gas wars

[outwardbound 2]

sorry to junk email everyone but it could work

GAS WAR - an idea that WILL work
This was originally sent by a retired Coca Cola executive. It came
From one of his engineer buddies who retired from Halliburton. It ' s
worth your consideration.
Join the resistance!!!! I hear we are going to hit close to $4.00 a
gallon by next summer and it might go higher!! Want gasoline prices
to come down? We need to take some intelligent, united action. Phillip
Hollsworth offered this good idea.
This makes MUCH MORE SENSE than the "don't buy gas on a certain day"
campaign that was going around last April or May! The oil companies
just laughed at that because they knew we wouldn't continue to "hurt"
ourselves by refusing to buy gas. It was more of an inconvenience to
us than it was a problem for them.
BUT, whoever thought of this idea, has come up with a plan that can
really work. Please read on and join with us! By now you're probably
thinking gasoline priced at about $1.50 is super cheap. Me too! It
is currently $2.79 for regular unleaded in my town. Now that the oil
companies and the OPEC nations have conditioned us to think that the
cost of a gallon of gas is CHEAP at $1.50 - $1.75, we need to take
aggressive action to teach them that BUYERS control the marketplace..... not sellers. With the price of gasoline going up more each day, we consumers need to take action. The only way we are going to see the price of gas come down is if we hit someone in the
pocketbook by not purchasing their gas! And, we can do that WITHOUT hurting
ourselves.
How? Since we all rely on our cars, we can't just stop buying gas.
But we CAN have an impact on gas prices if we all act together to force
A price war.
Here's the idea:
For the rest of this year, DON'T purchase ANY gasoline from the two
biggest companies (which now are one), EXXON and MOBIL. If they are
not selling any gas, they will be inclined to reduce their prices. If
they reduce their prices, the other companies will have to follow suit.
But to have an impact, we need to reach literally millions of Exxon
And Mobil gas buyers. It's really simple to do! Now, don't wimp out at
this point. keep reading and I'll explain how simple it is to reach
millions of people.
I am sending this note to 30 people. If each of us sends it to at
Least ten more (30 x 10 =3D 300) ... and those 300 send it to at least ten more (300 x 10 =3D 3,000)...and so on, by the time the message
Reaches the sixth group of people, we will have reached over THREE MILLION consumers. If those three million get excited and pass this on to ten friends each, then 30 million people will have been contacted! If it goes one level further, you guessed it..... THREE HUNDRED MILLION PEOPLE!!!
Again, all you have to do is send this to 10 people. That's all. (If
You don't understand how we can reach 300 million and all you have to do Is send this to 10 people.... Well, let's face it, you just aren't a
mathematician. But I am, so trust me on this one.)
How long would all that take? If each of us sends this e-mail out to
Ten more people within one day of receipt, all 300 MILLION people could
conceivably be contacted within the next 8 days!!!
I'll bet you didn't think you and I had that much potential, did
you?
Acting together we can make a difference. If this makes sense to
you,please pass this message on. I suggest that we not buy from
EXXON/MOBIL UNTIL THEY LOWER THEIR PRICES TO THE $1.30 RANGE AND KEEP THEM DOWN.
THIS CAN REALLY WORK.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

[late for dinner]

At one time I worked for an oil company and when our depot ran low or out of fuel we didnt shut down stations, we just got the gas from someone else. If everyone stops buying from Shell Shell would just sell their gas to Exxon. There is just so much gas that can go through the pipeline and someone is going to buy. The oil companys dont care if you or I go broke because they are going to sell everything they have and they are going to get their price for it, like it or not.x(

 

[LDB]

This is another email that circulates and plagues everyone. The biggest flaw in it is that Exxon and Mobil aren't the 2 largest as it says but one and the same, Exxon/Mobil. Unfortunately for us it won't work.

Leo Bricker, owner trucks 3034, 4958
OOIDA 677319
73's K5LDB
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
----------
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

 

[RichM]

Last year Exxon/Mobil had a profit of $36 Billion. The other day I heard Bill Mack giving the salary of Exxon's CEO,nice round $147,700 per day.

 

[greg334]

You know if you really want to change this, get involved.

First it is the taxes that make up a lot of the price. Here in Michigan we have sales tax on top of the excise tax on every gallon of fuel. That is WRONG.

