gas pumps

[Setabs]

Let's say they sell gas at $2.  Let's also say that now because of the hurricane, it costs them $2.40.  Obviously it's gonna cost them more for the same reason it's costing us more - less supply.  The purpose of having a business is to make money, yes?  Your scenario would mean that they sell the rest of that $2 gas at $2.  Then they have to turn around and buy the next container of gas for $2.40.  You're saying that they should lose the profit they WERE making on the $2 gas, and also lose money on the gas @ $2.40, because any profit they make on it was lost on the last batch.  Let's say it keeps going up.  At what point is it ok for them to try to make a profit? 

It's the same with ANY business.  The goal is NOT to sell your product or service at cost, it's to make a profit.  If your COSTS go up while your company is in business, you'd be a fool to continue to keep your PRICES the same.

I didn't see anyone say anything about selling "at cost". What irritates people is the fact that gas that was purchased by the gas stations for say $2 a gallon, is being sold now for like $3.50 a gallon; when they were content to sell that same $2 a gallon gas for $2.50 a gallon last week.

The price of gas at any given station should remain the same for as long as the shipment lasts.

Any station that increases prices mid-supply is price gouging, period. Of course, they have always done that.

Let's say a station gets its tanks filled every two weeks. So they pay $2 per gallon and charge $2.50 a gallon when they resell it. Fine. They make $.50 a gallon profit. They could sell every last drop of that gas at $2.50 for the two weeks and they would make $.50 profit on every last gallon of that gas.

So the next shipment comes in and it costs them $3 a gallon. Now is the time to raise prices to $3.50 a gallon.

Raising prices 3 times in one day? What in the blue hell is that all about? Did they use up and receive 3 shipments in one day? all costing more than the last one? So when gas jumps $.50 a gallon overnight, and then another $.50 cents a gallon or so over the next couple days; you know damn well that most places are suddenly making $1.50 profit off each gallon of gas that they were pleased to be making $.50 cents a gallon off just a few days earlier.

So they need to make money to cover their next shipment? LOL @ that. I'd like to know where they got the money to cover their very first shipment when they opened shop in the first place. The cycle starts with the station fronting the money for the shipment with the hopes that they can resell the entire shipment at a higher price than they paid for it. When that shipment runs out, then the cycle starts again. If you can't afford the next investment then you are out of business. It takes money to make money.

"So you like those generic canvas sneakers huh? Well, I paid $5 for them wholesale but I'll charge you $50 so I can afford to pay $40 dollars wholesale for some brand name sneakers which I will sell for $150 so I can afford to buy some top end Nikes for $100 wholesale..."

What kind of wacky business model is that? Everyone else prices their products based on what it cost them in the first place, not based on what they expect new products will cost in the future. Do car dealer triple the cost of an existing model on their lot because they hear that next year's model will cost nearly 3 times as much?

Thank you,  that is exactly what I was trying to get across.

Thats also why I was curious about how much profit from the pumps goes back to companies like exxonmobil and citgo.  The companies that cotrol the flow of oil from ground to gas tank.

[HaRuMaN]

I live in Southeast VA...  cheap gas is $3.19 a gallon, forget about premium.   

Gas stations here are starting to run dry, and you can't buy a gas can anywhere.  They're all gone.

[DrewKaree]

I didn't see anyone say anything about selling "at cost".

That's silly.  Even in the quote, you can clearly see the words "Let's say", as in "for example".  Also, in the "didn't see anyone say anything about selling at cost", that would also include me, since I'm anyone too.  Stop being pedantic and try to realize when people are using examples, even if they don't word it as "for example"

What irritates people is the fact that gas that was purchased by the gas stations for say $2 a gallon, is being sold now for like $3.50 a gallon; when they were content to sell that same $2 a gallon gas for $2.50 a gallon last week.

The price of gas at any given station should remain the same for as long as the shipment lasts.

