deb7373
Rookie Author
Orange County
Posts:6
Points:1,970
Joined:Apr 2011
|
Message Posted: Apr 8, 2011 1:44:08 AM
jdhelm,
I think it is safe now or as safe as it is gonna get.
GB,
Boy you weren't kidding what a can of worms lol. I have been reading alot of posts on different subjects and wow! Just one wrong word and everyone is out of the woodwork! Glad to be apart to the site you all seem very kind and lots of laughs. hope to talk to you again soon!
|
jdhelm
Champion Author
Iowa
Posts:11,856
Points:1,198,890
Joined:Dec 2009
|
Message Posted: Apr 4, 2011 6:25:11 PM
please let me know when it's ok to buy gas again.
i'm getting tired of hauling my wife around in a wheelbarrow.
she's not to happy about it either.
|
Gas_Buddy
Champion Author
Maryland
Posts:25,967
Points:3,033,215
Joined:Aug 2004
|
Message Posted: Apr 4, 2011 3:10:33 PM
utmospython wrote:
"there is no economical reason for these prices lybia is like 2 percent of our oil providers governmenr pocketst bullshit to rape ou"
There is an economical reason for these prices, and Libya has little to do with it. You don't have agree with the economical reasons, such as speculation, but distrubutors and gas stations can only sell based on the prices they're paying.
That said, and forgetting the profanity which is inappropriate for this website", who exactly is "raping" you and how are they doing that?
|
deb7373
Rookie Author
Orange County
Posts:6
Points:1,970
Joined:Apr 2011
|
Message Posted: Apr 4, 2011 7:37:49 AM
Hello again,
Thanks Gas Buddy, rumbleseat, and Michael for coming to my defense that is very kind of you. And Thanks rumbleseat yes I did receive your PM welcoming me to GB that was very nice. I enjoy this website it has lots to do plus learn.
I came back to this post to make sure I had not missed any thing. I see there has been others who have answered as well.
MSTK,
If someone is going to be so bold as to make such an asinine comment or accusation with regards to weather or not I have owned my own business or had formal business education, not to mention in public should, no, should probably check themselves. For the record Sir I grew up in a family owned business all my life and have had the great pleasure of continuing on after my father passed, and I have an Associates Degree in Business. I am fully aware of that prices can vary by location. What I didn't know until yesterday was that the station owners don't put whatever price they want to on gas. There are those out there that gorge which besides being against the law, is not cool. I am not sure what school you went to nor do I really care but I was not taught in school the ends and outs of Gas station owners. My question ( not statement ) was neither bold nor asinine I just was without the proper knowledge. I was most appreciative of the Gentlemen who took the time to tell me about the process. Formal education does not make you smart its what you do with your education that makes you who you are. If I were you ( which I am glad I am not ) should go back to school and pick up that course you dropped ya know Manners 101 and take it. And maybe on your next post you won't be so bold to make such an asinine statement and in public. and let this be your first lesson! Just sayin...
|
rumbleseat
Champion Author
Winnipeg
Posts:22,925
Points:3,530,290
Joined:Oct 2002
|
Message Posted: Apr 3, 2011 6:48:43 PM
MSTK, you are being just plain stupid. We need members who join, learn, and contribute, not who immediately leave because of idiots like you castigating them needlessly, refusing to acknowledge the fact she actually read some replies in the thread and responded politely and intelligently.
I sent a PM to her welcoming her to GasBuddy, I hope she reads it before she reads your asinine reply.
|
Gas_Buddy
Champion Author
Maryland
Posts:25,967
Points:3,033,215
Joined:Aug 2004
|
Message Posted: Apr 3, 2011 6:39:37 PM
It's an anonymous website for pete's sake. She's acknowledged things in a subsequent post. And she's a new member. It's not like she's one of those that started out "Boycott on this day and the prices in Canada will come down the next day and the oil companies will lose $2 billion and we'll have 85 cent gas."
