Free Gas Cards: Not What They're Pumped Up To Be
"Free gas card" offers hit the market like wildfire when gas prices went through the roof. Most of the promising to save you money at the pump just by signing up.
But one company's empty promises are fueling frustration and has ingnited a major lawsuit.
Last September, Jim Rullo purchased a car from a car dealership on Long Island. Part of the deal included a $300 gas card. The salesman gave him a card with an authorization number on it and instructions to enroll online.
He filled out the form at gasolineredemption.com and found out that the program had a big catch. After reading over the rules, turns out it wasn't what it seemed.
The gist of what you were required to do: You first had to send them a $5.00 refundable deposit. Then they emailed you a voucher for each month you can claim a gift card. Different promotions offered different amounts of money, in Jim's case he was going to get a $25 gas card that could be used to purchased more gas.
There was a catch though, every month Jim had to spend $100 worth of gas, submit his original receipts, and then he would receive his gas card. To Jim, the worst that could happen was he would be out 5 bucks.
So in November of 2008, he started saving his receipts and on the first of December mailed them to: GasolineRedemption.com 14100 Walsingham Road Ste 36, Box 12 Largo, Florida 33774.
At first, Gasolineredemption.com emailed Jim when they received the receipts, so he knew they received them on time. He was told that he would be getting his first gas card soon.
But Jim never got it. He called and was told there was a problem with their computers and that there was a delay. The representative he spoke with said they will look into it and he would be contacted later. But he never was and the gas cards never came.
Now, three months after starting the program, Jim still has not heard anything from them nor has he received any gas cards. Another effort to contact them proved useless when all of the numbers on the website were disconnected.
Turns out Gasolineredemption.com has been under investigation by Florida's Attorney General. On February 13, 2009, a lawsuit was brought against the company behind the promotions, Tidewater Consulting Group and it's president Crystal Clark.
Both Clark and her company are cited in the lawsuit for "engaging in an unfair and deceptive marketing scheme." To add insult to injury, the Attorney General believes hundreds of thousands of these vouchers may have been given to consumers across the country.
As for Jim, Nissan of Massapequa, where he bought his car, says they have been honoring the gas voucher promotion and will continue to honor it for their customers who have experienced problems. Jim received his gas credit this past week.
In the meantime, the dealership further stated in a written statement to Channel 11:
"That they are looking into all available legal remedies against the gas reimbursement voucher companies, and will cooperate fully with any governmental investigations."
Channel 11 was unable to reach Crystal Clark of Tidewater Consultants for comment. Depending upon the outcome of the lawsuit, the company may have to refund money and face a ten thousand dollar fine for each violation.
You can file a complaint with Florida's Attorney General here.
Comments: 21
I am having the same problem...I bought a car in Sept "08 and was given a $500 gas rebate voucher. I went online, printed out coupons...esch month I mail $100 in gas reciepts from BP gas station and have not recieved any gift cards as promised. I spent 3 wekks calling the toll-free number only to get a recording that all circuits are busy,,,please try again later.That number was: 1-800-514-0366...Also e-mailed them @ INFO@SECUREGASREDEMPTION.com only to haVE THIS BOUNCE Back as an invalid internet address...Any one else have suggestions as to what I can do to pursue this and get my $ owed to me...I am a widow, raising my 3 children on limited income and the gas card was a BIG incentive for buying my car.
Go back to your dealer to see if they will honor the Gas Card promotion. Your dealer, as the segment mentioned, may honor the promotion as a sign of good faith and to keep future business. Also, file your complaint with the Florida Attorney General's office. They are seeking a class action suit against the company. Though it may not be for some time, you could receive restitution at a future date. Good luck.
I put a refundable $500 deposit down on a Ford Fusion which had to be ordered from the factory. After waiting 6 weeks we went to the dealer to finish the paperwork and I was told that the promotion changed and my $500 deposit was converted to a "Free Gas Redemption Card". Well I almost walked away from the purchase but I got a great deal on the vehicle. I argued with the sales rep to get my deposit back stating it wasn't fair to me because I would have to pay the interest on the credit card I used for the deposit. The short of it all is we have followed all the procedures to receive the "Free Gas" and we have only received $25 for August 2008 (the very first voucher that was submitted). It is now February 2009 and we have spent countless hours on the phone each time being told that it would take an additional two weeks to receive the gas redemption card. We have only received two email acknowledgements that the August and September 2008 vouchers were received. The acknowledgements stopped after September. We've been given excuses that there were problems with their computers and we've also been told they were waiting for the "VISA" credit card company to send them the redemption cards. To top it off they speak to you in a very rude and condensending manner and after I got a "Supervisor" on the phone he actually had the nerve to say I was being neurotic about the whole situation. Well it's being three weeks since that conversation and thanks to Howard's broadcast February 20th I am taking the next step and I am going to my Ford dealer in Wantagh, NY to see if they will help.
Thank You Howard for all your efforts.
Joe Cascio
Seaford, NY
Hey Joe,
Just curious about your Saturday visit to your Ford Dealer in Wantagh... Did they step up for you and honor the promotion like the Massapequa Nissan dealer did for that guy the other night ? ....
Yes Joe, I am curious too. I also purchased my car at Lincoln Mercury Ford, on Sunrise highway in Wantagh...So far no one has returned my calls...I will go in person this weekend, with copies of all paperwork.