Again and again, those who understand how a business works, and the economics of the situation, understand why it's being done, and if every business in the world was to run their business as "the price of our product should remain for as long as the product lasts" would be out of business shortly, because they'd be leaking and losing money faster than they could make it.  OR - they'd be increasing their prices BANG all at once to cover the now more expensive product.  To put this in words you'll understand - FOR EXAMPLE if a station has purchased gas and is selling $2/gallon and sell the entire amount, when they get their next shipment in, instead of having to raise prices a few cents at a time (or in this case, a few dollars at a time), you're INSANE to think the price would go up only at the level it's currently going up.  They'd now have to sell it at $4/gallon, and you'd be griping because it went up $2/gallon OVERNIGHT, and you'd STILL be here telling us "they're gouging us".  Your business premise GUARANTEES wildy fluctuating prices, and having them happen EACH AND EVERY DAY!  That's silly, and ignores the basic facts of business.  It's one thing to say something is a fact because of your opinion about it, it's entirely another to have it explained to you and still question why, as Setabs has done.

Any station that increases prices mid-supply is price gouging, period. Of course, they have always done that.

Any station that increased the price to the level it would need to in order to continue at the same rate they would have been at for even as short a time as the past container-full would lead to you ALSO telling us it's "gouging", so there's no winner in your scenario either, until you get a grasp on how a business works.  You seem to think that selling all that gas at the price they paid for it would result in some business utopia, but the reality is, if they did it "your way", 2 days after they ran out and prices would go overnight to a CURRENT price of $4/gallon and you'd be here carping about how they're "gouging" us.  The steady rate of increase OFFSETS - that means "helps to LOWER the cost of what's coming", in case you aren't grasping this - the radical price swings and increases that WOULD have to take place to simply remain at the same rate.

That's flat silly and ignoring simple examples you could figure out in your own life.  Don't worry, I'll bring more since you aren't getting it.   Firstly, this:

Let's say a station gets its tanks filled every two weeks. So they pay $2 per gallon and charge $2.50 a gallon when they resell it. Fine. They make $.50 a gallon profit. They could sell every last drop of that gas at $2.50 for the two weeks and they would make $.50 profit on every last gallon of that gas.

So the next shipment comes in and it costs them $3 a gallon. Now is the time to raise prices to $3.50 a gallon.

You're being purposely obtuse to think that the price the wholesaler is charging them only goes up a few cents as well as thinking even a moderately busy (let's say "for example" they take in 20 cars an hour) station has enough supply on hand to last them for more than 2-3 days.  I can't see it any other way, because in all of your examples, you tell us it's the station that's "gouging" us, and you've never addressed the fact that there's not a refinery right on the grounds of the gas station, therefore, there's FAR more costs involved than your simple and incomplete examples.  For the love of Pete, MY examples leave out things that contribute to the cost, but at least they honestly address a larger collection of what's making up your gas price.

[DrewKaree]

Raising prices 3 times in one day? What in the blue hell is that all about? Did they use up and receive 3 shipments in one day?

If you're not going to read my posts explaining this, I'm going to have to demand that you go back and do so.  Then, when you're done, respond to whether or not you think that the REASON there was a rise 3 times in one day before we go further.  You've ignored those points, and it's clouding your judgement. 

I live in a state where it's agains the law to raise prices more than once in a 24-hour period, and it's clearly been shown that your theory doesn't work when compared to the price increases across the rest of the country, heck, even using the examples here, but that isn't getting through to you because you aren't having a "discussion", you're having a "you're wrong because I'm looking at the end result ONLY, and am not interested in "talking" about it, it's "gouging" no matter how you look at it".


Yer honah, fer example:

So when gas jumps $.50 a gallon overnight, and then another $.50 cents a gallon or so over the next couple days; you know damn well that most places are suddenly making $1.50 profit off each gallon of gas that they were pleased to be making $.50 cents a gallon off just a few days earlier.


Again, I demand you read the posts explaining simplisticly the additional reasons for cost increases.  Here, I'll even lob you a sally pitch you can hit over the fences

WHAT DO THE TRUCKS DELIVERING THE GASOLINE USE IN ORDER TO RUN?

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN 4-5 REFINERIES CAN'T PRODUCE GAS IN A REGION?

