Hello everbody, got some information that could save you a lot of trouble!
If you use a Debit card at Quality Mart Gas Stations across the triad, are you aware that they not only charge you for the gas (expected) but what's next is what fired me up.
I purchased $40.00 of gas on my debit card on May 8, 2008 (9:36am)at the Quality Mart on the corner of Peacehaven and Country Club Rd. in Winston Salem. Well I thought everything was normal until I checked my account on the 9th, at 3:30pm. Quality Mart had charged me $100.00 and another charge for $40.00. Ok so my accound said the $100.00 was Pending, FOR WHAT! . They got their money $40.00. Now that $100 is no longer available to me until its released by Quality Mart, and no body knows when, thats my money, who are they to lock me out of my money.
I went back to the station and talked to the Manager, soon the ast. manager CARLOS had to put his two cents in, and though it was funny that I might contest this, its a everyday event, you cant used the money unitl its released dont you know that Carlos told me. He has no clue! The manager (ED) was not talking, as a matter of fact he did not care about my problem, he was busy.
Because of the lack of concern or customer service displayed by both the Manager (ED) and the Ast Maanger (Carlos) I make my next move, thats got to be a crime!
I called the Winston Salem Police, i do think that its a crime.
When the police showed up some 2 hours later, the officer was little help, he said that thats how some gas stations work, Its my first experance, I have been purchasing gas for 36 years. The officer also agreed with the ast manager, its the banks fault (I laughed at that). Now I know better then that, the bank had no idea were I was going to get gas, the Bank process the gas stations merchant service at their request via a transaction and charges the gas station a agreed amount or percent per transaction, the police officer and the ast manager have no clue how that works or what they are even talking about, (Oh, but the way the manager left before the poilce arrived).
So I left, and got home and called my bank. They said that that money placed on hold was done by the gas station and they should have released that as soon as the purchase was complete per their agreement. So in the end, Quality Mart is abusing their customers buy holding their customers money above and beyond the purchase, knowing that they are locking up the customers money for 2 to 10 days before making those funds available to the customer, who can argue that we have the right to use our money as we please.
I do think that Quality Mart or any other gas station should be make to post at the pump about this so the card user may make a better desision on their own money. I feel the sign they should be made to post should go like this,
WARNING!!!!!!! Using a debit card at this pump could and will result in $100.00 of your money be locked away from your use for 2 to 10 days above and beyond the purchase amount, These fund will not be available to you until released by us.
This would make a great consumer spot on FOX8, I would love to hear the management of Quality Oil explain this!
