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Big B · 06-09-2014, 01:48 PM

On May 23, 2014 as we were pulling into TC's Mini Mart, 5503 N. Cliff Ave, Sioux Falls, SD to get fuel, we accidentally hit a steel pole with our 5th wheel and rubbed about 2 ft long, 18 inches wide, of yellow paint onto our coach. After backing off the pole and inspecting it to find no damage, we went in, apologized, and pumped our fuel. As we were paying, the attendant demanded our insurance information. Long story short, after some threatening phone calls from these folks we've settled for damages to repaint their pole of $96.90. A can of yellow paint, approx $6.00, labor approx $10/hr. The damage to our coach is significantly more and will require professional work.

If you're in Sioux Falls, SD you might want to avoid this gas station.

BFlinn181 · 06-09-2014, 02:40 PM

Or at least the steel poles!

89sandman · 06-09-2014, 05:56 PM

The pole didn't hit you did it? Is there a reason you shouldn't have to pay to return it to the condition it was in before you hit it? I'm sure if one of their attendants damaged your rv you'd demand their insurance info.

Big B · 06-10-2014, 05:40 AM

It's not that I have a problem paying for my mistakes. They threatened to turn it in as an insurance claim saying they'd have to replace the post when the only thing wrong was a little missing paint. There was no physical damage to the post. The paint at most costs $8.00, I used to sell it.

mo5er · 06-10-2014, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big B

It's not that I have a problem paying for my mistakes. They threatened to turn it in as an insurance claim saying they'd have to replace the post when the only thing wrong was a little missing paint. There was no physical damage to the post. The paint at most costs $8.00, I used to sell it.

I'm with you Big B, I'll bet the same pole is standing there minus some yellow paint.

IamJerryP · 06-10-2014, 03:26 PM

Considering every pole in every gas station in the US has scuff marks on it, it seems a little ridicules for them to even care.
It is fair, and reasonable for you to pay for things you mess up with your vehicle, and it does not really matter what they do with the actual repair money.
But still, I think the attendant, and management was a jerk for even caring, as you are probably the only guy in America who has ever admitted to an attendant they scuffed one of the scuffed up poles. if just a few people avoid that station, they are out more than they threatened you for... plus the payroll time they spent discussing it with you

If you are going to go around scuffing up poles, you might want to carry some paint with you....
just kidding....

Dog Folks · 06-10-2014, 04:02 PM

You scuffed the pole. They would like it repaired. If you can get it done so cheap, offer to do it.

I would be willling to bet the $96.90 is from an estimate for a professional painter. That is what they are entitled to.

Ray,IN · 06-10-2014, 05:18 PM

Another reason to re-fuel at truck stops with RV islands, where adequate room to maneuver is not a problem.

Alan24601 · 06-17-2014, 09:23 PM

Those poles keep running into the road and they are a PITA. So far I have encountered two but both were nice and did not feel like I needed to compensate them back to their impeccable state.