WHAT HAPPENS TO THE SUPPLY IN OTHER REGIONS WHEN THOSE REFINERIES CAN'T PRODUCE GAS IN ANOTHER REASON?

WHAT IS USED TO TRANSFER GAS FROM ONE REGION THAT CAN PRODUCE GAS TO ANOTHER REGION THAT CAN'T PRODUCE GAS?

WHAT DO THE TRUCKS DELIVERING THE GASOLINE USE IN ORDER TO RUN?

SHOULD THE GAS BEING DELIVERED TO THE REGIONS THAT CAN'T PRODUCE GAS BE SOLD AT THE PRICE THEY WOULD HAVE PAID FOR THEIR REGION?

WHAT DO THE TRUCKS DELIVERING THE GASOLINE USE IN ORDER TO RUN?

WHAT OIL OPTIONS HAVE YOU BOUGHT TO "OFFSET" THE PRICE INCREASE IN GAS?

WHAT DO THE TRUCKS DELIVERING THE GASOLINE USE IN ORDER TO RUN?

WHAT ENERGY COMPANY STOCKS HAVE YOU BOUGHT TO OFFSET THE PRICE INCREASES?

Oh, and finally, since I find it crystal clear that you've either not read anything about this and are simply going on emotion, or HAVE read something about this and are simply going on emotion, what about this question:

WHAT DO THE TRUCKS DELIVERING THE GASOLINE USE IN ORDER TO RUN?

And finally, I've just GOT to point something out, and this is gonna be harsh.....HowardC harch

I'd like to know where they got the money to cover their very first shipment when they opened shop in the first place.

Same as any other business, usually.  They borrow, find investors, or use money out of their own pockets.  You can't seriously be that idiotic to not realize that.  I'll simply ascribe your rant as emotions gone wild.  If you ARE that idiotic, then help us all explain how your first week of work at ANY - A-N-Y - job went.  Did they pay you cash up front for that first week of "stellar" work you did?

Seriously, think this stuff through, educate yourself on what you thought you knew but really didn't, or read what people say. 

It takes money to make money.

LOOK AT THAT!  Guys, check this out!   It's a rose growing in a pile of turds!

If that's the only business principle you understand, this SHOULDN'T have had to be so harsh.  Try Setab's "question and make counterpoints" approach.  Your "facts" are giving "shaky" a bad name.

[quarterback]

help us all explain how your first week of work at ANY - A-N-Y - job went.

[MaximRecoil]

That's silly.  Even in the quote, you can clearly see the words "Let's say", as in "for example".  Also, in the "didn't see anyone say anything about selling at cost", that would also include me, since I'm anyone too.  Stop being pedantic and try to realize when people are using examples, even if they don't word it as "for example"

You said:

Your scenario would mean that they sell the rest of that $2 gas at $2.[...]The goal is NOT to sell your product or service at cost, it's to make a profit.

You were responding to someone who said

A station received it gas on Friday and paid say 2.15 per gallon.  they set there price at 2.30.

So let's see; you claim that his scenario "would mean that they sell the rest of that $2 gas at $2." He is giving an example in which they sell gas at a $.15 per gallon profit, not an example of selling $2 gas for $2/selling at cost. See how that works? You are better off trying your Strawman "argument" techniques in a verbal argument, rather than a written one where is is barnyard basic to establish what has been stated already; as opposed to what you claim to have been stated.

Again and again, those who understand how a business works

Sorry, but it isn't rocket science. Revenues have to exceed cost. Guess what? Selling gas for more than you paid for it will always give you a profit in that area of your business.

and if every business in the world was to run their business as "the price of our product should remain for as long as the product lasts" would be out of business shortly, because they'd be leaking and losing money faster than they could make it.

LOL. How do you figure? Everyone else can make money simply by selling at a set markup. Like I said, you don't see the price of cars sitting on a lot fluctuating daily based on projections of what future years' models will cost. They base their price on what they payed for their existing stock; period.

OR - they'd be increasing their prices BANG all at once to cover the now more expensive product.