Things like Bio-diesel, Ethanol and other alternative fuels can be used IF the government lets it happen and help it along. I am inclined to say that taxes are the number one thing that prevent it from happening, from the tax on each gallon of alternate fuel to the tax on the vehicle that are purchased but also we need the drilling for oil in the gulf, great lakes and Alaska – it all matters.

To blame Bush (this is to head off bush comments) is wrong. The speculators (traders), the people on the world market who try to guess what oil cost in the next month are the problem for high crude prices combined with the demand from these polluting third world countries – not the president. Also to throw this into the mix; the cost of a gallon of fuel with the price of a barrel of oil is $1.56 or so. If you must blame anyone, blame the people who distribute it for the quick changes in the price based on the speculation (which is also wrong) and the people who collect the taxes.

 

[DannyD]

There always seems to be this "the other guy doesn't deserve to make a profit" mentality out there. Would I rather pay $1.30 for a gallon of gas than $3.30?? Of course. Having said that, I think all in all the oil companies have done an ok job at keeping prices reasonable in very unstable times for this world.

In my opinion, the best & most practical way to combat the price of fuel is get more fuel effient vehicles.


Take care,
Danny

 

[tallcal101]

I believe in a post several months ago,I pointed out the profits of Exxon/Mobil.As I recall,Greg went into depth about the futile use of pointing out such abstract and pointless information.I'm sure it was substantiated by the fact we don't drill in any and every open space and coastal area that might have a chance of spouting black gold.Or,no,it's those gosh darn third world energy wasters again.
Well,I for one don't buy much of the arguments being put forth here.
Those dang pollutin'third worlder's have just as much right to pollute till their little yellow hearts desire as we do.In fact,if they try real hard,they may some day surpass us as the worlds leading pollution champs!After all,since our natioanl debt is in the hands of the Central Bank of Asia,I guess we kind of gave them the right to spend the money as they wish.WE no longer have to go ahead and build cars and factories to produce all the things they sell to us.
So,as fuel edge's closer to $3.00 per gallon,and the oil companies continue to break all time record profits,lets just keep being grateful that we have the opportunity to live in a country where we allow companies,and this paticular administration,to take full advantage of "the events off 911"that have so changed our world.
What,pray tell, do those events have to do with oil prices's?Ask dubya,as I'm certain,just as the everything else in his warped world,he will find a way to connect the dots.It's patent greed,and perhaps some bad karma for selling our debt to Asia.Those little yellow b*****ts are competing for the same fuel we are,and they have more money!!! It's not fair!!

Anyway:
"It's not the critic who counts;
not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles,
or where the doer of deeds could have done better,
The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena,
whose face is marred by the dust and sweat and blood;
who strives valiantly;who errs,and comes short again and again,
because there is no effort without error or shortcoming'
who knows the great enthusiasms,the great devotions;
who spends himself in a worthy cause;
who at best knows in the end the triumph of high achievment,
and who at worst,if he fails,at least fails while daring greatly,
so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls
who know niether victory or defeat".

I dedicate this Teddyism to all my fellow fleet owners who know the sting of $4000.00 weekly fuel biils.Thanks for being fellow risk takers,we make it exciting.

 

[highway star]

I firmly believe in capitalism and have no problem with a business making a profit. But, the quarterly profits being reported right now are ridculous. When you take an average family with an average income, what has happened over the last few years to their monthly gasoline expense is very significant. They don't get a fuel surcharge to compensate. Even when the price per gallon was a third what it is now everyone was making a profit. I wonder if anyone can remember a time when anyone involved in the supply chain of oil did'nt make money. I don't think I can.

 

[outwardbound 2]

Now all i was doing was passing along what looked to be a half-baked sceme to try to get fuel prices lower. But what comes back from you people is politcal comments, and quotes on record profits.
> Yes the oil company will sell to other oil companies but not at near the price that we pay at the pump.
> Yes i'm all for a company making profit but not at the expence of my profit.
> Yes i would be happy to buy a more fuel efficent truck or an electric one if they ever make one that works.
> And frankly i couldn't give a rats a@# how much third world nations are poluting. One volcano puts out more polution in a single eruption then the U.S. does in one year.

Once apond a time something like this might of led to people thowing tea into some bay, but not now we just set back and say BAAAA

Has this truely become a nation of sheep.

