Something "funny" about these gas prices...

[Atman]

Sure, lots of things don't seem right. But this is odd enough that both my son and my wife noticed it, too...enough to mention it at the dinner table.

In our area (greater Hartford, CT), gas prices are all over the map, as in most places. This is the first "funny" thing, but not the actual subject of my post. What is funny about it the large discrepency in gas prices between any two given stations. Normally (pre-BushCo), when gas was 1.75 (whatever...let's live a fantasy!) it was within a few cents of that at every station in the region. But (this is what the subject line is about), now, gas prices can be 20 cents different just a block away. Now, despite what you may believe, Mobile doesn't really have special gas, different than the Cumberland Farms gas. It is all refined the same, and most of it even comes from the same gas terminals. The biggest dif is the deals buyers are able to negotiate...the fuel often comes from the same truck as it works it delivery route to different stations.

That has been odd enough, but today things got really weird...I passed a Mobil station (which I always do -- NO Exxon/Mobile products allowed in my home or car) with a long line of cars waiting for gas. Wow, this panic stuff really is heating up, I thought. The gas at the Mobil was 2.67. Wow...almost 15 cents higher than yesterday, but, the Mobil and Exxon stations are ALWAYS at least 10-15 cents higher, at least in my area. So, I drive by and then pass my favorite Citgo station, which is close to some new gas station called Mercury. Well, these "cheap" gas stations were a full 20 cents higher, or more, than the high-priced Mobil station. Hmmmm. Mobil stations are company owned for the most part. It got me wondering if this is just the next scammage by Big Oil. Since they set the price in the first place, why can't they just lower the price well below the "cheap" stations, and suck up every last dime in area, putting a hurtin' to Citgo and Mercury, etc, in the process?

I mean, why is gas 2.89 at Citgo and 2.67 at Mobil, when, historically, the prices should be reversed. I'm not sure what this means, if anything. But I loathe and distrust Mobil and anything Big Oil at this point, that I cannot believe this is just chance.

[woodsprite]

1. In Florida, before the storm,

there was a 50 cent discrepancy just around the corner. A BP station vs. a convenience store. The convenience store was $2.25, BP was $2.75.

[DODI]

2. On Maple Avenue in Hartford we have 2 Citgo's next to each

other. Today one was $2.63 and the other was $3.09 -- I can't imagine why.

[Skink]

3. Lower gas prices will entice people to shop at your store..

Retailing of gas isn't where the money is if you want to sell cigarettes and beer.

[Redneck Socialist]

4. I saw the same thing driving home tonight

prices ranged from 2.81 to 3.15 along the same stretch of road. Absolutely no rhyme or reason to the prices at all.

[HarrietBrown]

5. I saw a 2.67 at a Greater Hartford Mobil--long lines. A block away

at a "cheap" station, 2.99. In the next town, a 3.09 and then a 2.99 at Shell and then a 2.79--I don't know what that all means, but I was surprised at how long the cheap gas lines were and how all over the place the prices were. In eastern CT one cheap station went from 2.79 to 3.17 over lunch hour.

[Mr_Spock]

6. I'm finding it funny too

Well, not really x( Actually, I was wondering why my bargain station was $3/gal so quickly here in NH. ?

[mtnester]

7. I think some of it is independent versus corporate owned.

Could that be it?

[Skink]

10. The locations rent possibly...

[Cobalt Violet]

8. I saw $2.69 - $3.39 range on the way home tonight.

For regular. Lots of $3.00+ prices.

[Fire Walk With Me]

9. Bush determined to lower oil prices for all Americans!

Haha, I kid. He's in the oil business!

[OctOct1]

11. I just went to get gas in Enfield, CT

2.94 here and the Mobil guy was just changing the sign.
Great timing!!! I should have gone an hour ago:spank:

[Ian David]

12. The closer to a major highway, the higher the price.

They tend to gouge as much as they can.

There's an interesting price gouging court case about that. I think it's Mobil v. Grecco.

[dweller]

13. 4 gas stations w/in a mile of each other

Crown, BP and Citgo, Exxon in our little burb.
Sunday nite past, each was at 2.51/g, and i filled up. Warned all my family to do so, it was going up.

Yesterday, noticed the Crown was at 2.69. Today i passed them and they were at 2.99.
So, while i don't need gas yet, thought i'd check the other 3 stations.
BP & Exxon 2.89
Citgo 2.84 But, they were out of Reg and Mid, only Premium at 3.04. I chatted with the store attendant about next delivery, she said supposedly tomorrow. I asked her at what price? She said she had already been yelled at by the 'boss' about it not being 2.99 already. I pressed her for a price on the next delivery....and she said higher than that ... (2.99)

the lines at the BP and Exxon were extremely long, so i just headed home. Guess i'll stay here for a few

dp

[dweller]

26. statement from NC Governor about gas supply

Gov. Mike Easley Statement On N.C. Gasoline Supply

Statement Given Wednesday By Gov. Easley Concerning Gasoline Supply In North Carolina

The two major pipelines that furnish gasoline to many states, including North Carolina, have been affected by
Hurricane Katrina and are currently without electricity. They service North Carolina and 8-10 other states.

90 percent of our gas comes from these pipelines and right now they are not operational.

