I wonder how gas prices work.
Every day or so I travel 15-20 miles. I'm sure most of you travel more.
One day, gas locally sells for 3.02 in the morning, but 3.32 in the afternoon.
At the same time, 5 miles away, the opposite occurs, in that the price in the morning was 3.32 in the morning, then 3.15 in the afternoon.
Throughout my short 15 or so mile drive, I see this curiousity constantly . . . always, the price spiking here and plummeting there . . . what gives?
This includes the same brands of gasoline, as well as various brands and I doubt these fluctuations are because of "delivery" conditions when various areas of the same mid-sized city seem to be so affected.
In the spring and summer, when I drive 120 miles at a time, I see these types of fluctuations throughout the entire trip. After spending a few days at the boat, I often see the same kinds of fluctuations, but at different locations along the way.
Used to be(so it seems), that gas prices went up, when they went up . . . virtually everywhere in a similar manner.
Anymore, it seems like a sort of game being played on the public . . . maybe for the sole purpose of confusing the public?
One word, 'conspiracy'.
I'll add another observation: there was a time a few years ago that gas was less expensive in New Jersey (my brother lives there, I'm in MD of course). I was told that since there are refineries in NJ, delivery costs were less.
Well, the last few times I have driven to my brother's house, the price of gas has been within a penny or two of what I pay here in MD. Gas used to be 4-5 cents less per gallon in NJ. What's up with that?
There is an old fashion "gas war' going on with about 3 stations here at one interstate exchange at a local HWY. It is 3.08. While the rest of the area has 3.18 and up to 3.22.
It has been going on for about a week or so.
My interest is only partly about prices going up and down.
The price fluctuations I'm seeing over all, on average, are basically not going up or down . . . on average.
But, in one area, for no apparent reason, all of a sudden the price jumps up about 20-30 cents overnight, while in another area(only a few miles away), the same gas stations' prices, for no apparent reason, go down, maybe 15-20 cents.
It's almost like the sockem-bopem game at the arcade, as one head comes up and gets bopped back down. . . another one comes up.
I understand prices going up because someone sneezed, but this up and down and down and up, back and forth has me somewhat baffled . . . especially because we're not talking 5 or 10 cents at a time, but rather 20-30 cents at a shot.
well, it looks like some kind of 'spot' marketing.
I have noticed it here also to some degree but not with the fluctuation that you cite.
I thouhgt it was interesting that Shel, Exxon and anoter Racetrac were having a gas wr at a busy interesection.
On trips to FL recently in the past two years that prices fluctuate wildly by counties. I thought that was odd and annoying.
I see something completely different around here. It seems every week or so all the stations, big, small, rural or city all change their prices to the exact same price within a few hours of each other. That usually stays the same for a few days or aweek and then small fluctuations start to emerge. A few days later, everyone is the same again, especially when the trend is up.
As for refinery location, I live within 15 miles of a major refinery and all the stations within 50 miles of this monster are always a bit higher. Something about a delivery surcharge since it takes less than a full drivers shift to deliver.
I live next to refineries too and we don't have the
cheapest gas in the region. But there are certain
stations that are usually cheaper that others.
Speaking of fluctuations..
There was this oriental guy in NYC. He was cashing in his yen for dollars every week.
He kept getting different amounts of dollars for the same amount of yen. Finally he asked what was up. The guy behind the counter said fluctuations. He thought about it for a second and said "Fluch you white guys too" :-X
Roxie, I've taught you everything I know and you still don't know nothing.
Don
