Gas Prices in E. Tenn

[big mo]

My question today is some what off the whole Big O and Mr. Mc race. I would really like to know why us E. Tenn folks are getting hit so hard on gas prices? I mean come on, even if they did shut down oil operations for now, we still have enough in reserve to get us though, Ike. Gas has gone up $1.50-$1.75 in 4 days. They are robbing us without a pistol at the pumps.

I have family in 3 other states and they are not seeing prices shoot though the roof. One lives as close as Va. and their gas went down a penny over the weekend and he lives on the coast. For unleaded there it's $3.69 in Knox close to, if not $5.00. So whos to blame local, state or federal gov. Like I often say I care who wins. But no matter who wins if we keep going in this direction we're screwed. So again why is gas so high in E. Tenn?????????????

Edited September 15, 2008 by big mo

[Guest jwp]

Pilot is down from $4.99 to $4.49 this morning, so I guess they're starting to ease it back in line.

[big mo]

For sure that's good to hear, but with the drop still over a dollar more than most of the US. I guess I will never understand this BS and that's just what it is BS. I would just like to know the reasoning behind the price hike around here.

Edited September 15, 2008 by big mo

[Guest Loki]

For sure that's good to hear, but with the drop still over a dollar more than most of the US. I guess I will never understand this BS and that's just what it is BS. I would just like to know the reasoning behind the price hike around here.

Because they can.

From now on, expect this crap whenever there's a hurricane in the Gulf. Every time a depression comes off Africa the Oil companies will need tissue and lotion.

[big mo]

Because they can.

From now on, expect this crap whenever there's a hurricane in the Gulf. Every time a depression comes off Africa the Oil companies will need tissue and lotion.

I agree with you on all but one thing. We need the lotion to ease the pain as we get screwed, and the tissue to wipe away the tears.

[Magiccarpetrides]

I heard somewhere that Pilot was gonna get in trouble for the gouging they did....could be rumor and heresay though.

[Im Neero]

Gas prices really didn't go up that much in the rest of the country. There was definitely some gouging going on out east.

[Mark@Sea]

Watch the news? I bet independent station owners and distributors do - and they were (like the rest of us) hearing 'refineries shut down', '$5 gallon wholesale', and 'stations out of gas'. We're in the southeast. What refineries do you suppose the local distributors buy most of their gas from? The refineries in Galveston, or the ones in north Jersey or the west coast?

You're an independent distributor, or retailer, for gas. Sure, you've got thousands of gallons in the storage tanks, but you have to charge enough to replace those thousands of gallons, plus something we like to call 'profit'. If you suddenly hear that the gas you are selling right now for $3.50/gallon is gonna cost over $5 to replace (that 'wholesale' thing) - what are you going to do? If you don't hike your price to cover your expected expenses, you'll be very popular for the day or so you still have product to sell, but then you're gonna be out of business. If you adjust your prices to fit the situation, you're a price gouger.

This past weekend - well, from Thursday night when I filled up in Norfolk, and through Sunday evening when I filled up again for my wife to return to Kingsport, I stopped at 5 or 6 stations for gas, in both TN and VA. The average I paid was 4 bucks a gallon (and the station asked that purchases be limited to 10 gallons). One station was out of regular. Considering that the wholesalers are having to find new sources, that reduced supply coupled with higher demand ("I heard the gas is going up, better get all I can before it does") inevitably leads to higher prices, I don't think we saw much real gouging. I think the most of it was a free-market reaction to real-world conditions.

There is an alternative, of course; soviet-style central economic control. Give congress more control of the petroleum market, and you will find yourself shopping for a horse and buggy.

[catsbackr]

Gas prices here in Chattanooga are $3.99 almost everywhere. Up $1.40+ in 2 days.

[Marswolf]

Sorry the folks in Knoxville are bigger idiots than in the rest of us in the region. The other regions were idiots too, but too less an extent. Gas here was always available for $3.99 (8% above pre-panic)

[PackinMama]

I think Newport must be one of the worst areas in the state for high gas prices. Friday and Saturday gas ranged from $3.96 to $5.29! I was there today and both Food City gas stations were out of gas and closed. The prices at almost every station I saw (that had gas) was $4.49. Shell and Walmart tied for the lowest price at $4.39.

[Guest GUTTERbOY]

Gas prices here in Chattanooga are $3.99 almost everywhere. Up $1.40+ in 2 days.

