By Jamie Gardner
The question above has been expressed to the newspaper by a number of concerned citizens the past several weeks. After doing a little research, The News-Banner found that there is validity to this question. The newspaper compared prices in neighboring communities and here is what we found.
Why is gasoline more in Baxley?
On Friday, October 7, the cheapest price of one gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in Baxley was $3.37. Yet in Surrency that same gallon cost only $3.29. Is it a different blend? According to insiders, the blend of gasoline distributed in Baxley and Surrency should be the same.
Then we checked Jesup. The cost for a gallon of regular unleaded in Jesup was $3.19. That’s an 18-cent difference from what consumers in Baxley are paying. Again, insiders say the blend is not different and what is even more concerning is that this price comparison was checked at the same major retailer, a national chain. We continued checking prices and Richmond Hill had the cheapest at $3.08. Brunswick was at $3.18 per gallon.
Other communities such as Waycross ($3.28), Hazlehurst ($3.31) and Alma ($3.35) were closer to the price per gallon in comparison to Baxley, but still cheaper.
The News-Banner also compared diesel prices and found that diesel cost more per gallon in Baxley as well; in some cases as much as 20 cents more per gallon.
It has been reported to this newspaper in the past that local independent retailers are at the mercy of oil company suppliers, and even local suppliers have to answer to bigger distributers. But what about chain stores that have internal distribution? There are several major chain retailers in Appling County that distribute in the other communities mentioned above. This begs the question…Why is one chain location at $3.37 and another location, 30 miles away, $3.19?
Whatever the reason for higher local prices, one thing is certain. Consumers are growing enraged each time they fill up in Baxley.
Then we checked Jesup. The cost for a gallon of regular unleaded in Jesup was $3.19. That’s an 18-cent difference from what consumers in Baxley are paying. Again, insiders say the blend is not different and what is even more concerning is that this price comparison was checked at the same major retailer, a national chain. We continued checking prices and Richmond Hill had the cheapest at $3.08. Brunswick was at $3.18 per gallon.
Other communities such as Waycross ($3.28), Hazlehurst ($3.31) and Alma ($3.35) were closer to the price per gallon in comparison to Baxley, but still cheaper.
The News-Banner also compared diesel prices and found that diesel cost more per gallon in Baxley as well; in some cases as much as 20 cents more per gallon.
It has been reported to this newspaper in the past that local independent retailers are at the mercy of oil company suppliers, and even local suppliers have to answer to bigger distributers. But what about chain stores that have internal distribution? There are several major chain retailers in Appling County that distribute in the other communities mentioned above. This begs the question…Why is one chain location at $3.37 and another location, 30 miles away, $3.19?
Whatever the reason for higher local prices, one thing is certain. Consumers are growing enraged each time they fill up in Baxley.
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#1
INDEED
on
10/12/11 at 02:09 PM
[Reply]
Wondered the same thing Waycross and Alma haave been cheaper by the gallon for quite sometime. I am happy to find that someone asked the Question let's do something about it now....
#1.1
Anonymous
on
10/15/11 at 01:21 PM
[Reply]
Did it occur to you to ask station managers and distributors?
#2
eddie
on
10/12/11 at 02:59 PM
[Reply]
nothing but a bunch of money hungry crooks! i read in a good book a few times that says, "What is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet lose his soul?"......hmmmmm, you crooks can't take that loot with ya!