http://www.msnbc.com/news/628230_asp.htm

In Kansas and Missouri, several gas station owners fraudulently raised gas prices to $4-5/gallon. It caused a temporary panic, but the vast majority of gas stations did NOT raise their prices.

Both state governors have vowed to track down each and every station owner that raised prices and prosecute them (for what, I don't know, but apparently there are laws that regulate this stuff) to the fullest extent of the law.

I've heard that some states are fining these gas stations $25,000 for price gouging. I'm glad these parasites are being taught a lesson.

I got gouged at the pump at a Texaco this week. The price shot up from $1.78 to $5.19 for Premium while I was in line to fill my tank.

The next morning, when the price was back to $1.78, I called the manager to ask if he would refund the difference. What he told me cannot be printed. I called Texaco Corporate Customer Service and was told, "Independent owners set prices, even illegal ones." Texaco didn't even want the location of the store.

Independent or not, the station carries the Texaco brand. The franchise agreement should have a clause that does not allow for illegal activity.

I will never use a Texaco again. I am disputing the charge with my credit card company, as the price was illegal. The local D.A. Office is already working to press charges.

In this time of tragedy, I will remember who showed their best character and who showed their simple pure greed.

------------------
On the road,
In the air,
I just want to get
From here to there.

[This message has been edited by ontheroad (edited 09-13-2001).]

I'm in favor of a prison sentence for price-gouging. First we're attacked from without then we're attacked from within. Truly shameful.

I'm not sure what sickens me more -- the terrorism itself or the response of some people to it. Scam artists, greedy price gougers, irrational racist lynch mobs throwing molotov cocktails at innocent people... it makes me want to vomit. How can we go on having faith in humanity when people are capable of not only killing tens of thousands of innocents, but taking advantage of it for their own benefit?

I think that price-gouging is immoral, but is it really illegal? I don't think there's a law against charging a high price for gas. (If so, several stations around here would be in trouble... ) Now if several stations were doing this in concert (i.e., price collusion), I could see a reason for fines etc.

Many states have laws regarding price guaging during times of crises. I hope local news broadcasters make note of the offending gas stations during their nightly broadcasts and that people vote with their feet and take their business else where. If enough people stop patronizing these gas stations that raised prices then they'll get their just dessert and go out of business.

It's not like anyone held a gun to your head and may you pay the absurd price right? There wasn't a real, ongoing shortage. If there was, I'd be against gouging, but as it was, the gas pump rushers can pay what they want and the owners can charge what they want, isn't that how free enterprise works?
Well maybe I'm wrong, but that is my idea.
Probably some libertarian baggage.

ontheroad:
I am incensed at what you described. Below, please see the letter I just emailed to Texaco.

I assure you, I meant every word of it. If I hear anything back, I will post it here. If I don't, I will do exactly what I said, except if I have your snail mail address, I will mail you 50% of the fragments.

This is so out of line, it is almost beyond belief!

-Harry

Dear Sirs:

I'd like to forward to you a message from a fellow traveller about the practices of Texaco in this time of trouble.

I read from your web site about the wonderful and neat htings that Texaco is doing in the wake of this tragedy...but, it all comes out as fake pretense in light of what some of your stations are doing.

Here is one person's report on Texaco:
================================================== ===========

I got gouged at the pump at a Texaco this week. The price shot up from $1.78 to $5.19 for Premium while I was in line to fill my tank.
The next morning, when the price was back to $1.78, I called the manager to ask if he would refund the difference. What he told me cannot be printed. I called Texaco Corporate Customer Service and was told, "Independent owners set prices, even illegal ones." Texaco didn't even want the location of the store.

Independent or not, the station carries the Texaco brand. The franchise agreement should have a clause that does not allow for illegal activity.

I will never use a Texaco again. I am disputing the charge with my credit card company, as the price was illegal. The local D.A. Office is already working to press charges.

In this time of tragedy, I will remember who showed their best character and who showed their simple pure greed
================================================== =========

How can you people COUNTENANCE this??

I am going to wait exactly 7 days for a resolution to this and a satisfactory answer to me. After that, I am going to be sending you my Texaco card, which I have had for many years, in pieces.

I am personally infuriated by this action by Texaco.

I do not in any way regard a franchisee as an independent operator---this is a Texaco action and if you support it, that is just the final proof that I need to take my business elsewhere.

I will further do my level best to get my firends, family, and business associates to return their cards to you as well.

And, I guess to wrap up everything I am feeling right now about Texaco, I will say, HOW DARE YOU!!!!

Harry Nechetsky
Texaco card # xx xxx xxxxx xxxxx

(edited, oops, to remove my actual card number from this post)

[This message has been edited by hnechets (edited 09-13-2001).]

I would remove your card # harry!!!

You will certainly win this credit card dispute. I am shocked at Texaco's response, but I doubt this happens often, so they weren't prepared for it, and you obviously talked to a pretty stupid, thoughtless person.

Luckily here in Bellevue, gas prices have remained stable.

Thanx, BlondeBomber, it has been done.

I actually discovered it right after I posted it, but due to phone line trouble, got disconnected...took a few mins to reconnect and correct.

But, if I hadn't seen it, your post would have been a real lifesaver!

I did a copy-and-paste from the actual letter, which of course did have my actualy number...wow, can you say "Security Breach?"

From the KC Star:
"Cass County prosecutors today charged two gas stations with price gouging in the hours immediately after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

Quikshop Conoco in Peculiar and C.R. Wood Oil near Harrisonville each were charged with one felony count of unlawful merchandising practices."

Beautiful.