Comments on: Gas Stations’ Profits Hurting: Should Congress Intervene? http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2008/05/14/gas-stations-profits-hurting-should-congress-intervene/ A premiere personal finance blog, established 2003. Within, Flexo discusses his own experiences with money, and he and other authors comment on a wide range of personal finance topics. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:42:00 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: castocreations http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2008/05/14/gas-stations-profits-hurting-should-congress-intervene/#comment-150000 castocreations Thu, 15 May 2008 21:15:47 +0000 http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/?p=3294#comment-150000 Government needs to keep their noses out of the market. They do nothing more than screw it up even worse than the "problem" that they try to fix. Government needs to keep their noses out of the market. They do nothing more than screw it up even worse than the “problem” that they try to fix.

]]> By: Jonathan http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2008/05/14/gas-stations-profits-hurting-should-congress-intervene/#comment-149949 Jonathan Thu, 15 May 2008 15:52:03 +0000 http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/?p=3294#comment-149949 @ Francis: It is illegal to pass on credit card fees to customers. The loophole being that they could raise prices on everything and then give an X% discount for paying with cash. @ article: Congress should absolutely not intervene! This is a classic case of a free market situation that will be resolved naturally. If gas station owners are truly getting pinched, they can raise their prices to add to their personal profit share. They also have the option of refusing credit card payments or collectively re-negotiating terms. If nothing is done, some gas stations may close, which would reduce local supply and allow other stations to raise prices in accordance with demand. Congress will only manage to create additional unforeseen or undesired consequences with new legislation. @ Francis: It is illegal to pass on credit card fees to customers. The loophole being that they could raise prices on everything and then give an X% discount for paying with cash.

@ article:
Congress should absolutely not intervene! This is a classic case of a free market situation that will be resolved naturally. If gas station owners are truly getting pinched, they can raise their prices to add to their personal profit share. They also have the option of refusing credit card payments or collectively re-negotiating terms. If nothing is done, some gas stations may close, which would reduce local supply and allow other stations to raise prices in accordance with demand. Congress will only manage to create additional unforeseen or undesired consequences with new legislation.

]]> By: Francis Reyes http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2008/05/14/gas-stations-profits-hurting-should-congress-intervene/#comment-149832 Francis Reyes Thu, 15 May 2008 00:56:04 +0000 http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/?p=3294#comment-149832 I believe Visa is the only card company that does not let merchants pass fees down to customers. I believe Visa is the only card company that does not let merchants pass fees down to customers.

]]> By: TheMightyQuinn http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2008/05/14/gas-stations-profits-hurting-should-congress-intervene/#comment-149825 TheMightyQuinn Thu, 15 May 2008 00:14:35 +0000 http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/?p=3294#comment-149825 It's interesting to note that the price spread between regular and premium gasoline has shrunk as prices have gone up. It' used to be a 25-30 cent difference, and now it's 20 cents or less. It’s interesting to note that the price spread between regular and premium gasoline has shrunk as prices have gone up. It’ used to be a 25-30 cent difference, and now it’s 20 cents or less.

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