Is this how Mobil is posting record profits?

[SunnyD]

I'm not sure if it's this way everywhere, but I noticed a trend in the last two towns I've lived in. The Mobil gas stations are generally more expensive than others. Honestly - when I moved back to NY, the town I am now living in has two Mobil stations, and both are consistently 4 to 10 cents more expensive than the competition. Mind you, one of the stations has absolutely no nearby competitions (near all the major shopping attractions too), but the other is right across from a station which is usually right at market prices, and about 1/4 mile down the road there's a station which is consistently a penny or two lower than average for the area.

I know when I lived in Florida, one of the Mobil stations in town was usually 4 or 5 cents more than average, and usually a penny or two more than it's immediate cross-street rivals.

 

[Vette73]

They charge more in hopes people will think they are buying "magic" gas or something that will give your car more milage, power, etc...

Majority to all gas in most areas coem from the same refinery. Theres a reason you can follow a gas truck and see them deliver to several different stations some times.

 

[moshquerade]

Originally posted by: SunnyD
I'm not sure if it's this way everywhere, but I noticed a trend in the last two towns I've lived in. The Mobil gas stations are generally more expensive than others. Honestly - when I moved back to NY, the town I am now living in has two Mobil stations, and both are consistently 4 to 10 cents more expensive than the competition. Mind you, one of the stations has absolutely no nearby competitions (near all the major shopping attractions too), but the other is right across from a station which is usually right at market prices, and about 1/4 mile down the road there's a station which is consistently a penny or two lower than average for the area.

I know when I lived in Florida, one of the Mobil stations in town was usually 4 or 5 cents more than average, and usually a penny or two more than it's immediate cross-street rivals.

The Mobil gas station near me always is a few cents higher per gal than the other gas stations nearby, but they are full service so I attribute it to that.

 

[PottedMeat]

I've noticed the same thing around here. The Mobil station is ~$0.25-0.35 above the cheapest gas. The Shell station across the street tends to be $0.01-0.05 cheaper.
The Walmart and Valero stations are the cheapest here, while the Chevron ones are ~0.10 more.

When do they put in the additives? Is the station responsible for that or is there a 'Chevron' truck that delivers to all the Chevron stations?

 

[SunnyD]

Originally posted by: moshquerade

Originally posted by: SunnyD
I'm not sure if it's this way everywhere, but I noticed a trend in the last two towns I've lived in. The Mobil gas stations are generally more expensive than others. Honestly - when I moved back to NY, the town I am now living in has two Mobil stations, and both are consistently 4 to 10 cents more expensive than the competition. Mind you, one of the stations has absolutely no nearby competitions (near all the major shopping attractions too), but the other is right across from a station which is usually right at market prices, and about 1/4 mile down the road there's a station which is consistently a penny or two lower than average for the area.

I know when I lived in Florida, one of the Mobil stations in town was usually 4 or 5 cents more than average, and usually a penny or two more than it's immediate cross-street rivals.

The Mobil gas station near me always is a few cents higher per gal than the other gas stations nearby, but they are full service so I attribute it to that.

Sadly, the only station in the area that's full serve is the aforemention Quik-Fill (1/4 mile away) that's almost always the cheapest in town.

 

[Kelemvor]

I drive past a number of gas stations on my way to work every day and I keep a mental note of who's charging what. I just stop as whoever's the cheapest. Normally the statiosn that are in the same area have the same prices but my work is about 30 miles from my house and the prices at work can be $.10 less sometimes.

 

[ponyo]

Some people just prefer one gas over others. If prices are the same, I'll buy Chevron gas over any other gas in the area. I guess I'm hooked on the Techron ads.
Most time though I put QT gas because it's usually the cheapest and the most conveniently located.

You want to talk about ripoff? Price of diesel fuel. Basically everywhere in the world, diesel is cheaper than regular gas. But in the US, diesel is like 50 cents more expensive than regular gasoline. Talk about raping the trucking industry.

 

[JulesMaximus]

76 and Texaco are the most expensive around here. Mobil is one of the cheaper gas stations actually.

 

[tfinch2]

Brand recognition.

