Rising gas prices due to lack of competition and apathetic lawmakers
KPBS Full Focus: UCAN's Michael Shames declares the San Diego oil market "broken." He tells consumers not to blame oil refineries for manipulating the price of gas, afterall, it's legal. Rather, blame your political representatives for allowing it to happen. Watch interview.
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credit cards
Interesting you mentioned credit cards since I suggested them as another way to save money in the gas topic.. I use my 5% rebate card at Exxon, which is typically only 4-5 cents more, so I am coming out about 10 cents ahead at the moment. I filled up today at a net cost of $ 2.944, according to my calculations (cheaper than the lowest Fueltracker price)
Apathetic consumers ,too !
Unfortunately, many consumers remain apathetic and are unwilling to shop around for lower prices. Today's (March 21) Union Tribune article by Gerry Braun (B1) provides anecdotal examples of folks who fill up without even looking at the price, then complain about high price. Often looking across the intersection for a lower price can be the only effort required. I have little sympathy for those who make no effort. Everytime you fill up your tank you are casting a vote with your dollars, and I wish more consumers would think that way. Anyway, keep up your good efforts on oil companies and legislators, but consumer still appear to need more education, too !
Apathetic Consumers / Jerry Braun
We agree. Mr. Braun's
story did little to explain what was really happening on an economic level: Namely, that most of those consumers were shopping at the 76 because it takes credit cards. They are financing their gasoline debt because they can't afford to pay cash. This is why UCAN created its Cheap gas Locator Service at www.fueltracker.com.
Charles Langley
Gasoline Analyst & Publisher, UCAN Watchdog
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