[(JD)]

It has been over a year since the guy who owns the local Shell station filled me in on how gas prices are set in this country, and how the station owners are governed with what they do. He told me then that Exxon-Mobile set the rate and no one was allowed to be more than certain cents below it, which in effect also ran the little guy out of business.

Now I've heard about an email being circulated saying we don't need to boycott buying gasoline...but only need to boycott Exxon-Mobile. I believe this to be accurate, and congruent with the way the Shell guy explained things to me.

I just searched and found this: http://www.petitiononline.com/oil219/petition.html It's a small sampling comparatively, as the email seems to be widespread. The idea is to agree to not buy gasoline from Exxon-Mobile.

We truly can't quit buying gasoline, and even if we boycotted one day, we would all fill up the day before. But by boycotting Exxon-Mobile, they would HAVE to drop their prices. Once Exxon-Mobile lowers their prices, this allows the other stations to also drop their prices. You see, there is a regulation that prohibits the other stations from selling gas more cheaply than Exxon-Mobile "allows."

There are plenty of people claiming many things for the high price, government regulations being one of them, but the inside story is the station owners are prevented from being competitive. The Inside Story, mind you.

Why not give this a try for the rest of this year at least? Don't buy gas at Exxon-Mobile stations. It's that easy.

The price will continue to go up as long as we're willing to pay it. Some of the news media are already "threatening" or warning us that gasoline will hit $6.50 by election time. Let's speak out in a way that we'll be heard!

The "online petition" isn't what I am promoting, just used the link for more info. The main idea is to NOT BUY EXXON MOBILE gas.

I don't believe this is a hoax. And who's to say it isn't their paid employees writing all those "hoax" articles? LOL I wouldn't put all my trust into snopes anyway, just like some ppl believe everything they read in wikipedia. I believe we the people CAN change things! (And since the hoax papers have been floating around for years and still no one believes them, wonder why?)

I gave my background on this. I've spoken to the players in the field on this. They are prevented from lowering their prices, even though they "own" the franchises. Shell stations in California filed suit trying to be allowed lowered prices.

There is NO "good" reason for the higher prices of oil... there is no shortage, and no threatened shortage (the old lies and excuses.) They're already preparing us for 6-10 dollars a gallon! Just because they think we'll pay it.

It's called "zone pricing" by the way. The zone can be a region, or as small as the local block of mixed gas stations. You can't price a certain price higher than the local Exxon-Mobile station.

I just talked to someone helping me with a problem order, they're in Michigan I think? (Might have been Kentucky (LOL are those two close? lol) Anyway, she was complaining that gasoline is $2.50 a gallon now! 2.50? It's over $4. here in South Florida. Now, wonder why it's more expensive some places than others.. hmmm because they know who will pay what for gas! (And the tourists from other countries like Europe, will pay it, as their dollar goes twice as far here in America right now.)

[sabby]

It's certainly a crazy situation all around. I'm not sure that there is any cut and dry answer to this issue except to say that the almighty buck drives hard and fast.....

One point I would like to make at this time...please do not consider this a platform for discussing political views on this subject. Lets remember that our postings should be within guidelines.


sabby

[ECHOES]

Sky, your post was interesting and informative. Thank you for sharing what you learned from your Shell station guy. I buy from RaceTrak here and I've only seen one or two Mobil stations in this area.

I've also heard that market speculators are to blame for the price, although I readily admit I do not understand how that all works.

It's getting harder and harder to deal with these prices. And I wish that the TV folks who interview the man on the street would catch ME instead of the people who seem to be only slightly annoyed with the price of gas!

[(JD)]

I'm tellin' ya! I filled up and it was $60! If I have to fill up the portable tank for hurricane generator fuel, and fill up my car for a storm at the same time, I'm currently looking at $120.00!!!! Now, I can do that (though it hurts) but how many families can do that?

Let's give this a try.

We who can, need to!

[seeker1950]

Yes, Sky, I drive a fairly economical vehical and it costs me nearly $60 to fill up.
Now I just heard because of gas price increases, our water bills are going up...and everything else, of course. Just think about the commodities we all buy at the store, just necessities! They are all transported by big trucks, and the cost will filter down to us.
The sad truth is...our whole economy is centered around gas/oil! For us to make a change from this would take catastrophic measures, don't you agree?
Patty

[50guy]

Not building refineries keeps the price high. Environmental laws keep us from extracting oil from known deposits which keeps the price high. Demand from developing countries keeps the price high. Big gas guzzelers keep the price high. Speculators keep the price high.

