<p>My neighbor’s son who works at a gas station told me to go fill my tank today, as prices could be changing twice tomorrow, and supplies were not expected to last until their next scheduled delivery. So I hauled my minivan down to the pump, price $2.73, and 10 cars ahead of me (this is in a little suburb). I waited patiently for 15 minutes, and then this guy brought a ladder to the price-sign, and proceeded to change the price to $2.91. I could not believe my eyes. Driver ahead of me rolled down his window, yelled an epithet, flung his McDonald bag at the pump, and drove away.</p>
<p>I decided to leave too, and drove 1.5 miles to the next station. Price $2.71, 6 cars ahead of me waiting to make a left turn into the station, and 4 cars on the opp. side waiting to make a right. The left-turners are at a complete disadvantage as this is a busy road. Anyhow, the folk on the other side were just amazing, and took turns with us. This went slowly, but smoothly, for 20 minutes, and then this SUV pulled in on the other side, and made a right turn without caring. The car ahead of me turned in left, screeched to a halt next to the SUV, and this little old lady got out and started yelling at the guy, and blocked his access to the pump. He got out and started cursing at her, really foul language. It was the same guy who left the other station.</p>
<p>Anyhow, it was not pretty, and I am wondering if things are going to get nasty.</p>
<p>The places by my work are all 2.99 a gallon, when i saw a place charing 2.79 near my house i pulled in, and the place was a madhouse. i prompted to leave and drive up the road a little further, and found another place for 2.79 that only had one other car there… i found that funny.</p>
<p>When I went and bought a pack of smokes after work last night I filled up even though I was only at a little below a half a tank. I am glad I did as the price went from $2.59 to $2.99 overnight!</p>
<p>I believe price gouging may be specific to overcharging for items during a shortage/or a declared emergency. And there would be announcements and warnings made to that effect by the governor of a State.</p>
<p>There is a “funny” bill out there however, which makes it illegal to sell gasoline below cost. Yeah, I’m sure they will be filling up the prisons this week with all the non-compliant gas-station-owners!</p>
<p>I just saw my first $3.15 for regular sign today here in San Diego. Premium was $3.35. We are keeping our tanks filled at our local gas station which is out in the boonies and doesn’t seem to have caught on that gas elsewhere is now tripping towards $3.00/. We live close enough to go into Mexico for gas and have done so in the past. We may start doing so again if this keeps up.</p>
<p>My question is this… even with them raising the price of gas… i do’nt know about you g uys, but i’m not going to buy any less… i still need to get to work and whatnot… so i just don’t see how it’s going to stop us from consuming less of it… if that made any sense… could someone explain that to me?</p>
<p>For plenty of people the pain of gas prices is very real. A guy that did come woodwork for me said that he packs a lunch from home now, since his lunch money is going towards gas. My sister-in-law has pulled her 2 kids out of their piano lessons, since she drives 1 hour each way.</p>
<p>i can see cutting down on things like that, but as far as me and my family are concerned i don’t see any way for us to cut down on gas consumption. i drive 45 minutes each way to work, my dad drives an hour and 15 minutes each way to work, etc. my little sister has been taking the bus instead of driving to school, but that’s because she doesn’t have a parking permit yet… i mean if anything, i’ll eat-out one or two times a week less to make up for spending more on gas… but i can’t just not put gas in my car.</p>
<p>I just heard on the radio that the gas station owners were notified today that since supplies are down due to Katrina, that their price was going up .40 per gallon immediately. The pipline in Lousiana is out and they are working on getting it back up, but who knows when?</p>
<p>$3.35/gallon at our small town gas station; I expect it to be higher in the morning. I’m hoping I have enough gas in the tank to get to a town that, unlike ours, has more than one gas station, since I’m convinced that our hometown prices reflect the lack of competition.</p>
<p>I heard of the radio an oil expert from Saudi Arabia saying there was no global shortage and no economic reason for the inflated prices in the states other than that is what the consumer is willing to pay. Prices will rise until more people get on the bus. Home heating prices may kill off a few citizens this winter…Is it time to put a moratorium on recreational petroleum use? Lets raise the tax on oil profits.</p>