Well I spoke with the General Manager (GM) on the 25th. Basically they are not cutting any checks at this time and the GM assured me that they have been in contact with the Florida Attorney General and the Better Business Bureau. He also attempted to contact Tidewater Marketing and Crystal Clark and could not get through. I do believe that the GM is honestly trying to do the right thing for their customers. He has offered to stay in contact with me when he receives any further information. He also offered to provide some kind of discount on future service to help offset this inconvenience. He added that he thought this promotion was a good way to give something back to his customers in appreciation for their patronage and he feels terrible that it has gone sour.
I put my complaint into the Florida Attorney General and here is their response.
02/26/09 Attorney General Bill McCollum’s Office is in receipt of your correspondence regarding Tidewater Marketing Global Consultants, Inc. d/b/a FreeGasRedemption.com and FreeBeeGas.com. We filed a lawsuit against Tidewater Marketing and Crystal Clark on February 13, 2009. The court appointed a receiver to oversee operations of the company. If you wish, you may also file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.com. By filing these complaints this will ensure that you will be known to the receiver, but it will not preclude any action you may choose to take on your own behalf. Tampa Economic Crime Division
I strongly urge that everyone contact their dealership and speak with a manager. I'm glad I did. Also, put in your complaint with the Florida Attorney General and the Better Business Bureau so it ensures the receiver gets your name on their list.
Good luck to all.
I just submitted my complaint to the West Florida Better Business Bureau. It's simple. Don't delay. Go to http://westflorida.bbb.org and follow the prompts. Have the correct address ready for your gas redemption Center. There are several listed.
Good work Joe. I do feel however your car dealer could do more than to say he'll give you a discount for a future purchase. I would get everything in writing. That GM may not even be there a year from now. I went to my dealer, also on Sunrise Highway near you, and they cut me a check right there. As far as the Florida lawsuit, we should all file but it will be years before any of us see restitution, if any. My feeling is if you don't get your money now while the issue is hot, consider it gone. Good luck all.
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I am dealing with the exact problem with these vouchers; however, mine were for gas and another for groceries each at $500. It cost me $9.95 fee for each voucher to supposedly be activated. In addition. my vouchers are sent to Mesa, Arizona not Florida, but it must be the same scam-just different location. My husband will be returning to STAR Nisson with a copy of these postings. Thanks to all who posted and given me the answers to what I suspected from the beginning. I will contact the Florida website to complain about Arizona.
Hi...I was wondering if any one had anymore advice on the company Amadeus Home Music School...
I'm an employee of Amadeus seeking my paycheck...which I am in need of quite badly...
I wrote letters to both of Michael Andrew's address.
New Jersey Dept Of Labor, this blog,
I plan on...filing a complaint to NJ State Attorney Office, complaint to FBI, and some one said a address on the 1090 or a company what is that...Please help
Hi...I was wondering if any one had anymore advice on the company Amadeus Home Music School...
I'm an employee of Amadeus seeking my paycheck...which I am in need of quite badly...
I wrote letters to both of Michael Andrew's address.
New Jersey Dept Of Labor, this blog,
I plan on...filing a complaint to NJ State Attorney Office, complaint to FBI, and some one said a address on the 1090 or a company what is that...Please help
Petamawamef RetVoiptjot
Class action?
Amadeus? Let me know - I am there!
Mango4lilikoi@aol.com - i have students who have been charged six times!!
Hi help me howard ii do not know where to begin wit my story its complicated & too long to write but im going to try to start somewhere. Me & my family is currently in a shelter located in new york city. We are being relocated to numerous shelters & being denied help. My family is suffering a lot & this has been going on for years and ii really want it to stop We need help wit finding a legal aid to take action Its more to the story and this situation keeps getting worst and worst. My younger sibilings are getting to the point were the understand our situation and is being hurt My mother is overwhelmed wit this situation and is undergoing too much stress & me well im fed up† and there seems its nothing ii can do about it im 18yrs old & ii do not want my 6mth in the system anymore either please help me howard please help me and my family we have no other way of help or support please contact me at 347 880 4919 or email m back at mizzhope@tmail.com or prettycarol@tmail.com thank you so much for your time
Sincerly veronica r
Hi help me howard ii do not know where to begin wit my story its complicated & too long to write but im going to try to start somewhere. Me & my family is currently in a shelter located in new york city. We are being relocated to numerous shelters & being denied help. My family is suffering a lot & this has been going on for years and ii really want it to stop We need help wit finding a legal aid to take action Its more to the story and this situation keeps getting worst and worst. My younger sibilings are getting to the point were the understand our situation and is being hurt My mother is overwhelmed wit this situation and is undergoing too much stress & me well im fed up† and there seems its nothing ii can do about it im 18yrs old & ii do not want my 6mth in the system anymore either please help me howard please help me and my family we have no other way of help or support please contact me at 347 880 4919 or email m back at mizzhope@tmail.com or prettycarol@tmail.com thank you so much for your time
Sincerly veronica r
Hello mr howard...I need your help in such a huge way...I don't know what to do at this point . I am having a legal issue that I would rather personally speak with you about in private. Can you please email me at the above address? Please!
I just lost my job of 6 yrs I have three kids my feince lost his job as well we need help can u please help me I also just move to an apartment can you help me
just trying to get some infomation ontidewater marketing court case they ow me$250.00 + $5.00 seven months now thanks Darrel
just trying to get some infomation ontidewater marketing court case they ow me$250.00 + $5.00 seven months now thanks Darrel
Bank of America is trying to charge me flood insurance after I have fax them for over 3 times paperwork showing that my house is not in a flood zone.