It's the same reason why a Sony TV is more expensive than a Olevia.

 

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: tfinch2
Brand recognition.

It's the same reason why a Sony TV is more expensive than a Olevia.

eh, that's a bad comparison I think. They use two different panels (at least, the ones at the stores here do, it's very evident).

But yes, it's for the brand name. And whatever marketing "additives" they've mixed in. And yes, people go for it. I personally will go to whatever is convenient. The local chain or the exxon. They are usually only a few cents apart.

 

[SunnyD]

Originally posted by: randomlinh

Originally posted by: tfinch2
Brand recognition.

It's the same reason why a Sony TV is more expensive than a Olevia.

eh, that's a bad comparison I think. They use two different panels (at least, the ones at the stores here do, it's very evident).

But yes, it's for the brand name. And whatever marketing "additives" they've mixed in. And yes, people go for it. I personally will go to whatever is convenient. The local chain or the exxon. They are usually only a few cents apart.

Indeed - I don't find Mobil any more recognizable or any better "quality" than my local mom&pop shops, or any more recognizable than Shell or whatnot. I'd actually prefer BP or Hess as far as "brand recognition".

 

[Deeko]

Its slightly more here - but it's also at a very prominent intersection, so it's understandable.

 

[dawp]

It's the perceived 'Quality'.

 

[imported_Lothar]

I only buy Shell gasoline.

The difference between the major brands (BP, Shell, Exxon, Chevron, Sunoco) in my area is never more than $0.02

There are some REALLY cheap brands(Getty, Lowest Price, etc...) that are $0.10 less than average.
I don't go to them.

 

[Josh]

It's like buying a Grant Thomas polo shirt vs a Ralph Lauren polo shirt. Essentially you are getting the same quality, same material, etc but the latter has a horse on it that makes you want to spend that extra $40.

 

[mrSHEiK124]

Originally posted by: SunnyD
I'm not sure if it's this way everywhere, but I noticed a trend in the last two towns I've lived in. The Mobil gas stations are generally more expensive than others. Honestly - when I moved back to NY, the town I am now living in has two Mobil stations, and both are consistently 4 to 10 cents more expensive than the competition. Mind you, one of the stations has absolutely no nearby competitions (near all the major shopping attractions too), but the other is right across from a station which is usually right at market prices, and about 1/4 mile down the road there's a station which is consistently a penny or two lower than average for the area.

I know when I lived in Florida, one of the Mobil stations in town was usually 4 or 5 cents more than average, and usually a penny or two more than it's immediate cross-street rivals.

All the Mobil stations in FL are more expensive. There's one here in Tampa that's across the street from a 7-11 that's always 5-10 cents cheaper.

 

[NFS4]

I go to whoever's cheapest. Has worked for me with no problems in 12 years of driving and 40 years of driving for my dad.

You want to charge a way more than the competition for what's basically the same thing everyone else has, FUCK YOU!

 

[WHAMPOM]

Originally posted by: SunnyD
I'm not sure if it's this way everywhere, but I noticed a trend in the last two towns I've lived in. The Mobil gas stations are generally more expensive than others. Honestly - when I moved back to NY, the town I am now living in has two Mobil stations, and both are consistently 4 to 10 cents more expensive than the competition. Mind you, one of the stations has absolutely no nearby competitions (near all the major shopping attractions too), but the other is right across from a station which is usually right at market prices, and about 1/4 mile down the road there's a station which is consistently a penny or two lower than average for the area.

I know when I lived in Florida, one of the Mobil stations in town was usually 4 or 5 cents more than average, and usually a penny or two more than it's immediate cross-street rivals.

Profits? They have profits because their wells pump out oil at $5.00 a barrow and charge you at the pump the $100.00 a barrow price.

 

[imported_Lothar]

Originally posted by: Josh
It's like buying a Grant Thomas polo shirt vs a Ralph Lauren polo shirt. Essentially you are getting the same quality, same material, etc but the latter has a horse on it that makes you want to spend that extra $40.

Except in this case the difference isn't more than a few pennies.

