August 6th, 2008 • 12:08
Something fishy at the pump? Gas prices tumble everywhere but Utah – Salt Lake Tribune
Something fishy at the pump? Gas prices tumble everywhere but Utah – Salt Lake Tribune.
A couple thoughts went through my head when reading this:
1) I’m angry (as are, most likely, the majority of Utahans) that we’re suffering here while there is admitted profit-grubbing going on amongst station owners.
2) How is this any different than anything else? If we’re willing to pay $8 a gallon for gas, why can’t the stations just charge that much? It’s capitalism.
-Tyler
9 Comments
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Aug 6th 2008 • 12:08
by David
It seems to me that gas prices in Utah are always late in falling when the national trend is downward, but then again, they are also late in rising when the national trend is upward.
We just have to grumble when the price has not already dropped rather than celebrate the fact that we have a decent idea where the price is going next week.
Aug 6th 2008 • 13:08
by jess
i’ve traveled extensively this past July for work – mostly in western states. Gas was significantly cheaper everywhere I went, including Montana, Idaho, Arizona Texas and Oklahoma. Prices were less than 4 dollars a gallon, and probably averaged about $3.79 for 87 octane.
also, let’s not forget that exxon posted RECORD PROFITS yet again this last quarter.
Aug 6th 2008 • 15:08
by Topgun
We pay higher gas in utah because they think they can get away with it due to a better more robust economy than surrounding states. Mr. Hill and the like are starting to sound like con men, admitting that they are making more money now that oil has dropped and gas hasn’t. I agree with jess on the gas we pay I think consistantly 20 to 30 cents per gallon higher than other states even california, tax aside for the same octane.
Aug 6th 2008 • 15:08
by Jessica Littlefield
I’m with Tyler’s second point. It’s the way of the free market. They know we’ll pay it, so they charge it. Which means they do make record profits.
Aug 6th 2008 • 15:08
by Topgun
I have a show suggestion, the gas stations here in town that are lowering their prices the fastest and have the lowest gas prices, I think you should tell us who they are each day, and then encourage all of your listeners to support that gas station. I think that will trigger the free market to work and other stations will lower there prices or maybe even go lower. Especially if they know you are gonna check prices and report the following day or even the same day. They may do it just to get some free advertising. Either way if it lowers gas prices even a little bit here locally we win.
Who knows it might work.
Aug 6th 2008 • 16:08
by Russel the Love Muscle
I know a few local station owners and the idea that they are “grubbing” is laughable. Retailing gas is probably the most competitive business next to the grocery industry. They’ve been getting pummeled by competition and industry shocks for years now.
So the price temporarily retreats and all the sudden they are grubbing because they want a few extra pennies to make up for the rest of the year’s red ink?
Only amoral mooches balk at the profits made by others in honest labor.
Aug 6th 2008 • 16:08
by Cameron
Idaho’s (at least southern Idaho) gas prices are typically a good 10-15 cents higher than Utah’s. I have yet to hear an explanation as to why that’s not the case now.
Aug 6th 2008 • 19:08
by Marion
I’ve ditched my second car, and gone back to biking. Maybe more people would do the same if Logan would create a few bike paths. Or heck, I’d even settle for sidewalks. I’m amazed at how many roads around here have nothing more than 2 inches of pavement on the right side of the white line, and then dirt and weeds.
Aug 7th 2008 • 07:08
by Tyson
I would bike if I had a decent route to work. Both for my health and saving some cash on gas.