Neighboring gas stations

[Rockbottom]

On my normal morning drive to daycare, I pass two gas stations caddy-corner to each other in a suburban neighborhood. Today's regular gas prices -- as shown on the gigantic signs at each -- was $2.37 at one and $2.48 at the other.

Tell me, what on earth are the dolts who fill up at the $2.48 place thinking? Are folks that impressively ignorant of their surroundings?

RB

 

[txsportsscribe]

loyalty to a certain brand, especially among older drivers

 

[WolvEagle]

Ah, blind loyalty.

I regularly drive by two competing gas stations that are at least a dime per gallon more expensive than the other gas stations that are a mile or so away. And they probably wonder why very they have very few customers.

 

[bagelchick]

I also think that some of them think that people won't go out of their way if they're heading in the wrong direction, but I know I would (and have!).

Could it be that they're so stupid they aren't realizing that they're being undercut?

 

[PeteyPirate]

It has to do with how much they paid for the gas they're selling. Margin on gas is pennies, if not a penny, on the gallon for most stations, and if they get caught buying their supply the day before prices drop, they're screwed.

 

[TrooperBari]

On my normal morning drive to daycare, I pass two gas stations caddy-corner to each other in a suburban neighborhood. Today's regular gas prices -- as shown on the gigantic signs at each -- was $2.37 at one and $2.48 at the other.

Tell me, what on earth are the dolts who fill up at the $2.48 place thinking? Are folks that impressively ignorant of their surroundings?

The slushees at the $2.48 place are 11 cents cheaper than the other place. It all balances out in the end.

 

[novelist_wannabe]

They're thinking, "waiting in line at the cheaper one is not worth the $1.50 I'll save by filling up there."

 

[PeteyPirate]

I think people who go out of their way to seek out the cheapest gas are wasting their time. The resulting savings are nominal at best.

 

[93Devil]

Is one station a Shell?

Shell always seem higher.

 

[fitnessscribe]

When you live in Jersey, and the one that is 10 cents cheaper requires a 10- to 15-minute wait because you can't pump your own, it's better to just pay the extra dollar to save time.

 

[ArnoldBabar]

There's a cluster of stations within a couple of blocks of each other in my neighborhood, and one is often a couple of cents cheaper, but it's a huge pain in the ass to get to. The entrance is pointed the wrong direction, the exit puts you out going an inconvenient direction ... It's just not worth the 30 cents to deal with it.

 

[Rockbottom]

Both places are on a two-lane road, and are equally easy to get to. But one IS a Shell.

rb

 

[OTD]

On my normal morning drive to daycare, I pass two gas stations caddy-corner to each other in a suburban neighborhood. Today's regular gas prices -- as shown on the gigantic signs at each -- was $2.37 at one and $2.48 at the other.

Tell me, what on earth are the dolts who fill up at the $2.48 place thinking? Are folks that impressively ignorant of their surroundings?

RB

In my town, there are two stations like this. The difference: The expensive one's on the side on the way onto the freeway.

 

[WolvEagle]

93 Devil - One's a BP; the other's an Amoco (or whatever they call it now).

The BP that's next to the airport in our coverage area (the state's largest airport) usually is 50 cents or so higher than other stations a few miles away. It's close to the rental car return, and the cars have to be returned with full tanks.

 

[spup1122]

Are you sure, Wolv? Didn't Amoco get bought out by BP?

 

[93Devil]

Both places are on a two-lane road, and are equally easy to get to. But one IS a Shell.

rb

I think Shell gas is thought of as better for you engine or some crap like that.

 

[BTExpress]

I think Shell gas is thought of as better for you engine or some crap like that.

Five years ago in parts of Florida Shell gas had too high of a sulfer content, and it destroyed cars' gas gauges.

Shell had to pay a pretty penny to reimburse those folks to get their gauges fixed.

 

[I Should Coco]

It has to do with how much they paid for the gas they're selling. Margin on gas is pennies, if not a penny, on the gallon for most stations, and if they get caught buying their supply the day before prices drop, they're screwed.

I always thought gas stations made their money on the convenience store stuff, which is always overpriced, but hey -- it's convenient.

These days, though, thanks to numerous drive-offs, most stations require you to prepay. So most people use their credit card and never enter the store.

Makes me wonder if the pump prices are a bit higher to account for this trend.

 

[Rockbottom]

Both places are on a two-lane road, and are equally easy to get to. But one IS a Shell.

rb

I think Shell gas is thought of as better for you engine or some crap like that.

They *ALL* say they are better for your engine.

rb

 

[WolvEagle]

Spup - You're right. I thought some more and it's a Marathon.