Anyone notice a lot of 3.99/gal gas recently?

[TwixVoy]

A lot of the stations in my city have recently gone to 3.99/gal.

This says to me that the powers that be are

1. Afraid of what will happen once $4+/gal arrives

2. Are testing to see what the reaction will be before they actually push it to over $4/gal

3. Want to prepare us mentally for the jump to $4 by keeping it at 3.99 for a while

I work retail and you would be AMAZED what a difference in perception $3.99 vs $4.00 can have on sales. In fact, I've been able to double sales on some products just by having the signs changed from $3/each to "Two for $6.00". Prices are all a mind game, trust me.... that doesn't just go for retail.

I am pretty sure once $4 hits it will never go lower again, and will only be going up to $5 from that point....

[NightWatcher]

1. people freaked out at the idea of $5 gas, so the gas co's know how high they can go

and yes, $4 is a big mental hurdle for a lot of people

[TwixVoy]

2. Remember just a short time ago

When people freaked at $3/gal? That didn't stop them.

[Mitt Chovick]

3. The 4 dollar psychological barrier

You are right about pricing in general.

As for the question will gas go back down, Lehamn and Goldman Sachs disagree. Lehamn says yes oil is going down to $80, while GS says it is going up to $200.

[TwixVoy]

5. I have noticed that a lot recently. Have you?

I have noticed there have been a LOT of big players sending out VERY contradicting messages. I pay attention to the stock market, and I have noticed a huge increase in very different messages being sent out by the big players. I am virtually certain this is being done to keep us off balance, to confuse, and to keep us confused until the election.

[Mitt Chovick]

11. I think they are all guessing

Remember these are the same people who thought Enron was worth money. That the tech bubble wasn't a bubble, etc. These guys are basically over educated weathermen without the reliability.

[mike_c]

4. I wish....

$4.15 (or more) in norcal.

[TomInTib]

6. No kiddding, mike.

A friend and I were headed to Tahoe (I don't get out, much) and I volunteered to buy the fuel, because I don't have a driver's license and thought that would make sense.

Man, I almost passed out. I had not been around a gas pump in quite some time.

[stray cat]

7. Its already over 4 around here

[dixiegrrrrl]

8. Just so we can keep an eye on it

this site helps

http://www.gasbuddy.com/

[eppur_se_muova]

9. A lot of older pumps can't handle $4 and up ... they'll have to be replaced or modified. nt

[JerseygirlCT]

10. Well, we're well past that here, and have been for weeks.

I was a bit taken aback to see diesel going for $4.99 today, though.

Premium was well into the mid 4s - I can't remember the exact, since I take regular.

[Blue_In_AK]

12. It's $3.79 here

but I've noticed it goes up a nickel at a time now instead of just a penny or two.