Gas Prices?

Question

Ok i was thinking... if the american people would instead of not buying gas on a monday or any other day like so many people have been trying to put into play, why dont we just boycott one gas company? this way we still get our gas whenever we want, but the one company we boycott will not sell any gas. And if that company doesn't sell gas they will be forced to lower prices. Then after that one company is forced to lower prices the other gas companies will have to follow suit, because they will begin to lose the consumer to the company we are going to boycott. If this makes sense to anyone else please let me know. Then Give me your opinion. I am going to Pick SHELL as my company to boycott who's with me

to adriaclay 81 that listed below... The oil companies always say production is down, if you haven't noticed. Maybe its because if " production is up" they cant charge $3.00+ per gallon. I mean someone has to pay the ceo 180 million in retiremnt right.

And the demand auguement, demand doesn't change in 3 days, right? then why do gas companies raise the price everyday for three days in a row?

and the inflation auguement, with inflation, we should see a higher income to combat the inflation. My income doesn't change every week like gas prices.

Answer 1

Here is what would happen if American's were to boycott one company. For example: If Mobil/Exxon were to suffer a boycott, they'd have a surplus of fuel. Instead of sitting on that fuel, they'd sell it to other companies (Shell, American Oil, Sun Oil, etc) and still make the profit. Now, this will come to one of two outcomes: A) Mobil/Exxon would have to reduce the price of the fuel to sell to it's competitors and make a lower profit or B) the companies purchasing the fuel would have to increase their price in order to compensate for the purchasing from another company.

The problem with boycotting one company has one primary issue: Look at areas that have only one filling station. And in an area it may be owned by one fuel company. So, in your case, if you're going to boycott Shell, what about all the people who are in an area where Shell is the only filling station? They're geographically forced to purchase fuel there.

Crude oil is sitting roughly $63/bbl. Yes, this is high. Yes, we are going to have to adjust to paying these prices. But my question for you is how can fuel prices be so drastic regionally? Example: Michigan price = $3.59 (This is actually what I paid last night, and that was for cheap fuel) where as in Georgia it's $2.93. I've yet to figure out a logical answer to this one.

So, instead of boycotting, American's need to slow down on the roadways, drive smaller vehicles, drive only where they need to go, and if possible use public transportation.

Answer 2

UGH!! Gas prices are about SUPPLY AND DEMAND!! THAT'S why "the price goes up every April, goes down every August, back up a little at Thanksgiving and Christmas ..." Because when people DEMAND more, and SUPPLY is low (because the greenies haven't let us drill our own oil for decades!!), the price goes up! People drive a lot more in summer and around the holidays. AND the gas companies are NOT gouging!! YES, they are making "record profits," BUT THAT'S BECAUSE THEY'RE SELLING RECORD AMOUNTS OF GAS!!!! They are making the SAME AMOUNT per gallon as before. If you want to know who's gouging - LOOK AT THE GOVERNMENT WHO IS STEALING MORE IN TAXES THAN THE OIL COMPANIES MAKE, REGARDLESS OF THE FACT THAT THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOTHING NOTHING NOTHING!! Why can't people get this through their heads?!! Why oh why oh why??!!!!! Good Lord! AND WHY AREN'T YOU ANGRY ABOUT THE FACT THAT EVERYTHING ELSE HAS GONE UP IN PRICE, ALSO?! Huh? WHY?!! I'll tell you why -- it's because the media only focuses on gas prices! If they focused on the rising cost of bottled water (which, like gas, is also rising), people would be barking about that! So why don't I hear anyone say anything good when the price comes down a little? Hmmm? God help me, I am soooooo sick of hearing people whine about gas prices!! But then, you can't go by me, 'cause I'm sick of hearing people bark and whine about EVERY LITTLE THING THESE DAYS!! You've got it pretty G.D. good in this country, dude!! Pretty good! Freedom, opportunity out the @ss, even the poor households in the U.S. are better off than the poor in most other countries! How about you try to appreciate what you have! Help meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!

Answer 3

Boycotting one company won't do any good. On the news they said that oil production has been down, and that boycotting won't do any good because there is such a high demand for gasoline right now, but there is a shortage which will cause gas prices to stay at the high price right now.

The only thing that will make gas prices go down is if the oil companies produce more oil. But really in the future $3.00 per gallon gasoline will be normal because of inflation.

Answer 4

This proposal makes no sense. Let's see, if we stop buying from one company we'll have to buy from the others, which will then see increased demand. Why would Exxon care about Shell losing sales when many of those customers will end up at Exxon stations? The problem is we are all looking for an easy way out. Let's boycott the companies today. Let's pick one to boycott tomorrow. Make the government to do something about it. Force the companies to produce more. Come on. Let's be real. The only way to cause prices to go lower is to reduce long term demand. That requires every one of us making short and long term sacrifices. Short term: Take mass transportation or join a carpool if possible. Drive 5mph slower on the highways, keep our tires inflated and our cars tuned up. Long term: Let's buy cars based on gas mileage not on how big they make us feel. Find ways to live closer to our jobs either by changing jobs or moving to a home closer to the employment centers. Start making a long term commitment to infrastructure changes so our current suburban model is slowly replaced by communities where we can walk to the grocery store and take the bus to work. Even more important, let's take a look at our personal consumption habits and make an effort to use less stuff. Buy smaller houses (less fuel to heat and less resources consumed can lead to less crude oil needed). Every time we buy another trinket, whether a toy for your child, a toy/tool/must have gadget for yourself; or another absolutely necessary upgrade for your home you are using fuel. The fuel it takes to manufacture that Ipod; the petroleum product that goes into the plastic and wrapping, the fuel used by the ship that brings it over from china, and the diesel used by the 18 wheeler that moves it from Los Angeles Harbor to your town. Remember, if something is not made out of wood, natural fibers (cotton, silk), metal, or stone, it is most likely made out of petroleum. Sorry to be long winded but it bothers me how as a society we all act like O.J. We keep looking everywhere for the energy culprit when we just need to look in the mirror. Examples of things that use oil which drives the price of crude up, which results in higher gasoline prices and larger oil company profits: Roof shingles, fleece jackets, bratz dolls, cell phone shells, plastic water bottles, blacktop pavement. Just food for thought.

Answer 5

Boycotting would raise the price.
Shell would see a lack of demand, but the others would see an increase. They would raise their prices accordingly and start buying Shells excess. Shell doesn't lose any money, but you did when the prices went up.....

Answer 6

Good idea! The gas prices are out of control and our government needs to step in and do something to help. In the mean time consumers ar going to have to take action like boycotting and Shell is a good start! Way to go!

Answer 7

i think your right. shells only way of getting business would be to lower prices. then other companies would lose business to shell and in turn lower their prices

.i only buy chevron already though

Answer 8

anyone other than bp i would pick hess or mobil exxon