Protesting prices by not selling gas?
By ParaTed2k
@ParaTed2k (22940)
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
May 24, 2007 8:18am CST
There are a few gas stations here in Wisconsin, North Caronlina and other states, who are fed up with what they have to pay for the gas they sell to us.
So what are they doing about it? They are shutting down the pumps.
To me, this could be a better "protest" than the "don't fill your tank on the 15th" thing. Not buying gas for a day won't make a difference, but if distributors can't sell to the gas stations... well, that just might get the message across.
3 people like this
4 responses
@lpetges (3036)
• United States
27 May 07
i think that is the only way to get the consumers point to the oil companies. unfortunately, not all stations will do this, and it only hurts some of the owners this way. We all have to come together and get something done. its out of hand/
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
27 May 07
Actually, it's not out of hand at all. There isn't a bunch of gasoline that can't be sold, nor is there a shortage of the stuff... so the price of gasoline is at equilibrium... whether we like it or not.
@lpetges (3036)
• United States
28 May 07
if you really think there is no gasoline in this country then i think we must all be stupid. Yes, this is out of hand, the price of oil is lower than that of last year at this same time, yet they claim it needs to go up. The stock market and ceos of oil companies are not hurting. they want to see it at 4.00 per gallon, and i can guarantee it will be, and then they will be happy.
1 person likes this
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
28 May 07
Right, the price of crude is down from last year, but we, as consumers aren't the customers of the oil companies... we are the customers of the gas stations. We don't rely on the supply and demand of crude, we rely on the supply and demand of refined gasoline... so if there is less being refined, the point of equilibrium goes up... which it has.
@Destiny007 (5805)
• United States
24 May 07
Although it might get the message across, how long can these stations afford to be out of business?
I'm guessing that it can't be for very long.
1 person likes this
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
24 May 07
Most of them seem to be Convenient Stores, so they really don't make much of a profit margin off selling gas. I guess they are hoping that people will still come in for their snacks and drinks. I can't help wonder if they aren't getting some publicity from the local news coverage too.
Either way, I think this is a much better statement about gas prices than a one day "boycott" from drivers.
@Destiny007 (5805)
• United States
24 May 07
I completely forgot about the convenience stores for some reason.
I always used our Caseys store for gas when I was driving and now feel a bit silly.
I think there are more convenience stores selling gas then there are actual stand alone filling stations.
In light of that, it would be a lot more effective than anything a group of people could do themselves.
1 person likes this
@gewcew23 (8007)
• United States
27 May 07
Gas prices are high, and they do seem to be spiralling out of control. The don't buy on the 15th has always been a waste of time. Due to the fact that people will just simply buy on the 14th or the 16th, if you need gas you will get gas. Just because you don't get gas on the 15th and wait for the 16th doesn't mean that you accomplished, but for a few gas stations to close down doesn't mean that it is going to have any effect on gas prices. All it does for a gas station to close down is to hurt the gas station owner and the employees at that station. Let's say for instance a city has 10 gas stations. All but 1 close down, for a month, the winner is the one gas station that stayed open. The losers are the gas stations that closed. Next problem with gas stations closing down is that this forces more gas consumption because everyone has their local gas station that they go to when they need gas. If your local gas station closed down, you would have to travel further to get gas. Maybe even go out of your way to get it this would cause more miles and more gas. People lets understand that the USA is only 30% of the market of the oil industry. China and India make up more of a market share than we do. The oil companies are not focused on the USA they are focused on China. Think about it, you have 2 billion Chinese, 1 billion Indians, or 300 million Americans who would you be more focused on if a handful of gas stations in America or even if all the gas stations in America just decided to quit selling gas it would not hurt the oil companies.
1 person likes this
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
27 May 07
What people don't think about is... We, as individuals, aren't the customers of the oil companies. Once an oil company has sold its crude oil, they have made all the money they are going to make from that barrel.
The reason I hope more gas stations will adopt this policy is, it would hit at the distribution level. Of course, thousands of gas stations will have to do it, so it's more of a gesture at this point than anything else. But it's a lot better gesture than a one day "boycott".
@creematee (2810)
• United States
26 May 07
I like this idea! If our Casey's and Kwik Trip would close their pumps, I don't think it would hurt their business. Would hurt the locals, who buy the gas there (closest pumps around) but, maybe the big wigs would get a clue, then! What do you think?
1 person likes this
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
29 May 07
We have proven to the "big wigs" time and time again that as long as they are willing to supply it, no matter the cost, we're willing to buy it.
Somewhere along the distribution chain, the demand has to decrease, or the price will keep going up.
