OT Where's the huge gas price increase?

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I've been lurking here, watching the doom & gloomers regarding the "huge oil price crisis" and frankly I don't see it yet. Here in Seattle, Arco was 1.27 9/10 the first of the year and is now 1.25 9/10 - down 2 cents. There are no shortages, no closed stations-out of gas, and nothing seems to be mentioned in the local media either.

I know thet the cost of crude has gone up, but even when it was $12 a barrel, gas was still $0.89 a gallon at the pump. The raw product costs are only one factor in final costs. If crude goes to $50 a barrel, I doubt we'd see $2.00 at the pump.

In the past, gas stations were quick to raise prices and slow to lower, but this time it's like they're just waiting it out, expecting things to settle back down. Maybe a local glut?

On an associated subject. How much are YOU really affected by gas price increases?

I use about 10 gallons a week, so if fuel costs go from $0.99 a gallon to $1.99 a gallon, it'll cost me $10 a week - big deal. Add in another $10 for price increases on plastics, food and other goods closly connected with fuel costs and I'm out $20 a week. This is not earth shattering to the average guy in the street, it's a 2% hit to their take-home pay. Better to spend the energy looking for ways to lower Uncle Sam's share, or cut back on eating out.

With all due respect to those independant truckers, fixed incomers and others adversely affected, the concern on this Y2K board seems overblown to me when we've got taxes running at 50% of income and a certified liar and adulterer as our commander-in-chief.

-- scout (scout@elcoyote.com), January 25, 2000

Answers

Scout, all I can say is that the gas prices are shooting up here in Chicago. Premium is now at $1.69/gal (as of last night). Last week, it was in the low 1.60's. Check out the post I submitted just before yours. Heating oil has skyrocketed on the east coast. Consider yourself blessed.

-- Mello1 (mello1@ix.netcom.com), January 25, 2000.

Scout:

Not to question your honesty in reporting but gas in Seattle at 1.25 9/10. Where? I travel there a lot. I haven't seen gas in that area at 1.25 in years. I will be going there soon. Tell me where you have found it. Its 20 cents a gallon cheaper than October 99.

Best wishes,,,

-- Z1X4Y7 (Z1X4Y7@aol.com), January 25, 2000.


Re: Arco-

145th & 3rd Ave NW

Aurora Ave N & 85th

Costco is $1.23 9/10 @ 205th & Aurora Ave N.

Regards

-- scout (scout@elcoyote.com), January 25, 2000.


Scout,

Let's use your figures and see how this impacts the average guy on the street. Assuming he works 40 hours a week for $6.00/hour (which is more than the minimum wage), he makes $240/week or around $1040/month. Now after taxes and medical insurance and other payroll deductions (let's assume 30%), he is left with $728/month or $168/week. Now a $20/week increase is almost a 12% hit for this fellow, NOT 2%.

Now as for how it impacts me personally, if gas goes up $1/gallon, I will end up paying an additional $22/week. Now if other goods cost more due to delivery costs, (your example was $10) I'll be paying $32/week or $138.66/month or $1664/year. We're not talking small change here.

FR

-- FR (Here@y2k.comx), January 25, 2000.


Scout, The West Coast and East of the Rockies are 2 segregated markets due to no pipelines between em. Remember last Spring when your prices were flirting with $2/ gallon. Well, the NE US is getting that now.

-- Downstreamer (downstream@bigfoot.com), January 25, 2000.


Scout:

Aurora is a little out of my way, but I will check it out next week, just for the novelty.

Thanks,,,

-- Z1X4Y7 (Z1X4Y7@aol.com), January 25, 2000.


Downsteamer:

There is also no pipeline north of Skagit county into Seattle and, apparently, won't be for a while. Moving all of that stuff on water is a problem waiting to happen. Aurora must have a different source. We will have to wait and see.

Best wishes,,,

-- Z1X4Y7 (Z1X4Y7@aol.com), January 25, 2000.