Sorry to any and all feelings hurt

 

[highway star]

I'm sorry if "we people" offended you by not beating our chests and joining your resistance with a mighty roar. Bottom line is, it's no better an idea than any of the other ideas. While doing something, anything at all, seems like a good way to vent, it's no good if it's just noise.

 

[raceman]

Profit is what business is all about. Smart business people have a product that people want and or need and then they sell it for whatever people will give for it. I simply do not see what is wrong with that. It is just very good business to keep taking what ever people will give you for your product. Why ever stop raising the price if people pay. Why? I sure as heck would not lower my price if I had a group willing pay.

I have never bought anything, from any person that did not get exactly what they wanted for what they were selling me. In fact three times in my life I thought I had purchased vehicles only to find out someone offered more than me. I have sold many things to the highest bidder. Ebay sells to highest bidder and everything on ebay is being sold by people to highest bidder. That is how our system works.

Most people hate to see other people or business do better than them. That too seems to be our system.

I feel that based on the fact that I sit in rush hour traffic everyday, looking at cars as far as the eye can see, with only one person in each car, that we all just do to ##### good for our own good. Cut the usage, stop buying and eliminate the tree hugging and things may be different. Until then I will keep paying until I feel it is too much then I will walk and ride a bike and instead of taking freight for the highest possible pay, I will stay home and sell things on ebay for as much as people will pay. Then everyone can complain about my prices and why its ole W's fault.

Work smart and get paid as much as possible and if ya sell stuff get as much as ya can. If that is not your approach, you are a liar. You just hate it that there are those of us who do take that aproach. Gotta go now gotta get to the grocery store and negotiate a lower price on a bottle of water.

You all enjoy. Lifes to short to get to hung up on it all, all the time.


Raceman
OTR O/O

 

[highway star]

It's just frustrating to be gouged for something we need. If the rise in price kept the status quo for profits you could understand it. When the rise in price produces record profits you just feel gouged.

 

[raceman]

Highway, I understand what you and everyone else is saying. My point is not to blame a man or even a business for what they make. No matter how we all feel, they have earned and each of us would sit in that seat and take the same pay.

To turn things around a little lets look at what we do. We were not happy with making the low everyday shipping rate, so we got into the high end freight and in fact gouge those "needing" their freight moved in a hurry. I mean if you think about it we do nothing differnt than any other truck. We get it on our truck and we go until we reach the drop. But we charge as much as possible and all we really do is hurry up. Why are we not willing to do that for the same rate regular freight brings? Think about it. The shipper "NEEDS" it shipped why not just do it for a normal rate? Because we want more and they are willing and in fact think they have to pay us. We want the big bucks and we can get it.

Now I am not trying to hack everyone off I am just pointing out that this goes on in all areas of sales and service. There are some very good reasons for higher prices. It takes a little digging, studying and a very opened business mind to understand them but they do exist.

Someone mentioned above the taxes. Now there is where I think our beef is. Taxes. Now there I agree we are being gouged and I am not sure there are good, intellegent reasons.

As for the price a CEO gets, I will never see it as an issue if his or her profits warrent it and that normally has investors involved who agree to his or her pay because of what they personnaly make on the stock. If not, they will raise enough hell to change things.

I grew up in a family of business and I have heard all my life, "you are getting rich" and I know when that is and is not the case and also know that if your product sales warrent it and you can get it, you deserve it.

I have never bid a load down and I never will and I am not sorry for that and see no reason for anyone in oil business to apoligize. Sorry if this makes no sence to folks but it is the way I was taught, when schools taught history, civics, business and typing. I and the oil company can make as much as someone will pay us. When we stop getting paid what we want we most likely went too high or the product/service just is not needed anymore.

As for the bottle of water, decided not to go for it. Too expensive and I will not pay that. Have a great night.



Raceman
OTR O/O

 

[highway star]

We offer a different service than truckload or LTL companies. When a company ships something for less than they can with us, they do it on the terms of the trucking company. With us, they get service tailored to their needs. They could have a truck at their dock within an hour, possibly less. That's a premium service that deserves a premium price. The product I put in my tank today is no better than it was before the oil companies were making record profits.

 

[tallcal101]

Thanks Star,it is so obvious that it should not even have to be stated.By the way,oil reserves are at a 10 year high.Go figure.

 

[greg334]

So I am wondering about this, I mean after hearing all these defenders of oil companies, I came to the conclusion that there is something wrong here.

