanted and unpleasant drive to the Stop & Shop Customer Service Desk next door to call the Manager to discuss the unnecessary comment and a thoughtful discussion of Store Policy, Employee Customer expectations and the like.
Of note - the "Manager's Policy," affirmed by the Store Manager himself to be "Store/Company Policy" is NOT posted on the Gas Station pumps outside.
It is loosely stated on the "Terms & Conditions' of the Stop & Shop Gas Rewards Program Pop-Up online: (http://www.stopandshop.com/savings/shell_program.htm?opco=SNS&linkid=SN) as, "Fuel savings are limited to 35 gallons of fuel per vehicle per purchase, or limits placed on your payment card by your financial institution, which may be lower. " Interpretations of 'per vehicle/per purchase' do not define that it for ONE vehicle in ONE pump-session.
More clarity is, instead, relegated to a FAQ (buried within sub-links on the Gas Rewards Program amid other relevant Customer Service and Store/Product Questions)
None-the-less - I now have two $1.00 charges from Stop & Shop Gas on my Debit Card and one $1.00 credit - awaiting the final amount(s) to post on the Bank Transaction listing. Since the attendant decided to 'enforce' policy and use her 'power at the pump' - we are currently unsure as to how much was actually pumped and charged to our account (violating a variety of UC Banking and FTC-regulated Consumer Protection Laws) and can only contemplate what might or might-not be reflected.
Ultimately NOT the best Customer Service Experience - although the Store Manager (who has yet to call and confirm the amount spent on our account) was polite, apologetic and thoughtful during the early-morning discussion.
Is it worth the savings? Price Chopper (not too far down the road) offers $0.50-off on Gas with every $50.00 spent on Groceries, runs comparable Weekly Circular offerings, sells food, flowers, pharmaceuticals, Seasonal items and stocks their bake shop with fresh baked goods.
I think we will be driving just a little further to earn a higher reward and experience alternative Customer Service - hopefully with better results. read more