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Disappearing gas stations

Old 03-05-07, 03:43 PM
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Disappearing gas stations

Not sure how many carfree would notice the recent elimination of gas stations, but--

I was wondering if anyone else noticed that gas stations are closing. In my area an Exxon and a BP closed in the past few months. Or are any being built?
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Old 03-05-07, 03:44 PM
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yes. they are tearing the small ones down and replacing them with larger ones that pretty much have a small grocery store, and fastfood restaraunts inside.
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Old 03-05-07, 03:55 PM
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I've noticed a few Burger Kings losing out to more "upscale" fast food joints, like Chipotle Burritos, Wahoos Fish Tacos, Starbucks, etc.

It's probably the local franchise companies leases coming up. Not complaining, I like the latter much better.
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Old 03-05-07, 04:59 PM
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prolly going upscale because they can't make money selling gas anymore. the profit margin on retail gas must be tiny these days, and it will continue to squeeze.
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Old 03-05-07, 05:06 PM
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Originally Posted by genericbikedude
prolly going upscale because they can't make money selling gas anymore. the profit margin on retail gas must be tiny these days, and it will continue to squeeze.
Got that right! I have a friend that manages a Hess station. She says the profit on gas is only about $.05 a gallon. They make most of their money on sodas, beer and cigarettes. Along with all of the other healthy stuff they sell This particular one also has a Blimpie's Sub shop inside.

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Old 03-05-07, 05:16 PM
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One nice thing about being carfree, hence gas station free: No - I don't want a fricking car wash, just release the pump so I can fill up.
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Old 03-05-07, 05:30 PM
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haven't seen too many close up, but they change corporate hands frequently.
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Old 03-05-07, 05:43 PM
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They're fast disappearing in my neighborhood. There used to be four stations, Arco, Exxon, Mobil and an independent, on the corners not far from my house. Now, only the Arco is left. All the others have been replaced by remodled shopping centers offering grocery stores, dry cleaners, tailors, restaurants both independent and chain types, barber and beauty shops along with other services. Makes walking or biking a dream.
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Old 03-05-07, 11:49 PM
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I met a guy that used to own a gas station... he got out of the business when he realized the credit companies were making more than twice what he was on 'his' gas station.
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Old 03-06-07, 04:40 AM
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Originally Posted by bmclaughlin807
I met a guy that used to own a gas station... he got out of the business when he realized the credit companies were making more than twice what he was on 'his' gas station.
That part of it amuses me in a sick sort of way...Everybody and their brother was screaming bloody murder about the high prices after Katrina. Getting all bent out of shape about oil company profits...yada, yada, yada. But I didn't see too many articles about the 79 Billion dollars that credit card companies and banks raked in in fees and interest. IIRC the made over 3.5 billion profit just on the increase in the gas prices and sales after Katrina...One of the reasons I try to pay cash for everything and patronize small businesses. America was built by small businesses and they still hire 75% of the workers today...at least for the time being.

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Old 03-06-07, 05:39 AM
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Originally Posted by wahoonc
One of the reasons I try to pay cash for everything and patronize small businesses.
Paying with cash at a gas station puts you in the slow line inside the station standing behind the cigarette, chips and lottery ticket crowd. Credit card; pay at the pump and be on your way. Take your pick.
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Old 03-06-07, 07:36 AM
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Originally Posted by I-Like-To-Bike
Paying with cash at a gas station puts you in the slow line inside the station standing behind the cigarette, chips and lottery ticket crowd. Credit card; pay at the pump and be on your way. Take your pick.
The damn gas stations around here shut the pumps off at $35-$50 my fill ups can run over $100 so I have to go inside anyways. And it seems that about half the time the automatic card sucking pumps aren't working...so you get the trip inside....again. Solution...ride/drive something that doesn't require fuel

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Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"
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Old 03-06-07, 08:57 AM
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This has to be an illusion caused by relocation of stations. The only way there could be fewer stations is if:
  • There were fewer cars on the road
  • There were amazing increases in fuel efficiency
  • People were willing to wait in long lines for fuel
  • Fueling was more efficient
Of these factors, only the last seems to apply a little. The big box stores are selling gas now with something like a half dozen stalls, credit card activated machines, and a roving attendant.
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Old 03-06-07, 09:09 AM
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Originally Posted by MarkS
This has to be an illusion caused by relocation of stations. The only way there could be fewer stations is if:
  • There were fewer cars on the road
  • There were amazing increases in fuel efficiency
  • People were willing to wait in long lines for fuel
  • Fueling was more efficient
Of these factors, only the last seems to apply a little. The big box stores are selling gas now with something like a half dozen stalls, credit card activated machines, and a roving attendant.