Now you are getting the idea. That's what any other business does. 1993 Dodge trucks were a total redesign and cost quite a bit more than 1992's, which were a more or less a 20 year old design. The prices of 92's on the lot did not jump when news of the 93's came out; you know, so that the dealers could give us a nice gradual price increase on Dodge trucks in general and help them afford to be able to purchase the 93's in general. In fact, the opposite happened, like it always happens with old stock; they dropped prices to clear it out fast and make room for the new [more expensive] stock.

To put this in words you'll understand - FOR EXAMPLE  if a station has purchased gas and is selling $2/gallon and sell the entire amount, when they get their next shipment in, instead of having to raise prices a few cents at a time (or in this case, a few dollars at a time), you're INSANE to think the price would go up only at the level it's currently going up.

What are you talking about? The price would go up (or down) in direct proportion to the price that they payed for it.

They'd now have to sell it at $4/gallon, and you'd be griping because it went up $2/gallon OVERNIGHT

Again; what are you talking about? Sell the gas based on what you payed for it. This isn't complex.

Your business premise GUARANTEES wildy fluctuating prices, and having them happen EACH AND EVERY DAY!

It would depend on each business' volume. If a business typically sold a full shipment every two weeks then we would see price changes every two weeks from that particular business. If a business sold a full shipment every two days then we would see price changes from that particular business every two days.

You seem to think that selling all that gas at the price they paid for it would result in some business utopia

You seem to have reading comprehension issues. Who is saying anything about selling at cost?

the radical price swings and increases that WOULD have to take place to simply remain at the same rate.

The radical price swings are irrelevant. The issue here is about stations adjusting their prices according to what they expect to pay for it in the future, rather than what they have already paid for it.

You're being purposely obtuse to think that the price the wholesaler is charging them only goes up a few cents

"Only going up a few cents"? Where did you come up with that? Are you reading the same page that I am? I never made any assumptions about how much their next shipment would go up or come down; you know, because it is irrelevant. They should charge a certain amount over what they paid for it. That's it; that is the jist of this here.

I can't see it any other way, because in all of your examples, you tell us it's the station that's "gouging" us, and you've never addressed the fact that there's not a refinery right on the grounds of the gas station, therefore, there's FAR more costs involved than your simple and incomplete examples.  For the love of Pete, MY examples leave out things that contribute to the cost, but at least they honestly address a larger collection of what's making up your gas price.

That has nothing to do with anything. All businesses have to determine how much of a markup they need to place on their products to get ahead. Once they have determined that; then stick with it. If they have decided that they need a 25% markup on gas then fine. They can look at what they paid for the gas, tack on 25% and they're good to go. But, the way they do things, such as this $1 per gallon hike over a few days, they are simply hiking up the markup percentage on their existing stock.
 

[MaximRecoil]

Again, I demand you read the posts explaining simplisticly the additional reasons for cost increases.

[DrewKaree]

In both my current job and in the job I had prior to this one, I was paid before I ever showed up for work.  In fact, in my last job I got TWO paychecks (and those are monthly paychecks) before my job began.

I've got to look for those jobs.  I could make a fortune on those.

WHAT DO THE TRUCKS DELIVERING THE GASOLINE USE IN ORDER TO RUN?

Diesel

Which is made from?

That's silly. Even in the quote, you can clearly see the words "Let's say", as in "for example". Also, in the "didn't see anyone say anything about selling at cost", that would also include me, since I'm anyone too. Stop being pedantic and try to realize when people are using examples, even if they don't word it as "for example"

You said:

Your scenario would mean that they sell the rest of that $2 gas at $2.[...]The goal is NOT to sell your product or service at cost, it's to make a profit.

You were responding to someone who said

A station received it gas on Friday and paid say 2.15 per gallon. they set there price at 2.30.

So let's see; you claim that his scenario "would mean that they sell the rest of that $2 gas at $2." He is giving an example in which they sell gas at a $.15 per gallon profit, not an example of selling $2 gas for $2/selling at cost. See how that works? You are better off trying your Strawman "argument" techniques in a verbal argument, rather than a written one where is is barnyard basic to establish what has been stated already; as opposed to what you claim to have been stated.

