Possible Solution to Gas Prices
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,989
Likes: 11
From: Right Coast
RE: Possible Solution to Gas Prices
ORIGINAL: singlepin
About a year ago people on the web were trying to get everyone to stop buying gas for one day to get the price lower. It didn't work!! Unorganized and people need gas. Some of us were hashing this over and came up with what we think would possibly work.
If we got together and quit buying gas from ONEcompany until they lowered their price to a set amount; say $2.50 a gallon; they would eventually have to lower their price.Now say that company was Mobil. Everyone could buy all the gas they want----just not from Mobil----until they lowered the price. The other companies would have to follow suit.It would have to be one of the big companies; wouldn't want to cause small companies to go out of business. (future competition) I don't think it would take too long for the CEO's to notice the sales decline.
With the power of the Intenet, this could spread really fast and start having an effect. It would kind of be like the Boston Tea Party. The people taking a stand and saying "no more gouging". I think $40 Billion profit is a out of line!
OK, what do ya think about the idea? Where is the downside? Wouldit work?
About a year ago people on the web were trying to get everyone to stop buying gas for one day to get the price lower. It didn't work!! Unorganized and people need gas. Some of us were hashing this over and came up with what we think would possibly work.
If we got together and quit buying gas from ONEcompany until they lowered their price to a set amount; say $2.50 a gallon; they would eventually have to lower their price.Now say that company was Mobil. Everyone could buy all the gas they want----just not from Mobil----until they lowered the price. The other companies would have to follow suit.It would have to be one of the big companies; wouldn't want to cause small companies to go out of business. (future competition) I don't think it would take too long for the CEO's to notice the sales decline.
With the power of the Intenet, this could spread really fast and start having an effect. It would kind of be like the Boston Tea Party. The people taking a stand and saying "no more gouging". I think $40 Billion profit is a out of line!
OK, what do ya think about the idea? Where is the downside? Wouldit work?
If something like this ever came to fruition I'd back it 100%. I don't buy Exxon oil and haven't since the Valdez tragedy. I think I must have been the only one. F big oil.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,571
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
RE: Possible Solution to Gas Prices
ORIGINAL: Cheese Head
It is amazing the way everyone complains about $3.00+ a gallon in the US. For those of you complaining, move to Europe. You will pay $5.00, $6.00and even $7.00 for a gallon of gas. I don't know what the Europeans are paying now; but, when I left the Netherlands the average price per liter for regular unleaded in both the Netherlands and Germany was 1.27 Euro. At the current exchange rate that is $7.32 a gallon. We here in the US actually have it pretty good when we compare ourselves to other industrialized nations. As long we we rely on other countries for the products we use, we have to be willing to pay their price and quit whining. The only way to control our own destiny is to become self sufficient. But, just be careful what you wish for. We all know how greedy American oil companies are. How much do you think we would pay if the only place to get oil was from U.S. oil fields owned by US oil companies. They would ration it even more so than OPEC so they could make even more record profits. Remember, more sources, even if international for a product, mean more competition and lower prices.
I'm not any happier about paying $3.80 for a gallon of gas than mos of you. Just trying to put it into perspective, it could be a lot worse, we could be living in Europe paying their gas prices.
It is amazing the way everyone complains about $3.00+ a gallon in the US. For those of you complaining, move to Europe. You will pay $5.00, $6.00and even $7.00 for a gallon of gas. I don't know what the Europeans are paying now; but, when I left the Netherlands the average price per liter for regular unleaded in both the Netherlands and Germany was 1.27 Euro. At the current exchange rate that is $7.32 a gallon. We here in the US actually have it pretty good when we compare ourselves to other industrialized nations. As long we we rely on other countries for the products we use, we have to be willing to pay their price and quit whining. The only way to control our own destiny is to become self sufficient. But, just be careful what you wish for. We all know how greedy American oil companies are. How much do you think we would pay if the only place to get oil was from U.S. oil fields owned by US oil companies. They would ration it even more so than OPEC so they could make even more record profits. Remember, more sources, even if international for a product, mean more competition and lower prices.
I'm not any happier about paying $3.80 for a gallon of gas than mos of you. Just trying to put it into perspective, it could be a lot worse, we could be living in Europe paying their gas prices.
OK, and I'll run over to Mexico and live in a mud hut for two or three months, then I appreciate the house I live in, and ride around in a ox drawn
cart then I'll appreciate the Bike and truck I have... What a load of BS... We need to shut down the borders, stop letting the immigrants try to make
this country what they wish there's should be, THIS IS THE UNITED STATES of AMERICA, Love it or LEAVE it.. andquit telling me I have it so
frickin good. Look around you bud things aren't SO GOOD... I could give a crap what other countries are spending, I don't live there.. and the price
of fuel there is just proof the people over there don't give a chit, and probably sit a chat about the amount they payed as a status symbol.
