Posted on 06/19/2008 5:16:50 PM PDT by PJ-Comix
Just a thought here. Why are there no gas lines like there were in the 1970s? Yeah, the price is going higher but the credit card charges are going higher too which is not good for the gas stations. Gas station profits of not more than about 8 cents per gallon are pretty much eaten up by the credit card charges. I understand that many gas stations have quit pumping gasoline as a result. In fact, I have seen quite a few gas stations that have been closed up recently.
Okay, with fewer gas stations why are there not more gas lines. I have seen a few gas stations where the gasoline is a bit less than average have a lot of cars but nothing like lines down the block.
Just wondering why we have seen no gas lines. Or will that be happening soon?
I know of at least half-a-dozen corners here in Tampa where gas stations have been torn down and banks have been or are being built. What’s wrong with this picture?
Just wait till they declare ‘even/odd’ days...
No gas lines because there is plenty of gas it just costs allot.
Where do live that they still pump gas?
When there is no artificial cap on gas prices, you can get as much gas as you like.....you just pay the market price. There is no shortage of expensive gasoline.....why would there be lines at the pump?????
Because there are no price controls.
There weren't any in the 70's until price controls.
With fewer gas stations, it will be tougher to find gas. I’m thinking this trend is accelerating. I know of two gas stations in an incredible location (very busy intersection) right across from each other and both have closed down.
Were there price controls in 1973 during the first gas line crises? Anyway, a big chunk of gas station profits are now eaten up by credit card fees.
Gas lines are caused by government rationing, such as we experienced under President Jimmy Carter. Bush has made lots of mistakes, but nothing that stupid.
The free market will give you a take-it-or-leave-it price, but no long lines.
Occasionally you might see a line at a station that is offering a low price as a promotion. Personally, I’d rather pay slightly more and not wait.
Some stations are now offering a cash discount.
Suppy, meet demand.
As Milton Friedman was pleased to remind us, economists only know how to make two things: shortages and surpluses. If you want a surplus control the price above the market price (milk) if you want a shortage, below( gasoline in 1973).
Hmmmm.... I wonder if any gas stations would consider selling gas for about 10 cents less than average. Limit sales to, say, 10 gallons per customer. That would artificially cause a gas line. So why would a gas station do that? I would say make it cash only so they don’t really lose a lot on gas sales and then more then make up the difference by selling stuff inside the gas station store. Make gasoline a loss leader. Does this sound like a good idea for gas stations?
I know of one gas station that has mini gas lines. Not very long but there are ALWAYS cars waiting to get gas because they have a reputaion for the lowest gas prices in this county.
Gas stations are nothing more than franchise owners. They all have a fax machine with a direct line to their owners (BP, Sunoco, etc.) and it is their respective owners that mandate the price range in which they can sell their gas..........
Thats what I was told by my local BP station but I can't verify it as being true.
Some station owner will not have the money to pay for his gas, and will close his pumps. Then a rumor will start about "no gas", and the panic will begin.
We had lines a mile long on the afternoon of 9-11, for no other reason than a bunch of mindless speculation by irresponsible media. Which is most of it.
The 1973 gas rationing was caused by the Arab OPEC countries placing an embargo on oil exports to certain countries.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1973_oil_crisis
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