Again, I'll state that you're being purposefully pedantic, and now you're giving everyone proof that you're willing to ignore what's been written.  Your "proof" is to quote me as saying

Your scenario would mean that they sell the rest of that $2 gas at $2.[...]The goal is NOT to sell your product or service at cost, it's to make a profit.

and IGNORE the entire content of the post preceding those words, which bore out my point, and your little ellipsis that leaves out the entire content of the post relevant to the point.

Being purposefully misleading isn't particularly helfpul to your case when claiming you've "established" what I've said, when all you've done is dissect the words put forth until they agree with what you want to say.

Quote my words fully, and refute what was said, instead of leaving things out and claiming I'm saying something which is clear to anyone willing to read the entire post   It may not make sense to you if your point is contrary to mine, but at least be honest when recounting my words.  I've said and explained things far differently than the snippet you are choosing to manufacture.

[quarterback]

In both my current job and in the job I had prior to this one, I was paid before I ever showed up for work.

[MaximRecoil]

Again, I'll state that you're being purposefully pedantic, and now you're giving everyone proof that you're willing to ignore what's been written.  Your "proof" is to quote me as saying
Quote
Your scenario would mean that they sell the rest of that $2 gas at $2.[...]The goal is NOT to sell your product or service at cost, it's to make a profit.
and IGNORE the entire content of the post preceding those words, which bore out my point, and your little ellipsis that leaves out the entire content of the post relevant to the point.

Being purposefully misleading isn't particularly helfpul to your case when claiming you've "established" what I've said, when all you've done is dissect the words put forth until they agree with what you want to say.

Quote my words fully, and refute what was said, instead of leaving things out and claiming I'm saying something which is clear to anyone willing to read the entire post   It may not make sense to you if your point is contrary to mine, but at least be honest when recounting my words.  I've said and explained things far differently than the snippet you are choosing to manufacture.

What is all this? I didn't even need both of your sentences; but since they were both saying pretty much the same thing, I included them. So here is the simplified version:

He said:

A station received it gas on Friday and paid say 2.15 per gallon. they set there price at 2.30

You said:

Your scenario would mean that they sell the rest of that $2 gas at $2

See your Strawman there? He never said anything about selling "at cost" or selling  $2 gas for $2 (i.e. "at cost"). So in fact his scenario would not "mean that they sell the rest of that $2 gas at $2".

[DrewKaree]

Being purposefully misleading isn't particularly helfpul to your case when claiming you've "established" what I've said, when all you've done is dissect the words put forth until they agree with what you want to say.

Quote my words fully, and refute what was said, instead of leaving things out and claiming I'm saying something which is clear to anyone willing to read the entire post   It may not make sense to you if your point is contrary to mine, but at least be honest when recounting my words.  I've said and explained things far differently than the snippet you are choosing to manufacture.

[MaximRecoil]

Being purposefully misleading isn't particularly helfpul to your case when claiming you've "established" what I've said, when all you've done is dissect the words put forth until they agree with what you want to say.

Quote my words fully, and refute what was said, instead of leaving things out and claiming I'm saying something which is clear to anyone willing to read the entire post. Black is white.

[DrewKaree]

There, you see how that works? I don't need to reply to every word you typed. An incorrect statement is still an incorrect statement regardless of how much incoherent babble surrounds it.

Parsing words to make them appear to be what you view them to say is intellectually dishonest. 

Please feel free to continue your willful ignorance of this point.  I've got better things to do than debate with someone unwilling to accept this common point of agreement....well, not really, but now that you've employed the "I know you are, but what am I?" defense followed by the "yuh-huh!" follow-up, I have no rejoinder for something so airtight

[MaximRecoil]

Parsing words to make them appear to be what you view them to say is intellectually dishonest.