She asked if it gas stations wouldn't do more business if they had lower prices. The answer is sure, and people would drive more, probably spending the same amount of money or more because they don't notice the cost of driving when it's lower. But while I might question what she wrote in the first post, it wasn't asinine. It's a new, and yes anonymous, member whose's hackles have been raised. She at least came back and responded when people made comments.
|
Gas_Buddy
Champion Author
Maryland
Posts:25,967
Points:3,033,215
Joined:Aug 2004
|
Message Posted: Apr 3, 2011 6:03:15 PM
MSTK:
She's a new member and she modified her original post if you read the earlier threads. I'd cut her a break. And at worse, since you're assuming she's never owned a business or received any formal business education, you might want to explain the basics to her rather than saying "Try doing that, and you'll learn..."
Like I said, she's at least responded to us, which is more than most new people do.
|
FuelsChief
Champion Author
Corpus Christi
Posts:2,817
Points:584,960
Joined:Mar 2011
|
Message Posted: Apr 3, 2011 10:59:29 AM
Face it gas prices are not going to go below $3. They will go above $4 if they haven't already in some places.
|
Michael29644
Champion Author
Greenville
Posts:4,961
Points:842,300
Joined:Jan 2011
|
Message Posted: Apr 3, 2011 12:17:00 AM
Deb,
I'm sorry if you took anything I said personally, but as Gas Buddy said, we've been overrun lately by these calls for boycotts, mainly by new members, most notably by what some call "one post wonders." These are people who, for reasons unknown to me, sign up and make a single post here advocating a boycott and do not post any prices or participate in the site in any other ways. I'm happy to see you are participating in the site and look forward to future posts by you.
|
Gas_Buddy
Champion Author
Maryland
Posts:25,967
Points:3,033,215
Joined:Aug 2004
|
Message Posted: Apr 2, 2011 9:56:41 PM
You don't, if you're an oil company, raise prices in order that you can be more competitve and capture more market share to be competitive on the spot market. But at what level are you saying the "oil companies" are raising prices? At the well? During international delivery? At the refinery? through the distribution chain? Or at the pump?
Just trying to get perspective is all.
|
scottydoesnt
Champion Author
Chicago
Posts:3,782
Points:528,720
Joined:Apr 2011
|
Message Posted: Apr 2, 2011 9:15:00 PM
They raise the prices, and people still buy it. So why wouldn't the oil companies raise pricing ?
|
Gas_Buddy
Champion Author
Maryland
Posts:25,967
Points:3,033,215
Joined:Aug 2004
|
Message Posted: Apr 2, 2011 5:12:32 PM
deb7373: Don't go out of your way to ever find gas prices (don't spend the money on gas driving out of your way, and don't waste gas in the first place), but post even when you don't see something good. That extra not-so-good gas price might be the one that helps the next person, and maybe his or her last price posted is the one that helps you; the more information you can share, and the more others can share for you, the more intelligent shopper/consumer you can be.
Just my suggestion.
As for picking what issues you can have an impact on? Well, you can have an opinion and maybe a small impact on issues you can't really can't do much about. But if you're present your argument or points intelligently, you might influence someone who can do something more than you can. At worse, you tried.
|
deb7373
Rookie Author
Orange County
Posts:6
Points:1,970
Joined:Apr 2011
|
Message Posted: Apr 2, 2011 2:35:23 PM
Gas Buddy, Thanks! I will do as you suggested and watch for gas prices and post when I see something good. As for cutting back on travel I have already done so mainly because my fiance and I are both unemployed 2 yrs now and his benefits have just run out. So I have for sometime make a list the things by importance and map out my route trying to do everything in one day to save. Can only hope that things get better I have so many issues that I want to take a stand for if I do I will most likely never sit down again. LOL I guess I best pick what I can control or change and leave the rest to those who can do better than I.
