Old-Style Pumps Balk At $4-a-Gallon Gas, Too

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GasBuddy News Article

Old-Style Pumps Balk At $4-a-Gallon Gas, Too Friday, May 16, 2008
The Washington Post -- Like a lot of small-scale entrepreneurs, Cathy Osborne worries that she'll go out of business if fuel prices rise above $4 a gallon. Not because she won't be able to buy gas at that price, but because she won't be able to sell it. The old mechanical gas pumps with scrolling dials at her country store in Fauquier County lack the gears to go beyond $3.99 a gallon. State inspectors shut down her diesel pump several months ago when the fuel topped the $4 mark, so now all that's left are two pumps dispensing 87-octane gasoline, set at $3.75 -- and climbing.
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JT Moderator	Message Posted: 5/16/2008 7:51:28 AM	Ignore JT Report Abuse
	Friday, May 16, 2008 The Washington Post -- Like a lot of small-scale entrepreneurs, Cathy Osborne worries that she'll go out of business if fuel prices rise above $4 a gallon. Not because she won't be able to buy gas at that price, but because she won't be able to sell it. The old mechanical gas pumps with scrolling dials at her country store in Fauquier County lack the gears to go beyond $3.99 a gallon. State inspectors shut down her diesel pump several months ago when the fuel topped the $4 mark, so now all that's left are two pumps dispensing 87-octane gasoline, set at $3.75 -- and climbing. Visit The Washington Post for full article

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whitemiata Champion Author Albany Posts:4,981 Points:1,085,810 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: 5/23/2008 9:26:02 PM	Ignore whitemiata Report Abuse
	Here are some links that will be interesting to you if you read them: http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives2/2008/05/020589.php http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives2/2008/05/020571.php
alsal55 Sophomore Author Twin Cities Posts:187 Points:248,300 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 6:35:38 AM	Ignore alsal55 Report Abuse
	Just put a basket on the counter and let the cutomers pay what they think it should be.
ramboTX Veteran Author Dallas Posts:479 Points:92,570 Joined:Aug 2007	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 6:33:00 AM	Ignore ramboTX Report Abuse
	Support your local guy. Most big box chain are owned by foreigners or buy exclusively from foreginers. I say, let us support Americans.
whitemiata Champion Author Albany Posts:4,981 Points:1,085,810 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 5:48:23 AM	Ignore whitemiata Report Abuse
	support your local small business owners.. buy local..
NissanGirl Sophomore Author Oregon Posts:163 Points:96,210 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: 5/19/2008 7:48:18 AM	Ignore NissanGirl Report Abuse
	Whatever happened to the American Dream? Own your own business, be your own boss. Now they're all being forced out of business because they can't afford their dream anymore.
spunky4443 All-Star Author Washington Posts:559 Points:339,150 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: 5/19/2008 7:37:12 AM	Ignore spunky4443 Report Abuse
	Keep the price down, and they won't have any trouble.
LeftLane1 Champion Author Georgia Posts:1,468 Points:232,830 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: 5/19/2008 7:35:57 AM	Ignore LeftLane1 Report Abuse
	OR be forced out of business? these are probably the LAST of the FULL SERVICE places in AMERICA that may go the way of the dinosours.....
s6sputnik Champion Author Austin Posts:1,623 Points:328,525 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: 5/19/2008 7:32:53 AM	Ignore s6sputnik Report Abuse
	Maybe they could keep the prices lower :)
BGCowboy Rookie Author Toledo Posts:52 Points:108,685 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: 5/19/2008 7:32:53 AM	Ignore BGCowboy Report Abuse
	Any judge who would allow such a case to reach a jury should also be kicked out on his kiester... When are we Americans going to start acting like those whom we owe our freedoms to? Our parents or grandparents? We all want something, but we're just sitting around moaning and groaning and waiting for someone to HAND it to us - rather than going out and trying to GET it. My cars are parked. I refuse to feed 'em. Therefore, I'm not working. Also, therefore, I'm not paying any income taxes as there is-no-income. The Govt. can just go suck an egg as far as I'm concerned until they fix this problem. And yes, I live a lifestyle which has always been within my means and can DO this as I've never racked up any debts over the years. Sure, there's things I'd like to have had, but unless they can be bought with cash, they're not 'really' needed. Pantry is stocked, money in the acct. for the monthlies, garden is planted, and there's plenty of rabbits around for the stew pot. Now all I need is around 80 million of my peers to do the same... - I'm waiting....
fairchildd All-Star Author Kansas City Posts:653 Points:259,585 Joined:Aug 2007	Message Posted: 5/19/2008 7:29:04 AM	Ignore fairchildd Report Abuse
	For awhile there, I don't think anybody did
eaglev Veteran Author Oklahoma City Posts:462 Points:230,040 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: 5/19/2008 7:28:15 AM	Ignore eaglev Report Abuse
	tomok It's not the $amount i the window you see, it is the gears that regulate how much gas is being pumped. When the pumps were made they never dreamed that gas would get to $4.