Here, in the very cold South, middle gas has gone from 1.32 three weeks ago, to 1.48 today. Then I go to the grocery store, I eyeball that ready to eat container of boiled shrimp cocktail (complete with sauce). Then I look at the PRICE! 9.99! A few weeks ago it was something like 6.99. I realize this food is a luxury, what about the other foods? I was too shocked to look further and try to remember past prices of other things. Tomorrow, I have to order propane, I can only guess at the price. Death, by a thousand cuts? We can only pray, not.

-- Zoom Out (looking@bigpic.com), January 25, 2000.

"If crude goes up $50.00 a barrel, I doubt we'd see $2.00 at the pump" - WHAT A HOPE!!!

-- Juan Valdez (vgd38@hotmail.com), January 25, 2000.

Scout, You`re missing the big economic picture. With the continuing rise in crude oil prices, almost every aspect of your life will eventually be impacted adversely. You would see an increase in the prices of most if not all goods and services. I live in the Northeast and gas prices are around $1.35 for regular unleaded and around $1.53 for super unleaded.

-- NoJo (RSKeiper@aol.com), January 25, 2000.


Scout: You`re missing the big economic picture. With the continuing rise in crude oil prices, almost every aspect of your life will eventually be impacted adversely. You would see an increase in the prices of most if not all goods and services. I live in the Northeast and gas prices are around $1.35 for regular unleaded and around $1.53 for super unleaded.

-- NoJo (RSKeiper@aol.com), January 25, 2000.

hey scott,head to the debunkers site im sure you'll fit right in.

-- pam&bob (P&B prepped@pikes peak.com), January 25, 2000.

The price of gasoline in Tallahasse, Florida for 89 octane is roughly $1.45 - That represents an increase of $0.23 in the last two weeks.

-- Robert Moss (bmoss3@prodigy.net), January 25, 2000.

Hampton Roads VA 1/24/2000 cheap gasoline 1.18 to 1.26, so 2 cents increase. The 1.18 is a new station competing with 2 others up my street.

No prices today because the town is shut down, cause we have a foot of snow and inadequate plow services.

-- Hokie (Hokie_@hotmail.com), January 25, 2000.


Gas went up 20 cents a gallon in the Minneapolis area in 24 hours.

-- Dennis (djolson@pressenter.com), January 25, 2000.


Prices just stated ticking up here in the Portland area, as of today. Give it a week, Scout, or check again on Friday, and my guess is you'll have no trouble detecting the increases in the Seattle area.

>"<

-- Squirrel Hunter (Nuts @upina.cellrelaytower), January 25, 2000.


Death by a thousand price increases.

-- Earl (earl.shuholm@worldnet.att.net), January 25, 2000.

Yo Scout! Gasoline prices suddenly increased $.10 to $.15 per gallon here in the western Denver, Colorado suburbs. Maybe the oil industry is playing a little game with u

-- Everitt Simpson (rainboe@evestamail.com), January 25, 2000.

Scout, did you take into account what happens to the transportation industry when oil prices rise? There's a good thread on that called "Canada Truckers complain" or something similar. Do a find on Canada and you'll see it.

-- Tricia the Canuck (jayles@telusplanet.net), January 25, 2000.

I just filled up with $1.19 regular unleaded. Location 40th west 3500 south. Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, Earth.com

-- ... (...@...com), January 26, 2000.

I am VERY glad my boss decided to take 7% off of my commission and buy our gas with it. If gas had gone up another 15 cents I might be looking at at least ONE negative paycheck per month, as I use between 8 and 18 gal per night. Depending on whether I stay in Cleve or go out of town.

Gas prices CAN put my boss out of business, just as we are TRULY growing. OH DARN

Chuck, a Night Driver

-- Chuck, a night driver (rienzoo@en.com), January 26, 2000.


I use about 40 gallons a week, between the two cars, and at $1 more, that's $40/week, $172/month(using 4.3 weeks). I have $73 excess(that's a laugh)in the budget. $172/month in gas, $43/month in food/tp etc., that's $215/month. That puts me in the hole by $142. So, in answer to your question, it affects me A lot! And yes, I also spend energy looking for ways to lower Uncle Sam's share.

-- Just Curious (jnmpow@flash.net), January 26, 2000.

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