Where to Report Gas Gouging?

[Vraille Darkfang]

Ok,

Seing as how gas at every other station in town is at 2.89 & the one down the street is 3.49.....

I was wondering where people should go to report suspected Gas Gouging? 3.49 isn't quite there, but I've heard of some stations charging 5 bucks a gallon.

(I also remember what happened after 9/11 when 1 gas station near where I lived got nailed for charging 6 bucks a gallon).

So, what is the procedure when you thing price gouging (not just gas) is going on?

Better Business Bureau? Local Government? Who?

Thanks,

 

[RangerWickett]

Don't buy it. You're in the U.S. Places can charge whatever they want for goods and services, unless those costs are regulated, which gas is not.

You can complain, though. That's your right, as much as it is their right to charge whatever they think they can get you to pay.

Sure, gas is a necessity in this world, but it's also sold by tons of different vendors, so there's no need to regulate prices. If you're in a small town where there's only one place to buy gas, organize your townsfolk and kick some ass. If you're a big city, just don't buy the expensive stupid gas.

Just because movie theaters charge $4 for a soda doesn't mean they're doing anything illegal or even immoral.

 

[kenobi65]

If it's truly price-gouging, probably the local office for your state's Attorney General. Here in Illinois, they are making serious talk about going after gougers.

Then again, it might not be gouging per se. If the "high" station is an independent, or gets his gas from a different supplier, he may be facing significantly different "restock prices" than the other stations. He may be being told by his supplier that he won't be able to get any gas in the immediate future, once his tanks run dry.

 

[Crothian]

You can always call your local news stations. Price gouging makes great news.

 

[CarlZog]

Unfortunately, over the next few weeks, today's gouging price is likely to be the same as tomorrow's market price.

Croth's right though. Local TV news loves this kind of stuff.

Carl

 

[Desdichado]

It may not be price gouging. In a few hours, if it hasn't already, all those other stations may have more or less the same price. Aren't you seeing $.30-$.40 increases daily over the last two or three days? I know we are.

 

[Ranger REG]

Local TV stations would help you, especially if it is a juicy news story as price gouging. They may also know the appropriate agency to contact because they gonna want a comment from them (and how slow they react).

 

[Belen]

The US Government maintains a site to track possible gouging:

http://gaswatch.energy.gov/

 

[Darth K'Trava]

It may not be price gouging. In a few hours, if it hasn't already, all those other stations may have more or less the same price. Aren't you seeing $.30-$.40 increases daily over the last two or three days? I know we are.

There's a big difference between most stations going up to a certain price range and those who go 20-30 cents above THAT! I noticed that Texaco around here was the worst one for high price gas. They're charging 20-50 cents more than the other stations! *grumble*

 

[werk]

http://money.cnn.com/2005/08/31/pf/gas_price_gouging/

I did a google search for price gouging. Good site tho, got lucky.