I didn't "parse words"; I quoted a sentence from you. What you were claiming the guy was saying and what he was actually saying = 2 different things; period. This doesn't really matter anyway; the gas station manager that I quoted debunks everything you have said when he states what everyone knows; i.e. he can sell based on what he paid for it; he can sell for 23 cents cheaper than his competitor because he is selling gas he bought last week. So, if he can do it, everyone can do it. Anyone who jacks the price up on gas that they "bought last week" is price gouging; plain and simple.

but now that you've employed the "I know you are, but what am I?" defense

Um, no I didn't. You + a scholar doesn't = 2 scholars, lol.

"yuh-huh!" follow-up

The only "'yuh-huh!' follow-up" came from you; you know, when you simply reposted what you had posted previously? which; would have been fine to do I suppose; if it'd had anything to do with anything. 

[duffjr]

gas here in LA reached over 3 bucks a gallon for the first time since forever maybe?

[ChadTower]

Um, no I didn't. You + a scholar doesn't = 2 scholars, lol.

Simple mathematics.

One of us is a dumbass.

I am not a dumbass.

[MaximRecoil]

Um, no I didn't. You + a scholar doesn't = 2 scholars, lol.

Simple mathematics.

One of us is a dumbass.

I am not a dumbass.

Where did you come from? I don't recall a single argument from the likes of you regarding anything I have posted.

LOL @ your paper cups from the sidelines.

[ChadTower]

It's not a shot at you, it's another example like the one you have given.

[MaximRecoil]

It's not a shot at you, it's another example like the one you have given.

Sorry, I thought it was directed at me. My misunderstanding.

[Bones]

Look for the positives.

Rising petrol prices might encourage people to make an effort and find work closer to home and/or buy smaller more fuel efficient cars. (Or better still, a motorbike.  )

All these things are good for the environment. We been pumping crap into the air for a long time, any reduction in this (no matter how minute), is a good thing. You can put a price on a gallon of gas but not on the quality of our air.

Damn, people might even re-discover they have legs and use them for those shorter trips.

[Daniel270]

Last night was the first night in a while the wife and I have been out of the house....   cheapest gas was $2.89 while most expensive was $3.47.   Not to mention we also have quite a few stations pretty much closed. 

Also, has anyone else noticed the rise of Iranian owners to alot of these places?

[missioncontrol]

Damn, people might even re-discover they have legs and use them for those shorter trips.

Come on now your just being silly, what and lose our status of being the most obese country in the world. 

[Bones]

Damn, people might even re-discover they have legs and use them for those shorter trips.

Come on now your just being silly, what and lose our status of being the most obese country in the world.

[Bones]

---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- daisy auto censor......     

[missioncontrol]

what were going to lose our title..........

quick build more McDonalds ASAP and super size everything........

[ChadTower]

(Or better still, a motorbike.  )

Yeah!  Solve our fuel problem and our obesity problem by becoming a nation of amputees.

[Bones]

(Or better still, a motorbike.

[missioncontrol]

Rising petrol prices might encourage people to make an effort and find work closer to home and/or buy smaller more fuel efficient cars. (Or better still, a motorbike.

[paigeoliver]

My Geo Metro 2 seater goes over the weight limit for driver, passengers and cargo if I have any passenger other than a child.

The cars weight limit is 330 lbs, and this INCLUDES the driver. I have a second spare tire in the trunk (10 lbs), and at any given time I am going to be wearing clothes and will probably have a big gulp and a backpack (12 lbs), that means my passenger has to weigh 68 lbs or less.

Funny thing I seem to recall my teeny tiny scooter having a 350 lb weight limit, so apparently it can haul more than the car.

[jbox]

"So you like those generic canvas sneakers huh? Well, I paid $5 for them wholesale but I'll charge you $50 so I can afford to pay $40 dollars wholesale for some brand name sneakers which I will sell for $150 so I can afford to buy some top end Nikes for $100 wholesale..."

Yes, this is a terrible economic system which we refer to by the name capitalism. The central concept of this capital-focused approach is that the supplier may choose any price to sell their good for, and the demander may choose whether or not to buy this good. In the absence of any more constraints since both entiries are free to make their own decision about what they will do with their resource (supplier has a good, the demander has some capital), we call this a free market. Whenever an entity doesn't like the other one they are free to change sides at will, and this freedom will tend to drive the market towards an equilibrium point over time.

