I just got an email from Werf ¹ relating his most recent trip to a Speedway SuperAmerica LLC, which "is a wholly owned subsidiary of Marathon Oil Corporation." ²

I purchased a medium hot chocolate. After completing the transaction I decided to get a bag of mini crullers, so I stepped aside.  It was then that I looked at my receipt and noticed she had charged me for a large, [which is] 20 cents more.

When I got back to the front of the line, I pointed out the mistake and asked if she, Dani, could just take the difference off the doughnuts. She said she didn't know how and that she would have to ask Chris.

Just then he came around the corner and Dani proceeded to say something like: "This guy says I rung him up wrong and he wants his 10 cents."  I politely said that it was 20 cents and she ignored me. I asked Chris if he could just take the 20 cents off the doughnuts. He told Dani to just manually discount the price of the doughnuts. She said, "What is Mark gonna say?" She was referring to the GM. Then she said in effect, "Just tell him that some butt-head customer wanted his 12 cents back?"

At that point I had had enough of her lip. So I bit mine and left.  She is the one who answered the phone when I called to talk to a super or manager. She was equally belligerent then.

The manager will be in tomorrow morning.

Oh, I forgot that Dani was ragging on a previous customer and the miscommunication they had. She called him a bonehead. That bonehead happens to be my neighbor's boyfriend. He's very nice and polite kid. When he saw me walk in the store he asked me a follow-up question that he and I had just earlier this week. Very genuine kid. Comes into my store from time to time, too. 

At this time, I should point out that Werf shops at Speedway SuperAmerica LLC frequently.  Werf loves to save money, so Werf participates in the Speedy Rewards program, with a balance in excess of 100,000 points.  Werf estimates a normal week results in 1-2 visits to the store located at 7819 US 42 in Florence, KY.

This is frustrating to both Werf and myself, as normally we both have received excellent customer service there.  They have this to say in regard to their service:

At Speedway SuperAmerica, we have a dynamic, diverse work force. Our employees are the difference at Speedway SuperAmerica. Their drive, passion, and commitment to excellence truly make Speedway SuperAmerica a leader in our industry. ³

I guess I shouldn't be surprised by all of this, really.  It is just so bothersome for me that good customer service is becoming the exception rather than the rule.  We, as consumers, expect belligerent, rude people to serve us.  We are, for the most part, conditioned to not speak up for ourselves when it comes to the money we spend on the goods/services we receive.  We do not want to become an inconvenience to those we are paying to serve us.

All I can do is publish this on the various Social Media Outlets I use, and encourage Werf to send a letter to Mr. Tony Kenney, President of Speedway SuperAmerica LLC, and never patronize their location at:

7819 US 42
Florence, KY 41042

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¹   #1, http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=werf
²   Who We Are, http://www.speedway.com/aboutUs/Default.aspx
³   Welcome from the President, http://www.speedway.com/aboutUs/Default.aspx

98 days until Memorial Day.  This is the first goal date I have.  I want to lose 10% of my body weight by this day.

To achieve this goal, I pledge to myself that:

• I will go to the YMCA at least three times a week for the rest of the month of February.
• I will make better choices about the food I eat.
• I will drink more water.
• I will not consume more than 1,400 calories a day.

Hooray!  I feel very excited about this.

A quote from one of my favorite movies, Grosse Pointe Blank:

Do you really believe that there's some stored up conflict that exists between us? There is no us. We don't exist. So who do you wanna hit, man?

To whomever is Mr./Ms. M: I hope that hiding behind Internet anonymity while belittling others makes you feel better about whatever drama it is you are currently having in your life.

I am doing some research into banks/companies which offer merchant solutions for small businesses.  I need something which deals with ACH, Credit Cards, Checks, E-Checks, etc. 

Does anyone have any personal experiences with certain banks or companies which have been good to you/your firm in this area?

Any information you have would be great, even if it is someone to stay away from. 

Had the job interview today, here's the low-down:

I went in today and met with two people.  Gal 1 was very nice, but she was HR, you know?  She was cordial but reserved.  When I got her talking about the family & service aspect of the company, she really opened up.   She spoke a lot about the right fit for the company, and that they could teach anyone how to do the job, but that they were looking for a particular kind of person.  She seemed to give me the indication that I was a good fit for the company, but not for this particular position.

She then passed me off to Gal 2.  Gal 2 was much more personable.  She and I had the chance to talk more about what skills I have and how they'd be beneficial to the company.  She told me that I had beat all of the other applicants out so far, and asked me about my availability.

My only complaint was waiting for 40 minutes after my set meeting time to meet with HR.  I understand that meetings are never over when they are supposed to be, but wow... 40 minutes. 

As with other jobs I've had since I've been blogging, I'm not going to name the name of the company, and ask you to do the same.  I actually know people who've had their careers negatively impacted by the things they have said in a blog, Twitter, etc.  They are great, well-meaning people, but I'm learning from their mistakes.

Now, to get the job and find a place close by where I can live and stay in my Ward...

Was the snowpocalypse canceled? Because, I didn't get the memo.

Also, I should so totally become a meteorologist. Check me out: Today there is a 15% chance of vagueness with a 25% chance of inciting panic.

I wonder how much these folks pay for their schooling?

There are some shenanigans going on in my family right now. We could all use some prayers/mojo/good thoughts.