f100cleveland
When In Doubt,THROTTLE ON
The local co-op here tells the other stations when they are going to raise or lower prices and expect them to follow.
$0.12 diesel jump?
- Thread starter Tx_Atty
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s d mills
Full Access Member
If they are price-fixing it's very simple to catch them. You get a crew together and stake out as many stations as possible, recording the date/time that prices change. A number of them will change prices within minutes of each other; the really greedy ones will do it damned near simultaneously, to the minute.
I don't know what is meant by "co-op" but if it's your area distributor, that's legal. In fact, they're required to notify their dealers of a price change prior to delivery; and it's legal for the affected retailers to immediately change prices prior to the actual delivery. Only exceptions are in states where an official authority sets a cap on profit per gallon and the retailers are under constant scrutiny. My state isn't regulated.
It is also legal/required that the oil companies notify their franchisees/company-owned stations when they increase, as well as legal for all the stations in the chain to change prices simultaneously.
However, let me state again that it is illegal for retailers to get together and price-fix; such as in an "Association of Gasoline Retailers" scenario. That's why you rarely even hear of such organizations any more....the stigma attached.
Within hours after 9/11, a number of retailers in my area jacked up prices to $5.00 per gallon. It was never proved that they communicated amongst themselves, but they were sanctioned for gouging and ordered to reset their prices at pre-9/11 level and fix them there for 6 months.
I'm not saying they don't price-fix in your area, and I can't say with certainty that they aren't doing it in mine. What I do know for a fact is that the retailers are smarter than to be caught doing it as the individuals change prices hours and even a day apart from each other. If you can stake them out and determine they're doing it simultaneously, notify your state Attorney General's office and they will investigate....as well as prosecute if they catch them.
I don't know what is meant by "co-op" but if it's your area distributor, that's legal. In fact, they're required to notify their dealers of a price change prior to delivery; and it's legal for the affected retailers to immediately change prices prior to the actual delivery. Only exceptions are in states where an official authority sets a cap on profit per gallon and the retailers are under constant scrutiny. My state isn't regulated.
It is also legal/required that the oil companies notify their franchisees/company-owned stations when they increase, as well as legal for all the stations in the chain to change prices simultaneously.
However, let me state again that it is illegal for retailers to get together and price-fix; such as in an "Association of Gasoline Retailers" scenario. That's why you rarely even hear of such organizations any more....the stigma attached.
Within hours after 9/11, a number of retailers in my area jacked up prices to $5.00 per gallon. It was never proved that they communicated amongst themselves, but they were sanctioned for gouging and ordered to reset their prices at pre-9/11 level and fix them there for 6 months.
I'm not saying they don't price-fix in your area, and I can't say with certainty that they aren't doing it in mine. What I do know for a fact is that the retailers are smarter than to be caught doing it as the individuals change prices hours and even a day apart from each other. If you can stake them out and determine they're doing it simultaneously, notify your state Attorney General's office and they will investigate....as well as prosecute if they catch them.
scoutman77
Full Access Member
unless its a big national chain, they probably all get the goods from the same oil company. that would make the prices all the same in the area.
97CREWCABPSD
Smoke What Smoke Officer?
try 2.759 a gal for diesel and 2.099 a gal for unleaded its bs cuz diesel is more or less the crap left over after making gas.
powerboatr
living well in Texas
2.35 last night at the wavaho, steadily dropping
its now down from 2.49 three weeks ago
its now down from 2.49 three weeks ago
f100cleveland
When In Doubt,THROTTLE ON
The co-op I'm refering to is a farmer owned company. Don't get me wrong I'm not knocking farmers. They have two stations in town but there are major oil company stations and a couple of independent ones too. One of them gets his fuel from So. Dakota and his premium gas doen't have any alcohol in it and is higher octane but he doen't sell diesel.
ranger boy
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i really dont like you knowpowerboatr said:2.35 last night at the wavaho, steadily dropping
its now down from 2.49 three weeks ago
s d mills
Full Access Member
f100cleveland said:
Farmers are cool....a lot of my friends are full time farmers; but that description sounds close enough to price-fixing for me to drop by the co-op and tell them to cut me in or cut it out.
Any time a group of competitors in the same industry get together to set pricing, it's a violation of every fair trade act I know of. Now....your proving it is another thing.
s d mills
Full Access Member
Check this out....stations here are still $2.54-$2.68 for 87 and $2.49-$2.76 for fuel. I did a quick trip down to Lawrenceburg, TN to drop off the wife and grand-daughter for the foalings....I filled the Camry up at Exit 6, I-65 in KY for $2.14 (cash or credit card price), the average price for 87 in TN was $2.25 and fuel was $2.29 everywhere in KY and TN.
powerboatr
living well in Texas
filled up last night
went up a few cents to 2.49 for good ole #2
went up a few cents to 2.49 for good ole #2
