maybe I'm having a bad day.....but

Old 02-05-2008, 09:30 AM
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maybe I'm having a bad day.....but

does this make anyone else sick to thier stomach?


I went into a store today while my husband was outside pumping our gas, it was a decent looking CHEVRON station in a good area of town, and at the register in the glass case was Chore boys, glass pipes, the little baggies !!!!!

Maybe because its getting close to my RAH, pattern of relapse......but this made me so very angry!!
How can we expect them to stay clean when all they have to do is walk into a store............and have all the "works" staring them in the face!!!!

so I asked the guy, do you own this store he replied yes, so I ask.........why then do you sell things you KNOW are for using drugs? Dont you even care that the same person that buys these things NOW could be back later to rob and KILL you for more money to keeep doing their drugs!!!?
he acted all dumbfounded so I walked out ( had to buy the gas it was already pumped)

So anyhow I know it does no good, but I am angry and I want them to know!!!this stuff ruins lives yet for a buck they would sell it in a well known store!!!

So to make MYSELF feel beter I wrote this letter to Cheveron, and now true to what I said I am sharing it with all of you................its up to you if you want to spend your money with the company or not but I will not be ever again!!

Thanks for letting me vent!

To whom it may concern,

I am writing to express my concern and upset. I am sure that you are aware of the seriousness of the drug problem in our country. I would not think that Chevron would want their good name associated with any business that is promoting drug use. However, today I went into a service station that was identified only as Chevron on the sign. This station is located at 2550 West SR 434 Longwood Florida 32779.

I was repulsed by the contents of the glass display cabinet at the cash register. In this glass case was a display of Chore boy scrub pads, Glass pipes, small plastic bags listed as jewelry bags and numerous other well known items that are used for the consumption and use of drugs.

I find it appalling that your Company would allow these items to be sold and displayed in your stores, particularly when it is well known that these items are drug paraphernalia.

Not only is insensitive to the drug issue that our country, our families and even our children are facing but it is unsafe for your store owners and workers.

Enticing drug abusers into your stores to purchase drug paraphernalia is also potentially setting your workers up for harm.

What happens when that same drug abuser who earlier in the day purchased drug paraphernalia in your store runs out of money and returns to that same store to rob and possibly kill your employee? Will your company not hold any responsibility in the persons death? I think so.

I for one, will never again patronize that store or any other company affiliated with Chevron unless and until this issue is corrected. Please be aware that not only will I not patronize your businesses but I will also make certain that I tell as many people as possible that your Company knowingly promotes drug use by selling these items. That your company's store not only sells the items but puts them together on display at the cash register to promote the items for the ill intended use.
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Old 02-05-2008, 09:46 AM
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Good for you.

Yes I would also have been appalled at seeing that in any store yet alone at the register.

I have some other 'bones of contention' with Chevron so do not use them at all. I will also print out your letter and email it to several of my friends (also in recovery.)

Don't know if it will do any good or not, but at least the word will be getting out.

That is absolutely disgusting!

Thank you for being "pro-active".

Love and hugs,
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Old 02-05-2008, 09:51 AM
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I agree 100%.
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Old 02-05-2008, 09:56 AM
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Thanks Laurie, AND Anvil and Caliee
I'm not sure if its proactive or reactive..............

Actually my husband walked into the store as I was saying that to the owner, he looked at the case looked at me and walked to the bathroom to wash his hands......then walked back towrds me smiling and shaking his head............

when we got in the car I look at him and say.....WHAT? why are you laughing that makes me mad.............

he says well honey he really didnt care what you think and its not gonna change it...........

so I say STILL how horrible is that? I mean you and thousands or others are trying to get and stay clean and they have that trash in the store AT the register AND he knows full well what its for thats why he has it all together like that....then I say well I dont care if they have gas for 1.50 we wont spend money there or any CHEVRON, he laughs again and says............

honey I hate to tell you this but if he has gas for 1.50 I dont care what hes selling in there I will be buying the GAS..............then he patted me and said its okay really it is, I'm good.

( meaning hes feels good about where he is in his recovery right now and I shouldnt worry about him..............)

and hes right, thats exactly what was going thru my mind...................why would that man put these things out there for my husband to see............IT COULD BE A TRIGGER
hee could relapse

I'm still angry and I will not spend a dime in that store or company But I was and am being REACTIVE because of my fears......................
OH I HATE DRUGS
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Old 02-05-2008, 10:29 AM
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Good for you.I would have reacted exactly the same way and brought it to the Company's attention. Just for the heck of it, I'd check in a few days (maybe a different shift))to see if the display is gone. Then you can pat yourself on the back for maybe helping someone else with their recovery. Smiles, Bonnie
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Old 02-05-2008, 10:36 AM
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Cheers to you!!!
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Old 02-05-2008, 11:05 AM
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The gas stations here are known to also sell the drugs behind the counter, especially the ones that cash day labor checks.
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Old 02-05-2008, 05:49 PM
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Lies,
Way to go, I think you did great. And, I must say, your husband sounds like a good guy. I wish you both the best.
(((liesagain)))
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Old 02-05-2008, 05:57 PM
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Good for you, Lies!!!!