There are fewer stations. What is happening is that the remaining stations are adding more pumps. Its not uncommon around north ATL suburbs to see stations with 14+ pumps now rather than the older stations that had maybe 4-6 pumps.
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Old 03-06-07, 10:53 AM
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In my small 2500 pop town in the mid west there used to
be 7 gas stations along the state route through town.
Now there are none.

They have all been replaced by 2 mini-marts. There is now
only 2 car dealers (that are struggling to survive) left to
get work done on cars.
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Originally Posted by krazygluon
Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred, which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?
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Old 03-06-07, 11:25 AM
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Pay at the pump systems have to be the worst nightmare for station owners. No reason to go inside so you are less likely to buy snacks. And with higher gas prices taking a bigger bite, no money to buy them!

The stations I see going out of business are older out-dated ones that have limited offerings inside.
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Old 03-06-07, 11:34 AM
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I buy gas at Costco.

It's usually about the same price as, or less than, the cost of gas at the other stations around here. They only have the credit card system there.
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Old 03-06-07, 11:41 AM
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funny how there is such intimate knowledge about retail gas purchasing in the car-free forum
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Old 03-06-07, 01:18 PM
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There is a BP on Long Island that closed last summer
and a Getty closed , but the Getty is reopened "under new Management"
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Old 03-06-07, 02:34 PM
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I used to be a gas jockey and our owners were quite open about the fact that they made more money on confectionaries than they did on gasoline.
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Old 03-06-07, 03:02 PM
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Originally Posted by I-Like-To-Bike
Paying with cash at a gas station puts you in the slow line inside the station standing behind the cigarette, chips and lottery ticket crowd. Credit card; pay at the pump and be on your way. Take your pick.
I believe he was moreso making a statement of conviction. Convictions stand true in the face of opposition. Your point was void.

I, personally, gladly spend more money to support smaller businesses. I've taken a complete reverse from a few years ago where I only shopped at locations that would accept my American Express card.
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Old 03-06-07, 03:25 PM
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Originally Posted by genericbikedude
funny how there is such intimate knowledge about retail gas purchasing in the car-free forum

yeah !

This is BS !!!!!!!!
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Old 03-06-07, 03:41 PM
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Originally Posted by brevig
I believe he was moreso making a statement of conviction. Convictions stand true in the face of opposition. Your point was void.
And what conviction would that be? Maybe a man of REAL convictions would only pay in gold dust or beaver pelts.
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Old 03-06-07, 03:48 PM
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Originally Posted by genericbikedude
funny how there is such intimate knowledge about retail gas purchasing in the car-free forum
Not really the damn stations are everywhere. Maybe the dude with the high gas bills has to do it for work.

Around here the bigest grocery store, Giant Eagle, gives a gas discount. And that has really irritated the gas station owners. You can get a $1 or more off, per gallon for up to 30 gallens a week if you buy a lot of groceries. That seems unfair to the car-free. Unless you go to the "get Go" store and resell your discount.

I think that fewer gas stations are better for bikes. Eventially there are going to be long lines again.

The big bird's fuel perk program

BTW the Exxon that closed its doors is going to be a Walgreens, without pumps. Not sure what is going to become of the BP, it is in a decent retail area.

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Old 03-06-07, 03:53 PM
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Originally Posted by fordfasterr
yeah !

This is BS !!!!!!!!
Yeah!!!

And what about people posting with car brands in their user name?

BS!!!!

p.s. Many gas stations disapperaed in CA when they were required to upgrade to new tanks.
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