cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/49238353
“When losses happen, somebody’s got to pay for it.”
Called Freedom Fuel Network, the enterprise encompasses dozens of gas stations throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey, USA Today reported, although it isn’t exactly clear which locations are open for business. Plastered in American flag decals and “Freedom Fuel” branding, the gas stations seem to be selling unleaded gasoline for the fixed-price of $3.47 per gallon, about 32 cents cheaper than the current average price in the US.
According to GasBuddy, nearby prices range from $3.85 to as much as $4.49 — no doubt reflecting the slower drip of oil from the president’s costly war on Iran, which burst back into active fighting this week.
As head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy Patrick De Haan told the Philadelphia Inquirer, the current price of crude oil means there’s no way Freedom Fuel’s $3.47 price point can turn a profit.
“Stations selling at this price, it’s not sustainable,” De Haan explained. “Generally, when losses happen, somebody’s got to pay for it.”
De Haan raises an obvious question: who is paying for it? If the stations are losing money on every gallon, somebody has to make up the difference somewhere — whether out of Trump’s pocket, that of a friendly donor, or the taxpayer’s. And if it’s a private company taking the hit, how long until they stop subsidizing Pennsylvania drivers?
Already, the stunt seems to be distorting local markets. As of Wednesday, a nearby Sam’s Club in Dresher dropped its price to match the $3.47 figure — surely good news for anybody buying gas in South Eastern Pennsylvania, but as always, the devil is in the details.
Midterms stunt
Funny that the article doesn’t even consider that he is leveraging his presidency to receive fuel at lower prices but he’s actually gouging customers anyway and making huge profits.
This is fucking awesome. God yes! Please kill all your small-dick F350s with Trump’s sugar diesel. Be sure to pay inside so you buy a big fat greasy meat chunk and as many deregulated red bulls and yellowjackets as you can afford! You really are winning so hard right now.
There was a filling station in my town which was also significantly cheaper. About 40-50 cents less than nearby stations. I used it for years but also wondered how it was so cheap. Then one day, I went there and the price had gone up from the bargain of a decade to merely reasonable. I was wondering why but then I noticed that someone had put a sticker next to the dispenser keypad that wasn’t there before: a fuel tax sticker. It’s required by law on all fuel pumps here but I guess I just never noticed that they just never had one there previously.
No points for guessing what happened lol
Surprised it didn’t go to overpriced. I’m sure the station was swimming in fines after that.
The old owners could’ve been fined into bankruptcy and then the franchise was sold to someone else.
The Gang Solves the Gas Crisis
Trump gas, must smell awful.
I look forward to some renegade renaming efforts changing it to the Socialist Fuel Network.
Let’s say it’s not bad for cars, it’s a far cry from the $2 he promised voters.
It’s a whole bunch of murders away from the no wars he promised.
I hope Iran can keep their promise of ending him.
Is it possible that the wholesale cost of fuel is below 3.47 and the others just have higher profit margins?
Edit: Once taxes and fees are incorporated you end up at approximately $3.6-3.7 for Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The small difference is probably made up for with advertising, other purchases or funding for PR campaign. It’s about $2.40 per car tank
3.47 was profitable just a week or two ago when wholesale prices were 2.59
I want the price of oil to be $2028 dollars per barrel
I really hope it ruins lots of engines.
Yo I drive a 2006. My engine is concerned
From my perspective, a 2006 is still a pretty new car. (Most of mine are from the '90s.)
Why so many?
Because I’m a “car guy” and each vehicle is in a different niche. I’ve got a Miata (RWD, for autocross), a WRX (AWD, for rallycross), a 4Runner (4x4, for off-road trails), etc.
Some of them are currently non-running project cars, and almost none of them are practical. (Perhaps ironically, my “daily driver” is actually a cargo e-bike.)
Also, I’m sentimental and bad at getting rid of them, even if I probably should.
Gotcha
Parts and Projects.
Totally not another scam…
Didn’t they recently start allowing for 85 octane fuel? Just a thought
It wasn’t 85 octane, it was ethanol content- raising it from e10 to e15. Same octane but lower energy density by a percent or two, and can be damaging to older vehicles that may not have ethanol safe gaskets in the fuel system. And also is a huge bailout for industrial corn farmers in red states.
85 is only allowed in a few select high mountain states like Colorado, where the extremely thin air means lower octane fuels have a lower chance of detonating/pinging and causing engine damage.
Is this Argentina’s oil?
Do you mean Venezuela’s oil?
Probably. I can’t keep track of it all.
