Sunday, January 12, 2014

Getting gas in 13 simple steps!



Based on my last post you will understand why we treasure our gas subsidies.  You could spend hundreds of dollars a month just filling up your gas tank.  So I set out to get the gas card for our rental and to say it was a challenge is an understatement.  I started out with a simple goal of getting the gas card thinking how hard can it really be?   I think hey let's take the kids since this won't take so long and maybe we can do something extra!

Here is a break down of the effort:

Start to finish 5.5 hours!

Step 1:
Go to MP station contract of rental car does not show the current date!  No allowance unless the contract is current.  Ok so head over to the rental agency.

Step 2:
Go to Rental Agency on a Saturday afternoon.  This could be a problem. Yepp when it comes to hours of operation Germans love their weekends.  Office is only open from 11-1 Saturdays.

Step 3:
Their is another rental agency across town that might be open! Arrive at the Rental Agency and surprise... They are not at their desk.  Sign posted says they will be back momentarily.  Waited 10 minutes hmm... my understanding of moment is apparently different then the person working at the desk. 

Step 4:
Give up and go to the Bowling Alley around the corner.  The kids are thrilled and we have something to eat there as well.  Now enough "Moments" have passed (1.5 hours) and I hope someone is manning the rental desk

Step 5:
So back to rental agency to get an updated contract.   How long can that really take?  Let's just say it was a few "Moments"  30 minutes to be exact.  Contract update process I am told is simple takes about 2 minutes to print out on dot matrix printer!  Wow,  I haven't seen one of those in at least 10 years.  Yes, and it still works.

Step 6:
We have the updated contract!  Kids getting restless.  Dad how long is this going to take....
Race back across town MP station has correct paperwork and now I can get the paperwork.

Step 7:
Over to the gas station wait in gas issuing point to get ration card. 

Step 8:
I can now pump gas!  It has only taken me 5 hours.  Woo-hoo almost their all we to do is pay no problem right?

Step 9:
Go to paypoint show ration card...Nope you need the piece of paper which says you can have the ration card.  Yes folks that is right, you have to show the ration card which you can't get without the piece of paper and the piece of paper that says you can have the ration card.  Umm...why do I need a ration card then if I already have the piece of paper?

Step 10:
Back to the car to get the piece of paper got it!

Step 11:
Show piece of paper and ration card and ID card and yes almost forgot means of paying for the gas. 

Step 12:
Swipe all the cards and now I can pay!!

Step 13:
But wait your credit card has been denied do you have another means of payment.  Thank God yes I do the other card works and now I am paid.


In the meantime two people waiting behind me.  The lady is laughing the guy is huffing and puffing about the wait.  Please people never forget what it is like learning how the system works.  Have some Mercy and patience.  I just spent 5 hours of my life trying to buy gas!!!

2 comments:

  1. As we say in Minnesota - Uff-Da! I thought Germans we efficient, logical and methodical!

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    Replies
    1. Jim good point unfortunately these folks are Americans providing these services. They have a checklist to follow and boy do they follow it!

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