Suppliers generally have a week or so of supply. They have been shut down since the hurricane.

The pipelines need electric supply and the refineries that produce gasoline need to make urgent repairs also are
without electricity.

The refineries that produce gasoline need to make urgent repairs.

Consequently, we do not know the extent of the problem, but we do know that there will be a signifcant loss of
gasoline in the Southeast, at least in the short term, until the electricity is restored.

This is not only a state problem, this is also a regional and a national problem. We are hoping that the Department of
Energy will take some action as soon as possible. I have tried to get direction from DOE, but they have not yet
responded.

In the meantime, I am asking all North Carolinians to conserve gas. Some stations are already out.Wait for more
information before making Labor Day travel plans.

http://www.wral.com/news/4921679/detail.html


this part is telling:
"This is not only a state problem, this is also a regional and a national problem. We are hoping that the Department of
Energy will take some action as soon as possible. I have tried to get direction from DOE, but they have not yet
responded."

:eyes:

dp

[KerryOn]

14. In Columbus, Ohio....

I saw gas at BP for 2.99/gallon. The average for all other satations in the area seemed to be 3.29/gallon. (Shell, Speedway Convenience Store, and Exon.)

Thats 30 cents diffrence.

I didn't need gas, but topped the tanks off on both cars at BP, because I know it will only go up.

[Redstone]

15. Uh, the Mobil/Exxon station in our town is owned by Mercury

which is a connecticut company who does their won transport.

Redstone

[redacted]

16. It's all price gouging. There is no economic reason that prices should

go up immediately.

Not to mention that oil companies had record profits last quarter. And not a little higher than before -- significant gains.

It's all a sham.

[nashville_brook]

17. we just remarked the same thing here in nashville

exxon was cheaper than swifty. that never happens. also -- there was a line at the exxon.

[tjdee]

18. Same here--Exxon at 2.75, the little USGas/Riggins/whatever, 3.09

The bigger companies (like Exxon/Mobil) know how to (and can) work the system.

[many a good man]

19. Price based on their LAST shipment

Gas stations get their huge underground tanks re-filled once every week or two. The pump price is based on that shipment. Maybe Citgo got their tanks filled today at it cost them 20% more. They would have to reflect that in their price. Exxon will jack up their prices on the day they receive their next shipment.

[walldude]

20. We have stations here in Colorado

where the price is different at the same Chain. Conoco. I got gas earlier today at 2.83 then saw another Conoco station where it was 2.72. I was in Nashville for a few days..

[katamaran]

21. Between 2.59 and 3.19 for regular here

Between 2.59 and 3.19 for regular here...all within a one mile radius.

Hess: 2.59 (line around the block)
BJ's Wholesale Club: 2.62 (line around the block...ran out as of 6pm)
Lukoil: 2.69 (who the hell is Lukoil?!? Brand new station)
Shell: 2.89
Citgo: 2.89
BP/Amoco: 3.09
Shell #2: 3.19
Citgo #2: 3.19

The last two stations are owned by a guy who raised his prices drastically on 9/11 and after Hurricane Isabel and was caught at it. No one will question him now. I talked to the owner of the 2.89 Shell who says that Shell tells him what to charge, and if he doesn't like it, he can find another supplier. I asked how he can charge 2.89 while the other Shell is at 3.19, and he said that the other guy is pocketing the rest because Shell set the price at 2.89. He said that the other guy doesn't fall within the parameters for "gouging"...he's just under the line.

Guy #2 is a turd.

[Virginian]

22. Could this mean that Exxon/Mobil is the recip of the Strateg Oil Reserves?

Maybe their prices are lower because they are getting the big govt bandaid on their oil costs?

[B Calm]

23. Two Casey's 8 miles apart. One had gas $2.79 the other at $3.39.

[phylny]

24. I'm not sure if you can make any sense of it.

I bought gas today at a Mobil station in for $2.79 (this afternoon). Another Mobil station in town was $2.89, as was the Exxon across the street from it. Still a third Mobil station was $2.93

One thing that MIGHT explain it, wrt ExxonMobil stations is that some stations that carry the Exxon or Mobil brand are stations they had to sell as part of the merger agreement. Just because it says Exxon or Mobil on the station doesn't mean that the company owns them. Other petroleum companies will rebrand after a certain date.

[I_Make_Mistakes]

Didn't a repressive warn about price gouging earlier this week

The big guys have a lot to lose if there are lawsuits, the little guys can just go bankrupt.

[SujiwanKenobee]

25. In Central MD

It seems like our gas prices in Carroll Cty are usually a little lower on average than other parts of the Baltimore region. However, I have noticed much more recent similarities in pricing while traveling around lately. I have also noted that the same gas station that is normally lower (off the beaten path on old Main Street) is tending higher againt the others in town that it used to sell below--even those on the main highway that were typically .15 more. Further, this same gas station has been changing its price per gallon a couple of times per day since this new speculation phase began and the hurricane impact has thrown it up to 3.00/gal. I (t's a Shell station.) I can't believe that altering prices 2x+ per day is normal practice. Also saw for the first time signs added requesting that payment must be made inside first (other than credit cards). Must be having trouble with drive-offs.