37° CLOUDY, Residents line up for fuel
Last Modified: Friday, September 12, 2008 at 5:21 p.m.
Area residents continue to find long lines and high prices when they go to buy gasoline today.
Gasoline prices have risen more than 30 cents per gallon within a matter of a few hours at many convenience stores around the Shoals.
At least three businesses in the area are selling regular unleaded gasoline for $5.35 per gallon.
Regular unleaded at most stores has settled in at about $3.99 per gallon but experts expect that price to continue rising.
Analysts said fear revolving around Hurricane Ike might damage refineries in the Houston area is pushing up the demand for and price of gasoline.
At many convenience stores, customers are waiting in line to purchase gas in hopes of filling their tank before prices rise again.
Several retailers around the Shoals are limiting purchases to 10 gallons in hopes of avoiding fuel shortages this weekend.
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Comments
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September 12, 2008 4:54:23 pm
RE: Link
WE ARE BEING RIPPED OFF WITH ALL THE PROFITS THE REFINERIES ARE MAKING>
September 12, 2008 5:27:57 pm
And we are also being stupid. I'm on half a tank and did not buy gas. I'm not into falling for the "falling sky" routine which only lines the pockets of the oil companies even more. I don't believe there was a major risk of shortage but thanks to the fearmongering and people losing all ability to think rationally, there IS a shortage now, albeit temporary. Way to go folks!BTW, report all price gouging to the AG's office. Alabama is in a State of Emergency which means gouging laws are in effect. Maybe a few million in fines will teach the greedy a lesson.
September 12, 2008 5:29:03 pm
Dennis Sherer is a great writer and I enjoy reading his articles. He is one of the most intelligent people at the TD. But, why has it taken 24 hours for the Times Daily to report on the gas lines? I saw it on the Shoals Insider last nite about 8:00. Link
September 12, 2008 5:50:21 pm
I just can't believe all these people buying gas. I bet we will have a supply shortage now. Does anyone know if there is a cap on the price they can go up in a 24 hour period?
September 12, 2008 5:55:14 pm
This is ashamed the governor needs to step in and do something about this this happened a few years ago when the gas stations did the same thing this is wrong the customer need to keep receipt and send them to the governor and be reinbust for this nightmare and the station need to fined and mad to stop selling gas for a while. This is price gogging and should not be legal at all where are your congress people or governor whenever you need them the economy is all ready in bad shape now this what's next this is why people should vote for the people they put in office. What;s this world coming ytoo whenever people can do what they and the small person pays for it step up to the plate america or we are all going to be in the poor house the rich get richer and the por people have no chance there is no middle class people anymre just stop and look at the world.
September 12, 2008 6:18:38 pm
I agree entirely. I actually needed to buy fuel today, but refused to do so when all these Nervous Nellies are contributing to the problem by topping off their tanks when they do not need to do so. Idiocy!!
September 12, 2008 7:06:25 pm
Riley will never do anything. Remember when Katrina came and he did the exact same thing? Promised he vowed to prosecute those for price gouging gas. He never did a thing about it. I don't remember a soul being fined for it last time. And he won't do a thing about it this time either. I am running all my cars low and not buying any gas during this time.
September 12, 2008 7:14:54 pm
I believe the responsibility of going after the gas stations lies with Troy King, Alabama's Attorney General, but either way, I have yet to find any articles pointing to gas stations being fined for gouging during Katrina.
As I have stated previously, if people would stop acting like the world was coming to an end and filling up everything that runs on gas in their household, as well as a few gas cans for good measure, these "shortages" and price hikes WOULD NOT HAPPEN!
September 12, 2008 7:25:29 pm
say something about gas going up and everybody will run and fill up. thats the way people are. but that dont mean the price of gas is supposed to change while its still in the ground and sure dont give people the right to over charge for it....$5.35 is downright stealing....
September 12, 2008 7:36:21 pm
Well, if "that's the way people are", then keep expecting to get ripped off. Is it right? No. Is it fair? No, but it is what it is. The marketing gurus behind all big companies know exactly what buttons to push with consumers. Oil companies like to use the "fear of shortage" card, which ironically creates one. They know this and get away with it time after time. Consumers need to wake up.
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