Why do fuel prices fluctuate from town to town?
If the telegram asked several motorists this week for their thoughts on the increased costs for gas, almost half share the same Influenza.
“Why the gas is more expensive (Rocky Mount) than in other areas of the state?” Wanda Williams said, echoing the concerns of others.
Some drivers also argued that Rocky Mount sports the highest gas prices in North Carolina - bar none.
To be fair, Rocky Mount not the rule, so it has not prestigious distinction. Gas prices that reached $ 3.40 per gallon this week in those cities as Mooresville and Ashville, but we need even more 3.30 dollar throughout the Twin Counties.
Still, $ 3.30 per gallon?
Tarboro motorists last week, could find gas for as low as $ 3.16 (which, of course, was the fourth site is the most favorable to the state for the week, according to gasbuddy.com) .
So why the big gap? Are Rocky Mount service stations gouging at the pump?
A recent study by students from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill tries to explain the differences.
The study showed that the per capita income of the town where there is a station, most have had a significant impact on gas prices, UNC-Chapel Hill economy Stanley said Professor Black. Service stations in the poorest regions of the general rule, lower costs at the pump - sometimes sold just enough gas to break-even.
However, the study has not yet explain the differences in a number of cases, “said Black.
Thus, the local distributors of gas price gouging? Or maybe Rocky Mount service stations with a racket?
Well, no. Do not use after the NC Attorney General’s office, at least.
“I am not sure that the base stations, type (for the price difference), but ultimately, it comes from service stations may use their own prices for gas, provided they they reported within 18 cents of the national average, “said a representative of Thursday. “The federal government sets. Gouging since price developments, which is only valid for the duration of the disaster. ”
OK, so it’s not “price gouging. Still, why the most expensive gas in Rocky Mount?
Gary Harris, it offers a simple answer.
“Because the market permits,” said Harris, the executive director of the North Carolina Petroleum and Convenience Marketers.
“Audition times, boys are not always rich Gasvertrieb off. A good number of stations, if one cents per gallon, it think it is a victory.”
Harris said gas prices are cheap in places such as Tarboro as the best way for retailers to allow consumers to come into the store and buy - which is, like most of the money .
“When in the perspective that - even at $ 3.30 per gallon - dealers and distributors, the United States cents for a gallon, you may have noticed, there is no price tag, gouging, “said Harris.