Truly I really don’t care what a CEO makes, it shows success but;

I understand we are in a supply and demand market here which has worked rather well for the last 120 years of petroleum history.

I understand that their profit margin appears to be the same when they post their profits, like it has been for the last ten years – which I have to remind everyone there is more to a profit statement and that profit margins are sort of tied to the price of crude in the way the higher the price of crude, the lower profit margin if the wholesale price to the distributors don’t reflect the percentage of the difference that the crude prices rose. (Hope you understand that.)

I understand that we have a limited amount of crude flowing from our wells, most of the Alaskan crude goes off to Japan and the Pacific Rim and it does not return to our shores except in the form of plastic c**p we buy and that our foreign dependence is around 60%.

I understand that we have limited refining capacity here on our shores, the storms took a couple off line and that everyone should be calling their representatives to get someone to eliminate the red tape and force the building of refineries due to national security.

What I don’t understand is how a company like Exxon/Mobil can post a tremendous profit with claiming the profit margin that is the same as it has been all during severely reduced refining capacity and serious shortage of fuel in the market for different reasons – this looks like that they made money by screwing us at the wholesale level. I won’t go into the distributors or the gas station owners, they do the same thing.

If someone can definitely explain how they made so much money other then the same rhetoric of supply and demand, open market, yada yada yada – please do. I find when you think about it, we get screwed.

 

[raceman]

If nothing else this turned into a wonderful bit sharing. In my book profits are much like three other topics that is really better not to discuss in public and I know about 99.9% of you will never agree with my position on this.

I do however feel that my example as to why we ask for top dollar is still a good one. Like you will never agree with my thoughjts on business profits, I will never agree there is any real reason for us to be paid anymore than anyone else. I like that we are and I no why think we should be but in reality we could agree to do it for less. I have not been a true expediter in more than a year now and I actually do much better finacially running as an LTL truck but I will also say it is much more demanding on me personally than was expediting. Time wise, loads etc., that is. I could do it for less than I do and I could even for less than expedited rates but They are willing to pay me and I simply do not have in my heart to lower my rates.

Thanks for sharing I enjoy all the opinions. Good luck, we are all goona need it as I do not see anyone in the oil business lowering the price anytime soon.


Raceman
OTR O/O

 

[outwardbound 2]

well all i can say is i did my part and displayed this thread to the largest veiwing population that i could. I myself will not be getting my fuel from mobil oil and if other people join in that's fine. As for reallity i predict gas prices over $4/gal by the end of the year. And i'm just basing this on something my grand pappy once said. "once they get thier hands in your pocket they won't pull them out till there's nothing left but lint."
Ain't it amasing that pilot payback program went back to the way it was. Wonder why?

 

[raceman]

I want to say one more thing here in an effort to be sure you understand my twist. I am not saying that Expediting is not providing a premium service and that folks should not pay a higher price for that. That in fact is the case and they should. My point was that we the driver do not really do much more than an ordinary freight relocation engineer would do. We drive to location, get freight and deliver it. Same as any other driver could do. The special service really comes from the company. They retain a large number of trucks on many corners so they can in fact show up in a short time and then be sure that truck is dedicated to that freight only.

We the driver get paid better as a result but we really are not any different than any other truck. Now that is not to take away from what is done in this business, I am simply saying it aint that special. I have carried dirt, LTL, FTL, Expedite and now special freight and I have done the same thing in every case. Well actually the dirt was much more work.

I am sure this is now as clear as mud and I am certainly sorry if I hurt anyones feelings. I enjoy a good debate because it is a great way to learn as well as share opinions as well as learn the logic and common sence of others.

If it makes you all feel any better the poll question on the news I watched this morning was, "Are we being gouged at the pump?" 99% said yes and 1% said no. That tells me you folks are winning in this debate.

Have a great day


Raceman
OTR O/O

 

[highway star]

You have clearly back-pedaled here Raceman. You've gone from saying we gouge people that need the service we provide to saying it's worth the money. Also, the simple act of relocating the freight is not the same as it is in truckload or LTL. They don't have to get up in the middle of the night and go at a moments notice. They have a much more relaxed pace to do their runs.

I don't agree that profits somehow fit in with politics, religion, and sex. In those, there are shades of gray that leave most of the discussion to personal preference. The discussion of the profits on anything we consume that is a necessity should talked about. The gas someone puts in their tank isn't quite as personal as whether or not someone believes in God or what they do in their bedroom.