vision2020
Re: Fair Gas Prices
The arithmetic seems conclusive; it won't pay to drive to Lewiston just to
buy gas.
But the advice to just "Get over it!" -- get over worrying about high gas
prices in Moscow -- seems uncalled for. Left-wingers, right-wingers,
middle-wingers -- just about everyone -- pays more than seems justified
for gas in Moscow. It is indeed only pennies. But if it is unjustified, it
is still unjustified whether it is a big or small ripoff.
There may be good reasons why gas always costs more in Moscow than in
places which are more remote and which sell less of the product. I'd like
to hear them. If the six or eight or ten people who collect all those
pennies (well, dimes -- at least a dime for every gallon) won't be
responsive and explain those reasons, it's my nature to suspect that
perhaps there AREN'T reasons.
The obvious move is for customers to protect their own interests. If the
City of Moscow were to sell gasoline, that would be socialism, so let's
forget that. But selling gasoline at a reasonable price is EXACTLY what
the Co-op should be doing. Because it would 1) serve present members, and
2) greatly expand the membership.
A month or so ago Bill London said now was no time for the Co-op to
consider selling gas, because of the move to the new location etc. I think
he meant that now was no time for the Co-op to start selling gas. It
strikes me that it is the absolutely perfect time for the Co-op to start
thinking about selling gas.
Don H. Coombs
On Thu, 21 Jan 1999, Steve Gill wrote:
> Rick,
>
> Does it really make sense to drive a 60 mile round trip to save
> 13 cents/gallon?
> Since we in northern Idaho seem to be infatuated with the 4WD SUV:
> Durango [EPA 13 mpg], Trooper [EPA 15 mpg], Blazer, Cherokee, Explorer,
> Jimmy, Pathfinder, Passport [EPA 16 mpg], FourRunner, [EPA 17 mpg], and
> the ubiquitous Subaru Outback [EPA 21 mpg] and Forester [EPA 24 mpg] not
> too mention the full-size pickups from Ford, Chevy, & Dodge[EPA 8-15
> mpg] the fuel savings are either infinitesimal or flat out non existent!
> To even break even your automobile must average 30 mpg
> [15 gallons at $1.139 = $ 17.09 vs 15 gallons @ $ 0.999 = $14.99 --a
> whooping savings of $ 2.10 per fill-up. Calculating an average of 15
> mpg one would spend $4.00 trying to save $ 2.10].
> The likely scenario is that one will waste 4 gallons of gas, $ 2.10, and
> your TIME while further impacting air pollution and possible [not
> proven] global warming by driving to Lewiston. This shows poor
> judgement based on one's belief in a conspiracy perceived by pennies! I
> suggest we try and get over it!
>
> Regards,
> Steve Gill
>
>
>
> >From: rgerrard@gte.net
> >Date: Wed, 20 Jan 1999 22:09:25 -0700
> >To: Ken Medlin <dev-plan@moscow.com>, vision2020@moscow.com
> >Subject: Re: Fair Gas Prices
> >
> >Ken and visionaries,
> > I have a suggestion: don't buy your gas from the gougers. The gas
> >station owners in Moscow obviously have no motivation to lower their
> prices.
> >So motivate them with something they understand. Make them compete
> with
> >prices outside Moscow.
> > The weather and roads have been great lately. So, take a nice ride
> down
> >to Lewiston and buy buy your gas for $.99.
> >
> >Rick Gerrard
> >Moscow
> >
> >Ken Medlin wrote:
> >
> >> Dear Visionaries: You are no doubt aware that, a week or ten days
> after
> >> inquiries were made of a number of gaoline wholesalers and retailers
> in
> >> this area, pump prices have dropped about 4-5%, to between l.l2 and
> l.16
> >> in Moscow. We don't believe it's an accident or due to "fate" or just
> >> goodwill. Our active stance and word-of-mouth in support of fair
> >> treatment to consumers must have had some affect! Still, our prices
> range
> >> between 20 - 25% above those in southern Idaho and SE Washington, and
> >> about 10 - 15% above Spokane. Why?
> >> We also wrote to the Better Business Bureau "serving the Inland
> >> Northwest", at the suggestion of the Moscow City Chamber of Commerce,
> >> giving details about the gasoline prices here and the results of our
> >> direct inquiries (quotations from industry spokespersons and names of
> >> companies). The B and B gave us a curt reply: "We do not get
> involved
> >> in these issues". Maybe if we could prove the gasoline is "watered
> down"
> >> somehow they would investigate! If any of you have a suggestion for
> >> further action, we'll listen. Thanks for all your interest.
> >> I do agree with some who say that higher prices tend to discourage
> >> excess or needless use of the automobile. You are no doubt right. At
> the
> >> same time, those of us who are environmentally motivated would still
> >> substitute walking, biking and car-pooling whenever possible. As
> economic
> >> consumers, we have a right to what is fair in comparison to other
> >> citizens in the Region. Comment?
> >>
> >> ------------------------
> >> William K. Medlin
> >> Dev-plan associates
> >> 930 Kenneth Street
> >> Moscow ID 83843
> >> 208/892-0148
> >> dev-plan@moscow.com
> >
> >
>
>
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