BUSINESSA4—Palm Beach Daily News, Sunday, November 8, 1992

Daily News Photo By SIG BOKALDERS

Richard Gray recently started selling food and other convenience items from his Palm Beach service station.

PB service station pampers clientsRichard Gray may be the only ser

vice station owner in Florida whodrives his clients to board meetingsand beauty shops while their cars arebeing fixed. But then again, he's one ofthe few who serves the residents ofPalm Beach. Here, the owner of Gray'sMobil discusses his 14-year-old business and its recent changes.

— CYNTHIA WASHAM

As a college business major, youthought you might go into the sporting goods or clothing business. Whatmade you decide to run a gas stationwith your father? Ever have any regrets?

We found ourselves in a situationthat we just could not possibly pass up.We were not looking for a joint business venture. The station went up forsale, we knew the owner and wethought it would be a wise investment.

My biggest regret is that the management of the station consumes somuch of my time and does not allowme to spend as much time with mywife and children as I would like.

You offer some special servicesto your customers while their carsare being repaired. Could you explainyour unique service and why youprovide it?

I offer the following special services: Pic* up and/or drop off of clients and their cars, off-season carmaintenance for clients who are out oftown, and assistance with car registration.

I offer these services because myclients have been loyal to me andexpect the same services I have of-f(±rf*rt tn thorn

You recently became the secondbusiness in Palm Beach to offer convenience items such as milk, breadand other necessities. How have yourcustomers responded?

I have had an incredibly positiveresponse. Not only are the island residents thrilled with the new convenience store, but employers that workon the island love it because I offer

fresh deli sandwiches, chips and softdrinks at the lowest prices on theisland.

I also offer extended hours and thestore and station are open on Sundays.

When you switched from BP toMobil several months ago, you saidthat Mobil was a better quality gasoline. What makes it better? Howimportant is gas quality for the valuable luxury and sports cars manyPalm Beachers drive?

Mobil gasoline is better because ithas a fuel additive that keeps fuelinjectors clean. It also has the highestoctane level available. Gas quality isimportant because high performancecars need this type of gas to performproperly.

Recent data from the Palm Beach

County Division of Consumer Affairsshowed that the type of businessthat generates the most complaintsis auto repairs. Why do you think somany customers are dissatisfied?

I think that people depend on theirautomobiles so heavily for transportation and their livelihood that they automatically blame any car problems onthe last person that worked on the car.The majority of people who complainflrp thp nnp« that rtn nnt nrnnprlu main.

tain their cars and do not have areliable and trustworthy mechanic.

What do you do to keep yourbusiness out of the county's complaint file?

I do not have complaints because Istress to my clients that it is imperative that they perform preventativemaintenance on their cars.

Self-service has replaced full service at many gas stations. You offerboth. Do you think the market for fullservice will survive? Why or why not?

I think that full-service will definitely survive, particularly on the island of Palm Beach. My clients expf ctthis service and I will always provideit.

In recent years, gas prices havegone up and down repeatedly. W.ieredo you see them going in the nextyear?

It is impossible for me to predictfuture gasoline prices, due to the factthat we have a new president in office.

Ethanol is being used experimentally in motor vehicles. With pressureto clean up the environment, do yousee ethanol, or other alternativefuels, replacing gasoline?

I do not see ethanol or other alternative fuels replacing gasolines because most high-performance cars cannot function property with these.

You work long days, includingSaturdays. What do you do to relax?

My relaxation usually revolvesaround my wife, Carmen, and our children. We love to take weekend vaca

tions at different spots around Florida.I also enjoy racquetball, golf and week-

irt h ith tVionHc anH familuarhDMiop i\t