Shell Foodmart & Car Wash-Ars West

Never coming back here again. The cashier guy is sooooooo freaking rude is unbelievable, how are you still alive or not beat up with that kind of attitude dude? I came here 45min ago bc I was trying to buy a collect card to call my father in El Salvador and the guy said I’ve never sold those here, I said no sir I bought one here 2 months ago, clearly he had them I asked if I could read the descriptions on the ones he had to make sure I can call to El Salvador, he asked me you want it or not. I decided I’m not bringing my business here, I walked away forgetting my glasses, came back and asked if I left my glasses he said he had thrown them away to the trash and my glasses were left right where I left them. Whatever this guy’s name is I’m not sure is a complete douchebag and I’m not sure how he has a job there.

I stopped at this Shell only because I had driven for blocks looking for a gas station in the U District and this was the first one I found. After 2 gallons of gas, the pump stopped without any notice. I went inside to see what the deal was and the cashier said that it must be out of gas. All of the other pumps were being used, so I left to find another gas station.
The cost was gas was a lot more than I typically pay.

I came to this Shell because I made the mistake of driving too far away from home with a nearly empty gas tank in the middle of a bubble tea frenzy. I also happened to have a $ 25 gift card that I had been waiting to use for a while and it didn’t help that I needed to pee really bad. Gas cost $ 3.19 per gallon, which is pretty cheap for Shell, but I was too hasty and on the way home, I saw a different Shell location that was $ 3.09 per gallon. If only I had waited…
Upon entering the store the cashier turned around and the first thing I noticed was that he was only the shell of a man. His soul had been stripped from him and he stood there giving me a blank stare. My first instinct was to run but I had come for gas and the need for a restroom so I would aim to do both.
I bravely walked up to the cash register and stated that I would like to buy some gas for pump number 3 and flashed my $ 25 gift card. He nodded toward the credit card reader and told me to swipe. I kept my hands steady and swiped the card quickly, looking up into his cold, dark eyes when I was finished. He glanced at the register and said «Do it again.» I fumbled with the card, which I was just putting back into my pocket. I then realized that in my haste, I had swiped the card the wrong way. I could feel his beady eyes boring a hole in the top of my skull, so I raised my head and gave him a cheeky smile. All I got was just a blank stare back. No matter, I finished fixing my failed attempt at the swipe and secured the card in my pocket again. As I was waiting for him to print the receipt or finish the transaction in some way, I looked at my surroundings. The store felt neat but crammed full of snacks and beverages. I waited for a little bit longer before I dared look back to see how he was doing. To my surprise, he was just standing there with the blank stare again. He didn’t say anything about the transaction being completed. No receipt, no thank you’s, no record that a transaction was ever made. «Uhhhhh, alright, I’ll go fill up now…» He only nods. I make a break for it. As I get to the car, I realize my fatal miscalculation. I need to pee really bad. I hold it as I fill up and sheepishly shuffled back to the station. This time, he was counting something behind the register and as I walked in he puts it away and leans on the counter toward me. I pointed to the restrooms and he just nods again. I walked to the back and opened the door. As I entered, the most sour, moist smell surrounds me and I have half a mind to shrivel into a raisin and not have to smell anything for the rest of my life. However, I couldn’t hold it any longer, so while holding my breath, I took a whiz and flushed, washed my hands and left as quickly as possible. The story only ends however, with me arriving at home, going to my room and smelling the familiar stench in my clothes. Yeah, it was so strong it absorbed into my clothes.
Only didn’t get 1 star because I got the gas I paid for and didn’t get mugged in the process.

Gas stations are gas stations; I don’t expect exceptional service.
One of the wind blowing machines did not take in my quarters and the one that accepted coins had the vacuum hose detached and broken (sad waste of a dollar). I went one afternoon and the car wash was closed; I went another evening and the open car wash machine made my car sparkly in ~5 minutes (highest rainbow something for $ 12?; it didn’t dry my car completely).

customer service. Rude.
Both the lady and man at the cashier stare at you blankly and you talk to them «hi can I get (money amount) on (pump number) please?»
They roll their eyes and you hand them the money (with a smile)
And they look at you… wait…state you down… wait…snatch it as they give you the most annoyed glare
You feel awkward and walk to your car (asking yourself did they understand me? Did I say something wrong?)
You go again a second a third and a fourth time (mainly because it’s the closest Shell gas station to your work and need to make it to west Seattle in that crazy traffic) you bring your husband, your sister, you have them watch. And all of you are left puzzled. Why do they look at us like that? Did we offend them? Why do they snatch? Why do they roll their eyes at you? Why do they hesitate? Hmmm is cash not accepted?

BAD encounter with the employee here. I’ve filled gas & used car wash multiple times here and today I used my credit card AS USUAL to get my car washed. I purchased the $ 8 option which included extra dry time, but the machinery abruptly stopped after rinsing off the rainbow foam without the actual washing or drying part.
I walked into the store and cordially told the employee/​owner (?) that the machine didn’t do what it was supposed to do. He became very confrontational and half-​yelling saying that the machine doesn’t take the credit card, that I’m lying, and it’s not his problem. When I asked him «but isn’t that your machine» then he grudgingly gave me a carwash code while muttering whatever stuff he was saying in his native language. NOT pleasant.
So I guess this adds to the past negative reviews about this owner/​employee. Convenience factor was nice but this guy was short-​sighted and narrow minded enough to loose one of the customers.

This is my «go-​to» place to get gas. It’s near my apartment, it’s convenient, and there’s never a line!

Funny, Nick noticed here about their service. I noticed that most gas stations are nothing much as just dirty gas stations and staff that does not plan on checking a paper presence for receipts outside in machines. And all of them look at you with surprise on their face when you are waiting on their receipt.
Same here. Cashier looked at me kind of weird and then asked: Do you need a receipt? Yes I do! Do you what? saving on 1 inch paper? That is pissing me off.
However it was clean inside.
Oh. Forgot to mention. Price was higher 20 something cents from Arco’s neighbor. Too bad I have not noticed them right away. They are a few yards further on same street… But location of this station is indeed the best.

Automatic car wash and clean gas station with new, shiny pumps! Not the cheapest, but convenient location.

If you come, the first thing you’ll notice is that the employees tend to not be very friendly. That is not gonna help when your gas is so much more expensive than many locations nearby. They did, however, recently renovate the inside so maybe I’m just picky and you people don’t really give a hoot about their service haha.
Their carwash is not bad. Standard pricing from Shell but I probably won’t be going to get a car wash again as every single time I get a wash it rains. Nothing against this Shell though haha.

This is a good location, if someone can actually like a gas station. It’s easy to get out of because of the one way. People on 45^th usually let you out too.
They take QFC cards so you get 10 cents off a gallon if you have enough points.
Good car wash for what it is ($ 6 to $ 8).
They sell Diesel and gas and offer carwashes. Credit, debit, and cash accepted.
I’ve never actually been inside. If it’s a hell-​hole, I apologize.

Car wash scam…
Watch out for the car wash. I pulled up and put my money in and then it simply didn’t work. The guy working there refused to refund my money and claimed it was closed. Sure, they have a closed sign… at the exit of the car wash. Gee, wonder why I didn’t look there.
Just stay away if you don’t want to deal with cheap tricks.