all three stations here have the same price, and they seem to change prices at the same time. the one out by the interstate, one is a local chain convenience store and then theres the mom and pop store. 15 miles up the road is the county seat where Sams club always has a line for their less expensive gas, but it doesn't scare the locals, that are 10-15 cent higher.
the station by the interstate and the mom & pop store have national brand signs and pumps. I haven't seen a truck with the same logo's dropping fuel at either store.

That seems to be the situation all over. I think it all changed back in the 80's when we had our big oil crisis.

Seems like the only commodity in town that doesn’t have a variation from one vendor to the next.

I worked at a gas station back in 1989-1990 we used to have to call the other stations to ask their pricing. We'd then report it to the main office and they'd have us change the prices.

4.89 for 87 today in Pleasanton. Thanks Democrats/ California / Satan.

Was 1.99 2 years ago

Haven’t had my 67 Pontiac that requires Premium fuel out since the end of May.

Bet Biden has had his C2 ‘Vette out though and probably at taxpayer expense too!

I remember when gas was 15 cents a gallon and you
got free drink glasses with the fillup. Prices had to be changed by hand and that took a while. There was more supply and less demand.

$3.09 is apparently the agreed-on price near me today.

$3.38 here in the Yoop. Prices vary from place to place but only by a few cents.

quote:

Originally posted by Slippery Pete:
4.89 for 87 today in Pleasanton. Thanks Democrats/ California / Satan.

Was 1.99 2 years ago

I live near Main Street Pete.

Do you live in Ptown ?

Before starting graduate school, my wife managed a mom & pop gas station / convenience store for a while. She had one of the employees drive around the area to check prices, which would then be reported to the owner, who might direct my wife to change the pump prices.

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
I remember when gas was 15 cents a gallon and you
got free drink glasses with the fillup.

And they checked your oil and tire pressure before washing the windshield.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Yep that is correct. Some even had uniforms like the men of Texaco!

I worked at a Conoco my jr & sr yr, high school. It was great. 1965 /‘66. Gas wars were great.

Gimme $2.00 of high test, check the tires & oil will ya bud? “Yes sir!” I think I made a buck fifty an hr. Loved that job. Got to help work on cars with the mechanic.

Maps were plentiful & free. No refunds if the rubber machine got ya.

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
I remember when gas was 15 cents a gallon

took a little trip from the Great Spud down thru the SW. Thought 16.9 outside Phoenix was pretty good until 3 blocks later saw 12.9....

Made a little 4000+ mile loop in Gertie, my 65 Beetle. Cost under $40 in gas for the adventure.

Ah the good old gas price days.
OK, so I was making all of $1.25 part time after school.

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
I remember when gas was 15 cents a gallon and you
got free drink glasses with the fillup. Prices had to be changed by hand and that took a while. There was more supply and less demand.

I still have the Big East Basketball drink glass collection from filling up in the 80's at Getty fill stations.

All our gas prices are pretty much the same. The one exception is The Garden State Parkway toll road. They post their new prices on a Friday and it must stay that price until the next Friday when they set them again. At times the stations are packed when the price is lower than most, and at other times their prices are too high to buy gas there. They are regulated by the NJ Turnpike Authority.

Around here prices vary with part of town, highway access, etc.

3 biggest reasons:

All of the supermajors and majors switched to a 99.9999% franchise model so hardly any actual company gas stations.

The franchisees have become larger and larger. Not as many Mom & pop and more corporations with 100s of stations.

The franchisees used to be brand loyal in that if they had 100 stations all 100 would that major/supermajors brand (e.g. Chevron). Now the corp who owns the franchise has Exxon stations, Shell stations, etc. and often times simultaneously on the same street.

---

Ego is the anesthesia that deadens the pain of stupidity

DISCLAIMER: These are the author's own personal views and do not represent the views of the author's employer.

The real price wars happen at the barrel level., it seems.

(I defer to tater.)