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lighting audit overreach

January 19, 2026 02:05AM
In my local area, there is an Exxon station that ran out of gasoline. There were black bags on all of the gasoline pumps, but no signs anywhere saying that they were out of gasoline. I read the guidelines, there is something about the lights being off and gasoline available, but absolutely nothing in the guidelines about the lights being on, the store open, and no gasoline available. And since we don't have to purchase gasoline or anything else for that matter for the lighting audit, why do they think they can dock my pay for a "closed location." The location was NOT closed, the lights were on, ALL of them, and the store was open.
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More About Audits
January 19, 2026 02:58AM
Because they can. I would argue it. It's time consuming.

The guidelines say, "visit during darkness, and when fuel is being sold." But they rely solely on the corporate website to determine when that is. And corporate probably showed it as open for gas when you were there. If you have a screenshot of that it could help your case should you persue it.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/19/2026 03:05AM by sestrahelena.
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January 19, 2026 05:16AM
I sent an email.. I guess I'll see if I even get an answer.
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January 19, 2026 05:46AM
You admit that the station ran out of gasoline. If they have black bags covering all the pumps, then it can only rate as a closed location since customers can't buy any gas at the time of your visit. The convenience store being open is not important in this context since the availability of gas is the underlying criteria for open or closed status. The respective lights being turned on is another dynamic.

Unfortunately, you caught some bad luck that the station didn't have gas to sell. I think we all get situations that are beyond our control from time to time. If it occurs on the furthest trip out from home, then it really stinks.

How do you know that they ran out of gas? Did you go inside to speak with someone or were there a signs on the pumps. I recall a station I visited that had something similar, but they did not pass a state inspection and were barred from selling gas until they passed the review.

Not that I would've done this, but I wonder if it would've been worth going inside to investigate the black bag scenario and see if you could move one bag to take some quick pics.

I think sestrahelena meant it isn't worth the time to argue it since it is time consuming. I would take the docked pay and move on.
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January 19, 2026 06:07AM
Was there a reason to mention the black bags over the nozzles? Was this a "Dark Audit?" If so, I would have taken the required photographs and probably not have worried about the black bags, since I would not have to photograph those and the place was open. I have done the XOM Dark Audits, so that is what I am going by. Was it that type of shop or the other audit for that company?
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January 19, 2026 06:43AM
I didn't mention the black bags on the nozzles. But if you look hard enough you can see them. You're right Purple, it was the XOM dark audit.

momo, no I didn't go inside or talk to anyone at all. That's not part of the shop. I don't like people, I don't talk to them unless I'm required to.

I'm not hopeful that I'll get a response or even get the rest of the money. I was driving past and it was dark, I wouldn't have left the house for a $10 payday.
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