How BP/Castrol lost a customer

"wkiernan" (wkiernan)
10/07/2018 at 12:19 • Filed to: None

A while back I bought five quarts of C a s t r o l oil. The auto supply store offered a rebate, $5 or so. So I filled out the form, got an envelope, put the form and the receipt in the envelope, stuck a postage stamp on it, put it in the mailbox, and promptly forgot all about it.

A number of months passed, and then the other day I got a postcard back saying “We’re sorry!” (no you’re not) “Your dealer register receipt must indicate one of the participating brands of Castrol oil purchased to qualify.”

This petty shit pissed me r i g h t off. So I wrote on the card “This is a joke and I’ll never buy Castrol products again.” (Incidentally, I have used Castrol oil in my cars since 1972.)

I got on line to find out the mailing address of Castrol, and that’s when I discovered that Castrol is owned by BP. Now n o t o n l y a m I a s t e a d y C a s t r o l c u s t o m e r ( o r r a t h e r, I was o n e ) , b u t a l s o I have used BP gas almost completely exclusively since 2000. I can’t find the mileage log for my ‘93 Miata, but the mileage log for my ‘99 Miata shows that I spent $19,300 on gas for it, 95% bought at BP stations, and the mileage log for my ‘04 Miata shows another $8,900, again 95% BP gas, a n d t h a t ’ s n o t c o u n t i n g t w o o t h e r c a r s t h a t r a n o n B P g a s f o r a t o t a l o f a b o u t 1 0 0 , 0 0 0 m i l e s . So when I send off my letter to Castrol/BP management I will a l s o include my cut-up BP credit card.

C o n g r a t u l a t i o n s , s c a m m e r s ! Y o u s u r e g o t t h a t $ 5 !

DISCUSSION (12)

Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura > wkiernan
10/07/2018 at 12:53

>Using BP in the first place

Kinja'd!!!

HammerheadFistpunch > wkiernan
10/07/2018 at 12:53

Sitting here listening to a talk about hanging on to anger... And about how holding onto anger is more often far more damaging than the initial offense.

You’re welcome to give the middle finger to them if you want, just make sure to consider who you’re hurting more.

LongbowMkII > wkiernan
10/07/2018 at 13:11

I mean, fuck BP for so many reasons. I believe Valero is a subsidiary of theirs as well

Frenchlicker > LongbowMkII
10/07/2018 at 13:54

That explains why there are Valero’s on the gulf coast.

wafflesnfalafel > HammerheadFistpunch
10/07/2018 at 14:05

I understand that concern - but for me it’s just the opposite. I proactively vote with my pocket book and feel positive about doing so. Reward positive experiences with future business, “punish” negative experiences by going else where - not in the hopes they go out of business, but to give them incentive to do better.

carcrasher88 > LongbowMkII
10/07/2018 at 14:14

According to Wikipedia, they never have been.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valero_Energy

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > wkiernan
10/07/2018 at 14:17

I also use Castol f or my car. I'm also the kind of guy who never remembers rebates or turns in cores. My wife's old battery is still laying around somewhere...

DipodomysDeserti > wkiernan
10/07/2018 at 14:29

BP: causes untild environmental destruction resukting from the biggest oil spill in history

wkiernan: meh

BP: sorry, we can give a $5 rebate

wkiernan: you’re dead to me

#murica

LongbowMkII > carcrasher88
10/07/2018 at 18:38

Maybe it was just a local franchise chain then, but I remember many BP’s becoming Valero’s at the same time. I thought there was a connection between them.

LongbowMkII > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/07/2018 at 18:42

I kinda don’t want to give back the s2k’s old battery I mean how many Panasonic car batteries are there

“Next week on hoarders”

Maxima Speed > wkiernan
10/08/2018 at 11:28

I run Mobil 1 synthetic because thats what the first owner always used. As far as fuel goes, I run Kroger gas which is (at least in my area, supplied by BP) In my older cars BP always ran the best. I don't notice any difference in the Toyota.

wafflesnfalafel > wafflesnfalafel
10/08/2018 at 11:31

but I do admit my wife thinks I’m crazy....