For the record, I *do* support the idea of a free market, I just don't think we can ever have one (for various reasons).

[MaximRecoil]

Yes, this is a terrible economic system which we refer to by the name capitalism. The central concept of this capital-focused approach is that the supplier may choose any price to sell their good for, and the demander may choose whether or not to buy this good. In the absence of any more constraints since both entiries are free to make their own decision about what they will do with their resource (supplier has a good, the demander has some capital), we call this a free market. Whenever an entity doesn't like the other one they are free to change sides at will, and this freedom will tend to drive the market towards an equilibrium point over time.

For the record, I *do* support the idea of a free market, I just don't think we can ever have one (for various reasons).

That doesn't have anything to do with what I said. You quoted text from me that was showing how an ordinary business sets their prices as opposed to how gas stations set their prices. Now what does capitalism in general have to do with that distinction?

BTW; monopolies and government regulations in certain areas can pretty much negate true capitalism anyway. So while the principles of capitalism can apply at the barber shop or Circuit City; they don't necessarily apply at the gas pumps or the hospital. You know, simply not buying gas or not getting an illness/injury treated isn't much of an option for most people; their livelihood and well-being depending on these things. So we can just shop around right? Well, they all sell it at roughly the same price.

[missioncontrol]

Locking gas caps becoming scarce as gas prices soar

[Bones]

On the roads it was a white line nightmare. Only those mobile enough to scavenge, brutal enough to pillage would survive. The gangs took over the highways, ready to wage war for a tank of juice. And in this maelstrom of decay, ordinary men were battered and smashed.

[rchadd]

you should quit moaning - here in the uk petrols gone over

[DrewKaree]

That doesn't have anything to do with what I said.
 

Will wonders never cease?  Are we to believe he used your words in order to say something he believes to be true?

What's next, bacon eating the humans?

[paigeoliver]

On the roads it was a white line nightmare. Only those mobile enough to scavenge, brutal enough to pillage would survive. The gangs took over the highways, ready to wage war for a tank of juice. And in this maelstrom of decay, ordinary men were battered and smashed.

The Mad Max movies are pretty much my favorite films, unfortunately "The Road Warrior" itself is extremely unlikely, as all those bikers (and everyone else) would run out of gas in a couple days and then what?

[jbox]

The Mad Max movies are pretty much my favorite films, unfortunately "The Road Warrior" itself is extremely unlikely, as all those bikers (and everyone else) would run out of gas in a couple days and then what?

Sailboats and gills.

[jbox]

So you like last Thursday's petrol huh? Well, I paid $1.50 for it wholesale but I'll charge you $2.50 so I can afford to pay $2 dollars wholesale for tomorrow's petrol which I will sell for $3 so I can afford to buy next month's petrol for $2.50 wholesale...

What's that you say, the wholesale price of petrol has gone up to $3? Well, I guess I better start selling my current petrol for that much right now or I wont be able to afford to buy the next batch of petrol! 

[ChadTower]

Tank to tank funding is a business plan doomed to failure... unless you have a product that people will buy regardless of price.  Gas is such a product, unfortunately.

When it is $5/gallon, and it will be soon, people will still fill up their honking SUVs.  A guy where I work was bragging last week that just before the major spike, he filled up his motorhome, jetskis, two riding mowers, two SUVs, two cars, and motorcycle.  He also filled about ten 10 gallon gas cans as well.  All in the same day.  He probably spent $1000 on gas that day.

He was bragging about it.  He has no concept that people like him are the exact cause of our dependence on foreign oil.

[Stingray]

Gas prices have already dropped here by about 25 cents per gallon. What a suprise, the oil companies took advantage of a natural disaster and used it as an excuse to pump up their holiday weekend gasoline sales. The fact that the prices are already dropping so sharply only underlines the fact that this was true price gouging.

Yes, I read all of your arguments Drew. I still disagree with you on this one, buddy.


-S