We're all complaining about gas prices but are you doing anything about it?

[jakalsucks]

It is like the perfect storm. You have ever increasing demand from the US and China. You have oil speculation because of uncertainty in Iran and Nigeria (Nigeria right?). You also have the switch over from MTBE to Ethanol. It is in short supply in comparison to what is needed. It is also corrosive so gas mixed with it has to be moved by train car instead of pipe.

I can't really change my habits much more. I go into work at an unusual time so no car pooling (also I am generally unfriendly). The only public transportation is by bus, and I'm not willing to spend three times as long to get to work. I walk absolutely everywhere else though unless I have to buy something that is fairly large, but if I just have to pick up some bread or something I will walk. I've done that since gas has been under $2/gallon.

[Edit]

Originally posted by: Eeezee

Originally posted by: So

Originally posted by: Tom
I'm afraid the real problem most of face isn't buying gas for our individual cars, it's that everything that is transported by truck, which is basically everything, is going to get more expensive.

<shrug> as oil goes up, rail traffic (the rail freight industry is still very much alive) can become more competetive and move in to fill the gap.

It's been kept alive by government subsidaries. It's alive in the sense that it can't churn a profit on its own... but believe me, I'd love for that to change. The railways are historic, and I'd hate to see them go.

Well since gas mixed with MTBE has to be moved by rail it looks pretty good for them.

 

[Eeezee]

Originally posted by: Ronstang

Originally posted by: Eeezee
Price fixing is a federal crime supported by conservatives and liberals alike. Take it to P&N, nub

There is no price fixing. Take of the tinfoil hat....noob.

No, you're 100% wrong. Please smash your modem into tiny bits now. Not only are you a misinformed cretin, but you don't know the difference between "off" and "of."

We used to have our prices fixed at an abnormally low price. Do you emember less than a dollar per gallon in the 90s? Those were artificially low prices. Of course, no one complained about it.

Our prices are now above where they should be. They are artificially high. In a free market economy, this is only possible through price fixing. If gas stations were not cooperating with each other, they'd go through standard localized pricing wars like in the 60s and 70s. People will buy more from the station with cheaper gas. The more expensive station has to lower its price to stay competetive. This is a natural occurence in an economy without cooperative fixing of prices. We now essentially have all of the gas station companies agreeing to not undercut each other by significant margins.

What, did you think I was alluding to some sort of conspiracy theory? Sorry, nothing but factual information here. When no one is in competition with each other, then you can charge whatever the people are willing to pay. When you have competitors, you can only charge as much as your competitors are willing to charge. It's a completely different dynamic that you can't learn about without a high school diploma. I suggest you invest in one.

 

[krunchykrome]

Originally posted by: Injury
I use less than a tank a month. In fact, when I do fill up, I can't even remember when I filled up last.

Most of the time I don't even fill up because I hate standing there smelling gas fumes. I put about $15-20 in and I'm good for nearly a month.

How do you manage that kind of lifestyle?

 

[Shame]

I traded in a 1995 Firebird for a 2005 Civic. The gas and tire savings alone pay 1/2 the car payment...

 

[tm37]

Originally posted by: Eeezee

Originally posted by: Ronstang

Originally posted by: Eeezee
Price fixing is a federal crime supported by conservatives and liberals alike. Take it to P&N, nub

There is no price fixing. Take of the tinfoil hat....noob.

No, you're 100% wrong. Please smash your modem into tiny bits now. Not only are you a misinformed cretin, but you don't know the difference between "off" and "of."

We used to have our prices fixed at an abnormally low price. Do you emember less than a dollar per gallon in the 90s? Those were artificially low prices. Of course, no one complained about it.

Our prices are now above where they should be. They are artificially high. In a free market economy, this is only possible through price fixing. If gas stations were not cooperating with each other, they'd go through standard localized pricing wars like in the 60s and 70s. People will buy more from the station with cheaper gas. The more expensive station has to lower its price to stay competetive. This is a natural occurence in an economy without cooperative fixing of prices. We now essentially have all of the gas station companies agreeing to not undercut each other by significant margins.

What, did you think I was alluding to some sort of conspiracy theory? Sorry, nothing but factual information here. When no one is in competition with each other, then you can charge whatever the people are willing to pay. When you have competitors, you can only charge as much as your competitors are willing to charge. It's a completely different dynamic that you can't learn about without a high school diploma. I suggest you invest in one.

Actually you may want to check into the local laws.

