Oh no, not another post on gas prices

No, this is not that kind of post. I hate high gas prices as much - or more - than anyone else, but I accept them as a cost of doing business - partly because I don't have a choice in how much it costs and I need to use it. Now I can shop for the lowest price in my area - and I do. In fact when I first started driving, gas was consistently in the 20 cent a gallon range so $3.60+ gas is a big deal!

My observation is this: gas can leap several cents in a day's time - often while you're still at the pump (yes, I've had the price go up while the hose was in my hand), and it went up 11 cents last week at Sam's between the time I went into the store and came out to actually get gas (now I always get the gas firest). Why is it then that gas never seems to decrease more than a penny or two at a time?

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For more information on my coaching services or sales tips visit my website stevehoffacker.com or my blog homesalesinsights.com.

 
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17 Comments on Oh no, not another post on gas prices

We have to have gas, so we are in a bad position. I don't feel I can drive a whole lot less. What do you do...

05/02/2008 10:42 AM by Chuck Carstensen (Re/max Associates Plus inc)


Gas is a tough one, but, not one we can control.  They are talking about illeviating the gas tax in Pennsylvania for the summer.

05/02/2008 10:46 AM by Donna Marie Godfrey (Kenneth R. Styer Real Estate)


Gas is a tough one, but, not one we can control.  They are talking about illeviating the gas tax in Pennsylvania for the summer.

05/02/2008 10:47 AM by Donna Marie Godfrey (Kenneth R. Styer Real Estate)


Chuck, I agree. We need gas until they invent cars that can run on peanut butter or something. Thanks.

05/02/2008 10:51 AM by Steve Hoffacker - Real Estate Sales & Marketing Consulting and Strategies (Hoffacker Associates)


Oil companies seem to be exempt from anti-trust laws.  Drive around your town sometime and notice the uniformity in pricing from one filling station to the next.  Bears a curious resemblance to price-fixing, doesn't it?

05/02/2008 10:53 AM by Wayzata Lakes Realty: Eric Kodner Sells Luxury Homes


Donna, suspending the gas tax would help - it seems motorists are an easy target for paying the bills of the state. I just heard yesterday that Florida is raising tolls again to try to increase budget revenue.

05/02/2008 10:53 AM by Steve Hoffacker - Real Estate Sales & Marketing Consulting and Strategies (Hoffacker Associates)


Eric, I've been told by several dealers that they compete with stations in a certain radius - it varies by company and individual station to the one across the street to a particular brand to a 3-mile radius. What seems amusing to me is what I saw yesterday - a station on the NE corner of an intersection at $3.77 and stations at the SE and SW corners for $3.66 each. Can brand loyalty explain charging 11 cents more for just crossing the street?

05/02/2008 11:00 AM by Steve Hoffacker - Real Estate Sales & Marketing Consulting and Strategies (Hoffacker Associates)


Steve - There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason, we have no choice but to pay the price.   Your gasbuddy.com link looks great.

05/03/2008 10:27 AM by Debbie Summers, Licensed Real Estate Professional (RE/MAX Central Realty Lake Mary, FL)


Steve:  Once oil companies know you'll pay the high prices, they'll bounce them down a smidge here and there.  I know we don't have a choice in gas prices.  But we do have a choice in the types of cars we choose, and what type of fuel economy we get.  Once Americans get away from that all too sexy SUV and into sedans with great mileage, you might see gas prices adjust.  Oil companies want you in the gas guzzlers. 

05/03/2008 10:32 AM by Chris Ann Cleland (Long & Foster)


Debbie, thanks for noticing and for the tip that allowed me to add it. Steve

05/03/2008 10:41 AM by Steve Hoffacker - Real Estate Sales & Marketing Consulting and Strategies (Hoffacker Associates)


Chris, thanks for your comments, but I'm leaning on the feds for their high gas taxes, 57 blends of fuel intead of just 1 or 2 (one for winter and one for summer), no new refineries, no new exploration, regulations, regulations, regulations, etc.

05/03/2008 10:43 AM by Steve Hoffacker - Real Estate Sales & Marketing Consulting and Strategies (Hoffacker Associates)


I heard that the prices will top off at 3.70 for the summer. It needs to be at 2.70. Heck it needs to be at 1.70. Lets keep pressure on the small guy. Everyone is tired of it. I know i am.

05/03/2008 12:26 PM by Robert L. Brown~Grand Rapids Real Estate Flexit Realty, West Michigan (www.mrbrownsellsgr.com)


Robert, ever notice how when gas falls it levels off at a higher number than we were comfortable with before? I mean now if it hits $3, we'll think we really got a break.

05/03/2008 12:48 PM by Steve Hoffacker - Real Estate Sales & Marketing Consulting and Strategies (Hoffacker Associates)


Steve, I am very concerned about the gas situation as well. I used to have Ford Excursion, and that was killing me. Now I have a Yukon hybrid, but it still doesn't solve the problem. 

I wrote a blog about what people do not know about filling gas- it has some interesting facts and I think you will enjoy reading it. Check it out and let me know what you think.

05/06/2008 02:27 PM by Niman Singh (T-ReX Global Inc.)


It's really simple explanation...because the gas companies can do it!  Simple as that!

05/06/2008 06:09 PM by William Feela Whispering Pines Realty (Whispering Pines Realty)


Niman. there are so ways to talk about gas and gas prices. Actually as volatile as the oil pricing has been, in many ways the gas pricing has been fairly stable. Guess it depends on where you shop - still it's way higher than it used to be, and any downturn would be a relief.

05/06/2008 06:23 PM by Steve Hoffacker - Real Estate Sales & Marketing Consulting and Strategies (Hoffacker Associates)


William, I understand what you're saying but I think the real explanation - not that we'll ever know it - has to be more complex than that, and I lay a whole big heap of it on Congress.

05/06/2008 06:25 PM by Steve Hoffacker - Real Estate Sales & Marketing Consulting and Strategies (Hoffacker Associates)


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Real Estate Trainer: Steve Hoffacker - Real Estate Sales & Marketing Consulting and Strategies (Hoffacker Associates)
Steve Hoffacker - Real Estate Sales & Marketing Consulting and Strategies
West Palm Beach, FL
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