Posted on 10/05/2005 9:47:28 AM PDT by off-roader
Or all the miscellaneous expenses related to owning/operating loading facilities, pipelines, transportation (trucks), stations – on and on.
Back around 1990 Oregon began requiring ALL stations to replace their tanks with double-walled tanks and in the process had to clean up and dispose of any contaminated soil from old tanks.
Virtually ALL the little mom & pop stations closed up shop. Simply couldn’t afford one million plus to clean up and swap tanks. Very, very few survive today. Darn-nearly EVERY station in the state is company owned or owned in some manner by the bigger distributors.
Doing something as invasive as digging up the lot and ripping out tanks (for the large companies) usually results in their tearing the old station out and going up with a new, bigger station with new-everything and a convenience store, car wash, etc – assuming the location can support it.
Chevron decides to plunk down five million to put up a brand new station somewhere, it’s because they *intend* to get every cent back – plus more. And while you’re at it you’ll end up with computerized-everything to monitor test wells and a system to contain spills and wastewater runoff, etc.
Plus they’re going to have to insure against future liability regarding contamination (or self-insure) – and that’s the thing that put a lot of the smaller shops out of business. Even if they could theoretically afford to put in the new tanks, their business simply couldn’t afford the premiums to protect against possible future problems. It all adds up – and it’s ALL courtesy of American (and Oregon) voters. They like to cause themselves a problem, then they like to complain that they have a problem. I’ve gotten to where I ignore them, mostly.
I have an idea that will make you a billionaire if you run with it. Start your own oil company, drill, refine, and sell your gas for $1.00 a gallon less than others are selling it for. You will corner the market and be a billionaire within weeks of selling your first gallon of gas.
All I ask for in return is a 1% share in the company.
The eco-extortion that has caused us to reduce our oil production and refining capacity has been a great part of the run up in oil prices over the last 2 years. Especially in the aspect of refining capacity and distribution ability. We had over 300 refinaries in 1970 and today have fewer than 200.
What makes you think my car is still under warranty or requires unleaded gasoline?
And you clearly get and understand my point. The gas in those countries is far different than the gas we buy.
You, of course, are aiding and abetting the process by paying whatever they ask for a gallon of gas. They don't take it from you, you give it to them willingly. If any other business determined that the market would pay any price for their product, we wouldn't necessarily subscribe their cost increases to "gouging".
For an interesting "thought experiment", what would be the relative "gouging" threshold for products like tap water, electricity, telephone service, cable TV, Internet access, airline tickets, credit card interest rates, golf balls, or any one of a billion other products/services? At what point do we accuse McDonald's of "gouging" on the price of french fries?
If you don't like the current prices, quit paying them, or reduce your consumption, or buy an alternate product, or any and all combinations of those.
As some have noted, the governement is heavily involved in pricing and distribution of gasoline. But there is also the issue of demand. As prices moved higher and higher this year, use of gasoline continued to increase. Perhaps in Mexico, price increases like those seen in this country could not be supported by the demand and prices did not go up as much.
I spend a lot of time at home or walking. I'm filling up once every 8 days. My major driving is to and from work. I've reduced as much as I can, but I still have to pay the gouging price when I do fill'er up.
People keep saying we are being "gouged" but none have yet produced evidence of gouging or a clear, concrete, and legal definition of gouging. Can you do it?
You can't.
But vintage car owners can purchase products (such as MAX LEAD 2000) that they can add to the tank themselves.
Some folks need to understand a market economy and accounting basics.
The cost of our gas is influenced by boutique blends and the supply chain logistics of same. I worked in Mexico City and Caracus for several months. The air pollution is horrific. The smog is so thick in tunnels, drivers have to turn on their headlights.
I agree.
Still waiting for your definition of "gouging", legal backing for it, and evidence that it is occuring.
Other posters have said that, I have not.
And that, fuel taxes are more of a factor in the US than in Mexico.
Haven't said that either. What I did say is that taxes, especially ones that are a percentage of the price of fuel are a major part of the price of gas today.
And if lower prices in Mexico is evidence of us getting gouged, wouldn't prices twice as high (and sometimes 3 times as high) in Europe be evidence that we are not getting gouged?
And I repeat again, the gas you buy in Mexico is NOT the same as the gas you buy in America. I don't know squat about Mexico, but I am 100% confident that Mexico does not have 40+ regional and seasonal blends mandated by law.
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