| Actually, the retail price of gas is almost always set with a small range of cents per gallon above what the wholesaler's charge - whether the station is independent or company owned. There's very little markup in relation to the total price. A lot of independent stations can lower prices a little by shopping around among different suppliers for the best wholesale price, but that effect is limited. If all of the oil companies are charging the same per gallon at the wholesale level, retail prices have to correspond to that. So in practical terms, the oil companies do set the pump price, within a pretty narrow range. |