$2.39 Gas

5030 · Sep 23, 2006

Wesdor said:
My son filled up with regular for $2.17 in Davenport, Iowa. Bio-Diesel was $2.39 when I was in Clinton, Iowa on Friday.

But like Bird says, prices are all over the place.

BTW - do you all know that CITGO is Venezualan owned? Hugo Chavez nationlized the oil industry and is using CITGO money to fund his favorite projects.

You gotta admit one thing....Hugo speaks his mind and while not a popular stance, I tend to agree with him.

Casey1 · Sep 23, 2006

Gas prices all over the place, inconsistencies everywhere and yet people get in line up to defend the oil industry. These same people get raked over the coals like everyone else at the pump yet they are quick to let those who question the off the wall pricing know how dumb they are. Go figure.

Just pay whatever price it is no matter how ridiculous and illogical and be happy. I wonder who that would benefit? Hmmm...

MikePA · Sep 24, 2006

Casey1 said:
Go figure.

Yep, go figure. Got any solutions to this 'Gas prices all over the place, inconsistencies everywhere...' problem?

MikePA · Sep 24, 2006

5030 said:
You gotta admit one thing....Hugo speaks his mind and while not a popular stance, I tend to agree with him.

Except for the 'Diablo' comment, he didn't say anything we haven't been hearing for years.

bill177 · Sep 24, 2006

Near Albany, NY - $2.83 down to $2.71 for regular. Depends more where you are in the area than which brand. Better than $3.35 last August. Now just waiting for the other shoe to fall after the election.

Bird · Sep 24, 2006

Casey1 said:
Gas prices all over the place, inconsistencies everywhere and yet people get in line up to defend the oil industry. These same people get raked over the coals like everyone else at the pump yet they are quick to let those who question the off the wall pricing know how dumb they are. Go figure.

Just pay whatever price it is no matter how ridiculous and illogical and be happy. I wonder who that would benefit? Hmmm...

Casey, aren't you assuming facts not in evidence?

Some posters believe the oil companies are engaged in "price fixing". I suppose it would depend on your definition of "price fixing", but apparently no one has found any evidence of price fixing, as defined in the law. Now for me, or anyone else, to make that statement is not exactly "defending the oil industry".

Yes, I believe the oil companies are doing whatever they can to maximize their profits and at our expense. And yes, I pay whatever the price is because I have to, and no, I'm not happy about it. But accusing the oil companies of doing something illegal without any evidence to back up the accusation won't do a thing to help the situation.

However, if you have a solution, I'll sure be happy to hear it and willing to help you implement it.

Casey1 · Sep 24, 2006

Bird said:
Casey, aren't you assuming facts not in evidence? Some posters believe the oil companies are engaged in "price fixing". I suppose it would depend on your definition of "price fixing", but apparently no one has found any evidence of price fixing, as defined in the law. Now for me, or anyone else, to make that statement is not exactly "defending the oil industry".

Yes, I believe the oil companies are doing whatever they can to maximize their profits and at our expense. And yes, I pay whatever the price is because I have to, and no, I'm not happy about it. But accusing the oil companies of doing something illegal without any evidence to back up the accusation won't do a thing to help the situation.

However, if you have a solution, I'll sure be happy to hear it and willing to help you implement it.

"Yes, I believe the oil companies are doing whatever they can to maximize their profits and at our expense." - Bird

We agree!

I did not mention any price fixing conspiracies or anything illegal. Big business is the law nowadays and it's not hard for them to do most anything they want and keep it within the "law". They are not willing to do the "fair" thing however like offering a price that is consistent to the price for them with a "reasonable" profit included. Competition is low so there is very little free market pressure and with battalions of corporate lawyers and accountants on board they can make sure everything is on the up and up. The industry is rotten from OPEC on down but it is "legal". Almost anything can be legal if enough power is involved.

Do I have a solution? No. Do I like it? No. I do know there is something wrong (you know, inconsistencies and prices all over the place) but I have no ability to fix it.

At least I will not come on here and try to convince people that we are getting a fair shake. Why do that? What is there to gain by accepting high prices? (besides just getting higher prices still)

Just roll over and take it? Is that the American way?

Legal perhaps. Fair? No way.

Bird · Sep 24, 2006

OK, Casey. I don't disgree with you except when you mentioned folks lining up to defend the oil industry. The fact is that we don't like the high prices, but why single out the oil industry? How do you think Bill Gates got to be so wealthy and what kind of profit margin did he work for? Ford Motor Company is losing money, so they hire a new CEO for $18 million the first year.

I guess I'm just gettin' old, but a lot of these things seem absolutely ridiculous to me.

I remember an old saying from years ago that "the rich get richer and the poor get poorer" and it seems to me that it's becoming more true all the time.

Casey1 · Sep 24, 2006

Yeah Bird, I have to agree the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. I singled out the oil industry since it is related to this thread. With Bill Gates and Ford at least we have a few other choices there (Apple & Chevy). I need the oil though. I can't give up my tractor! LOL

Farmwithjunk · Sep 27, 2006

I KNEW it was coming. Just didn't know when or how soon.

Yesterday the rollercoaster ride started to leave the station again. Local "independent" with hundreds of stations in Kentucky/Indiana/ect started RAISING prices again. (Thorntons for those who live in this area) One station near the house, which seems to be typical of all the others in the area was $2.01 yesterday morning. On my way home from work, they were $2.19. Later yesterday, they were back down, at $2.09. This morning, $2.17. One local (BP) station is $1.84. On my way in to work this morning, I noticed several other brands that had raised prices overnight. ($2.09 to $2.17)

Station (owner) nearest the house where I do 99% of my business said he'd not heard of any price increases from Wholesale level. (The $1.84 priced station)

Thorntons seems to dictate local gas prices. When they go down, everyone else is forced to drop to keep pace. When they go up, everyone else follows in line. They're almost always the first to change one way or another.

I may be in the minority, but I don't believe the recent drop in gas prices is tied to the Nov. elections upcoming. But I was content to expect prices to remain stable until then. I sure hope yesterday/todays spike(s) aren't a sign of things to come.