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since January 21, 2004

 
ANOTHER REQUEST FOR BOYCOTT

This week, I happened to get gas at Sam's Club because I got a $.05 discount because I'm a member.

Big mistake.

Pretty much immediately after filling the tank with their "gasoline" (scare quote absolutely justified), I started having issues with my car. Basically, when I went home on Friday, my car stalled driving down a hill. I pulled in the parking lot of a business, kicked the car, cursed alot, and then was able to drive home. The next couple of mornings it was below freezing. Lo and behold, the car wouldn't start.

Between my Dad and I, we figured out that there was something wrong with the fuel line. After the below freezing temps this weekend and the subsequent inability for my car to start, I figured out that it was the crappy gas that probably had a ton of water in it.

Yesterday afternoon, I was able to start the car and drive it to Wal-Mart. Of course, along the way, the car once again had issues, having RPM drops on the highway (not fun while driving 60 MPH) and eventually causing the air to smell like burning water. I went to Wal-Mart and got some fuel additive that was basically isopropanol alcohol and petroleum distillate. I put it into the car and it seemed to run better. That is, with no stalling.

I was also able to start my car in the morning for the first time in 3 days, so that was good. What was bad was that my car stalled at a stoplight on the way home. The car behind me honked their horn and I gave them the ole one-finger salute. She drove around me and then cut in front of me at the next light and gave me the same. So I returned it one more time when I turned off and was pissed the rest of the night.

Needless to say, I have a request to ask. Much like my request to have anyone who can not shop at Dick's Sporting Goods (basically a one-person boycott), I'm going to ask anyone to not buy gas at Sam's Club/Wal-Mart. Basically, consumer action is the only way that they'll learn their lesson, short of a lawsuit. And I hate lawyers.

I also told them of my mishaps, but I sincerely doubt that anything will come of it. You can see it below .

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Please check the quality of the gas that was delivered to the Columbia (NW), SC Sam's Club location. The amount of water that was in the gas pumped at that location has caused damage to my car, including freezing the fuel line and occasional misfiring and stalling while on the road, which could have become a very unsafe situation.

The situation was resolved of my own accord by using fuel treatment which removed the excess water from my fuel tank. (Which I had to pay for myself) However, the "Check Engine" light is still on my car which may result in further repair. This is directly caused by the gas that was purchased at this Sam's Club.

Needless to say, I will no longer use Sam's Club to purchase gas and will recommend to others that they do not as well.
posted by Mike at 7:54 PM