A Not-Greedy Oil Company
It’s funny how a random memory will pop into your head out of nowhere.
Everyone has bad things to say about greedy oil companies, but here is a 100% true story.
My mother had had a Texaco credit card for at least 30 years, and had always paid the bill off every month.
She was 59 when my step father died, and wouldn’t be able to get Social Security until she was 60. She had no income, but still had to be able to get to doctor appointments. So she used her Texaco card to get gas as needed, but the bills started piling up, unpaid.
After several months, Texaco contacted her and asked when she would pay the bill. She wrote back and explained that her husband died, leaving her with no income, but she would soon be getting Social Security, and she would start paying the bill off then.
Texaco wrote back the most wonderful letter of understanding and sympathy. They zeroed out her bill and told her she didn’t owe anything. My mother cried with gratitude.
That was back in the 90s, and I don’t know if they would be so wonderful now. But it was an awesome thing to do back then.
Here are a couple of vintage Texaco commercials.
More Great Stories by Cathy
11 Comments
Amber Myers
These are such amazing commercials. I love the older ones. I wish commercials were more like this today. And I love companies like this.
Cathy Zeiler
I love watching vintage commercials!
Emily
Growing up in Toronto, Canada, I’ve never heard of Texaco before. That said, this really IS a really great thing to do, and I hope there are still companies out there today who’d do the same again.
Karletta
This is such a fab story. And as I was reading, I was thinking – oh when was this though? When you said it was in the 90’s I was surprised. I was thinking the 70’s. In any case it’s a great story, and I reckon the company would publish that on their social channels – if they have them. That’s a story to be proud of.
Jerry godinho
This post shines because it celebrates a rare thing in today’s world: a company choosing fairness over squeezing every last dollar. The reflection on an oil company acting with restraint instead of pure greed gives the piece a quietly hopeful tone.
Herose nicole
This is a good reminder that we have this kind of commercial way back then. A good memory
LisaLisa
WOW, these are vitage commericals indeed. This is such a touching story and a reminder that sometimes compassion can come from unexpected places. It is easy to focus on negative stories, but acts of kindness like this can leave a lasting impact on families going through difficult times. I can only imagine how much that meant to your mother during such a hard chapter in her life.
Ivana Mearns
We sometimes forget how important kidness can be in situations like bereavement. This is a great reminder how being nice to others can trasnform lives.
Ebony
This was such an interesting perspective. It’s always refreshing to see conversations around companies prioritizing responsibility, fairness, and long-term impact alongside business success. Thank you for sharing this insight.
Elizabeth F
I’m sorry that you lost your Dad and that your mom struggled for a while. Poeple often remember the slights not the goodwill. What Texaco did was very kind and so sharing this memory is truly wonderful.
Clarice
Awww, this is so heartwarming! I really wish we had more compassionate companies like this. I’m not saying they should simply write off debts, but a little flexibility and understanding can go a long way, especially with the challenges many people are facing today.