{OT} gasoline price gouging

The next time you complain about where the windfall profits are going
consider how the state is demanding gas stations sell at a certain
percentage over wholesale so they can get their share of money from the
consumer. The sad part is the state doesn't produce anything or put up
the money to explore or refine or create or deliver or nothing. They
just take their share off the top and demand there be no competition
between station owners.

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

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070509/ap_on_fe_st/odd_cheap_gas

Gas station owner told to raise prices
Wed May 9, 6:05 AM ET


A service station that offered discounted gas to senior citizens and
people supporting youth sports has been ordered by the state to raise
its prices.

Center City BP owner Raj Bhandari has been offering senior citizens a 2
cent per gallon price break and discount cards that let sports boosters
pay 3 cents less per gallon.

But the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
says those deals violate Wisconsin's Unfair Sales Act, which requires
stations to sell gas for about 9.2 percent more than the wholesale
price.

Bhandari said he received a letter from the state auditor last month
saying the state would sue him if he did not raise his prices. The
state could penalize him for each discounted gallon he sold, with the
fine determined by a judge.

Bhandari, who bought the station a year ago, said he worries customers
will think he stopped the discounts because he wants to make more
money. About 10 percent of his customers had used the discount cards.

Dale Van Camp said he bought a $50 card to support the local youth
hockey program. It would have saved him about $100 per year on gas, he
said.
.

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