Gas Prices

The law of supply and demand is a tricky thing. the argument goes that, since it's Spring, and soon will be summer, the price goes up because more people travel, and so there is more gas being used. High demand means high price. But wait a minute, since the price of gas skyrocketed last year, and since we are in a deep recession, many people are deciding not to drive long distances for vacation, and also to drive less in general. The question isn't, are people buying more gas now than in the winter (of course they are), but how much are they buying compared to last year at this time, when the price of gas was the same as now, and in some places even less costly. Last year at this time people were buying much more gas than this year at this time. Demand is way down compared to last year, yet the price still is going up. What else may be going on here?

You guys don't know how lucky you are! Here in the UK gas (petrol) prices are getting on for 3 times what most of you are quoting. We currently pay 95p - 97p per litre at the pumps here. That converts to $5.84 for one of your gallons. You may say that Americans drive more but, in fact, the average yearly mileage in both countries is just about the same at between 13,000 - 15,000 miles a year. A lot of the cost of our gas is tax, of course. Just think. If you paid the same level of tax, all of the economic problems would likely be solved!

I hate to see the gasoline prices rising once again. I really enjoyed the price being less than $2 again. Unfortunately, the people in charge know now is a great time to raise prices and have no problems doing that with how many people will be on the road more in the upcoming weeks. This afternoon, I saw the price at one gas station at $2.27 a gallon. You know, when the prices start rising, I always jokingly say that it's about time for me to pull out my bike and start biking every where I go that I can do such a thing. But in a way, part of me is serious about that. Part of me would rather do that than pay $3 or more. Not only would it save on gas but it would also be good exercise. Unfortunately that can't be done by everyone for everything.

I have also seen that the price of gas has actually gone up recently over the past few weeks and I understand that because of the economy that is probably the case. But as we know that with memorial day and summer coming up it is going to be the trend that it has gone up. I don't know why this is the case, because they think they can charge more because of the long weekend and the traveling that everyone will be doing over the holiday. But with the trend of the economy and the way things are looking I believe that a lot of people are going to be cutting back with their driving and traveling and the prices are eventually going to find themselves going down.

it's 2.35 a gallon here. went up 6 cents on Thursday! My guess is it's because of the holiday. Anytime they think you will do some extra driving they crank up the prices. I hate it. I usually try to gas up ahead of the holidays but this time I got stuck and had to pay the higher price!. Hate it!

its about $2.30 in raleigh. i hate that, it was just below $2.00 a couple of weeks ago but since the holiday is here its going up.

Gas prices have definitely gone up quite a bit here and I cannot afford to pay for gas again. I'm currently not working so it's even more difficult for me to do the things I have to do and get to places when I'm not working and don't have any extra money coming in. It's almost $2.50 here and I'm sure it will go over that price in a few days.

ah, the law of supply and demand. the big oil companies figure since summer is coming that everyone will be on the road more. last weekend was our long weekend (here in canada) and sure enough, gas went us!

I know! I just filled up last night and it was rediculous. I really hope we are at the max for the summer. When it was $4 a gallon, we couldn't fill it up ever. Finally the prices went way down and I was filling both vehicles up each week. I just spent $65 on gas this week alone!! Crazy.

Well if it reaches $4 a gallon, that'd kill my car...lol... Frankly petrol's been rising and falling a lot lately. I think it might be the recession. Of course that's because I've learnt to blame everything on that 3-syllable word

I hear you! I have the same fears going on right now..... We have jumped .25 in a smidge over a week! We are up to $2.79 and rising. It was $2.55 during the holiday and I thought the same as you oh it's just a "holiday rate". THe holiday is over and the price keeps rising?!?!? I don't get it? Why? I don't think the economy is bouncing back so what's the deal? Not that I want to be paying $4 again, wich is BS especially if you are in a suburban area and have few transportation options as someone who lives in the "big city" and has a great reliable transist system. **crossing fingers** things will staibleize again. I loved it when it was under $2, I was considering doing some day trips with the family, and with it on the rise again that's on hold like so many other things.

same goes here in the Philippines, every week prizes of crude products goes up. before it was only P20.00 per liter, now its P24.00 per liter. last december, during the cold months, crude prizes like diesel had gone up to P40.00 per liter. it's understandable why prize goes up since its hard to get oil underneath since its winter.

In my opinion the gasoline market has been manipulated by oil corporations for decades. Just before summertime, they reduce oil refinery production in order to reduce supply and raise the prices. Imagine if that same type of manipulation were used in other industries. What if just before Thanksgiving, the food stores raised their prices because they know the demand will be higher. What if, just before Christmas, the toy stores raised their prices. I believe that it is high time that we have a thorough investigation of this market manipulation by the oil companies. There have been record profits made, with promises of looking at energy alternatives, to no avail.

I'm hoping it has somewhat stabilized now around the $2.50 point, though I do miss when it was down to around $1.70 earlier this year. :/ I figured that sort of gas price wasnt going to last, though. However, if it has finally reached some sort of equilibrium and will stay at the current prices, I wouldnt mind that.

Yeah another way for them to screw with the American people. Vacation time, nice weather so we will up the price of gas. If they want to see family or go somewhere bad enough they will figure out a way to pay us. That is exactly what alot of people do too. We have plans on staying home and working the garden, take the kids to the Drive-in and not play into their games. We dont have the money either so that helps! lol