Uhhh... mind sharing where you've been buying gas for $2.60? I'm assuming a typo took place in that post...

[Oh Shoot]

Gas prices here in Chattanooga are $3.99 almost everywhere. Up $1.40+ in 2 days.

Wow, you were paying 2.59 a few days ago?

Typo?

- OS

edit: wow, gutter! simultaneous, even the word "typo", far out...

[Guest grimel]

Thank the news media for proclaiming $5 by Friday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Started a panic buying frenzy. Then, the gas stations started raising prices. People saw the price jump $0.30 over night. Then another $0.50 while at work. And the frenzy continued.

[J Smith]

A Pilot tanker driver told me today that East and middle TN did not get a order back a couple weeks ago and so with this shut off the supply did run out.He said they were bringing it in from Ohio.Also got 400,000 gallon from the gulf today.Does not excuse the station from going up the the gas that was already in there tanks.The driver said Pilot was going to get hit on the gouging.

[big mo]

I heard somewhere that Pilot was gonna get in trouble for the gouging they did....could be rumor and heresay though.

Magic, I heard that too. I hope they get kicked in the nuts. Although I doubt much happens, more than a slap on the wrist. I know right now Pilots on my sh*t list.

[Guest jwp]

Don't forget that the Mayor of Knoxville is Bill Haslam, former President of Pilot Corporation and son of Pilot CEO Jim Haslam.

Food for thought.

[strickj]

Fox news reported last night that officials are conducting an investigation on price gouging on stations in the areas.

So,who told me there is no such thing as price gouging!

[Mike.357]

this is pretty simple. If you do not want to pay the price don't buy. If everyone would be consistent and not buy then the price would come down.

This is basic supply and demand. Some guy in another thread talked about filling up his car, his wifes car and five 5gal gas cans. So I am guessing there is a percentage of people who also did this. Plain and simple, hording is what made the price go way beyond a simple adjustment for low supply.

FWIW, the Weigles at Washington Pk and Murphy Rd had regular for 3.99 tonight.

[dralarms]

this is pretty simple. If you do not want to pay the price don't buy. If everyone would be consistent and not buy then the price would come down.

This is basic supply and demand. Some guy in another thread talked about filling up his car, his wifes car and five 5gal gas cans. So I am guessing there is a percentage of people who also did this. Plain and simple, hording is what made the price go way beyond a simple adjustment for low supply.

FWIW, the Weigles at Washington Pk and Murphy Rd had regular for 3.99 tonight.

Although I agree with you in princeable, some of us HAVE to buy it at no matter what cost. I run my business out of my truck and must go when I am called. Sucks, but I have had to buy gas 4 times since Saturday. Guess if it doesn't coem down not much I can do about it unless I can make it run on crap, there's plenty of that in Nashville and Washington.

[Mike.357]

Doc, You would just be buying at your normal rate.

Others who went and bought gas in amounts more than normal or frequency were who I referred to.

I remember this same thing happening after Katrina.

Reminds me of what happens when the weatherman mentions SNOW.

[dralarms]

Doc, You would just be buying at your normal rate.

Others who went and bought gas in amounts more than normal or frequency were who I referred to.

I remember this same thing happening after Katrina.

Reminds me of what happens when the weatherman mentions SNOW.

LOL, ain't that the truth, they mention snow and everyone runs to wallyworld to buy every loaf of bread, gal. of milk, and other "necessary" items. My thought on this is if it so dang necessary, why don't you have them before some jackass says snow?

My sil was screaming about the gas going up, drove around for 2 hrs trying to find a pump that was working (or had gas). Hell the dumbass just ran out all the gas he had so he actually had to buy more. Stupid, stupid people.

[Guest 70below]

I haven't verified this yet, but I've heard the penalty for price gouging is only $1000. If Pilot jacked their rates 50 cents a gallon more than most stations....then they only had to sell 2000 gallons to make it break even. Over the weekend they probably raped drivers of more than that.

[NuTcAsE]

I haven't verified this yet, but I've heard the penalty for price gouging is only $1000. If Pilot jacked their rates 50 cents a gallon more than most stations....then they only had to sell 2000 gallons to make it break even. Over the weekend they probably raped drivers of more than that.

Seems like we've figured out where NOT to buy gas, especially when it does come down. Sadly most will forget......

[Guest 70below]

Interestingly, in less than 24hrs Pilots gas dropped from $4.99 to $3.99 at the stations I drive by every day.