Down with the evil Gas lords. (yes, i am brave enough to post another from myspace)

[Arrian]

Well have at it then. It won't do jack ****, but go for it if it makes you feel better.

Personally, I don't buy from Mobil b/c they're always a few cents more expensive. I've been buying mostly from Citgo and Sunoco or Gulf (I get those two confused for some reason), I think.

-Arrian

[Wezil]

From the CAA website (our version of AAA):

The CAA does not endorse or encourage boycotts because they have not proved to be effective and do not target individuals who have an ability to affect gasoline pricing. Over the years, a number of people have organized boycott efforts against selected oil companies. Such actions penalize station owners and staff – not the oil company itself.

I suspect this seems like a new idea to you, but it isn't.

[Flubber]

Originally posted by Kaak
*yawn*....the idea was that the boycott would cause exxon to lower prices, which would cause a price war. Surprised I had to explain that to you...

If that was the idea its senseless.
Consider

ExxonMobil Corp. plans to sell its 123 company-owned gas stations in Southeast Michigan to its distributors and dealers by the end of March 2005.

Dallas-based ExxonMobil sells gas under the Mobil brand through 183 gas stations in the Detroit area. Thirty-eight are owned and operated by ExxonMobil; 85 are company-owned but run by dealers; the remaining 60 are owned and operated by independent companies.

The company plans to sell its 38 company-operated stations to the three local distributors of ExxonMobil gasoline: McPherson Oil Co. in Howell, Michigan Fuels Inc. in Riverview and Safiedine Oil Co. in...

So ExxonMobil refining sells its gasoline to other retailers. All the small owner-operators are crushed despite being innocent of anything and Exxon feels a little pinch from its company owned stores but since it can sell its gasoline elsewhere, its nothing significant.

ExxonMobil have the reputation worldwide of not giving into pressures-- do you think that a boycott impacting the low-margin gasoline business is going to change them. They are more likely to sell or close stores before they would allow them to be seen to be manipulated by such tactics.

Oh some of the small operators might try dropping their price in desperation since they face personal ruin ( assuming their franchise agreement allows that) but since their wholesale price from Exxon would remain at market levels, they might be selling gasoline for zero profit or a loss. Retailer margins are not large

[Kaak]

To say that it doesn't affect the oil companies is a bit short sighted i think...

[Kaak]

500! thank god

[Flubber]

Originally posted by Kaak
To say that it doesn't affect the oil companies is a bit short sighted i think...

A wide scale reduction in consumption would effect them a great deal. A boycott of one chain of retailers merely rearranges the market share at the bottom without fundamentally changing where the product is coming from.

[Kaak]

Flubb, we've reached critical mass here, i'm done

[Flubber]

ahh hence the one sentence responses to try to get there and run away from your losing argument.

Good luck trying to emulate tajikistan

[KrazyHorse]

Maybe if the US lets Russia base troops in Maine and Alaska they can get 1.15 gas too...

[KrazyHorse]

An obstinate young man named Kaak
Plotted economic attack
His plan sure did stink
But he never did think
Of allowing his resolve to crack

[Arrian]

[Imran Siddiqui]

[Kidlicious]

If you boycott one producer (assuming it's a significant boycott) the price of gas is going to go through the roof. Expect some long ass lines at the pump too.

[Kaak]

I hope they lock this soon...the PV is really good right now

[Darius871]

Please GOD don't let this thread end... I've been laughing so hard I could just Kaak all over the screen!