There is a 12-cent per gallon normal retail markup. But usually, the profit margin is about two cents a gallon. |
There was an increase in thefts immediately, especially with the dramatic increase of prices, ... After Katrina, there were so many retailers that couldn't absorb losses anymore ... so they went to prepay. They couldn't afford that one drive-off a day that would hurt their gas profits. And with Rita ... we will see more stations go pre-pay, if nothing else, as a temporary solution. |
There was an increase in thefts immediately, especially with the dramatic increase of prices. After Katrina, there were so many retailers that couldn't absorb losses anymore ... so they went to prepay. They couldn't afford that one drive-off a day that would hurt their gas profits. And with Rita ... we will see more stations go pre-pay, if nothing else, as a temporary solution. |
This industry more than any other is regulated by the customers and competition. |
This is a huge beef for consumers; it's a huge beef for the retailers. |
This week, there's been a huge upswing in retailers who've said, 'Enough. I can't figure out another way to prevent theft,' who've gone to prepay. |
We sell time as much as anything. It doesn't matter if it's gas, a sandwich or a phone card. The goal is to sell time. |
We're in hyperdrive. These wholesale increases are going to be felt almost immediately. |
We're in uncharted territory. We're seeing more people going to prepay than ever before. I think we'll look back on 2005 and say 'Remember when we used to be trusted to pay for our gas? |
When gas is $3 a gallon the retailer is responsible for about 4 percent of the cost, but they are getting 100 percent of the abuse. |
You don?t make your money at the pump, you make it in the store. |