What if WE kept only enough gas in our tank for what we needed for the IMMED. future?

Question

We would FORCE "them" to store it in THEIR tanks at the stations, lowering the price: Supply and Demand (less of it).

Illucidation: Not to take daily trips ( yes, self-defeating); nor long trips to spend a little; but AVOID filling and "squatting" in the driveway, thus, STORING their gas for them. THE KEY: slow the FLOW equals less expense for it. DEMAND DROPS!!!

Answer 1

I didn't get what you meant at first, but thinking about it, your idea does have some good points.
1. Not hauling around 20 extra gallons (160 lbs?) of gasoline most of the time.
2. Not as much price fluctuation--since local stations would have to endure the fluctuations more than individual consumers.

Personally, I tank up when the price drops, and try to "stretch" it when my tank goes below 1/4th--in hopes that waiting a couple days will yield a cheaper price.

I think consumer habits are probably already helping keep gasoline prices down. Places that want to keep prices high usually have to give in on price when cheaper competition steals all their business. Most people choose based on price -- especially when $4/gallon is in sight.

Answer 2

If 100 people bought a gallon a day they would sell 100 gallons a day 700 gallons a week. If 100 people buy 7 gallons a week they still sell 700 gallons. Don't forget the gas we'd use driving to the gas station more often. We'd also have to wait in longer lines (uses more gas) for the 10 people in front of us buying their daily gallon or two.
They already store their gas at their gas stations. When the truck comes it just tops it off. If everyone used this theory the stations would still sell the same amount of gas. But it will still be sold. Probably not a good solution.

Answer 3

This would be a momentary blip only. We're still using the gas. All we are doing is delaying things by about a week, and then we still need to buy the gas to replace what we used each day.

Honestly, do think it would be worth the hassle to go to the gas station every day or two, just to put in 1, 2 or 3 gallons?

I've said it before and I'll say it here again. If you want to do something real to fight back, USE LESS GAS.

If soda doubled in price, you'd respond by drinking less of it, right? If beef doubled in price, you'd eat less, right? So why is it that when gas doubles in price, you think altering what day you buy it on will make any difference? Would it make any difference if you started a boycott saying we won't buy Coke on Tuesday, even though everyone will drink it as normal?

Answer 4

1. You will be driving the same amount, using the same amount of gas, thus weekly demand for gas won't change. Neither will the price.
2. The stations have already paid for the gas. They won't lower the price to less than they paid for it.

Answer 5

But that would only work unless we knew exactly what was going to happen on the road wherever we went. How would you account for traffic jams, and car accidents? I suspect that method would lead to a lot of people running out of gas, and besides, consistently running your car with low amounts of fuel in the tank can actually dmage your engine.

Answer 6

Your other problem with this train of though is that you would be wasting gas driving to the gas station with greater frequency.

Answer 7

I think that would work. But we would have to spread the word through forums like this in order for it to be successful

Answer 8

what if we only used our cars for far away distances?
ride your bike instead...
better exercise...less gas.... better ozone...better life!!!