I lost the bet!

[Glen41]

Well, the oild companies should have saved something when prices were high. Next thing is they will be asking for a bailout.
As soon as voters find out they can vote themselves bread and circuses, civilization is doomed.

[RustyJC]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Glen41:
Well, the oil companies should have saved something when prices were high. Next thing is they will be asking for a bailout. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Actually, the oil companies are following a sound business model. When revenue drops, they reduce their cost structure. Some other businesses might learn a lesson from them.

Do you recall the last global (primarily Far East) economic slowdown in the late 1990s when oil prices fell to around $10/bbl? Like today, people in energy-related industries lost their jobs, mergers took place and suppliers to the oil, gas and chemical companies went out of business or downsized dramatically. No one offered those of us in the energy-related industries a handout, and we didn't ask for one. I doubt we will today, either.

Rusty

[rkerber]

Regarding {Well its over, Calif is saying prices raising again by monday by 14 cents a gallon and will continue until they reach in the 3.00 range. I hope that is only in Calif.} it did not happen. In fact, the price dropped another .01 cent. Not much, but the right direction.

[HeatAir]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by chasfm11:
cb5300 said
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"> Sorry but that is called "price fixing" and that my friend is illega </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

There, unfortunately, are a lot of things that happen and some of them are illegal. Tell you what: try to buy and iPod classic and, for the same harddrive sized models, be sure and let me know how many different prices you come up with, on line and in the stores. I can assure you that there is a lot more variation in the price per gallon of diesel across the country. Do you think, in these hard times for retail, that the lack of price fluctuation of the iPod is set by what the consumer will bear or all of the retailers just selling at the suggested retail price? Did you ever wonder why none of the major PC retailers sold anything but the Windows operating system? I know: it was because the quality of Windows was so much better than anything else! (Not!) Sorry, but the price of many "commodities" can be manipulated in many ways, some of them by the manufacturers and creators and some by others later in the food chain.

</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Is a Garmin GPS a commodity? I was looking for an eTrex several years ago and found the exact same price online everywhere. Same with Yakima rack parts.

That reminded me, when I was refrigeration manager for a country club, the tennis pro shop had to sell a certain brand of rackets for the price set by the manufacturer. No higher or lower. Supposedly (and I don't believe this) the area manager could come in and look at the books to make sure the rackets were being sold at the right price. The Pro Shop would 'throw in' 2 racket stringings with every racket sold of that brand as a way to lower the price.

It didn't sound legal back then and still doesn't, but it happens.



.

[lawdude]

There is a big difference between selling at MSRP because you can get it not being allowed to sell at a lower price. If an item can be sold at sticker price due to supply/demand, why would someone sell at a lower price but not be able to supply it.

I went into a place that advertised an iten for 19.95 but he said he was temporarily out. I went to another store and they wanted 22.95. When I mentioned it was for sale down the street for 3.00 less but they were out, he told me when he was out, he would sell them for 3.00 less also!

[Dave Fernandez]

Well California gas prices may go even higher. The Governor Vetoed the Legislative revised budget because they increased “fees” not taxes on many things which included a $0.39 per gallon increase on gasoline taxes which the Governor said was illegal. The legislature was able to do this because they called the increases “fees”. If they would have called the increases a tax, they would need 2/3’s of the legislature to go along with the increase and the Republicans are going along with any tax increase right now.