A bunch of people tagged Clarence in this GoFundMe on the Discussing Fitchburg Now Facebook group.
Evidently there was a fire at a fully insured gas station and the owner has started a $100,000 GoFundMe. They’ve raised over $12,000 in 24 hours.
Correct me if I’m wrong here, but isn’t this why insurance exists in the first place?
A lot of people were asking that question, but evidently Chuck here, who acted as the official PR spokesman for the company, didn’t take too kindly to your questions.
Yea guys, stop asking about insurance for this fully insured company. Just shut up and write a check for $100,000. You have no right to question the legitimacy of a GFM, because no one has ever used this website to raise money for superfluous reasons. Ever.
Chuck generally doesn’t like it when you ask him questions or have anything critical to say about anything he posts on this community Facebook page.
Yea guys, don’t offer him your negative opinions about his hypothetical BYOB ax throwing, finger food restaurant. When he asks, “would you attend,” he wasn’t interested in hearing from you if your answer was no.
Here’s their reasoning for needing $100K, despite being fully insured…..
Thank you for taking the time to read this. My name is Fin Keneally and I am the owner of Main Street Sunoco in Leominster, Ma. I have been here for nearly 10 years. On Thursday March 7, 2019 we had a horrible fire. A vehicle that was in for service caught fire. The fire was so fast and so strong it spread across the entire shop in what felt like seconds. This tragedy has left myself and all of my employees without work, without a building and without money coming in for expenses. Under normal circumstances I would sooner die than ask for money. People come to us for help. That is what we do! Always with a smile. Right now, I need your help. My business is going to incur great financial pressure over the next 6 to 12 months. We will be faced with invoices from all of our suppliers (Parts, Tires, Fuel, Shop and Office supplies) in addition will have payroll, income tax, personal property tax and insurance responsibilities.
Rent $7700
Tools not covered for Employees $25,000 to $30,000
Insurance $1200/ month
Payroll $20,833/month
Load of fuel $25,000
About the business: Eleven years ago, I worked for a huge corporation, Toyota. I was there for 13 years. I still have so many great friends and relationships from that time. But I had a need to be part of something else. I had a void in my gut. I needed self fulfillment. A meaning…I traveled up and down the east coast looking for the right fit for my dream job. Automotive Repair Entrepreneur! Be my own boss! Be a part of a community. Give back and be responsible for my own destiny.
Wouldn’t you know it. All of this time, my dream was in my backyard. Main Street Sunoco. 468 Main Street Leominster, Ma 01453. I was blessed to meet Steve and Mike. Two great guys with the same philosophy I had. Do the right thing. Every-time! In 2010 we made it happen. And I never looked back. Only forward, how we can do better? Ask anyone who works for me, or has worked for me. You do the right thing! Make it happen. We only have a short transaction time period with our customers, while filling up with gas or cashing out a repair order. Why don’t we make it a good one!?
I’m not saying this guy is a scam artist, but I would like to know the answer to a question that good ol’ Chuck didn’t seem to want to answer. If you raise $100K to cover all these expenses that insurance will end up covering in a few weeks, then what are you gonna do with the insurance check? Seems, I dunno, kind of a legitimate inquiry. Just sayin.
And does this business have zero cash on hand to get them through a tough time like this? How do they make change if they don’t have any money to their name? It’s a gas station and repair shop. They have cash flowing in and out of it all day, every day. They can’t survive a few weeks until the insurance check comes in? Oh wait, I’m not allowed to ask questions like that.
My bad.
And since they’ve raised just $12,000 of the $100,000, what percent goes to the employees? All of it? Because I would imagine paying those invoices would take priority, in which case the public is just paying his bills while the working man loses out.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a total dick. I feel bad for the employees, but this isn’t the first business to have a fire. It is however the first I’ve ever seen with a GoFundMe for a fully insured business.
And can I just say that the “you don’t have to donate if you don’t want to so keep your negative opinions to yourself” crowd is one of my favorites. We’re just out here asking for $100,000 on a public forum, but don’t you dare ask any questions about it. Just move along if you’re not gonna donate while we collect money from people who prefer to act on emotions rather than thinking logically.
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30 Comment(s)
There’s a small chance insurance won’t pay off.
Whose responsibility is it about the car catching fire and setting the whole thing off?
That might fall under negligence. Electric spark? Hit the gas tank with a torch by mistake?
There was a Pontiac dealer in town in the 70s that had a fire. Closed for months while they said “Opening real soon now.” Insurance company determined that a door was left unlocked after closing time and refused to pay. The dealer tried to be just a repair shop for awhile and gave up.
On the other hand, I worked with someone who dropped their car off at a dealer when shops still used the hydraulic single post lift. The car fell off the lift when about 7 ft in the air. Dealers insurance paid.
Cars can go up in flames in seconds. I was at the Holyoke Mall once and walked by a car. About 20 seconds later I heard a noise and looked back. The hood paint is burning. About a minute later the front end was burning with about 3-4 foot of flames. Fire trucks were there within about 10 minutes. Too late for the car and the ones around it.
good point cars can burn, gasoline is also flammable.