MN has been Fining stations for NOT CHARGING ENOUGH!

 

[ponyo]

People just talk about gas for the cars they drive. But high oil prices effect everything. Prices will go up across the board for items such paint, carpet, plastic, etc as chemical prices go up. Of course this cost will be passed on to the consumers in form of higher prices. So even if you don't drive, you're going to feel the effects real soon.

 

[Eeezee]

Originally posted by: tm37

Originally posted by: Eeezee

Originally posted by: Ronstang

Originally posted by: Eeezee
Price fixing is a federal crime supported by conservatives and liberals alike. Take it to P&N, nub

There is no price fixing. Take of the tinfoil hat....noob.

No, you're 100% wrong. Please smash your modem into tiny bits now. Not only are you a misinformed cretin, but you don't know the difference between "off" and "of."

We used to have our prices fixed at an abnormally low price. Do you emember less than a dollar per gallon in the 90s? Those were artificially low prices. Of course, no one complained about it.

Our prices are now above where they should be. They are artificially high. In a free market economy, this is only possible through price fixing. If gas stations were not cooperating with each other, they'd go through standard localized pricing wars like in the 60s and 70s. People will buy more from the station with cheaper gas. The more expensive station has to lower its price to stay competetive. This is a natural occurence in an economy without cooperative fixing of prices. We now essentially have all of the gas station companies agreeing to not undercut each other by significant margins.

What, did you think I was alluding to some sort of conspiracy theory? Sorry, nothing but factual information here. When no one is in competition with each other, then you can charge whatever the people are willing to pay. When you have competitors, you can only charge as much as your competitors are willing to charge. It's a completely different dynamic that you can't learn about without a high school diploma. I suggest you invest in one.

Actually you may want to check into the local laws.

MN has been Fining stations for NOT CHARGING ENOUGH!

Price fixing is a federal law, apparently the misinformed legislators in MN decided that all gas stations should charge an artificially high price. Price wars aren't supposed to be illegal. They're natural mechanisms of a free market economy.

 

[Fritzo]

Wish I could do something...I live 35 miles from work, I'm in the country so there's no public transportation, and we just bought an SUV a year and a half ago (would loose a ton if we sold it).

Been driving my wife's PT Cruiser when I can, but it only gets 22-24 MPG. I'm screwed

 

[McGyver]

Originally posted by: krunchykrome
We're all getting gouged at the pump, but has anybody actually done anything about this. Car pooling, public transportation, bicycle...? Im considering it.

how bout a more realistic approach, like don't vote for people like bush to the white house next time.

 

[NTB]

I replaced my 6-cyl Buick (after I wrecked it ) wiht a 4-banger Pontiac Sunfire, which gets better gas mileage. Looking for a job at the moment too, since I got laid off about a month ago. If I could find one close enough to home, I'd ride my bike or walk in a heartbeat.

Nate

 

[Eos]

Originally posted by: FoBoT

Originally posted by: Udel

Originally posted by: FoBoT
i don't know about any gouging

Then you don't know enough. Look at how oil is priced, what the real value of it is, and how they exploit shortage fears to line their pockets. Big oil is a business like anything else, they aren't doing you any favors.

bottled water has a higher profit margin than gasoline

are the bottled water companies gouging?

Bottled water is not the only source, so those who don't drink it are not affected by their supposed gouging.

I cannot get gasoline from my kitchen faucet.

$2.94 - reg
$3.04 - mid
$3.14 - prem

I am personally driving as little as possible. Right at 500-600 miles per month. But I've been doing that (driving as little as possible) for 10 years. My car has added 63,000 miles in 6 years, 1 month. Yes, I used to drive more, math genius.

 

[Powermoloch]

lol, i don't need to drive. I use the public transit and a bike. FTW

 

[Fritzo]

Originally posted by: McGyver

Originally posted by: krunchykrome
We're all getting gouged at the pump, but has anybody actually done anything about this. Car pooling, public transportation, bicycle...? Im considering it.

how bout a more realistic approach, like don't vote for people like bush to the white house next time.

:roll: Can you find me where Bush told China to start using more fuel and big oil not to build any refineries for 30 years?

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: TallBill
Not possible for me to bike to work. No public transportation available. Nobody lives close to me. So no.

yep, i'm in the same situation.

 

[Fritzo]

Originally posted by: Eeezee

Originally posted by: Ronstang

Originally posted by: Eeezee
Price fixing is a federal crime supported by conservatives and liberals alike. Take it to P&N, nub

There is no price fixing. Take of the tinfoil hat....noob.