ursidae3 Veteran Author Orlando Posts:436 Points:281,310 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: 5/19/2008 7:23:47 AM	Ignore ursidae3 Report Abuse
	then keep the prices down
Gas_Buzzer Champion Author South Carolina Posts:5,796 Points:989,690 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: 5/19/2008 7:23:08 AM	Ignore Gas_Buzzer Report Abuse
	Capital improvement and deduct Sec 179 on income taxes!
tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:7,225 Points:601,385 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: 5/19/2008 7:22:17 AM	Ignore tomok Report Abuse
	for the last time.... dispense by the half gallon and charge double the pump price
The_WB Champion Author Detroit Posts:3,154 Points:367,850 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: 5/19/2008 7:21:33 AM	Ignore The_WB Report Abuse
	Even they don't want to display the inevitable.
armstrmb Champion Author Houston Posts:1,550 Points:365,035 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: 5/19/2008 7:12:10 AM	Ignore armstrmb Report Abuse
	Even if the gas station owner posts the price per gallon in 2-foot letters at each pump, someone will sue them for deceptive pricing if the price displayed at the pump's ticker is not what they are charged. If the price on the pump's ticker is obscured, someone (probably the one wanting to sue) will scratch it off. For this reason, using a calculator will not work. Therefore, the mom-and-pop stations will have to close their pumps, buy the expensive new pumps, or go out of business.
BGCowboy Rookie Author Toledo Posts:52 Points:108,685 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: 5/19/2008 7:10:33 AM	Ignore BGCowboy Report Abuse
	Holy cow. Screw the state inspectors and be creative the way Americans USED to be before we allowed ourselves to be over-regulated. Simply set the pump to one-half the price and then multiply by two when you go inside to pay. And only allow cash transactions so it will be easier to do in a faster pace. Sorry, but I have such a disdain for the "what, you don't take my credit-card or a cheque" people... Thhhbbppp! Says right on the bills: "Good for all debts, public and private" Ta-dah! problem now solved for a smalled retailer. Now, where are those independent truckers who blocked the turnpikes and fuel stations in the '70's when we NEED them to Make a stink? When are we as a people gonna just stand up and say: "Enough-is-Gawd's-Almighty-enough!"
courier400 Champion Author Kansas Posts:6,234 Points:1,476,535 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: 5/19/2008 7:07:39 AM	Ignore courier400 Report Abuse
	its a new day!
pgerassi Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:1,992 Points:430,165 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: 5/19/2008 7:05:16 AM	Ignore pgerassi Report Abuse
	More old news!
KellysDad All-Star Author Jackson Posts:910 Points:299,845 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: 5/19/2008 7:04:35 AM	Ignore KellysDad Report Abuse
	dewwright is correct. Lots of little country stores that supply hunters and fishermen will suffer from this. And they usually have the higher prices because it costs more to deliver fuel to their remote locations.
bug27 Champion Author Kentucky Posts:1,373 Points:1,056,675 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: 5/19/2008 7:03:14 AM	Ignore bug27 Report Abuse
	Very old news.
Lovelee Champion Author Detroit Posts:1,173 Points:335,540 Joined:Mar 2007	Message Posted: 5/19/2008 7:01:40 AM	Ignore Lovelee Report Abuse
	Old news
bicycler Champion Author Ontario Posts:5,347 Points:1,006,270 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: 5/19/2008 7:00:36 AM	Ignore bicycler Report Abuse
	r651981; I see your point.
WillyG Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:1,073 Points:408,320 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: 5/19/2008 6:57:55 AM	Ignore WillyG Report Abuse
	I've got new for Cathy Osborne : $4.00+ gas is here already. Adapt lady, we had to
r651981 Veteran Author Columbus Posts:343 Points:340,770 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: 5/19/2008 6:55:36 AM	Ignore r651981 Report Abuse
	The slim profit margin on retail gasoline sales is too thin for anay low volume retailer to upgrade his or her equipment.
ArboretumCop All-Star Author Richmond Posts:684 Points:898,505 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: 5/19/2008 6:53:55 AM	Ignore ArboretumCop Report Abuse
	Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.
jaxco Champion Author South Carolina Posts:1,452 Points:287,945 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: 5/19/2008 6:48:54 AM	Ignore jaxco Report Abuse
	drill, use coal and build nuclear plants = problem solved
TheThing Veteran Author Quebec Posts:378 Points:116,800 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: 5/19/2008 6:47:10 AM	Ignore TheThing Report Abuse
	Invest....
