Wis. gas station shuts pumps over prices

Source: AP

Wis. gas station shuts pumps over prices

By DINESH RAMDE, Associated Press Writer

MEQUON, Wis. - Motorists pulled in to Harvey Pollack's gas station Thursday, honked and gave him a thumbs-up — because he wasn't selling any fuel.

The owner of Towne Market Mobil in this suburb north of Milwaukee shut down his pumps for 24 hours, hoping to start a movement aimed at persuading oil companies to lower their prices.

"Somebody out there is making money at these prices, but not me," said Pollack, 57. "So I just thought: What can I do to help the consumer?"

Yellow caution tape surrounded Pollack's six idle pumps for his protest, which drew dozens of drivers. One in a green minivan rolled down her window and shouted "Thank you!"

<snip>

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070525/ap_on_re_us/gas_price_protest

:applause:

Hey, I just had an interesting idea, maybe the owner should just close between the hours of 8:00pm and 8:00am, or even from 5:00pm to 9:00am, there by saving the cost of employing several minimum wage employees. :think:

Change the political climate in his state.

That's a smart man. Much more effective than random boycotts by consumers.

... in this environment.

If you haven't seen this yet, this exchange between Fox Noise pundit/mediawhore Neil Cavuto and Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI), regarding gas prices, is priceless.

http://www.newshounds.us/2007/05/24/neil_cavuto_looks_foolish_as_he_defends_oil_company_price_gouging.php

:kick:

"Maria McClory, 38, drove 10 miles out of her way to buy a diet soda from Pollack's station after seeing local television coverage of the protest."

"I just wanted to support them and thank them for making a statement," said McClory, who drives about 100 miles a day for work in her sport utility vehicle.
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The oil company folks have to be laughing their asses off all the way to the bank at that.

"He estimated the station would lose only $1,500 on the protest because some losses in gas would be made up by people buying convenience store items or more gas on Friday."

Well I'm glad he tried but boycotts are usually not effective. If I am not able to get gas here, then I'll just drive down the road and get it somewhere else. I'm sure many others did the same that day.

But at least he got his name in the press, I'm sure no doubt to drum up sales.

in a large enough way to shave a little off the price of gas?

He said he was making $0.03 per gallon profit, but after credit cards charges he was actually losing money on gasoline sales. So he shut off his pumps completely (he's also a mechanic, so he has another source of revenue). It's too bad, because he was one of the few full service stations left in the area, which is helpful for elderly drivers.

But then, they'd actually have to *work* a bit for their livings...!

:kick:

Source: AP

MEQUON, Wis. - Motorists pulled in to Harvey Pollack's gas station Thursday, honked and gave him a thumbs-up — because he wasn't selling any fuel.

The owner of Towne Market Mobil in this suburb north of Milwaukee shut down his pumps for 24 hours, hoping to start a movement aimed at persuading oil companies to lower their prices.

"Somebody out there is making money at these prices, but not me," said Pollack, 57. "So I just thought: What can I do to help the consumer?"

Yellow caution tape surrounded Pollack's six idle pumps for his protest, which drew dozens of drivers. One in a green minivan rolled down her window and shouted "Thank you!"

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070525/ap_on_re_us/gas_price_protest;_ylt=At9NNwtc3MM2M21LqskLRFHMWM0F

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This guy deserves a medal!

bad, it's still the oil companies.

Within a fairy small radius, two stations have closed permanently (one became an ice cream shop and the other is now a mancurist); one is boarded up; one removed its pumps and just does repairs; three closed for extended periods and reopened, presumably with new ownership; and one went independent. Exxon may be making record profits, but the little guys who sell its products aren't making enough to stay in business.

for a hell of a lot more than 24 hours, and don't cave into the drivers breaking down and setting fire to the station, this won't do a damn thing.

"I'll stop pumping gas". That doesn't seem to be much help.

the oil companies get the rest.

Doesn't sound like he has fallen too far from the Big-Oil tree.

Jay

the big oil companies forced out all the independent owners. You still see a lot of fenced off closed stations all over. You are hard pressed to find a gas station that has a garage and mechanic on-site...I'm not sure there is any left. It's nice to know there are still independents elsewhere.