We as AMERICANS are different, WE WILL NOT TAKE THAT CRAP, especially when the Oil Companies report the PROFITS. It's like a slap
in the face of the AMERICAN public.. I do my part, minimize the time in my truck ( which BTW gets 22MPG ) and ride my bike to and from work.
It's going to take the whole country ( Americans ) to do it, problem isthe country is flooded with illegals and waiting immigrants that the price of
gas is the last thing on there mind...
Sorry about the rant, but it just gets me to here "I should be glad" speeches at times like now... If we don't make noise now, we will be replaced with mindless foreigners who just came to ride this horse till it drops...
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 308
Likes: 0
From: SUNNY,FL
RE: Possible Solution to Gas Prices
ORIGINAL: hogdoc
The best way to reduce gas demand is to get this country ( like so many other counties in the world) to get on board with everybody riding high MPG motorcycles. We are one of the last counties to use motorcycles as our mass form of transportaion. We're still convinced that we need to be on the road by ourselves with all the other drivers that are by themselves in big SUV's and trucks. Yes I own one, an old one that gets about 10( on a good day) MPG. Thats why I ride even when its 3 degrees out when I leave for work. Even cars that are getting 20 - 25 MPG are still useing twice as much fuel as a bike.
I know it would be difficult to ride to work with a Starbucks in one hand and the cell phone in the other while riding, but, GET OVER IT. Imagine how many fewer car versus motorcycle accidents/ fatalitiesthere would be if there were morebikes than cars on the road.
Just think, if you had some old beater truck, cuz everybody needs a truck, instead of that brand new $40 -$50,000 SUV or worthless(insert any brand here) import car, how many bikes you could own. An electra Glide for commuting, stock motor stock pipes, Bluetooth in your helmet so you can still talk away, getting 50+ MPG. Then you could build one bad *** Street Glide for weekend riding, all out custom paint lots of chrome mild motor, still getting over 40 MPG, then youd still have enough left over to build one ***** to the wall bar hopper for meeting up with the buddies once a week. Still getting 30+ MPG. Average it out and your still reducing the demand by half of a high mileage car!
Just a thought, I was under the impression that we rode because we love to ride. What better way to do it than have a bike for all occasions. Loose the overpriced new car with high insurance, get more bikes!
BTW in case someone was about to ask, you can still get the kids to soccer, karate, football, basketball, or whatever else it is they are doing in that beater truck. It worked for decades before the mini van was invented!
The best way to reduce gas demand is to get this country ( like so many other counties in the world) to get on board with everybody riding high MPG motorcycles. We are one of the last counties to use motorcycles as our mass form of transportaion. We're still convinced that we need to be on the road by ourselves with all the other drivers that are by themselves in big SUV's and trucks. Yes I own one, an old one that gets about 10( on a good day) MPG. Thats why I ride even when its 3 degrees out when I leave for work. Even cars that are getting 20 - 25 MPG are still useing twice as much fuel as a bike.
I know it would be difficult to ride to work with a Starbucks in one hand and the cell phone in the other while riding, but, GET OVER IT. Imagine how many fewer car versus motorcycle accidents/ fatalitiesthere would be if there were morebikes than cars on the road.
Just think, if you had some old beater truck, cuz everybody needs a truck, instead of that brand new $40 -$50,000 SUV or worthless(insert any brand here) import car, how many bikes you could own. An electra Glide for commuting, stock motor stock pipes, Bluetooth in your helmet so you can still talk away, getting 50+ MPG. Then you could build one bad *** Street Glide for weekend riding, all out custom paint lots of chrome mild motor, still getting over 40 MPG, then youd still have enough left over to build one ***** to the wall bar hopper for meeting up with the buddies once a week. Still getting 30+ MPG. Average it out and your still reducing the demand by half of a high mileage car!
Just a thought, I was under the impression that we rode because we love to ride. What better way to do it than have a bike for all occasions. Loose the overpriced new car with high insurance, get more bikes!
BTW in case someone was about to ask, you can still get the kids to soccer, karate, football, basketball, or whatever else it is they are doing in that beater truck. It worked for decades before the mini van was invented!
