Arco

tldr: Terrible experience that had my boyfriend and I spending days worth of going back and forth to the station and numerous calls to the manager to try and get my money back that the receipt they handed to me clearly stated they owed me. Come here if you want to trade in days worth of unnecessary frustration to save a couple cents.
Visited this Arco to fill up around 10pm on a Thursday night. First pump I tried to fill up at was broken so I tried another. Should’ve taken the hint as about 5 other cars were playing musical chairs trying to find a working machine too. But OK fine, second try, the pump seems to work.
So I deposited $ 45 into the pay station, filled up, and only ended up needing $ 33 dollars worth of premium. So I headed to the cashier to get my change back. It looked like the cashiers were changing shifts, and the Asian cashier, later found out his name was Shaw, told me to come back in 3 minutes because they were clearing out the register. OK, so I returned to my boyfriend waiting by the car, then returned to the register to ask for my change. The cashier asks me what pump and I tell him #3. He looks confused and says there is only cash available for pump 8. So I ask for my receipt. He prints it out and hands it to me and it literally says it owes me $ 12 on pump #3. So my frustration is rising at this point. I ask him how he can’t give me the money it clearly says he owes me on the receipt he literally just handed to me. He goes and says «I don’t know» and turns his body away from me, telling me someone must have stolen my gas. I tell him that’s impossible because my car is literally parked in front of the pump with my boyfriend standing right there. He doesn’t want to listen. I ask him if this has happened before. All he says is to speak to the manager. So I ask to speak to him. He then tells me he’ll be in at 9am. Now I don’t live in Fremont. I live in SF. I was just around the area to eat dinner. So to go out of my way to get a refund that would cost me close to the toll fee plus gas to return to talk to the manager was so ridiculous. But it’s the principle of the thing, and I couldn’t let it go.
So I ask him to call the manager. He doesn’t pick up. So I tell him to at least write down his name and to verify what went down so when I speak to the manager I can have at least some reference point to verify my story. By the way, this is a 15 minute conversation through a glass door, since they close out the store in the evening and all communication is done through a small hole in the window. I drove home so upset. I felt so cheated out of my money– money that the receipt clearly said I was owed. But what was more upsetting was the unapologetic nature of the cashier. Not once did I hear a «sorry» or that he would try to have it cleared up. He literally turned his body away from me wishing to avoid and ignore me.
So my boyfriend offered to go the following day at 9 before work because he lived in East Bay. Again, it wasn’t on the way for him– it was the opposite direction of his workplace. But graciously he volunteered. So he texts me while I’m on my way to work saying that he went to the station and the manager wasn’t even there, but the cashier working that shift apologized and gave him his manager’s cell phone number. So I call the manager (named Bill, although he said it with some hesitation so maybe it’s not even his real name…) over lunch and he picks up. I explain the situation and he tells me he’ll talk to the cashier, Shaw, and verify my story. Once it checks out, he’ll give me the money. By 5pm he calls me back and tells me I or my boyfriend can come by when I’m free and pick up the money, that he told his employees to expect me but should I run into any problems, just call him back and I’ll get my money. I’m thinking we’re all good at this point. But no, this saga continues.
So my boyfriend again offers to be my knight and goes to the station today around 3:30pm. He calls me telling me that the cashier working there has no idea of any refund supposed to be given. I tell my boyfriend that the manager said to call him. So my boyfriend tells the cashier to call the manager and he flat out refuses to use his phone to call. Like what– are you low on minutes? Jeez. So my boyfriend calls the manager, who picks up, and says he left a note on the employee board/​bulletin to expect me and the amount they owe me. But he never told his employees– he simply left the note on the board. My boyfriend was so frustrated at this point, having to visit the Arco twice with the manager not being there both times, explaining the story to multiple cashiers, and then having to call up the manager on his own just to get $ 12 back.
I’ve honestly never had an experience this poor before. The lack of communication between the manager and the employee was beyond frustrating. I will not be returning to this Arco again!

