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Why No Gas Lines Yet?
Self | June 19, 2008 | PJ-Comix

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?


TOPICS: Chit/Chat
KEYWORDS: gaslines
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I have definitely seen quite a few gas stations that have closed up in the past year but WHY no gas lines yet?
1 posted on 06/19/2008 5:16:50 PM PDT by PJ-Comix
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To: PJ-Comix

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?


2 posted on 06/19/2008 5:20:11 PM PDT by jwparkerjr (Sigh . . .)
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To: PJ-Comix

Just wait till they declare ‘even/odd’ days...


3 posted on 06/19/2008 5:20:19 PM PDT by skeeter
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To: PJ-Comix

No gas lines because there is plenty of gas it just costs allot.
Where do live that they still pump gas?


4 posted on 06/19/2008 5:21:38 PM PDT by svcw (There is no plan B.)
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To: PJ-Comix

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?????


5 posted on 06/19/2008 5:22:43 PM PDT by Fred911 (YOU GET WHAT YOU ACCEPT)
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To: PJ-Comix
I have definitely seen quite a few gas stations that have closed up in the past year but WHY no gas lines yet?

Because there are no price controls.

There weren't any in the 70's until price controls.

6 posted on 06/19/2008 5:23:10 PM PDT by Harmless Teddy Bear (A good marriage is like a casserole, only those responsible for it really know what goes into it.)
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To: svcw

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.


7 posted on 06/19/2008 5:23:37 PM PDT by PJ-Comix (Join the DUmmie FUnnies PING List ---The BIGGEST on the FR!!!)
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To: Harmless Teddy Bear

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.


8 posted on 06/19/2008 5:25:35 PM PDT by PJ-Comix (Join the DUmmie FUnnies PING List ---The BIGGEST on the FR!!!)
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To: PJ-Comix

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.


9 posted on 06/19/2008 5:27:05 PM PDT by devere
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To: PJ-Comix
I think so. IIRC Nixon was the one who implemented the price controls.

Some stations are now offering a cash discount.

10 posted on 06/19/2008 5:29:31 PM PDT by Harmless Teddy Bear (A good marriage is like a casserole, only those responsible for it really know what goes into it.)
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To: PJ-Comix

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).


11 posted on 06/19/2008 5:34:09 PM PDT by Lonesome in Massachussets (Hillary to Obama: Arkancide happens.)
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To: Harmless Teddy Bear

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?


12 posted on 06/19/2008 5:34:41 PM PDT by PJ-Comix (Join the DUmmie FUnnies PING List ---The BIGGEST on the FR!!!)
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To: PJ-Comix
The reason we do not have gas lines is because we have free markets. You pay market price. If the oil companies drop the price of gas say a dollar with the same amount of supply you would see long lines and gas stations with no gas within a week.
13 posted on 06/19/2008 5:35:56 PM PDT by kempo (c)
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To: PJ-Comix
Gas is usually a loss leader anyway. Every station I ever worked depended on lotto ticket and cigarettes to keep the lights on.
14 posted on 06/19/2008 5:37:36 PM PDT by Harmless Teddy Bear (A good marriage is like a casserole, only those responsible for it really know what goes into it.)
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To: kempo

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.


15 posted on 06/19/2008 5:38:37 PM PDT by PJ-Comix (Join the DUmmie FUnnies PING List ---The BIGGEST on the FR!!!)
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To: PJ-Comix
I wonder if any gas stations would consider selling gas for about 10 cents less

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.

16 posted on 06/19/2008 5:43:53 PM PDT by Hot Tabasco
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To: PJ-Comix
What will happen, and may've already happened is this:

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.

17 posted on 06/19/2008 5:47:55 PM PDT by lawnguy (The function of wisdom is to discriminate between good and evil-Cicero)
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To: PJ-Comix
Yea I am finally seeing people pull into a station to save a few pennies a gallon. I remember when I was a kid my parents would drive for miles to save 2 cents a gallon.
18 posted on 06/19/2008 5:48:32 PM PDT by kempo (c)
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To: PJ-Comix

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


19 posted on 06/19/2008 5:50:55 PM PDT by LibFreeOrDie
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To: Hot Tabasco
You have to remember all gas in your area comes through the same gas line to a distributor. Many retailers use the name of who ever gave them the sign. Just watch closely. The same truck will fill up EXXON, BP, ect.
20 posted on 06/19/2008 5:54:36 PM PDT by kempo (c)
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