Idaho Retailer Answers a Call for Help

A senior citizen wrote to the general manager to request assistance to pump gas this winter.

September 23, 2013

HAYDEN, Idaho – Convenience stores and gasoline stations look out for their customers, often going above and beyond to meet their needs. Tom Paschane, general manager of three Chevron stations around Hayden, Idaho, responded to a plea for assistance from an elderly customer, the Coeur d’Alene Press reports.

This week, Marion Walker, 89, wrote to Paschane to request help with pumping gas this winter during bad weather. “I want to fulfill that need, and this is one of the little things we can do for folks,” said Paschane.

He developed a plan to put his idea into action. In October, he will train employees to become service station attendants. From November to March, any customer can have their gas pumped for no extra charge on certain days and times at the Chevron location on Commerce Drive.

However, Paschane isn’t stopping there. During that same time period, each Monday and Tuesday from 8 am to noon, and each Friday and Saturday from noon to 4 pm, an attendant will clean the windshield of any customer buying gas at the Hayden location gratis. “That's my definition of service without surcharge,” he said.

Walker said that trying to pump gas on slippery surfaces was a hazard for seniors especially. “Every senior I know will be happy to tip the attendant or pay a little more for gas,” she said. “It's well worth it.”

Paschane emphasized that he will not charge more for gas pumped by an attendant. “This will be my pilot project,” he said. “But no matter how it goes, I'll do it through the winter.”

You can read more about what convenience stores are doing to help their communities in the September issue of NACS Magazine.

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