A-​ok– Brookdale Shopping Center houses this older station with older pumps with newer pump tops. No frills. The minimart is small and dated too. CASH or ATM are accepted here. It is conveniently located on Fremont Blvd and gas is cheaper than nearby stations. If you need gas and have cash no problem to stop in here.

There’s a bathroom out back clearly marked as a bathroom with no indication that it’s off limits. Asked the worker to use the bathroom:
No restroom.
Um. What about the one out back?
No! No restroom.
Okaaaay.
Good thing the Lucky next door has a bathroom!

On this street intersection, this Arco station is by far the most popular. Thus, its almost always packed out. For an Arco station, its pretty advanced with TVs on every pump and a decent sized AM-​PM. But for the everyday user, its just like any other Arco except for the longer-​than-​average lines. Just pay cash since the debit card fees make it more economical to go across the street to the 76 station to get credit card cash back.

cheapest gas i town… keep it up arco!

One of the cheapest gas stations in the area. ATM machine inside.

It’s a gas station, what else can I say? Pump your gas, and on your way!

When do you usually fill up? Probably right before you need to be somewhere.
I stopped by this gas station, pre-​paid with cash, only to have the pump not work and shoot blanks. Had to go inside to have the worker troubleshoot my issue. It was fixed, but not the best when time is precious.

Gas station is so convenient off of thornton and fremont blvd! Ive never had a problem here when putting has!
debit card in and out — pump # — pump gas — print receipt — im OUT
OVERALL — i think i need gas today!

Receipts are not available more then half the time since they are not competent to put new paper rolls in them, the cashiers cant figure out you just pumped gas from their pumps and refuse to give you a copy of the receipt and the outside card machines are always being tampered with. Besides being aligned with BP, there is a reason as to why they are ‘cheap’ gas. Just don’t expect much.

Cheap gas, yes… But a huge waste of time. The pumps are generally broken… There is a mad rush of rude people fighting over the pumps that are actually working. The cash machines often are broken.
Everytime I decide to go here… I pull in and immediately decide MISTAKE. Was it really worth the agony and nonesense just to save a few cents? Me thinks not.
Valero is much better — you can pay by credit card, and the pumps actually work.
But then again… Does anyone really use Unilocal to investigate gas stations?

Today, I just learned the automatic shut-​off valve on pump #1, does NOT work!
I was pumping my gas, minding my business, watching those ridiculous t.v.‘s above the pump, when all of sudden I feel wetness on my feet and sandals. I look down and there’s gas spraying out of my gas tank, and spilling over onto my car, the concrete, and my feet. I immediately take it out, yell a colorful array of cuss words, and walk my gas fume stinking ass to the counter.
I tell the clerk lady the automatic shut-​off valve on pump #1 isn’t working. Nonchalantly, she says, «oh ok, i’ll tell someone to clean it up». I tell her, «It was spraying gas everywhere, you should probably put a sign up to let people know they can’t use it and it should definitely be fixed A.S.A.P». She’s like thanks and sorry about that. I didn’t get much action from her, because before I leave the gas station, I have to tell the guy behind me in line, that the pump doesn’t work. They need to put a sign out there A.S.A.P!
I get back in my car and hope that this won’t be the day, that I get blown up into little itty pieces. I put the key in the ignition, turn it, and well, i guess by this review, you can already tell I’m still alive. Whew!

Usually the cheapest gas around that area, but recently the Arco down Fremont Blvd (cross street Nicolet) has closed down for repairs, Arco raised their prices .10 cents since they isn’t any competition between the two! :(Efff that. I’ll drive down to Costco and get my gas there until the other Arco reopens.

This is the cheapiest Gas in the Bay Area… today 7÷2÷07 2.99 for ’87 when you pay with cash! It does get packed but what do you expect for the good price!!!

We bought gas for hubby’s car, it was on empty. Arco is cash only. if you use your ATM card it’s extra fee.
Unlead 87 on 3÷22÷07 was $ 3.079 gallon x 9.742G = $ 30 even.
They have a mini mart inside. It’s at a very busy intersection so best not to go during peak times.
Not supposed to enter on Fremont Blvd but most people do anyways.