Quote for you today:
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." (margaret mead)

You have more power than you know. Times are tight right now, even for gas station owners. A well-placed letter to the editor naming his store personally, a flyer sent 'round to the people in the neighborhood, a little protest with a handful of friends that gets some ink in the local paper or a camera pointed at it......could put him out of business in times like these. Profit margins are slim and there's an awful lot of competition out there.

I no longer believe that "it doesn't matter what you do, they don't care what you do" because I've seen for myself that cop-out just isn't true.

I just say, "Oh, they WILL care. You just watch."

Way to go, I say.

P.S. I don't give my money to unethical people or companies. Period. I don't care how cheap their friggin' gas is.
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Old 02-05-2008, 06:08 PM
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OOOOH I like the letter to the editor plan. A little bad press goes a very long way. The sad news is that addicts will always find a source for their weapons of mass destruction....
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Old 02-05-2008, 06:34 PM
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I love what you did, you "gave it a voice". You are absolutely right in every way and if they don't hear you loud and clear then they are doubling their mistake.

It needs a voice, it's no mystery the enormity of addiction and the damage it does to families, the violence and crime associated with it, and the number of loved ones it steals from each of us.

Thank you for speaking, for giving it a voice.

Hugs
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Old 02-05-2008, 08:14 PM
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Originally Posted by CatsPajamas View Post
OOOOH I like the letter to the editor plan. A little bad press goes a very long way. The sad news is that addicts will always find a source for their weapons of mass destruction....
True, naturally.

But no excuse for not chasing their providers out of my neighborhood with a pitchfork and a flaming brand.
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Old 02-05-2008, 08:40 PM
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Excellent, Lies....Thank you for taking this stand and making your position known...I too believe that lots of little folks working together are what make big things happen.
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Old 02-05-2008, 11:02 PM
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((Liesagain))

Reactive produces proactive. Your reaction, and action, can make a difference. Even if it only plants a seed. Maybe the owner didn't care, then again maybe it will haunt him just a little, maybe the corporation will just bury your letter, but then again, maybe someone there has an addicted loved one, and they may just get as upset as you and do something.

The point is, if we do nothing because we think no one will listen or care, then the chances are 100% that they want. But if we react and take action like yours, then at least there is some chance that it will reach one person, and who knows, maybe even reach many and spread from there.

The days of "Not my Child, or Spouse, or Parent or Sibling" are gone. The problems we face with drugs today, involves ALL of us. My hat is off to you for speaking up.

B
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Old 02-06-2008, 03:51 AM
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I applaud you for writing the letter. I would have mentioned 'crack' instead of the generic 'drugs', but other than that its a good letter. I know that triggers do trigger relapses!! I'm responsible for my own recovery, of course, but I'm strongly advised to stay away from people, places, and things that I used with or at. So if I do that to the best of my ability, and my DOC or its paraphanalia shows up at the local gas station for pete's sake, I'd be mega pissed! I hope Corporate Headquarters gives the owner hell.
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Old 02-06-2008, 11:13 AM
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I'm posting this here, and starting a new thread I didnt want the reply to get overlooked, Chevron.......replied the following is the response

Thank you for taking the time to contact Chevron regarding your concern that certain items for sale in the Chevron station located at 2550 West Highway 434 Longwood, FL could possibly be used as drug paraphernalia.



Chevron agrees that the sale of inappropriate material in our convenience stores is unsuitable and does not conform to the image Chevron wants to project to customers. We make every attempt to ensure that such items do not make it to our convenience store shelves, and we are concerned about your description of the situation.



We are very concerned about your comments. Our records indicate that this station is owned by our Chevron retailer, Food Max Inc. We have contacted their marketer, and our local Chevron Business Consultant to investigate your comments.



Thank you again for bringing this matter to our attention. We appreciate your comments and want you to know that we share your concern.





Sincerely,



Jenny Lou A. Filio,
Consumer Connection Specialist

Consumer Connection Center
Chevron Products Company
PO Box 4000
Bellaire, TX 77402-4000
Attention: Consumer Connection Center
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Old 02-06-2008, 05:28 PM
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I used to live in Waco TX, a few years ago the local news station got a tip on what these things are used for and ran a story on it, you wouldn't believe how many stores quit selling the pipes, saying they had NO IDEAL!! what ever,
Just a thought......... They are back now but I didn't see any for about 6 mo.
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Old 02-06-2008, 06:02 PM
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Applause for lies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Old 02-06-2008, 06:51 PM
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I also recently saw a news story on local businesses selling drug paraphernalia. It actually turned out to be a huge expose. I wish I could remember what network I saw it on...
Anyway - I understand your anger and frustration. And I also agree with the quote above - about a small group of citizens changing the world. Good for you for writing to the company.... Yes, you were being reactive, but at the same time, look at the letter you received back from Chevron. Who knows how much they will follow through on, but at least they responded.
And, just as a side note, if it was me - I'd be calling every local news station I could find. Who knows - you may be making a much bigger difference than you thought...
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