I hate talking on the phone...but this was worth it

I went to the Esso touchless car wash around the corner to get all the salt and grime off my car. Since I stock up on those car wash codes in advance, I didn't need to stop in the store at all. Once my car got spiffed up, I went toward the dryer only to realize that it didn't work. SON OF A...!!!


So I went in the store to notify the operator of the problem and to ask for a credit so I can rewash my car. Not only was he unwilling, he was rude and dismissive. If that weren't enough, he lied! He kept telling me that there was a sign posted on the keypad. I told him I did not see it. We repeated ourselves another five to six times before he said, "there's nothing I can do". He told me to come back tomorrow morning and speak to his manager. I asked for their names and left.

I was about to get back into my car but couldn't resist walking over to the keypad to check out "the sign". How could I miss a sign posted on that little code box? Apparently, I couldn't, because there was no sign there. NOW, I'M REALLY PISSED.

I went back in to tell him that there was no sign. Instead of protesting, he went straight back to the "there's nothing I can do" strategy. To gauge how much he cared about this, I asked if I could call Customer Service to get my credit. I expected him to talk me out of it. Instead, he encouraged me and told me about how someone else got a bunch of points from calling. He added that there are a whole bunch of problems in the area and I should really, really call.

WHAT IS GOING ON? I guess he thought I'd go to complain about the car wash and that it would get me off his back. Instead, I called to complain about HIM. I have a ridiculous number of points so that wasn't the issue. I understand equipment breaks down from time to time. If I was the first victim or had he been more polite, I would've forgotten the whole thing. But I was not the first one and he was a rude liar. Momentarily fueled by my anger to overcome my hatred for phone conversations, I called customer service. The agent handling my car was GREAT. He took down all the details, repeating them several times to make sure he had everything down just right. He agreed that the car wash should have been closed and that the operator could have given me another wash code to use when the car wash has been fixed (so much for his "there's nothing I can do" defence). He also told me that someone will get back to me regarding this issue.

I'm glad I made that call. Now the coporation has an official record of my complaint. They're also going to look into it before getting back to me. Talking to his manager may have gotten me the credit I was looking for in the first place, but I doubt very much would have been done about the operator's behaviour. Besides, I'm at work in the morning. I don't have time to drive around the city chasing a potential free credit.

Beware rude retail people (remember the Feet First story?)...I will log complaints with your company AND on my blog.