My complaint:
Circle K
3656 Hwy 701 South
Conway, SC 29527
Manager: Ray
I purchased a $100 gift card from this location on 128. The attendant was new and had issues ringing me up, yet she was working 3rd shift by herself (Not her fault but the manager’s). I’ve been the manager of 3 chain stores and any manager should know that, not just for the sake of the store running smoothly. Also, it’s not fair to the attendant either to be stuck working with no help at all if heshe had any issues. The card machine was having issues as it kept getting stuck processing. I tried 5 different cards, but had no luck, and the line behind me kept growing. She told me the only way to clear the transaction would be to pay cash since the card machine kept freezing. I felt bad for her, as she was getting really flustered as she could not figure out how to void the transaction. When I asked her if she could call the manager for help, she stated that she did not have his number. I could have just left, but I felt like that would be an ahole move leaving her with a stuck register and angry customers behind me. So, I literally went to the ATM in the store and took out the $100 to pay for the card plus the additional $4.50 ATM. My account only had a total of $106, to begin with, so this transaction literally emptied out my account but I thought worst-case scenario if there was an issue I would be covered. I say that because I had my receipt and the whole situation was documented on camera as there was a camera at the register and above the ATM. As soon as I got home, I went to activate the gift card online and it returned a message that the gift card was invalid. It would not activate or let me register the card. It also would not let me contact support for the card via phone or chat unless the card number was valid. I immediately went back to the store, and they told me when the manager would be in. A few days later, I was finally able to speak with the manager Ray. From the start, he was condescending and rude, and honestly should never be a store manager. The fact alone that he put a brand new employee to work third shift alone is reason enough to say he doesn’t care. I’ve been the manager of two large chains, and you NEVER put a new employee on a shift alone without some kind of support they can reach out to or rely on if they have issues. It’s not a good business decision, nor is it fair to a new employee. Bottomline, I told him the situation and let him know that I had my receipt and that I could also show him on the activation website that the card was invalid and had never been activated. His first response was that he had no way of knowing if I was telling the truth and it was Christmas time, so I was probably trying to scam him. WHAT? I’m sorry but rude as hell, and you should never say something like that to a customer. I then told him that the entire situation was on his camera and I said to him that there was a camera behind the register I went to and the ATM so he would see the fact that I paid in cash and the website proves it was never activated. He then responded that I could have hassled the cashier and made her give me the $100 back out of sight of the camera. I repeated what I said about the proof I had with the website, receipt, and camera footage. He would not even take a look at any of the items. He made up his mind and he didn’t care if I had a receipt or not. This man needs to be fired if he has the audacity to speak to his customers like that. I’ve never stolen a thing in my life and I have held his exact title of being in management at much more reputable places than a gas station, yet he thinks he can call me a scam artist and thief? Then as I’m walking away he says you know, I don’t just have $100 laying around for every person in need of money. I didn’t even respond, as what I wanted to say was not very nice. Plus, it was obvious that no matter what proof I gave him, he didn’t care one bit wasn’t going to help. Well, he won as I’m out of the $104.50 ATM withdrawal which depleted my checking account I’m stuck with a $100 gift card that doesn’t work. I wasn’t even asking for $100 back, just a gift card for $100 that actually works as it was supposed to be a gift. That’s what I get for feeling bad for the attendant for not knowing how to void the transaction and not wanting everyone behind to get pissed off for holding everyone up. So, I’m asking please please avoid this gas station at all costs! The manager implements no purchase protection Trust me… I hope you never need to return something purchased here, as the manager doesn’t care, won’t let you return it, and you now lost the amount of money you spent on the item. The saddest part of it all is that this prick gets away with this. I wish I had my phone recording the conversation, yet I never dreamed of the manager being so unjustifiably rude. Avoid Ray and avoid the Circle K in Conway that he manages off of 701 S, as you deserve to spend money at a place that actually believes in a little thing called customer service. Ray skipped that lesson in management, so don’t expect even a small bit of customer courtesy out of this man!
Suggested solution:
EITHER: Refund me my money $105 cash OR give me a $100 Visa Gift Card (Any Brand) that ACTUALLY WORKS and HAS BEEN ACTIVATED.
AND
EITHER: The store manager, Ray, apologizes to me [As he was unjustifiable rude and insinuated that I was a scam artist and thief in front of other customers] OR the manager Ray needs to be fired indefinitely.
