<p>Mini is closer to the answer than everyone else. The ones who are really making the $ are the countries that produce the stuff where it be the black oil or the imported gasoline/#2. The Gulf producing countries (except Iraq), South American, and Far Eastern islands are accumulating tremedous wealth just from the War premuim. When that wealth stops being recycled into US financial products, Lookout below. </p>
<p>I wonder if our past involvement with these countries, win us any friends?</p>
<p>So Mini, you think they are neos-cons or federalist republicans?</p>
<p>In regard to local profit there was recently an article in the local paper where it said that the local stations that had been making 10 cents a gallon were now making 20. It seems that the price goes up they want to make the same percentage. All the hands in the pie seem to want to do this and we all get nailed. A question to be asked is, are their more hands taking a profit than there were 10 years ago ? It seems so with the “energy traders” affecting price. Another question I have is how can a company (that is not franchised but owns all the local stations) have stations within 2 miles of each which charge a difference of 20 cents ? A year ago the difference may have been 3 cents between the 2 stations. Most of the stations(many) of the same Co charge nearer to the lower price in the area. Is the higher station gauging or is the lower one engaging in unfair practices to eliminate the competition ? Thanks</p>
<p>I found a mention someplace that the typical markup per gallon is 1.08. In other words, if the retailer pays $1, he charges 1.08 for that gallon. </p>
<p>In terms of multiple outlets/same company/different pricing – I’m going to guess that their costs vary by outlet. That the gas may cost the same, but the location costs differ and that has to factor into retail pricing. And – there is a little bit of ‘what the market will bear’ going on too …</p>
<p>(My personal retailer experience is that my fixed costs are very high compared to my competiton 10 miles away. My prices will be higher because my rent is double (or triple) per square foot than the competition. And my labor costs are higher, but I have better quality staff and therefore better quality customer service.There’s a little more to it than that – but that’s it in a nutshell)</p>
<p>These 2 stations have the same owner and the same costs and sell the same gas. Price was the same a month ago. Only difference is manager of station. Employees may even work at the other station if needed. Less competition immediately nearby the higher station though.</p>