Complaint Review: ARCO

On Saturday, February 2, 2013 at 12:02 p.m. I stopped at the ARCO gas station located on the corner of La Cienega and Jefferson (right next to Target) and I attempted to use the island terminal (where you can insert your debit card and return for a receipt).  Well, the island kept refusing my debit card so I went up to the pay window and told the man behind the booth that I wanted $35.00 on pump #1.  I proceeded to swipe my debit card, he gave me the receipt (which show that .35 cent debit fee) and I went on my way to pump the gas.  

I placed the fuel dispenser in my tank and depressed the latch (that device that you can automatically place in a groove that allows the gas to pump freely).  As the fuel dispenser slowed down around $25.60, the latch clicked off and I proceeded to depress the latch to continue pumping fuel to reach $35.00.

When the dollar amount got to $34.90, all of a sudden it jumped to $35.00!  Since when does a gas pump jump .10 cents like that?  I went back to the window and spoke with the man in the booth and he told me that there was no way that could have happened because they are regulated by the Department of Weights and Measures.  I proceeded to tell him that I know what I saw because I was looking at the dollar movement the whole time.  

I realize that it's only .10 cents but how many other people (perhaps thousands!) are getting ripped off like this everyday? Especially at ARCO gas stations.

I would encourage everyone with a bad experience at any ARCO gas station to file a complaint on line with the State of CA, Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General and report the rip-offs.  Make sure you keep your receipt for the gas you purchased (it should have the name, address, date, grade of gas and price per gallon on it).  I'd also either cc your letter to the CA Department of Consumer Affairs and the CA Department  of Food and Agriculture Division of Measurement Standards (www.cdfa.gov/dms).  Also cc your letter to BP West Coast Products, Inc. 4 Centerpoint Drive, La Palma, CA 90623 (BP owns ARCO Gas Stations!)