Link to read the rest of the story!

 

How can gasoline prices across the Tri-State change by as much as 30 cents in a single day?

 

In a word: Speedway.

 

Speedway is the market leader in our area, with more corporate-owned stations here than any other oil company. Market studies show one out of every five gallons pumped around Cincinnati is sold by Speedway.

 

But we discovered another secret of its success -- a secret that has more to do with real estate than gasoline.

 

The old model of gas price competition used to be on display at every multi-station corner in Cincinnati. One "mom-and-pop" gas station lowered its price a few pennies, and the other "mom-and-pop" station across the street had to follow suit.

So if Speedway controls the price of gas, how about we the consumer not purchase it from them when they increase their price.

 

When Speedway increases the price of their gas in NKy and everybody else follows suit, then just purchase your gas from anyone but Speedway!

What a horrible article, Old Guy. I can't believe that you (or anyone else for that matter) would try to pin gas prices on Speedway?

 

If Speedway can do that," says McKiddy, "well you hate to say it, but more power to them."

 

And you can't fault the leader when everyone else follows.

 

While everyone was rising to $2.65, one Thornton's location on Route 4 was still at $2.36 as of 3:00 p.m. McKiddy predicted, "by five o'clock tonight, I expect them to be $2.65."

 

That's the crucial point in the article, in my opinion.

 

OldGuy, you want to criticize Speedway. That's your right. But, to me, the blame is on the other gas stations who (according to this article) are blindly following Speedway.

 

The article mentions that Speedway has very loyal customers. Of course they do. They offer some benefits to their customers through their Speedy Rewards program. The other gas stations, who apparently do whatever Speedway wants them to, does nothing for their customers.

 

If you have a Speedy Rewards card, you get $.03 off per gallon for the entire month of November. Other times, it is $.05 off.

 

This is one of the worst & most inaccurate articles I've read in a long time.

Interesting read, thanks for sharing TOG. Would be interesting to see if your strategy would work as to purchasing from the competition when Speedway shoots their price up for no apparent reason.

Not sure how much I believe that one simply because down here in Louisville, in my experience Speedway tends to be cheaper than most of the competition.

Not sure how much I believe that one simply because down here in Louisville, in my experience Speedway tends to be cheaper than most of the competition.

 

In NKY, their pricing is generally fair. And with the Speedy Rewards card, it's definitely cheaper.

Speedway is the market leader, and sets the prices. Other stations can't help but follow, which creates the volatility. Yes, Speedway can be faulted for daily price changes, as they are charging based not on how much they paid the distributor for the fill-up, but on the volatility of oil speculation market, which makes no sense.

 

Here in Bardstown, there fortunately is no Speedway. As a result, gas prices are very stable day-to-day. Not too long ago, I had to make trips to E'town three times in the span of about 12 days. Their prices (E'town has several Speedway stations) on the first day I went were about a dime cheaper than Bardstown. A couple days later, it was about 25 cents more expensive than Bardstown, a fluctuation of about 35 cents. A few days later it had dropped back down to where it was consistent with Bardstown. During that time, prices at Bardstown stations only moved about 2 cents.

Speedway is the market leader, and sets the prices. Other stations can't help but follow, which creates the volatility. Yes, Speedway can be faulted for daily price changes, as they are charging based not on how much they paid the distributor for the fill-up, but on the volatility of oil speculation market, which makes no sense.

 

Here in Bardstown, there fortunately is no Speedway. As a result, gas prices are very stable day-to-day. Not too long ago, I had to make trips to E'town three times in the span of about 12 days. Their prices (E'town has several Speedway stations) on the first day I went were about a dime cheaper than Bardstown. A couple days later, it was about 25 cents more expensive than Bardstown, a fluctuation of about 35 cents. A few days later it had dropped back down to where it was consistent with Bardstown. During that time, prices at Bardstown stations only moved about 2 cents.

 

If Speedway's pricing is so arbitrary, shouldn't the other station's prices remain consistent? Meaning that when Speedway jumped $.25, the other gas station's prices would be $.25 cheaper?

 

It is not solely Speedway's fault.

If Speedway's pricing is so arbitrary, shouldn't the other station's prices remain consistent? Meaning that when Speedway jumped $.25, the other gas station's prices would be $.25 cheaper?

 

It is not solely Speedway's fault.

 

No, the other stations indeed share some of the blame. But what would you have them do?

No, the other stations indeed share some of the blame. But what would you have them do?

 

I don't fault any of them. They're charging what they can & making a lot of money. Like it or not, it's the American way.

 

I find it comical and horribly inaccurate to place this on Speedway's shoulders, though. Particularly when they're one of the few places that actually gives something back to its consumers.

I don't fault any of them. They're charging what they can & making a lot of money. Like it or not, it's the American way.

 

I find it comical and horribly inaccurate to place this on Speedway's shoulders, though. Particularly when they're one of the few places that actually gives something back to its consumers.

 

 

 

Trust me, you are paying for the stuff you think you are getting free CC and you are paying for it big time!

 

Nothing and I mean nothing is free, in business!

Trust me, you are paying for the stuff you think you are getting free CC and you are paying for it big time!

 

Nothing and I mean nothing is free, in business!

 

The other gas stations do not give anything back.

 

I never said that I am getting anything for free. But it's nice to know that after I spend X amount of dollars, I'll be getting something in return. That's not the case at most other gas stations.

With their Speedy Rewards Card, they offer $.03 off per gallon for the entire month of November.

 

Back in September & October (I think), I was getting $.05 off per gallon.

 

Speedway also offers bonus reward points (2,000) if you present a receipt while you get your oil changed at a Valvoline Service Center.

 

How dare them! :irked:

The other gas stations do not give anything back.

 

I never said that I am getting anything for free. But it's nice to know that after I spend X amount of dollars, I'll be getting something in return. That's not the case at most other gas stations.

 

I get a free cup of Coffee from Road Ranger for every five I buy too but I honestly don't believe that fifth cup is free and if I use my Shell Credit Card I get money back, but again, it isn't free.

 

Speedway sets the price in NKy (that is a fact) and the other stations follow (and that is true too), but if I and others purchased gas from the other stations only when Speedway raises their prices, you wouldn't see Speedway raise their prices as often!

 

Speedway sets the price in NKy (that is a fact) and the other stations follow (and that is true too), but if I and others purchased gas from the other stations only when Speedway raises their prices, you wouldn't see Speedway raise their prices as often!

 

It's not a fact, it's the opinion of a few guys who put an article together.

 

If you're going to change the gas industry, you have much bigger fish to fry than Speedway. But have at it...