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 118
Likes: 1
RE: Possible Solution to Gas Prices
Everyone's right about it being supply and demand. And that its not the oil company or gas station. It will never go down because america is buying the oil from countries that hate us. They know we won't change the way we drive or what we drive and they will profit as much as they can. jmo
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Possible Solution to Gas Prices
While some hammer on profits and big oil, they forget that everytime the goverment passes new laws for clean air this or that, these oil companys need to spend hundreds of millions, if not billionsupdating whatrefinerys we have. They are the same companys who riskbillions each year on exploration for new resources.They also dont know the difference between over-allbottom line profit and profit margin, there is a difference.If one looked at how much money they spend each year, and how many gallons of gas it takesto make 40 billion,it would be staggering, I dont know the numbers but would bet 40 would be a drop in the bucket. Since when did it become a crime to make a profit in this country anyways?
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Possible Solution to Gas Prices
The only thing that is going to change gas prices is a systemic reduction of the demand. Until we technologically reduce our need for fosil fuels, the Middle East and the gas companies are going to have us by the *****.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,290
Likes: 1
From: Columbus, Ga
RE: Possible Solution to Gas Prices
ORIGINAL: Capt.Bob
" I support an open season on left wing tree hugging liberals but I wouldbe willing to accept generous bag limits"
It is not the oil companies causing this problem. It is a combination of oil speculators, lack of oil refineries in the US, and the refusal to harvest our own oil (thanks to the liberals and tree huggers).
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,159
Likes: 1,079
From: Brandon, Mississippi
RE: Possible Solution to Gas Prices
Being a former owner of a Leased Chevron Convenience store in a small town...Ummm there is a ton of truth here! Notice I said former......Its a tough business with a shietload of overhead! Everyone makes money except you! In Oregon the labor I paid 18 hours to pump fuel in your tank came up short about 3K a Month! I was paid 6.5 cents a gallon. Pay a gas jockey 18 hours a day I was required to beopen,I would need to have pumped 85K gallons a month to break even. I pumped 40K at this station. Damn glad to be out of this business!
ORIGINAL: AZ Rider
Demand sets the price of gas. That and oil speculators, refining formulas, worldwide geopolitical conflicts, weather, China's growth, lack of refineries, mandated blended fuelsand a million other reasons.
You're only going to hurt the small time owner and workers of the gas stations if you do this. They are making pennies on the gallon and small percentages on grocery items, cigarettes, gumand booze.
You don't want set prices just as you don't want someone to tell you that there's a set profit on what your house can sell for.
The fact is that there hasn't been a refinery built in this country since 1979 and there is lawsuit after lawsuit from granolas and other environment wackos who won't stand for reasonable drilling in our own back yard. This prevents the industry from getting oil and refining in our own country.
Oil company profits are about $.09 a gallon. Taxes are about $.50 a gallon. China and other countries are creating HUGE demands that are keeping prices high. We have an all time record demand.
Years ago when oil companies were losing money, laying off workers nothing was said or done. Now that they make record profits because, wait for it...there is record demand, there's an outcry.
You want artificial prices again? Remember 1979-1980? When there were gas lines, 8 gallon max fillups and stations shut down by noon each day? That's what happens when you set prices.
When Harley was breaking sales records each year, they were making more profits each year as well. Now they will make less profit because they are selling less. That's business. That's capitalism. There are cycles. You sell more, you usually make more. Demand is high and so prices adjust. That's econ 101.
You couldn'tbuy a Harley for MSRPseven years ago. Why? Demand outpaced supply. Higher prices. Now? Supply has met and exceeded demand for Harleys. MSRP, financing deals, no more selling your used Harley two years later for what you paid new.
People pay almost as much or more for silly bottled water and then complain about gas prices (I'm not saying you pay for silly bottled water).
Are gas prices high? Sure. Adjusted for inflation, they are what they were in the early 1980's during the Iran-Irag war and domestic recession.
There's an all time demand and many other factors. Hurting the station owner and their employees will do nothing. Absolutely nothing.
Demand sets the price of gas. That and oil speculators, refining formulas, worldwide geopolitical conflicts, weather, China's growth, lack of refineries, mandated blended fuelsand a million other reasons.
You're only going to hurt the small time owner and workers of the gas stations if you do this. They are making pennies on the gallon and small percentages on grocery items, cigarettes, gumand booze.
You don't want set prices just as you don't want someone to tell you that there's a set profit on what your house can sell for.
The fact is that there hasn't been a refinery built in this country since 1979 and there is lawsuit after lawsuit from granolas and other environment wackos who won't stand for reasonable drilling in our own back yard. This prevents the industry from getting oil and refining in our own country.
Oil company profits are about $.09 a gallon. Taxes are about $.50 a gallon. China and other countries are creating HUGE demands that are keeping prices high. We have an all time record demand.
Years ago when oil companies were losing money, laying off workers nothing was said or done. Now that they make record profits because, wait for it...there is record demand, there's an outcry.