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: WHAMPOM

Originally posted by: SunnyD
I'm not sure if it's this way everywhere, but I noticed a trend in the last two towns I've lived in. The Mobil gas stations are generally more expensive than others. Honestly - when I moved back to NY, the town I am now living in has two Mobil stations, and both are consistently 4 to 10 cents more expensive than the competition. Mind you, one of the stations has absolutely no nearby competitions (near all the major shopping attractions too), but the other is right across from a station which is usually right at market prices, and about 1/4 mile down the road there's a station which is consistently a penny or two lower than average for the area.

I know when I lived in Florida, one of the Mobil stations in town was usually 4 or 5 cents more than average, and usually a penny or two more than it's immediate cross-street rivals.

Profits? They have profits because their wells pump out oil at $5.00 a barrow and charge you at the pump the $100.00 a barrow price.

What is a barrow?

 

[sniperruff]

they are franchises and the owners are free to charge whatever they like. it has nothing to do with the brand. if you run a gulf station, you are free to charge more too.

btw, franchise owners make very little money by selling gas.

XOM and CVX make a lot of money because of their size, and selling gas is just very profitable these days. look up ADR and BP and look at their annual revenue.

as for expensive gas, blame it on OPEC.

 

[Flammable]

Well I usually buy a 200$ Mobil Gas card for about 190 and I would have to go to Mobil to get my gas even if it's the most expensive but i save 10$

 

[Kirby]

Originally posted by: tfinch2

Originally posted by: WHAMPOM

Originally posted by: SunnyD
I'm not sure if it's this way everywhere, but I noticed a trend in the last two towns I've lived in. The Mobil gas stations are generally more expensive than others. Honestly - when I moved back to NY, the town I am now living in has two Mobil stations, and both are consistently 4 to 10 cents more expensive than the competition. Mind you, one of the stations has absolutely no nearby competitions (near all the major shopping attractions too), but the other is right across from a station which is usually right at market prices, and about 1/4 mile down the road there's a station which is consistently a penny or two lower than average for the area.

I know when I lived in Florida, one of the Mobil stations in town was usually 4 or 5 cents more than average, and usually a penny or two more than it's immediate cross-street rivals.

Profits? They have profits because their wells pump out oil at $5.00 a barrow and charge you at the pump the $100.00 a barrow price.

What is a barrow?

Linky

 

[FlashG]

Originally posted by: moshquerade

Originally posted by: SunnyD
I'm not sure if it's this way everywhere, but I noticed a trend in the last two towns I've lived in. The Mobil gas stations are generally more expensive than others. Honestly - when I moved back to NY, the town I am now living in has two Mobil stations, and both are consistently 4 to 10 cents more expensive than the competition. Mind you, one of the stations has absolutely no nearby competitions (near all the major shopping attractions too), but the other is right across from a station which is usually right at market prices, and about 1/4 mile down the road there's a station which is consistently a penny or two lower than average for the area.

I know when I lived in Florida, one of the Mobil stations in town was usually 4 or 5 cents more than average, and usually a penny or two more than it's immediate cross-street rivals.

The Mobil gas station near me always is a few cents higher per gal than the other gas stations nearby, but they are full service so I attribute it to that.

where about do you live? I havent seen a full service station in years.

 

[Soundmanred]

Originally posted by: nkgreen

Originally posted by: tfinch2

Originally posted by: WHAMPOM

Originally posted by: SunnyD
I'm not sure if it's this way everywhere, but I noticed a trend in the last two towns I've lived in. The Mobil gas stations are generally more expensive than others. Honestly - when I moved back to NY, the town I am now living in has two Mobil stations, and both are consistently 4 to 10 cents more expensive than the competition. Mind you, one of the stations has absolutely no nearby competitions (near all the major shopping attractions too), but the other is right across from a station which is usually right at market prices, and about 1/4 mile down the road there's a station which is consistently a penny or two lower than average for the area.

I know when I lived in Florida, one of the Mobil stations in town was usually 4 or 5 cents more than average, and usually a penny or two more than it's immediate cross-street rivals.

Profits? They have profits because their wells pump out oil at $5.00 a barrow and charge you at the pump the $100.00 a barrow price.

What is a barrow?

Linky

Fixed for clarity.