Old Gas Stations Charging By The Half Gallon
from the not-quite-the-bargain-you-thought dept
At the beginning of May, we mentioned that a bunch of gas stations were discovering that their older pumps couldn't handle prices over $4. They ticked up to $3.99 9/10 / gallon and that was it. For now, it appears that some regulators are allowing such gas stations to start selling gas by the half gallon -- or, rather charging half-price and doubling it at the register. They're only allowed to do this if they can show that they've ordered new parts that will handle up to $9.99 -- though, of course the folks who make such parts are running out of them quickly as a bunch of stations are rushing to upgrade. Any bets on how long until we'll be writing about the gas stations running into problems when the price of gas reaches $10/gallon? What's scary is that even at the half price ($2.03/half gallon), it wasn't that long ago when that seemed really high for a full gallon.Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
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Filed Under: gas pumps, technology
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Well, considering all things
So really, it should be less than say... 5 years before we hit that area too. Pure mindless speculation, of course, but thats how I see it.
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Re: Well, considering all things
You don't seem to realize the taxes imposed on gasoline by the European nations (which is what drives the prices up so high) pays for universal healthcare and social programs.
The $4.00+ gallon we pay in the US does nothing but line the pockets of the oil companies.
So tell me again how the prices in Europe matter when compared to the prices here?
If we got universal healthcare and well funded social programs out of ridiculous gas prices, I don't think all that many would complain.
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Re: Re: Well, considering all things
I would be screaming even loader because I would have to then goto a government subsidised doctor. Just think instead of government subsidised cheese, it's a doctor. Just imagine if we had subsidised health care today, that would mean George Bush would be in control of your health care.
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Re: Re: Re: Well, considering all things
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Re: Re: Well, considering all things
We have some the best health care options in the world BECAUSE its not controlled by the government, resulting in competition and innovation.
If universal health(a.k.a. Government health care) care is what you THINK you want, go visit your local Veterans Hospital on a Saturday morning from about 7AM - 9AM, stay there for atleast an hour, strike up a conversation or two in the waiting area and ask them how well the system is taking care of them.
Now, on to your other uninformed point: "The $4.00+ gallon we pay in the US does nothing but line the pockets of the oil companies."
On Average we Pay .47 cents a gallon in fuel taxes nation wide(varies by state). Source: American Petroleum Institute www.api.org/statistics/fueltaxes/upload/January_2008_gasoline_and_diesel_summary_pages.pdf
Also, the Oil Companies are only making about a 9% profit, which may sound like alot, but you typically pay a 25% markup for retail items. Mostly you are helping to line the pockets of foreign governments.
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Re: Re: Well, considering all things
> nothing but line the pockets of the oil
> companies.
You're kidding, right? If you think the oil companies get the lion's share of the gas money, I have a bridge to sell you.
The reality is that domestically, the oil companies get about 18 cents out of every dollar of gas sold. The remaining 82 cents out of every dollar goes to government of some type (state, local, county, federal). So if you're appalled by the amount of money the oil companies are making, then you should be horrified at the amount of money the government makes off these gas prices.
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Re:
Also, when comparing different countries, its rather assumed that those compared will actually be "a different country there".
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So while more money goes to fuel, less is spent on medical expenses and it balances out.
We do not have that balance in the US.
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Metric System
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hmmmmm.......lets take a look around.
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bike
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Re: bike
As for your lawn mower, no gas needed, get a Reel Mower. Takes up less space, uses no gas, and the ones they make nowadays are not heavy like the old ones because they are able to use lighter metals and the like.
Just please buy an American Made one, otherwise you are sending your money overseas rather than helping another American family put food on their table, and increasing the amount of fuel it took to get the mower to you.
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=
Americans can't stop driving. Can't even grasp the concept of supply and demand. You mean if I stop buying it they will lower the price, get out of here!
The oil companies are getting fat. They don't even run the Mini Marts in some areas anymore. They are making plenty of cash just selling the gas and instead of finding out ways to sell more gas they just doubled the price and called it a day.
I wouldn't be surprised if one day the gas attendants are making more then the educated work forces. Nice sharp clothes with automatic machines that put the gas in the cars and they just smile and wave goodbye as you drive away paying 15 dollars a gallon.
Other people cant separate from their cars because their so scared to walk the streets in fear.
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Maybe Mr.Rove could come back and scare us into our "safe car" again.
ok, time to change and get a bicycle
Interesting... In other unrelated news, Childhood obesety hits plateau...
Could it be related to the price of gas? Details at 11...
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Oil, Taxes, and Healthcare
!? You are so wrong.
Take a look at the numbers. The U.S. government makes more per gallon than the oil companies.
I'd bet the majority of the profits go to the shareholders rather than executives. It is likely your retirement fund and even your insurance company invests in these.
If the oil companies are making such a great profit, go buy stock. (From what I understand, percentage wise, it isn't all that great of an investment, compared to other stocks or even mutual funds.)
"If we got universal healthcare and well funded social programs out of ridiculous gas prices, I don't think all that many would complain."The problem with socialist countries is whole they have universal healthcare, it is universally poor. Further, most of these healthcare systems are bankrupt.
Given the choice of paying out of my pocket for true healthcare v.s. paying taxes for a healthcare system, I'll take healthcare that works.
If you like socialism so well, try living in a socialist country. (I have. I prefer a country without all that.)