Thanks again glad to be a member!
|
Gas_Buddy
Champion Author
Maryland
Posts:25,967
Points:3,033,215
Joined:Aug 2004
|
Message Posted: Apr 2, 2011 1:06:48 PM
deb7373:
Don't think of it as our lecturing you. It's just that, after seeing the multiple new topics started (usually by new members) calling for a "Don't buy gas on this date...or that date...", and all the recent calls for "Don't buy gas April 1...if we all just don't buy gas just that one day, every gas station will have no place to take delivery of gas and will have to reduce their prices immediately, maybe dropping prices by $1 a gallon, or even to under $2 a gallon..." (or variations of that); we get tired of hearing the calls. The variation is "is we just don't buy this one time, and trust me...try the boycott just for one day just this one time and you'll see it can work..., the gas stations will be full up and won't be able to take delivery, the refineries won't have any place to put their extra gas, and they [but they never who the "they" are] will lose $2.6 billion just that day alone; you know they'd be willing to drop their prices so they don't lose that much in one day..."
All you did was start another thread, and we responded.
If you want to take a stand, and good for you for wanting to do something constructive, I suggest you post gas prices so your fellow Orange County travelers and gas buyers have an idea what gas prices are and they can shop intelligently. If you find a comparatively inexpensive gas station, let the manager know that you appreciate his prices. It likely won't make a difference but you'll feel good and he'll feel better knowing he has a good customer.
And realize that not every gas station that is higher priced is higher priced through choice; it's entirely possible (and probable) that operating expenses, including the cost that he pays for gas, is different than the price other gas stations pay, for any number of reasons.
Bottom line: Shop intelligently, recognize that there are pricing issues beyond our control and beyond the control of the gas station (and the refiner), and reduce your driving so you don't need to buy the product any more than necessary. If there's no market for the product, the producer will have to consider reducing prices until it finds an acceptable selling level (not below it's own costs).
Again, welcome to the web site.
|
deb7373
Rookie Author
Orange County
Posts:6
Points:1,970
Joined:Apr 2011
|
Message Posted: Apr 2, 2011 3:55:23 AM
Well Gentlemen guess I should think before I spout off without thinking about all aspects. I just sometimes loose it when I have been pinching pennies all day long and everywhere I go every single thing is going up. And yes I know that this is how it is right now I don't need another lecture I was just having a moment and shared it. won't happen again.
Micheal,rumbleseat and Gas Buddy: thanks so much for the info I really didn't think of all that goes into the process of getting gas from one end to the other. I now know and will absolutely buy my gas and just be happy it is there to purchase.
I am sorry I didn't mean to hit a sore spot honestly I was just spouting off. I fill as though I have been reprimanded by my father, I may have spoken out of turn but I don't believe I talked down to anyone or tried to make anyone feel totally ignorant. I was simply asking a question. I will go back to just "posting the high and low prices of gas so we can shop intelligently" and leave the cynical and condescending posts to the big dawgs! Personally I would have had a good laugh with the person posting. Seriously.. Just sayin....
|
Michael29644
Champion Author
Greenville
Posts:4,961
Points:842,300
Joined:Jan 2011
|
Message Posted: Apr 2, 2011 12:18:11 AM
I'm going to be short and simple, because I've grown tired of these boycott calls when they don't address the economics of the issue. Thankfully, Gas Buddy has more patience than me.
Boycotts do not work because they use flawed logic. They do not include reducing consumption, which is the only effective way for individuals to lower prices.
Please read the other boycott threads for the many, many reasons why.
|
Gas_Buddy
Champion Author
Maryland
Posts:25,967
Points:3,033,215
Joined:Aug 2004
|
Message Posted: Apr 1, 2011 11:33:06 PM
deb7373:
Not trying to sound cynical (and welcome to Gas Buddy and...here's the sales pitch...we look forward to you posting high and low gas prices as frequently as possible so people know where to shop intelligently...and of sales pitch), but if WHO lowered the price of gas?
