Circle K - Florida Division

Gasoline pump price per gallon greater than electronic billboard price per gallon.
On March 13, 2019, I purchased gasoline at the Circle K station located at *** XXXXX. The advertised price for 87 octane on the electronic billboard was $2.429 per gallon. The charged pump price, however, was $2.599 per gallon. When discovering this on my credit card receipt I entered the store to address the discrepancy with a store representative. I found myself to be only one of many customers complaining about the same issue. The friendly but unknowing attendant explained that "corporate controls/changes the electronic billboard and the local store has no control over it". When I asked why there was no coordination between the billboard price and pump price, the response was, "I don't know; that's a good question". I am not necessarily suggesting that this was intentional 'bait-and-switch" but can't help but question how/why it occurred, how long the discrepancy occurred at this specific store, how many other stores it occurred at, and how many customers were affected.

Gas Pump not working properly and leaking fuel
On 3/21/18 at approximately 10:50am, I visited the Circle K / Shell Gas Station located at ***, ***, FL ***. Upon arrival I pulled up to Gas Pump #4. I got out of my vehicle, put my bank card into the pump and followed the prompts. Once it was approved, I went to reach for the pump handle and immediately realized there was no handle or hose attached to the pump. Instantly, fuel started pouring out (not leaking, pouring) of the top of the pump where the hose should have been connected. The fuel started splattering everywhere all over me, the outside and inside of my car, as I had my driver side door open. The fuel finally stopped and I told my son to run inside and tell the clerk that there was a problem with the pump, it had no hose connected and to turn off the pump. My son came back out and stated "she said she already knew about it". I couldn't believe what I was hearing. They already knew and did nothing to prevent this from happening. This is a huge safety hazard. The pump wasn't turned off, there was no out of order or warning sign, and nothing was done from keeping customers from using this pump. It approved my card and still turned the pump on.

"A property owner's duty of care is clear. She/He, hers/his agents, and employees must keep the property safe for visitors. That duty is breached when the owner allows dangerous conditions to exist on the property."

I immediately moved my car to a safer area. Then as I was walking to go inside to speak with a manager to get someone to do something before someone gets hurt, I had to stop an older lady from pulling up to the pump #4 and doing the same thing I did. I went inside and asked the clerk "can someone please turn Pump 4 off, there is gas spilling out", the clerk yelled for the manager. The manager took her time coming out and said "oh, is it leaking again". I said no ma'am, it is not leaking, it is pouring out. She followed me outside and at that time I yelled to the guy at that pump and told him not to put his credit card in the pump. The manager said nothing, wasn't concerned. I asked her why was the pump still on? Why is there no sign stating "Not to use"? Why isn't it blocked off some how? She didn't respond to any questions and continued to pour kitty litter on top of the fuel spill. She didn't ask if I was ok, or if my *** year old son was ok, or my vehicle. No concern for anyone's well-being.

I was on my way back to work when I stopped for gas. I was furious and wiped myself and my car down as best as I could. Went to a different Shell station to get gas. I called the The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) and filed a phone complaint and asked them to please get someone to go to that gas station as soon as possible. After getting gas I rode back by the Circle K/Shell at *** to see if they had done anything further to Pump #4. The only thing they did was move a trash can close to the pump. Then I had to go all the way back home to change my clothes before returning to work as I had gas on my clothes and shoes. My son and I both started feeling nauseous which I believe was from the fuel smell on my clothes and in my car. When I arrived home I went inside and cleaned up and changed my clothes. I had to throw out my jeans and boots. Then I went outside and cleaned up the inside driver side of my car and the outside driver side of my car the best I could. Still feeling nauseous, I went to work anyway.

Today, as I am checking my bank account to review my transactions from the day before, I noticed a Shell transaction for $1.17 around the time I was at the Circle K/Shell at ***. This really is upsetting. I was charged for the gas that spilled out all over the ground and splattered all over me and my car.

I drove by the Circle K/Shell on 3/22/18 at approximately 5:35pm and noticed the hose had been replaced, but the gas spill hadn't been cleaned up.

I went to the Circle K located at XXXXX *** XXXXX and tried to used my Circle K card and was unable to do that. The cashier and manager at that location were both looking at the Circle K card as if they have never seen a Circle K gift card before. The Circle K gift card has over $100 on it so its not a card issue. So I went to my car and called the customer service number behind the card X-XXX-XXX-XXXX and explained my issue to the customer service representative named Vincent (employee number XXXXXXX). Rather then help me, he told me drive to another Circle K store. When I explained to him that this the closes and the other locations are far away from me, he told me to go into the store and he would talk to the cashier/manager using my personal cell phone. I realize quickly that this customer service representative was not helpful either. I don't understand why as a customer I can't use my Circle K gift card conveniently at any location. Why such a headache and why is customer service not knowledgeable in helping with customer service issues? Why can't I use my Circle K gift card at any Circle K store?