Something that puzzles me. When there are 2+ gas stations on one block

[Bleacher Creature]

and the prices vary by quite a bit (10 to 20 cents per gallon), why does anyone go to the more expensive station???

Do gas credit cards really influence peoples' decisions that much??

[AntiCoup2K4]

1. If they don't have cash in their pocket, probably yes.

For example, if one of the stations is ARCO, who doesn't take credit cards, that would make the choice simple enough if you didn't have enough cash in your pocket to fill the tank.

Which isn't unlikely these days, unfortunately.

[Left Is Write]

2. Where I used to live, such big price differences were illegal.

Gas stations within a certain distance of each other couldn't have a price difference of more than a certain amount - I think it was five cents.

At any rate, in the scenario you pose, sometimes cash/credit cards make a difference; at other times, I think people really do get sold on a "name" brand (i.e., going to Chevron instead of the local no-name chain). Some stations have loyalty cards or reward cards too that might offer cashback or cents-off.

[Telly Savalas]

3. Could be any of a number of things.

1. Gas credit card as you mention
2. Smokes are cheaper at the one with more expensive gas
3. The staff at the place with more expensive gas is friendlier or cuter

etc.

edit to add: a place that charges 20 cents more a gallon is probably much less busy than its neighbor, so someone wanting to avoid a hassle might find it worth $2.40 on a 12 gallon fillup to not have to deal with a line

[NNadir]

4. Sometimes I buy gas from my mechanic at higher prices because he's honest.

He does such fine work on my car that I try to pay his higher prices on gasoline to help him stay in business.