Refineries operate off a relatively small mark-up and make their profit in selling in quantity. Gas stations generally charge about 10 cents per gallon above what they paid for it (some stations mark up as low as four cents per gallon, and some as high as 15 cents per gallon) - and from that 10 cents per gallon they have to pay credit card fees (about 2.5 percent of the price at the pump and a charge for each "swipe" of the credit card), rent, salaries, franchise fees, accountants, paying off the investment they made in buying and opening the gas station (and financing), and hopefully some profit as a return on their investment.
Even if the gas station didn't include any mark-up, and only charged you what they paid for it (forgetting that that's not realistic and would bankrupt them), you'd only save about 10 cents per gallon. If the refinery sold it's refined oil at what it paid, you'd only save about another 10 cents, maybe noticeably less than that.
If you want to help reduce costs for the gas station, consider shopping at a cash only station (assuming it's the low priced station) and two things can or will happen; the gas station doesn't have to pay a percentage of the price at the pump to the financial institution and can pass on part of that savings to you, and can keep part of that savings, giving it some profit or extra money to pay operating expenses. Side note: As the price of gas goes up, the more the gas station pays for processing credit card fees because the credit card companies get a percentage of the price at the pump; the higher the price, the more they pay; the lower the price, the less they pay. Quick example: If the station pays 2.5 percent per gallon (an average percentage) and gas costs $2 a gallon, the gas station has to pay 5 cents per gallon (2.5% times $2); if gas costs $4 a gallon, the gas station has to pay 10 cents per gallon (2.5% times $4.).
As for how can gas cost one price in one part of the state, and a different price in another part? Simple but not; the price the different distributors pays for refined oil is frequently different because of different buying agreements; this could be because of the quantities they buy, or when they buy (if they need an off-cycle or off-day delivery, an extra delivery, etc.), and from minor price changes between delivery from one day to the next. Similarly, each gas station has a different delivery cycle, and transportation charges may differ. Add to that the obvious, each gas station has different operating expenses it has to cover (different rents, different salaries, different return on investing in the station - two gas stations next to each other with the same owner may have different rents and may have cost entirely different amounts to buy and/or finance, and they may have different franchise fees they have to pay).
Think of it like Tropicana Orange Juice; you can be pretty sure the Safeway, Wal-Mart, and the local 7-Eleven all got their delivery from the same wholesaler and maybe from the same delivery truck, yet they charge different prices. Said another way, Safeway, Wal-Mart, and the local 7-Eleven all sell the same 2-liter bottles and 20-ounce bottles of Pepsi (or Coke, or 7-Up), yet the price might not only vary considerably but the 2-liter bottle is generally less expensive than the 20-ounce bottle (at the local CVS this afternoon, forgetting that 2-liter bottles of Pepsi and Dr Pepper are on sale for 88 cents per bottle, the regular price is 1.49 cents per 2-liter bottle; the regular price for a 20 ounce bottle is $1.59.)
Take a stand? Complain about speculators (the quick answer), accept that there's a growing middle class in places such as India and China and those people want the same amenities as you (cars, which require gas, made from oil) and they are switching from agriculture to industries which require oil products in many cases, complain that credit card fees should be based on a fixed amount per transaction (not a percentage), and realize that to get the oil producers to lower their prices (at the well) you need to show them you can do without their product (or at least are willing to use less) and "force" - actually encourage - them to drop their prices to a level that you're willing to pay or you won't buy their product.
|
rumbleseat
Champion Author
Winnipeg
Posts:22,925
Points:3,530,290
Joined:Oct 2002
|
Message Posted: Apr 1, 2011 10:48:56 PM
If they lowered the price to get more business prices would inevitably go up even higher.
Think about it this to way, simplified to the nth degree.
lower prices - more business - more product needed - increased pressure on supply lines - increased activity on gasoline trading markets - increased demand for refining - increased demand for crude - increased demand for imports - increased activity on oil trading markets - increased price of oil - increased price of gasoline.
|