My Letter to TA Corporate Office

You mean "when did they?" You obviously haven't been to Shreveport? Hammond? Atlanta?

I've had the (mis)fortune of camping out at the Petro in Hammond, LA since last night and until I bounce outta here in the am. It's been a veritable cornucopia of customer service. From the service manager that parks his pickup in the middle of the lot (not in front of the door, actually out in the middle preventing semis from u-turning to set up to park or get in the shop), the fuel desk ladies that can't refrain from hollering at each other in front of customers, and the biohazard filthy showers, what's not to love?

Like a bad stink, it must rub off on the neighbors. The Beacon had to wash out my trailer twice. The second time I insisted they look down at the floor while spraying out the rest of the 1/2 gallon of dried soy milk that stood out on the aluminum floor like a racing stripe. Neither of the men manning the sprayers were carrying white canes with red tip, so I don't think there was a disability in play.

Another pet peeve of mine since I'm on a roll, is canned fruit on a buffet. It just screams "we think our customers are so stupid they won't notice we're too cheap to buy fresh and just like it anyway." Well, no. I stayed at the Jackson, MS Petro one night and they had fresh apples and cut pineapple out on the salad bar. That little detail erased the usual bad things and made me want to stop there again.

The Atlanta food counter in the fuel island makes me want to wash my hands just walking near it. Forget about ever buying food from there. The shower stalls there got the swank new shower heads, but still are furnished worse than an animal cage at a zoo. Don't get me started on their shop. Key phrase is "get comfortable." As-in grow old and die comfortable.

Typical corporate BS. While the suits are at the truck shows and shareholder meetings, patting each other on the back about what an industry leader their truck stop chain is, the reality is much different. They've repeated the story so much, they all believe it. Yet they are probably terrified to talk to an actual customer, or better yet just visit and use the facilities.

I'd be willing to bet the TA/Petro execs never, ever set foot in these locations. You know why? Because they are money makers. They can treat their customers like dirt, have filthy facilities, and tore up parking lots and they still need a 40 foot container to haul the money to the bank each day. I don't go to Seattle, but I'd venture to say that's the case there too.

I can't get away from it. Executive lip service. One big reason I moved on from my last occupation. Too many chiefs that like to talk a lot and run financial scenarios, but never get out and see that actual work is happening as a result.

 

Jenny, she was a good old girl back in the day.

 

Could have gave her the suicide hot line number, that would have been gold.

 

You were far.....FAR....more diplomatic than I would have been. Inexcusable.

 

Include in your letter that you will be placing your complaint online on sites that many fellow drivers frequent. You will encourage them to visit and utilize surrounding locations where you have been treated with more respect.

I understand this was a minor incident and the likelihood of receiving a response is slim but if you let them know you intend on letting the masses know you might get someone's attention.

If you didn't receive a refund you can always contact your bank and find out If you can do a chargeback. No company likes those.

 

Did you get that number from the bathroom wall too?

 

What about the person that actually has the fake number that you are giving out? Now they are bombarded with telemarketing calls. What did that person do to deserve that just because you didnt want to give out your number.

I do the same as the OP. I dont give out my number but I dont give out a fake number either! Thats sorry...

 

But, look at what you had to do to get that call. That call should had been made ASAP after they got the complaint. Its a real shame that customer service is a thing of the past. Maybe I just expect too much in the customer service areas as I get older.

I emailed T/A corporate about 2 months ago concerning the restaurant in the San Antonio T/A (I-10). I told them about how I was greeted not by "hello", "welcome" or even "what would you like to drink this evening" but my greeting was "drink?". Just plain ol "drink". Surprisingly the guy was actually a pretty good server and yes, I included that fact in my email. He just needs to work on his greeting.

I never heard a word from T/A.

I realize that T/A normally has most of the amminities that a driver needs while on the road, but I try my best to stay away from T/A and Petro because they are just dirty and stinky.