You want artificial prices again? Remember 1979-1980? When there were gas lines, 8 gallon max fillups and stations shut down by noon each day? That's what happens when you set prices.
When Harley was breaking sales records each year, they were making more profits each year as well. Now they will make less profit because they are selling less. That's business. That's capitalism. There are cycles. You sell more, you usually make more. Demand is high and so prices adjust. That's econ 101.
You couldn'tbuy a Harley for MSRPseven years ago. Why? Demand outpaced supply. Higher prices. Now? Supply has met and exceeded demand for Harleys. MSRP, financing deals, no more selling your used Harley two years later for what you paid new.
People pay almost as much or more for silly bottled water and then complain about gas prices (I'm not saying you pay for silly bottled water).
Are gas prices high? Sure. Adjusted for inflation, they are what they were in the early 1980's during the Iran-Irag war and domestic recession.
There's an all time demand and many other factors. Hurting the station owner and their employees will do nothing. Absolutely nothing.
Banned
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 845
Likes: 4
From: ID ho
RE: Possible Solution to Gas Prices
ORIGINAL: RED E GLIDE
Living in FL I ride to work 250 plus days a year! 36 MPG is 3 times what my 93 Lightning gets!
ORIGINAL: hogdoc
The best way to reduce gas demand is to get this country ( like so many other counties in the world) to get on board with everybody riding high MPG motorcycles. We are one of the last counties to use motorcycles as our mass form of transportaion. We're still convinced that we need to be on the road by ourselves with all the other drivers that are by themselves in big SUV's and trucks. Yes I own one, an old one that gets about 10( on a good day) MPG. Thats why I ride even when its 3 degrees out when I leave for work. Even cars that are getting 20 - 25 MPG are still useing twice as much fuel as a bike.
I know it would be difficult to ride to work with a Starbucks in one hand and the cell phone in the other while riding, but, GET OVER IT. Imagine how many fewer car versus motorcycle accidents/ fatalitiesthere would be if there were morebikes than cars on the road.
Just think, if you had some old beater truck, cuz everybody needs a truck, instead of that brand new $40 -$50,000 SUV or worthless(insert any brand here) import car, how many bikes you could own. An electra Glide for commuting, stock motor stock pipes, Bluetooth in your helmet so you can still talk away, getting 50+ MPG. Then you could build one bad *** Street Glide for weekend riding, all out custom paint lots of chrome mild motor, still getting over 40 MPG, then youd still have enough left over to build one ***** to the wall bar hopper for meeting up with the buddies once a week. Still getting 30+ MPG. Average it out and your still reducing the demand by half of a high mileage car!
Just a thought, I was under the impression that we rode because we love to ride. What better way to do it than have a bike for all occasions. Loose the overpriced new car with high insurance, get more bikes!
BTW in case someone was about to ask, you can still get the kids to soccer, karate, football, basketball, or whatever else it is they are doing in that beater truck. It worked for decades before the mini van was invented!
The best way to reduce gas demand is to get this country ( like so many other counties in the world) to get on board with everybody riding high MPG motorcycles. We are one of the last counties to use motorcycles as our mass form of transportaion. We're still convinced that we need to be on the road by ourselves with all the other drivers that are by themselves in big SUV's and trucks. Yes I own one, an old one that gets about 10( on a good day) MPG. Thats why I ride even when its 3 degrees out when I leave for work. Even cars that are getting 20 - 25 MPG are still useing twice as much fuel as a bike.
I know it would be difficult to ride to work with a Starbucks in one hand and the cell phone in the other while riding, but, GET OVER IT. Imagine how many fewer car versus motorcycle accidents/ fatalitiesthere would be if there were morebikes than cars on the road.
Just think, if you had some old beater truck, cuz everybody needs a truck, instead of that brand new $40 -$50,000 SUV or worthless(insert any brand here) import car, how many bikes you could own. An electra Glide for commuting, stock motor stock pipes, Bluetooth in your helmet so you can still talk away, getting 50+ MPG. Then you could build one bad *** Street Glide for weekend riding, all out custom paint lots of chrome mild motor, still getting over 40 MPG, then youd still have enough left over to build one ***** to the wall bar hopper for meeting up with the buddies once a week. Still getting 30+ MPG. Average it out and your still reducing the demand by half of a high mileage car!
Just a thought, I was under the impression that we rode because we love to ride. What better way to do it than have a bike for all occasions. Loose the overpriced new car with high insurance, get more bikes!
BTW in case someone was about to ask, you can still get the kids to soccer, karate, football, basketball, or whatever else it is they are doing in that beater truck. It worked for decades before the mini van was invented!