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Letter to the editor for Jan. 27

January 27, 2009

Local gas stations pricing themselves out of the market

To The Sun:

I get tired of standing on the stump and yelling to all who will listen about the high gas prices here in Winchester. However, it seems that the gas station owners continue to turn a deaf ear to Winchester consumers who complain about the difference in gas prices in surrounding counties.

I am convinced that they are not stupid. In my opinion they are playing these increases for every dime they can get.

It does seem to me that they should look around and compare their prices with those in other counties.

I have been a Winchester resident for 30 years and would like to support the local businesses as much as possible, but refuse to be taken advantage of when I can do better.

I always charge my gasoline purchases to my credit card, and the credit card company sends me a yearly itemized list of each and every purchase I make. During the past two years, 95 percent of my gasoline purchases have been to out-of-county businesses. Those purchases that I did make in Winchester were in small amounts and for lawn equipment only. I always wait until I go to Lexington or other surrounding counties where prices are always much lower.

In the past two-year period, I purchased over $4,700 dollars worth of gasoline, 95 percent or $4,480, of which went to out-of-county suppliers. I believe that many Clark County residents do the same thing. Surely the gas station owners can see that they are losing a lot of sales and profit.

When are the gas station owners going to wake up and realize that they could increase their share of the gasoline market if they only become competitive? Until they do, I will continue to buy my gasoline in other cities where the prices are much less.

Crude oil prices have been falling since their historic high of about $150 per barrel last year, and one week tumbled to $37 per barrel, yet, the next day, gasoline prices rose several cents to

$1.89 per gallon. I don't understand the rhyme or reason to this logic.

I am reminded of the mother who watched her military son in a marching formation and remarked, "Look, my son is the only one in step."

Thank you.

Alfred Eugene Rogers

Winchester

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