Kum & Go Glitch Leaves Customers Confused
DES MOINES, Iowa -- Due to a computer glitch, Kum & Go's Fuel Good promotion erroneously notified an unknown number of contest participants that they had won free gasoline, but they didn't, The Associated Press reported.
The erroneous emails went out July 13, telling customers that they had won gift cards in various amounts. Normally, gift cards ranging from $30 to $150 are awarded by Kum & Go to more than 500 people per month, the report stated.
"Once aware of the mistake, Kum & Go sent a second e-mail within hours of the first, notifying each of those customers of the error and apologizing for any confusion," according to a statement released by Kum & Go.
One false winner, Charles Ferguson, of Mason City, Iowa, told the AP he didn't get the second e-mail. Ferguson said he entered the sweepstakes by submitting information on the Internet, and later received a message stating he won $150 in gas.
When Ferguson did not receive a gift card, he went to a local Kum & Go to inquire. There, the associate reviewed a list of winners, but could not find Ferguson's name. "There's probably a whole lot of people out there that think they won, and they have no idea," Ferguson told the AP.
In other Kum & Go news, the chain is preparing to build its first store in Mason City, Iowa after more than 20 years, reported the Globe Gazette. The store, slated to open Nov. 1, will join eight other Kum & Go locations in the town, according to the company's Web site.
"I cannot remember any 'ground-up' stores in Mason City in 20 years, so this is exciting for us," Kum & Go district supervisor Scott Miller told the AP. "I think it's a great opportunity. Any time we can build a new store in town, that’s a good thing for us."
Currently, grading and drainage work are under way at the future home of the 3,500-square-foot Kum & Go store, according to Miller. The 24-hour site will feature: eight fueling stations with two pumps each and diesel fuel; a state-of-the-art c-store with coffee and cappuccino bars; a Kum & Go Thirst Zone with 20 varieties of fountain beverages, including a number of flavor shots; and a beer cave, the report stated.
"We're really catering it more toward the Avenue of the Saints customers," Miller said. "Yet we're going to have a nice selection of some groceries for people on the south side of town. It'll be a great-looking store for Mason City. Lots of pop, lots of beer, lots of selection in that store," he said.
As a result, the Kum & Go c-store at 2301 S. Federal Ave. in Mason City will close. Employees at that location will join the new store staff, along with four or five new employees, Miller said. The new location will be the largest in the town.
The erroneous emails went out July 13, telling customers that they had won gift cards in various amounts. Normally, gift cards ranging from $30 to $150 are awarded by Kum & Go to more than 500 people per month, the report stated.
"Once aware of the mistake, Kum & Go sent a second e-mail within hours of the first, notifying each of those customers of the error and apologizing for any confusion," according to a statement released by Kum & Go.
One false winner, Charles Ferguson, of Mason City, Iowa, told the AP he didn't get the second e-mail. Ferguson said he entered the sweepstakes by submitting information on the Internet, and later received a message stating he won $150 in gas.
When Ferguson did not receive a gift card, he went to a local Kum & Go to inquire. There, the associate reviewed a list of winners, but could not find Ferguson's name. "There's probably a whole lot of people out there that think they won, and they have no idea," Ferguson told the AP.
In other Kum & Go news, the chain is preparing to build its first store in Mason City, Iowa after more than 20 years, reported the Globe Gazette. The store, slated to open Nov. 1, will join eight other Kum & Go locations in the town, according to the company's Web site.
"I cannot remember any 'ground-up' stores in Mason City in 20 years, so this is exciting for us," Kum & Go district supervisor Scott Miller told the AP. "I think it's a great opportunity. Any time we can build a new store in town, that’s a good thing for us."
Currently, grading and drainage work are under way at the future home of the 3,500-square-foot Kum & Go store, according to Miller. The 24-hour site will feature: eight fueling stations with two pumps each and diesel fuel; a state-of-the-art c-store with coffee and cappuccino bars; a Kum & Go Thirst Zone with 20 varieties of fountain beverages, including a number of flavor shots; and a beer cave, the report stated.
"We're really catering it more toward the Avenue of the Saints customers," Miller said. "Yet we're going to have a nice selection of some groceries for people on the south side of town. It'll be a great-looking store for Mason City. Lots of pop, lots of beer, lots of selection in that store," he said.
As a result, the Kum & Go c-store at 2301 S. Federal Ave. in Mason City will close. Employees at that location will join the new store staff, along with four or five new employees, Miller said. The new location will be the largest in the town.