When do we boycott them? Boycotts do nothing and people won't go along with them. We are our own biggest problem, we want to protect the enviorment to our own detriment. This could have been solved more than 30 years ago if we had been proactive. Now, sadly we are reactive. A boycott will only hurt workers here in the USA.

My car that I commute to work with gets 38MPG. It is a 2 door 2001 Suzuki Swift with A/C so a fill up costs currently $32.00 and lasts all week. Smaller better gas saving cars are the answer.

[free2beme]

You're right, Patty.

Everytime I go to the grocery store I pay 10 to 30 cents more on each item. It's ridiculous! I know its the transport costs, but how long can we go on like this?

[gardenergirl]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
I gave my background on this. I've spoken to the players in the field on this. They are prevented from lowering their prices, even though they "own" the franchises.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

Wouldn't that be part of the franchise agreement? They can complain about it, but I'm sure they knew going into the business what the franchise parameters are. I would imagine that a franchise owner might be feeling frustrated, especially if they are being blamed for the prices, and thus they explain how it works.

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
There is NO reason for the higher prices of oil... there is no shortage, and no threatened shortage (the old lies and excuses.) They're already preparing us for 6-10 dollars a gallon! Just because they think we'll pay it.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

And we may very well pay that cost, because we ("we" as collective, not absolute) are a culture of excessive use of oil. Too many folks think nothing of driving from one end of a parking lot to another instead of walking despite being physically able and having the time. How many of us have watched someone sit in a car with the engine running while waiting they wait for someone else to do business, when they could have turned the engine off and rolled down the windows or perhaps gone inside as well? How about the folks who sit with the engine running waiting for that really close in parking spot when there are gobs of empty ones right behind them? Waste, waste, waste. Similarly, my own in laws turn the heat on when it gets below 70 and continue to run around inside in shorts and short sleeve shirts. Sure, they can afford a high heating bill. But seriously, put some pants on, for Pete's sake! Otherwise, it's a terrible waste of the earth's resources.

We have lousy public transportation in my city, primarily because too few use it. We all have cars. The average mpg of motor vehicles today is less than it was 20 years ago. That tells me it's a conscious choice to build cars that have more bells and whistles and whatever despite all we've learned in the past 20 years about building cars that are more efficient and earth-friendly. And that's not just because the auto companies feel like doing it that way. It's consumer demand. We (collective "we") demand it.

So basically, I vehemently disagree that "There is NO reason for the higher prices of oil". Demand has increased, and refining capacity is not running full. Basic economic principals of supply and demand are in play as well as what the market will bear. People are still buying gas. Complaining more about the prices, sure, but we're (collective) all still driving.

If Exxon notices that their sales have gone down significantly enough and long enough, sure they may lower prices. But blips like that aren't going to have a significant impact on fuel prices overall. Prices will be affected by the entire market and the economy, a global economy. My own choice for action is to do what I can to decrease my use of fuel in order to avoid spending more and more and more.

gg

[ECHOES]

SOMEbody's making a mint, and it isn't me!

I think there should be some kind of mandated cost of living adjustment on everyone's income, whether from employment, or other sources.

I can't keep living on this income when the price of everything keeps rising rapidly.

Now our power company wants to raise their rates.. gee right after a farily cool winter where the a/c wasn't needed so much and right as the sweltering and humid summer season begins where we turn on the a/c and it runs non-stop til about October. The timing is fairly suspect.

One tip I've heard a few times is to buy gas in the coolest part of the day, because it expands when it's hot so you get more if you buy/pump when it's cooler. I don't know if it's true or not, but where I am 'cool' is not necessarily part of any day.

[gardenergirl]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
ECHOES said:

One tip I've heard a few times is to buy gas in the coolest part of the day, because it expands when it's hot so you get more if you buy/pump when it's cooler. I don't know if it's true or not, but where I am 'cool' is not necessarily part of any day.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

I think there might be something to this. I once pumped gas in the early morning, and then drove a couple of miles. When I went back to my car that afternoon, gas was actually coming out of the tank. Someone explained to me just what you brought up, that the gas had expanded with the heat and in the case of my car, had nowhere to go. I probably topped it off, and maybe the mechanism on the gas cap was leakier on that car. But still.... must be something. Also, Nascar drivers rock their cars to get every last bit of fuel out of the tanks. Maybe you'll soon see us all bobbing and weaving.

gg

[SeptemberMorn]

We don't buy from Exxon-Mobile anyway.