No, you're 100% wrong. Please smash your modem into tiny bits now. Not only are you a misinformed cretin, but you don't know the difference between "off" and "of."

We used to have our prices fixed at an abnormally low price. Do you emember less than a dollar per gallon in the 90s? Those were artificially low prices. Of course, no one complained about it.

Our prices are now above where they should be. They are artificially high. In a free market economy, this is only possible through price fixing. If gas stations were not cooperating with each other, they'd go through standard localized pricing wars like in the 60s and 70s. People will buy more from the station with cheaper gas. The more expensive station has to lower its price to stay competetive. This is a natural occurence in an economy without cooperative fixing of prices. We now essentially have all of the gas station companies agreeing to not undercut each other by significant margins.

What, did you think I was alluding to some sort of conspiracy theory? Sorry, nothing but factual information here. When no one is in competition with each other, then you can charge whatever the people are willing to pay. When you have competitors, you can only charge as much as your competitors are willing to charge. It's a completely different dynamic that you can't learn about without a high school diploma. I suggest you invest in one.

Gas stations haven't set prices in years...they have little to do with supply and demand.

You're pretty condescending for someone with a wrong way of thinking.

Also, gas was so cheap in the late 80's and 90's because of poor economies in Asia + large oil fields were trying to cause low output producers to go out of business. Now we have nothing but large oil producers calling the shots + a booming Asian economy. Top this with manditory ethanol that is also in short supply (due to lack of refineries- again, big oil calling the shots), and boom- you have short supply.

Gas stations can charge whatever they want, but if they go below their wholesale cost, they'll be loosing money. As it is I believe they only make around $.04/gallon.

 

[kranky]

Originally posted by: Eeezee

Originally posted by: So

Originally posted by: Tom
I'm afraid the real problem most of face isn't buying gas for our individual cars, it's that everything that is transported by truck, which is basically everything, is going to get more expensive.

<shrug> as oil goes up, rail traffic (the rail freight industry is still very much alive) can become more competetive and move in to fill the gap.

It's been kept alive by government subsidaries. It's alive in the sense that it can't churn a profit on its own... but believe me, I'd love for that to change. The railways are historic, and I'd hate to see them go.

You could hardly be more wrong. Railroads pay out of their own pockets for all maintenance. The trucking industry gets roads built by government funds. Airlines have airports built by government funds. Railroads get nothing.

Amtrak is government subsidized, but it's for passenger service, not freight.

 

[CVSiN]

Originally posted by: krunchykrome
We're all getting gouged at the pump, but has anybody actually done anything about this. Car pooling, public transportation, bicycle...? Im considering it.

Metro bus to and from work and only riding my motorcycle when I need to get around.
just not worth it to drive right now..

 

[CVSiN]

Originally posted by: Trippin315
Like what, stop driving. We are all had by the short hairs. I am just going to suck it up. An extra 5-10 dollars a week is not going to kill me. If it will kill you, you have bigger issues.

5-10 bucks extra a week my ass...
try over 100 bucks extra cost a week...

costs 20 bucks to get less than 1/4 tank of gas that lasts 1 day now...

over 80 bucks for 1 fill up if I fill the car up all the way.

10 bucks for a bike tank that used to cost 3

I dunno what gas prices are where you are at but here they are already over 3 bucks a gallon and climbing

 

[Injury]

Originally posted by: krunchykrome

Originally posted by: Injury
I use less than a tank a month. In fact, when I do fill up, I can't even remember when I filled up last.

Most of the time I don't even fill up because I hate standing there smelling gas fumes. I put about $15-20 in and I'm good for nearly a month.

How do you manage that kind of lifestyle?

I found a great area of Cincinnati to live in. I work less than a mile a way... if I wasn't always so worn out after work... and if it wasn't third shift... I would probably buy a bike or just walk. I can stand to shed a few pounds.

Anything I could possibly need that can't wait a week or so is within walking distance. When I say that, I don't mean "You could walk but you'd be tired..." I mean that if there weren't trees in the way, I could see the grocery store, the pharmacy, staples, radio shack, the bank, church, my favorite pizza place, a theatre, doctor, eye doctor, dentist, and many other shops.

Just about the only 3 things I don't have within reasonable walking distance are a large-scale hardware store, places to get clothes and such, and a place to get video games ( ) ... and those are in the "still walkable" distance.