Everyone knows you dont use a Go Fund Me.
Just beg directly like TB.
What a joke. Anyone who runs a business as well as anyone who owns tools that are worth tens of thousands of dollars should be smart enough to adequately insure them for loss. If people are too stupid or cheap to pay for the proper insurance then too hard. The whole thing is a scam.
Is it true that the existence of a GFM activity represents a “probable cause” , from a law enforcement investigation perspective?
I assume Mr. Keneally is documenting every name of those who donated their money so he can fully reimburse all of them after his insurance check arrives…
” Payroll $20,833/month “. WTF?, How many people work there? You require a masters degree to operate a cash register?
This is the real question. So he probably has what.. 2-3 mechanics. 3-4 gas monkeys and himself. So 4 monkeys at 12/hr 40 hours would be 7600, 3 mechanics at 9600 and 6000 a month for him? Dirty estimates.
Why would you pay people who aren’t working? Most mechanics work flat rate, not hourly wage.
They all qualify for unemployment insurance… this entire thing is so stupid. Can’t believe how many of you low information types buy into it.
Gas stations were last profitable in 1963. If you own a gas station and are not a mechanic you’re a moron. Probably hired Larry the Torch.
Who knew there was still a White man that owned a gas station in Massachusetts ? That’s the real question here. I thought the last one checked out 10 years ago after that business proved to no longer make enough money.
A few thoughts..
1. “Most” businesses have what is called business interruption policy in addition to the general policy on the building and contents coverage. Normally that pays upfront if there is no suspicion that the fire was intentional. That should get you through until the claim is covered.
2. If there is something suspicious about the cause and origin of the fire, is the owner aware of this and thus the reason for the GFM?
3. Was the business under insured?
Something does not pass the sniff test here.
There’s more to this. I wonder if he had insurance at all. It may have lapsed. Also, insurance may be waiting for the final report which could mean something suspicious. Meanwhile I guess there’s unemployment. But this guy owned this business, you can’t tell me he doesn’t have access to a shit ton of money to replace these guys tools. If he truly does care so much about his people. Something smells here…….
Turtle turd has his 10 dollar a month go fund him page but if anybody else should ask for a donation then it is wrong
Give it a f***ing rest. What’s your problem, anyway? You need therapy.
You don’t like it, don’t read (or comment) about and do is all a favor
Shut up Sidebottom if you don’t know the difference between one that provides a service and one that is just a handout then you truly are an idiot. You and Randall Guy need a hobby cause this is pathetic. It would be so bad if you actually had anything interesting to say but you don’t its the same lame bullshit every article.
Everything will be covered by insurance including the mechanic’s tools. It might take a while for the claim to go through, and that sucks, but it will be covered. I believe lost wages would be covered also…..
depends on the terms of the policy.
also depends on the business relation between the station owner and the mechanics. In some instances, the station owner “leases” the garage to an independent contractor, who does repairs. That way the station owner doesn’t have to pay taxes, etc., for an “employee”.
There are many unknowns here. Asking questions is not unreasonable, given the number of GoScamMe scams out there.
I guess banks don’t give loans nowadays.
The gas station may have insurance but the repair shop may have building only, not contents. I’ve been a mechanic over 30 years and have at least 40k into my tools including the box. I would be devastated if I lost all that.
If you do not have a separate rider or policy on your tools I would implore you to do so. Tools are like expensive jewelry and are not covered by the business, your home owners or renters, it requires either a rider on your homeowners or renters and if you have enough, a completely separate policy.
Then you insure your box.
google “insurance for mechanic tool box and tools”
Ideally the check comes quick and you get a special one on one with your Mac or Snap-On truck.
Gimme this, this , this, that, that and that.
You ever take any inventory of what you have? If this ever happened having a list for insurance and for replacing would make things go a bit quicker.
I call BS.
Your a mechanic for 30 years and you have never heard of insuring your tools… bullshit!!
40k in tools and the other mechanics, shop owners, coworkers and tool vendors have never mentioned the topic of insurance…
You’re one of those people who chimes in on every story. IT HAPPENED TO ME…. I was an addict for 20 years and.. blah blah blah.
I was in law enforcement for 35 years and… blah blah blah
Back in Nam… blah blah blah
As a nurse I… blah blah blah
Fuck You
Begging like a street bum. That’s all Gofundme is. Online begging. You might as well stand on the side of the road with a “Will work for food” sign. Nothing but bums begging.
Covering the cost of the employees tools that’s it but I doubt they’d see a penny as this is a scam through and through.
I do feel bad for any mechanic who loses all their tools in a fire. Tools are a mechanics lively hood and it’s damn near impossible to get another job without them.
You can insure your tools.
Let’s get more info before the roast commences.
Nah, light her up!
Chuck has time to start GoFundMe’s, moderate forums and post shit all day, does Chuck have a job? Maybe Chuck is getting a percentage, $100k seems steep.
Go fund Me for an insured business…. does the gas station get it’s wiper blades from the Salvation Army?