[Timgt5]

In depth explanation about gas prices and world markets

http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/ver/223/popup/?
rn=25391&cl=8217355&ch=134443

click on the video "How to Lower Gas Prices"

Please watch the above its good info on this subject

BTW Sky the Eeeevil Exxon Mobile makes a whopping 4 percent profit per gallon of gas at 4 Dollars per gallon they would start to lose money with a reduction of more than 16 cents think I am lying? Check the energy department's website, it has a break down of the cost of a gallon of gas the highest part of that cost is the taxes we pay on it.

By comparison Walmart's average profit per product sold is 6 percent.

[Timgt5]

Very well spoken, though it is in the distance a bit there is hope for an alternative, thought you might be interested

automobiles.honda.com/fcx-clarity

We can get off oil if we have the will to do it

[nowheretorun]

'</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
We can get off oil if we have the will to do it

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">'

key word being 'if'.... ty Tim, we need to do something

[bebop]

I am thinking about getting a horse and buggy myself. we can't afford these prices.

[nowheretorun]

i read that somewhere else where you posted it Bop.. not such an awful idea.. people survived back in 1900 without autos.. we can do it again..

[bebop]

I think so too. the amish do it why can't others? just have to put a triangle on the back right? I think it would be pretty easy for me since I live out in the country and only 2 miles to my little town. about 7 miles to grocery stores and such. heck might be a nice change!

[nowheretorun]

well i know where i live it wouldnt be such a problem to use a horse.. in metropolises it might be though.. we'd have to implement new strategies for coping, certainly street cleanup would need some examination.. guess we'd have to install water troughs and such and maintain those things... other stuff that ppl can put their minds into and resolve "IF" theres will

bicycles are an option.. people would need to move closer to their stores and work places.. but "IF" theres a will....

i cant say I have all the answers, but i bet if we all got together. the answers are there.. we need to learn how to overcome obstacles and not wait for someone else to fix it....

[bebop]

oh the cleanup shouldn't be an issue either. here they have these huge bag things you hang on the back of the horse so the waste falls into that instead of the road.

[AAAAA]

Here in Wisconsin, the state requires the stations to have a 9% mark up. Period. The fine is actually higher here for setting the prices too low than too high.

Living right on the MI border, gas is a bit cheaper there, but it's not 2.50 a gallon, its 3.89 here, and 10-20 cents cheaper in Michigan.

[SeptemberMorn]

I can see it now, ya'll... legislation against anything, especially horses, that might help reduce our dependence on oil! They'll come up with the darndest reasons why we CAN'T.

It's nice to dream, though. LOL

OH! And let's not forget all the farmers that have become filthy reach with all the ethenol research! Nope... neither group is gonna give up their money. Besides, that would put a hell of a warp on Biblical prophecy.

[nowheretorun]

i like your spirit of trying to do something Sky and the others here who expressed the same

[nowheretorun]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
_Sky said:
I'm tellin' ya! I filled up and it was $60! If I have to fill up the portable tank for hurricane generator fuel, and fill up my car for a storm at the same time, I'm currently looking at $120.00!!!! Now, I can do that (though it hurts) but how many families can do that?

Let's give this a try.

We who can, need to!

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

isnt it true in economics that people (consumers) are the demand side of the demand / supply equation? lets take some power..

[seeker1950]

I'm thinking of transferring to a teacbing job close enough to walk to work, or ride my bike. Not sure if the teacher administration would do this, but I'm sure the teacher with whom I would change positions would agree. Still thinking about it. Would be great not to have to pay for gas to get to work. I've also set my AC higher in temp, so as not to keep it running all the time. I hate heat, but it will be worth it when the electric bill arrives!
Patty

My thoughts.......ride a bus if you can.
ride a bike if you can...
Do all your trips in one day if possable
Link to gas prices over our country
notice the highest states

http://www.gasbuddy.com/gb_gastemperaturemap.aspx

oil so far today has gone up 3.34 a barrel
right now 134.65 a barrel

If we do not wake up and use less
well......................idk
just the sheeps thoughts
muffy