[jmacdaddio]

Traffic at gas stations appears to be normal, perhaps a little light. I can't remember the last time I had to wait to fill my tank, or more appropriately, have my tank filled because I live in one of the two states that forbid self-serve.

However, I've noticed that traffic at unbranded stations and at stations which aren't branded by oil companies are jam packed. Usually these stations sell their gas at a 5 to 8 cent discount over name brand fuel, but not always.

Why is it that people are willing to wait as long as 10-20 minutes to save 6 cents a gallon? On a 15 gallon car that's a whopping 90 cents savings versus going to a name brand outfit. My time is worth more to me than having to wait 20 minutes to save 90 cents. Add in the gas spent idling while waiting in line, time and gas spent driving out of one's way to get to the "cheap" gas, and it's not worth it.

Everyday Americans are willing to go to insane lengths to save a pittance on gas, while they might not always shop around for the best deal on other staples like groceries and clothing. I believe it's because we're still addicted to the easy motoring lifestyle, and that the masses view high gas prices as price gouging by oil companies instead of supply and demand in action.

[Mechler]

Most Americans don't know how to do a cost-benefit analysis. Otherwise they wouldn't wait 20 minutes to save a dollar, they wouldn't drive across town to wait the 20 minutes to save a dollar, and they wouldn't be driving a 12 mpg SUV in the first place.

But, is this really that surprising?

[jdmartin]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('jmacdaddio', 'T')raffic at gas stations appears to be normal, perhaps a little light. I can't remember the last time I had to wait to fill my tank, or more appropriately, have my tank filled because I live in one of the two states that forbid self-serve.

However, I've noticed that traffic at unbranded stations and at stations which aren't branded by oil companies are jam packed. Usually these stations sell their gas at a 5 to 8 cent discount over name brand fuel, but not always.

Why is it that people are willing to wait as long as 10-20 minutes to save 6 cents a gallon? On a 15 gallon car that's a whopping 90 cents savings versus going to a name brand outfit. My time is worth more to me than having to wait 20 minutes to save 90 cents. Add in the gas spent idling while waiting in line, time and gas spent driving out of one's way to get to the "cheap" gas, and it's not worth it.

Everyday Americans are willing to go to insane lengths to save a pittance on gas, while they might not always shop around for the best deal on other staples like groceries and clothing. I believe it's because we're still addicted to the easy motoring lifestyle, and that the masses view high gas prices as price gouging by oil companies instead of supply and demand in action.

[Marklar]

yeah i know what you mean. I saw this alot after the hurricanes last year. Everyone gathering at the cheapest gas station. Of course it was just a few cents cheaper.

Didn't bother me any. At the time I drove a small car with a 12 gallon tank. Only used one gallon a week. So paying the extra $1 a fill up or whatever really only added up to maybe an extra $5 at the end of the month. Hardly bank breaking.

Now I drive a small SUV which gets great gas mileage for its class (28 highway mpg) and I walk to work everyday and drive to the grocery store once or twice a week so I really don't care how much gas costs. I think it's $2.80 here but I havent filled up since about 3 weeks ago.