I was in a big hurry, trying to get gas and fill my windshield washer reservoir and running late for a Christmas gathering because my wife takes 2 hours to get ready, and I drove across the parking lot with the hose still in my gas hole. F&^K!
I ran inside and told the guy what I'd done, left my phone number, and left.
They charged my card $300.00 without even telling me, no call, nothing.
It looked like a quick disconnect was just pulled apart, it looked like you could just plug it back together. $300.00 for that?

Yeah but they most likely had to call a specialist do come out and do the work. I would just be thankful nothing more happened.

I thought this only happened in the movies.

1. Call your gas station and ask for an explanation and to see a repair bill. Perhaps the part isn't reusable and requires high safety standards, similar to aviation parts. I know that some safety parts (like aviation) aren't expensive in-and-of themselves, but rather in the liability insurance the manufacturer must maintain.

2. If the explanation seems unacceptable, then call your cc company and dispute the charges.

your auto insurance may cover it.

Yep... good thought.

Might want to balance the payoff against any future rate increases, thoguh.

I got in contact with a friend of mine who owns 5 gas stations. He said that the breakaways only need to be replaced 10% of the time, and that they only cost between $75-$150.00 to replace, but that he has never charged a customer for the damage, he just absorbs it himself.
I called the gas station and asked for a copy of the repair receipt, they said that they had it right there. I asked how much the dollar amount on the bottom was, but he wouldn't tell me. He said that I had to talk to the manager tomorrow. I asked if there was a dollar amount on the bottom, and he said that I'd have to talk to the manager tomorrow.
I feel that I'm getting screwed and that I might need to find another place to do my shopping.

First off... your friend is either an idiot or a very poor business man or both.

Second... yes you should be able to see the repair bill and you shoudl be responsible for the charges and maybe a minor upcharge for the hassle, loss of use of the pump etc. I would dispute the charges with the CC people immediatley...then settle with the station in cash.

First off, Nice going dummy.

Sounds like they are trying to make $100 or so extra off you. I also think you're lucky it wasn't worse and maybe if the manager says it's a closed deal at $300, get something in writting and be done with it.

I wouldn't recomend reporting anything to insurance. Seems these days just about any claim will raise your rates. Yeah you might have gotten the shaft for $100-150, but is it worth the time you're about to spend disputing it?

i disagree on the insurance issue, root. look at how many companies are fighting for the car insurance business these days. seems like there is a commercial or ad weekly for another company i have never heard of offering "the lowest rates"!
accident forgiveness, rates going down, market competition is on our side these days.
i'd at least ask...

That has happened to me too

I just left the hose there. Isn't that what they are there for? safety. It happened to a friend also and neither of us were charged anything?

Just dispute the charge with your CC company, you never authorized the charge and I don't think they have a sign up saying you are responsible for the hose if you rip it off.

No...
BUT once I drove my truck away from the drive-in with the speaker still hooked to the tailgate. I heard a wierd clanking as I drove out, it turned out that I ripped the entire pole out of the ground and was dragging it by the speaker cord accross the parking lot! My friend wanted it, so we tossed the whole pole, cord, and speaker into my truck bed and took off.

That sucks Steve.

I would definitely dispute the charge.

Isn't it required in California to get a signature for cc purchases over $25.00?

Is this the manager?

Dispute it. It's an unauthorized charge, period.

If they want you to pay, they need to make a request to you. They can either negotiate something that is fair, or take you to small claims.

Hell no, I wouldn't accept it.

Embarrased to say that I did this myself a few months ago. Busy as hell, lotta stuff on the mind, run inside for a soda, jump back in truck & drive off. Oh Sh@T!!!!

I left the guy in the station my card & cell phone #. Spoke to the owner a few hours later & he said "Don't worry about it, happens more than you could imagine. They snap right back in place." He didn't charge me a dime, but broke my balls about slowing down a little & paying attention, blah blah blah.

You pulled a bonehead move, but for a $300 charge, I would probably ask for a breakdown of the cost.

that happened to me twice while i was a gas jockey, we never charged anything, and just reconnected the hose...that charge is denfinetly bogus

I used to own a drive in. You owe me $300.

I think you're right.

You too? Damn it drives me nuts.

Fuch it's her fault, she should pay the $300.00

Well, I talked to the manager today, and he was not a dick. He said he was sorry about the charge, that it shouldn't have been charged, and he credited me back my $300.00. He was able to produce a legitimate receipt for $220.00 for repairs, $120.00 for parts, almost $100.00 for the service call and labor, and some sales tax. He told me that I don't need to pay him right away, that he won't even be billed for 30 days, and that I didn't even need to come up with any money for 5-6 weeks if I don't want to. I told him that I'd come in in the next couple of days and pay.
The manager does look like the picture, without the beard. The family is Syrian. They're not Moslems but rather Christians, so the beard and Turban aren't necessary. I'm not looking to start up a religious debate, just making a shallow observation.

He's probably Chaldean. Being from Detroit, i know many Chaldeans, all of whom are really good people.

i actually thought of Apu when I saw that pic. cracked me up.

Glad you got it cleared up.

Ever heard of a stupidity charge???

Its usually more than 300.00.
:-)

All things considered, I got off cheap. No one injured, no car damage, just one bruised ego and $220.00.

Hey sww914,

Very interesting post, it could happen to anyone. Glad it worked out.

Can we now change your name to "Hozer914" or "Hozzer914" Maybe some of the other's can come up with a new name for you. Hmmm, gaspump914 or ??? Help me out here guys

Tom

I agree with Jake. But I am glad it worked out okay for you. If it can happen to a gearhead it can happen to anyone. Before the breakaway lines the pump was often torn out, and that could have spectacular results. Thank goodness this is not much of a possibility with the 914.
Where was the filler cap?

Ah, the 914 filler cap. How many have you left behind or am I the only that has left them on top of the pump? Finally I figured I'd sit it on the chamber above the tank. Bent the hood. That happen the last time many moons ago so I guess some wisdom comes with age.

Dave

i put the cap on with my right hand while the nozzle is in my left hand. now oil fill caps...i carry a spare so i don't have to fish underneath the fan housing.

k

Whatever the nationality or origin of the station owner, you've proven without a shadow of a doubt you're 110% American, putting the blame on your wife ..........


"I was in a big hurry, trying to get gas and fill my windshield washer reservoir and running late for a Christmas gathering because my wife takes 2 hours to get ready, and I drove across the parking lot with the hose still in my gas hole. F&^K!"

Real Americans ALWAYS shift the blame .............. The Cap'n

I went to a gas station a while back and noticed that some of the couplers say NON-RECONNECTABLE while most dont mention a one-time use thing. I think the non-reconnectable couplers were at Thortons. While I was at thortons I watched someone actually take off with the nozzle stuck in the gas tank. people chased teh car down, running and flailing arms around....

The gas station people were pissed.

I just watched the whole thing happen....

I was in my WRX, the filler cap has a permanent leash, so it didn't become a projectile.
It must always be my wife's fault in some way, why else would I get married if not for someone to blame?