Gas Prices in E. Tenn

[strickj]

Every station in East Ridge is selling for 3.99 except for one nextdoor to A&W.His price is advertised for 3.69.

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.

Thats exactly right,but thats still price gouging,and its still illegal.

It doesn't matter why the prices went up,its illegal unless their distributors price went up.

I remember this same thing happening after Katrina.

Well lucky for me I didn't have to buy any of that gas!

Katrina hit just a couple days after I wrecked my bike.So for several months I didn't have to buy any gas!

As unfortunate as spending two mounts in the hospital is,I was able to buy a new flat screen tv from not paying for gas

[Guest emsputz]

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.

+1000!

[Guest 2000Z3M]

Y'all are lucky, kinda, gas here is about 3.79 but that's if you can find it. Its an 8 miles drive to work, with 5 gas stations and all of them were out of gas for 3 days.

[Guest jwp]

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

That's true. I noticed that the Pilot stations on Lovell both had 'regular' at $3.99 this morning. I bet it will be $3.69 by kick off on Saturday.

[big mo]

That's true. I noticed that the Pilot stations on Lovell both had 'regular' at $3.99 this morning. I bet it will be $3.69 by kick off on Saturday.

JWP, I'm betting with you on $3.69 by kick off.

[ShaunM]

Murphy USA was 3.86 last night, this morning it was 3.96 and only had regular gas left. They had the regular gas in the highest grade tank.

[strickj]

Murphy USA was 3.86 last night, this morning it was 3.96 and only had regular gas left. They had the regular gas in the highest grade tank.

That would also mean no Mid grade. Mid grade is usually a mixture of high,and regular that gets mixed on site

[ShaunM]

That would also mean no Mid grade. Mid grade is usually a mixture of high,and regular that gets mixed on site

yeah all they had was regular and they said they were running low.

[Guest grimel]

That's true. I noticed that the Pilot stations on Lovell both had 'regular' at $3.99 this morning. I bet it will be $3.69 by kick off on Saturday.

One local station already has it at $3.69

[Guest Jamesmb]

I just got back from driving on Chapman Highway and saw several stations at $3.69

[big mo]

I just got back from driving on Chapman Highway and saw several stations at $3.69

Wonder if that had anything to do with the governor being in town today???

[Tobashadow]

That would also mean no Mid grade. Mid grade is usually a mixture of high,and regular that gets mixed on site

It burns me up hard everytime i see a gas station that says they are out of regular but will sell you mid grade!

[Guest db99wj]

Somebody needs to let them know that there is not a gas shortage.