Since I've moved out of the 'rents house, I pay twice the amount in rent that I used to spend on gas, which puts me in a fully furnished house with 3 of my friends, full kitchen, 1 and 2-half baths, my own spacious room, washer/dryer, and some other perks.

I don't even touch my car for a couple days sometimes.

 

[Svnla]

Car pooling? no way, none of my co workers live anywhere nearby.

Public transportation? I don't have 2 hrs to spare on bus transfer, each way.

Bicycle? If you want to get kill by soccer moms driving huge SUVs plus I live 15 miles from work.

There are a few things that I am doing now to save gas: properly inflated tires, watch my speed, combine trips, no junks in the trunk, well maint vehicle.

 

[wasssup]

Originally posted by: altonb1
I have ~53 mile commute each way, and I'm crossing state lines. No real options except to just eat the price hike.

 

[Injury]

Originally posted by: CVSiN

5-10 bucks extra a week my ass...
try over 100 bucks extra cost a week...

costs 20 bucks to get less than 1/4 tank of gas that lasts 1 day now...

over 80 bucks for 1 fill up if I fill the car up all the way.

10 bucks for a bike tank that used to cost 3

I dunno what gas prices are where you are at but here they are already over 3 bucks a gallon and climbing

If you're driving a vehicle that requires a ~26 gallon tank, then you probably should have thought the gas thing through before making that purchase. ($80 @ $3 per gallon ~=26)

Before the sharp increases, gas prices were hovering at a shade over $2. If you have a ~26 gallon tank it was costing you about $52 per fill up. A difference of ~$26 from current prices. (obviously an extra dollar per gallon in your ~26 gallon tank.)

If it's costing you OVER an extra $100/ week to fill up, at $26/tank extra, that means you are using 4 tanks of gas a week. 4 TWENTY-SIX GALLON TANKS A WEEK.

GEE, I WONDER WHY THE PRICES OF A DEPLEATABLE SOURCE OF FUEL ARE GOING UP.

Consider the extra prices paid your own damn fault.

 

[EyeMWing]

Gas as a percentage of my income when I was trapped driving a van @ $2.50: 75%
Gas plus car payment as a percentage of my income driving a Focus and commuting @ $2.50: 75%
Gas plus car payment plus rent plus utilities as a percentage of my income driving a Focus and commuting shorter distances @ $3.00: 95%

I just can't win. BTW, that 95% may seem like bullshit, but lets try to remember that the leftover 5% is FVCKING $18/mo! Those of you with incomes may be able to get along without making enormous sacrafices, but those of us who are trying to devote as much time as possible to education and helping the community are REALLY hurting. If I spent every minute of my time that I'm not in class at my crapass job, I'd just barely get that number under 50%.... And then my GPA would drop to just about 0, nevermind the miscelleneous social impacts of my not spending time helping various organizations (schools, primarily) that need computer equipment get it.

... And then there's tuition. And nobody wants to give me financial aid because my family's gross income has 5 digits in it, starts with a 3, and I'm going to school across state lines. BRILLIANT!

So yes. Gas prices may be nothing to a lot of people. But to some of us, that extra $1.50/gallon (Yes, I remember when gas was $1.50. That was when I started driving like 3 years ago) makes one HELL OF A DIFFERENCE. If gas hits $3.50, I'm done. There's nothing I can do. I can change jobs, but with the number of hours I can afford to put in, the difference in pay is completely eaten up at the $5 mark.

And it's not like I have plenty of savings in my bank accounts to help me absorb this damage. All the account balances are hovering precariously close to zero - because tuition ate that all up real quick. Hell, I even had to cash in the godforsaken worthless ****** $10 US Savings Bonds my grandmother has been giving me for christmas for the past 6 years. That barely paid for the trip to the damned bank.

In conclusion, if one more person tells me "It's only $3!" I reserve the right to rip off your head and ****** down your neck.

 

[rudder]

Originally posted by: FoBoT

Originally posted by: Udel

Originally posted by: FoBoT
i don't know about any gouging

Then you don't know enough. Look at how oil is priced, what the real value of it is, and how they exploit shortage fears to line their pockets. Big oil is a business like anything else, they aren't doing you any favors.

bottled water has a higher profit margin than gasoline

are the bottled water companies gouging?

Bottled water is a luxury item. And when do you buy 12 gallons of water at one time?

 

[Chiropteran]

I have been staying home and playing WoW instead of going out and using precious gasoline.