Gasoline Prices in Alachua County
Following the scholarly example of Sovereign Commentary, I am going to make an effort to properly footnote my sources in all cases where my personal experience isn't the source. Sadly, I am pressed for time (as I have been for the last month) so I cannot verify this information. Apparently, according to the host of a local talk show (possibly Law Talk Live on 97.3 FM this past Saturday), the State of Florida (or some agency thereof) investigated the sale of gasoline in Alachua County and their results were inconclusive. They were absolutely sure that collusion was occurring (gas venders agreeing among each other not to go below a certain price), but they could not prove it.
That reminded me of the newest gas station at the Micanopy exit on I-75 -- the Spirit station. I remember when they first opened a few years ago. They offered prices far lower than all the other stations at that exit. By this, I mean their prices were as low as the lowest prices you can find in Gainesville. This made a huge difference at that exit because I am willing to go on the record as saying that if the gas stations at the Micanopy exit don’t have the highest prices in
the county, they are among the highest.
I stopped at the Spirit station to get gas there once (I never stop in Micanopy) and I asked some people (who presented themselves as the owners) why their prices were so low. They explained that they weren’t charging any more than they needed to turn a profit.
Then, between that time and 2004, they raised their prices to match the other stations at that exit. I joked with my friends an family that the local gas-station mafia had probably come around and politely asked them whether they would prefer to raise their prices or have their legs broken. After hearing that statement on the talk show, I started to wonder if what I had intended as a joke had struck close to the truth. It wouldn’t be the first time.
That reminded me of the newest gas station at the Micanopy exit on I-75 -- the Spirit station. I remember when they first opened a few years ago. They offered prices far lower than all the other stations at that exit. By this, I mean their prices were as low as the lowest prices you can find in Gainesville. This made a huge difference at that exit because I am willing to go on the record as saying that if the gas stations at the Micanopy exit don’t have the highest prices in
the county, they are among the highest.
I stopped at the Spirit station to get gas there once (I never stop in Micanopy) and I asked some people (who presented themselves as the owners) why their prices were so low. They explained that they weren’t charging any more than they needed to turn a profit.
Then, between that time and 2004, they raised their prices to match the other stations at that exit. I joked with my friends an family that the local gas-station mafia had probably come around and politely asked them whether they would prefer to raise their prices or have their legs broken. After hearing that statement on the talk show, I started to wonder if what I had intended as a joke had struck close to the truth. It wouldn’t be the first time.
posted by AC Sentinel at 3:28 PM
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