No Service - Full Service

Just when I thought customer service mattered at one of the places I shop I realized I had been duped! After all if a company has a good customer service policy you would think that at least at that location that all areas would practice the same stratgegy. I have touted the benefits of 'being somebody' at my local grocery store. Part of an established chain, this store has concentrated on customer service - and I have sang their praises as a result. I go in for bread- the baker knows the yeast free bread I am looking for- calls me by name and slices it without being asked. She mentions new products in the bakery and asks if I know anyone looking for part time work. I feel at home. At the checkout, I am reminded every time I leave that I can save 7 cents a litre on my gas if I use their gas bar. I have never until yesterday checked out the gas bar - but I was in a bit of a rush asnd needed gas - so I stopped at the full service bay of the gas bar. And waited. Looked. Waited some more. Got out and wandered around and saw one employee identified by a shirt with the store logo - smoking a cigarette nearby chatting with a young woman. They continued to chat and it appeared that they were enjoying their conversation. I got back in my vehicle and went to the we serve pumps where I had to go in and pre-pay for my gas. When I went in I asked if the 'we serve' was closed. The man behind the counter mumbled "No". When I explained that I had been waitng for gas he said he knew. So I further enquired why no one had served me he replied, "The attendant is on break" and nodded at the employee I had seen earlier. Frustrated I asked if the 'we serve' pumps were closed then. He repleid that no, they were open, but no one was on duty. When I suggested that perhaps he place a sign on the pumps saying closed temporarily, he replied - "we don't have a sign" As I left after paying for my gas, I noticed 3 vehicles parked in the 'we serve' area waiting for gas and the employee some 20 feet away still chatting and laughing with his friend - in full view of the patrons. All three finally left without purchasing gas. Hmm- I wonder hoew that affects the store's bottom line? It certainly left me wondering if I would ever return to buy gas there again.