AC-302 Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:7,062 Points:1,198,675 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: 5/19/2008 6:46:22 AM	Ignore AC-302 Report Abuse
	Four bucks coming..ouch!
tazdriver Champion Author Alabama Posts:1,722 Points:454,800 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: 5/19/2008 6:42:21 AM	Ignore tazdriver Report Abuse
	Not news, every living thing balks at raping gas prices.
lleddirj All-Star Author Michigan Posts:615 Points:521,050 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: 5/19/2008 6:41:42 AM	Ignore lleddirj Report Abuse
	Finally soem good news!
rjb21760 Veteran Author Chicago Posts:471 Points:344,010 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: 5/19/2008 6:41:20 AM	Ignore rjb21760 Report Abuse
	Time to upgrade your pumps....DUH! I didn't know that there was any mom and pop retailers left.
dewwright Veteran Author Minnesota Posts:276 Points:168,315 Joined:May 2001	Message Posted: 5/19/2008 6:38:09 AM	Ignore dewwright Report Abuse
	New pumps would cost thousands of dollars and some mom-and-pop retailers don't have the money to upgrade. There are thousands of such pumps still in operation around the country... for now.
rod1965 Veteran Author Portland Posts:278 Points:28,265 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: 5/19/2008 6:37:25 AM	Ignore rod1965 Report Abuse
	lets see, use a calculator and keep selling gas.
rogerparry All-Star Author Florida Posts:754 Points:174,495 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: 5/19/2008 6:36:03 AM	Ignore rogerparry Report Abuse
	The oil companies should pay to upgrade the pumps.
MASHBY Rookie Author South Carolina Posts:91 Points:21,985 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: 5/19/2008 6:35:10 AM	Ignore MASHBY Report Abuse
	not a shocker
Magnum0829 All-Star Author Jackson Posts:936 Points:357,790 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: 5/19/2008 6:32:27 AM	Ignore Magnum0829 Report Abuse
	what
Fencemaker All-Star Author Pittsburgh Posts:543 Points:129,000 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: 5/19/2008 6:30:31 AM	Ignore Fencemaker Report Abuse
	Tell her to take the leap into the 21st century and buy some new pumps.
koshV Veteran Author Detroit Posts:480 Points:97,460 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: 5/19/2008 6:29:32 AM	Ignore koshV Report Abuse
	illegal to not have the pumps representing the price of fuel.
kdhloretto Sophomore Author Twin Cities Posts:125 Points:194,795 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: 5/19/2008 6:28:41 AM	Ignore kdhloretto Report Abuse
	The same thing happened about 30 years ago, when the prices first went over one dollar. All the pumps only went up to 99.9 cents. Remember, they changed the price to cost per half gallon, and then doubled the final total to get what you had to pay. It only lasted a short time, and all the pumps changed in less than a year.
MacGyver_1701 Champion Author Indiana Posts:4,809 Points:1,059,825 Joined:Feb 2005	Message Posted: 5/19/2008 6:27:16 AM	Ignore MacGyver_1701 Report Abuse
	Probably time for an upgrade.
s6sputnik Champion Author Austin Posts:1,623 Points:328,525 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: 5/19/2008 6:26:54 AM	Ignore s6sputnik Report Abuse
	Then lower the price :)
Howmuchtofillit All-Star Author Trenton Posts:761 Points:128,650 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: 5/19/2008 6:26:46 AM	Ignore Howmuchtofillit Report Abuse
	To bad. She should just raise her prices like everyone else. Make it $5/gal, someone will still buy it.
cosmo44 Rookie Author Toronto Posts:43 Points:1,345,560 Joined:May 2003	Message Posted: 5/19/2008 6:25:03 AM	Ignore cosmo44 Report Abuse
	Just do the calculations inside with the customer. Gallons pumped X $4.00 =
Lonewolftx Champion Author Houston Posts:5,125 Points:1,007,510 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: 5/19/2008 6:24:28 AM	Ignore Lonewolftx Report Abuse
	Need new pump sofeware 2.0 I guess . . .
C5vette2004 All-Star Author Little Rock Posts:505 Points:137,440 Joined:Dec 2007	Message Posted: 5/19/2008 6:23:44 AM	Ignore C5vette2004 Report Abuse
	They sell by the half gallon here
bbreff Champion Author Atlanta Posts:1,485 Points:909,190 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: 5/19/2008 6:22:55 AM	Ignore bbreff Report Abuse
	OLD NEWS
Sealer Champion Author Charleston Posts:1,718 Points:188,455 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: 5/19/2008 6:21:29 AM	Ignore Sealer Report Abuse
	Who uses these old pumps?
glazarides Veteran Author Akron Posts:306 Points:314,365 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: 5/19/2008 6:18:19 AM	Ignore glazarides Report Abuse
	The Oil Companies should pay to have the pumps replaced (since this is due to their windfall) ... although I'd rather see the price of gas go down.
JB1881 Champion Author New Mexico Posts:1,039 Points:284,860 Joined:Aug 2007	Message Posted: 5/19/2008 6:17:51 AM	Ignore JB1881 Report Abuse
	whatever