So how does one pay nearly $7.50 per gallon? Easy, shop at the Buy N Fly convenience store in Speers Pennsylvania just off Interstate 70 and use your debit card to pay at the pump.
Earlier this month I purchased $24.74 of regular gas at the above mentioned store. Roughly ten gallons or so. Noticed the next day as I was reviewing my internet bank statement that the same amount came up twice as pending debits. Odd, I hadn't spent two identical amounts in months let alone the past two days. Once it was cleared and debited, I noticed both were for the same transaction. Contacted my bank who informed me I'd have to contact the vendor and get one charge returned. Ok, so I contact the station who sends me to "corporate" and I finally reach Nila. Here's the gist of the conversation, using only Nila's parts to speed things up.
"that can't be, are you sure"
"the transaction number is?"
"the authorization number is"
"I'll call you back"
Indeed, a short time later she calls back and tells me that yes, Exxon thru the charge company GE Capital, did indeed log it in as two events and I am due a refund. Nila again...
"No, we don't handle those here"
"No, we can't issue a refund as it isn't our fault"
"No, even though we get credited and paid, we can't issue a refund"
"rest assured the charge will be reversed in a day or two"
"seems they didn't clear the cache and that's how it got hit twice"
Two days go by and I check my internet statement again. Sure enough, there's the $24.74 just as promised, BUT AS A DEBIT! That makes three times. Nila again, the next day...
(starting with a good chuckle)
"they didn't"
"let me call you back"
"yep, they said it was a keystroke error"
"no, we can't issue a refund as it isn't our responsibility"
"they'll have it taken care of in 24 hours guaranteed"
Here we are three days later and no action on the account. Time for the next round of calls and this time mentioning things like TV consumer reporters and court to try and bump things along. I'll keep you posted.
Here's one very important reason I'm bringing this to the site's and your attention. If the card company didn't clear the cache for the day and my debit got hit twice, there is a strong chance that everyone else that paid at the pump that day got hit twice as well and may not be aware of the problem. Check your accounts regularly, save your recipts and pester the heck out of anyone who listens until you get the action requested. And if you're ever in Southwestern Pennsylvania and see an Exxon station, PAY CASH!!!
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