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Re: Oil, Taxes, and Healthcare
http://www.themanufacturer.com/uk/content/4972/BP_announces_record_profits?PHPSESSID=7af1a 0a13825c0a9bc8fc7268b52172b
YES, we are slowly lining the pocketbooks of big oil.
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Re: Re: Oil, Taxes, and Healthcare
While U.S. demand may finally be leveling off and even going down other countries (China, India, etc) demands are going up, up, up!
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Re: Oil, Taxes, and Healthcare
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Re: Re: Oil, Taxes, and Healthcare
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prices...
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Thought provoking...
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But these are all mostly misconceptions
Secondly, the parties making out like bandits are largely governments that apply a % tax (like VAT or GST) on the gross sales of petrol and petroleum products at the pump.
Finally, the current scenario is mostly a nonsense. Whilst I won't suggest that anyone is going to see .80 gallons anytime soon (or ever again for that matter), what you are seeing is speculation in action - and arguably to levels that this moves from being merely speculative to being a bubble.
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Here in California
If auto manufacturers would stop selling vehicles that rely on petroleum, it would be a good start towards intelligent use of the worlds resources.
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Stop Complaining!
Poster #1 is absolutely right. Do you lazy-as-hell Americans still want to complain about your piddling price increases? Given your purchasing power, you should be happy that your country's military/foreign policy has ensured that you have been relatively insulated from the brunt of the problem so far. As long as people in other (developing) countries are subsidising your oil for you, better stop complaining about your damn $4 a gallon prices and for once take a look around at how the rest of the world gets by.
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Re: Stop Complaining!
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Re: Re: Stop Complaining!
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Re: Stop Complaining!
As far as I'm concerned, it's the demand constraints that China and India have put on the supply that is causing the price to go up- and as long as you keep getting the mighty American dollar for your goods and services- this won't change. Shut up and be happy our country is so generous as to try and make the rest of the world benefit from free trade. Or would you rather we go back to the way it was in the 50's and 60's?
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Re: Re: Stop Complaining!
Frankly, I'm amazed at the level of sheer ignorance displayed. You actually think (or expect us to think) that the US' motives are so altruistic and pure and that it champions free trade from the goodness of its heart in order to help other nations? 'Free' trade is free only on paper, Mr. PoA, and it would do you good to come down to Earth and acknowledge this inconvenient truth.
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Re: Stop Complaining!
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Re: Re: Stop Complaining!
Also, get off your high horse and stop thinking that you're doing us a massive favour by "allowing" us to work at your companies. If your companies recruit us and not you, whose fault is it, eh? My country has done well despite sanctions from yours in the past, thank you very much. Instead of mouthing off about how you're supposedly doing us or the Chinese a favour, try to understand one simple fact. In this globalised world, we work where we can and how we can to make ends meet. If you can't get a job while sitting put at home, them be enterprising like us and move out of your comfort zone a bit. Get off your posterior and look around, for there are plenty of jobs to go around for those really interested in them.
P.S. Since you failed to read my comments properly, I already mentioned that not all Americans display the attitude that you do, thankfully.
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I Always Love
We have it so much better here because our gas prices are lower than the rest of the world. Let me first say I don't drive my car in Piltdown or for that matter anyplace other than the USA and Canada. Though I would love to be paying what they buy gas for in Caracas. The other countries that have higher gas prices cause the prices to be higher by taxing the shit out of the consumer.
We are the largest users of oil, we need to produce more, import less. we also need to triple our refining capability.
Congress and the environmentalists has caused this gas crisis.
Big oil makes a profit of 7 to 10 percent, compare that to Microsoft, AT&T, or Hollywood.
We need more nuclear power plants with the added capability of making H2 for use in transportation, and we need to build an H2 infrastructure now. To the 7th level of hell with the environMENTALists.
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Stop Complaining! #2
Fact is, most of you fat-cats have got used to your hedonistic lifestyles and thus even small corrections/adjustments are made to look like life-threatening emergencies by people who have absolutely no idea how the poor of the world live and die daily.
Take responsibility for your actions and remember, you're not the only fish in the one pond that we have at our disposal. Sans jingoistic we're-the-only-ones-who-matter blinkers, your situation won't seem as bad as you thought, that's for sure.
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Re: Stop Complaining! #2
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Re: Re: Stop Complaining! #2
Thank the heavens that not all your countrymen share your ignorance or arrogance, as is amply evident from at least some of the responses above.
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Enough already
JJ
http://www.Privacy-Center.net
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Get your share!
It is called stock, people! Unless you are living below the poverty line (and if so, why do you have computer access and/or free time to post here?) take some percentage of your income and BECOME AN OIL OWNER.
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Re: Get your share!
To play the stock market you not only have to know exactly what you are doing you have to already be a small fat cat to afford enough stock to make any kind of decent money. And even then you will probably get fleeced by the broker. The Fat cats intentionally made it vary, vary hard for regular people to become fat cats themselves.
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Re:Re: pissed off indian
Perhaps the fuel prices would not be hitting so hard if all the jobs had not been exported to India. Therefore, y'all may have the money to pay those high price for gas. However, since the jobs are over there and not over here, too many Americans live below poverty level. They can hardly afford food or meds, much less gas.
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Re: Re:Re: pissed off indian
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Oil Traders
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Chocolate & Coffee
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The real reason for the rise in oil prices
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Re: The real reason for the rise in oil prices
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