Don't pump gas on 5/15

[okboy63]

I got this chain email about not pumping gas on 5/15.
Internet users are organizing this. Sounds interesting just to see if this has any effect
I will copy/paste the email below


If you agree with the message, please follow through.



NO GAS...On May 15th 2007
Body: Don't pump gas on may 15th
Body: ...in April 1997, there was a "gas out" conducted nationwide in protest of gas prices. Gasoline prices dropped 30 cents a gallon overnight.


On May 15th 2007, all internet users are to not go to a gas station in protest of high gas prices. Gas is now over $3.00 a gallon in most places.

There are 73,000,000+ American members currently on the internet network, and the average car takes about 30 to 50 dollars to fill up.

If all users did not go to the pump on the 15th, it would take
$2,292,000,000.00 (that's almost 3 BILLION) out of the oil companys pockets for just one day, so please do not go to the gas station on May 15th and lets try to put a dent in the Middle Eastern oil industry for at least one day.

If you agree (which I cant see why you wouldnt) resend this to all your contact list. With it saying, ''Don't pump gas on May 15th"

 

[bpmartyr]

Without actually limiting consumption this will do nothing as you will still be purchasing your fuel on another day. Maybe if you took public transportation for a week or rode a bike but that is certainly not condusive to most of our lifestyles.

 

[m4gnum]

Also the $3 bil number is very misleading. Not all American Internet users have cars and not all of them will even need gas on the 15th of May.

 

[stxnas]

I remember there being something like this a few years back when gas first got ridiculous...I don't recall it accomplishing anything although it would be nice if it did.

 

[OCCFan023]

I saw something like this (actually it was on facebook) but the premise was different than just not buying gas one day. The facebook idea was to get everyone or the majority of people (which right there is a major hard point) to stop using the two major gas providers (which currently I believe are Exxonn and Mobil) which would in theroy force them to lower their prices below what everyone is getting at the lower chains, and at that point people would have to switch back over to Exxon and Mobil and completly avoid the other stations until they too dropped their prices below Exxon and Mobils and the cycle continues.

It seems hard to even imagine this to be possible (although in theory it seems plausible) but the probability of people actually taking this into consideration or getitng everyone in on the plan seems not possible.

I dont see how one day of not using gas would force the companies to drop 30 cents in one day. If people continually stoppped buying gas then maybe but the gas companies are still going to be expected to pay X amount per barrel..

 

[bioman]

It's like peeing into the wind...not much will happen except getting your pants wet.

IMO, it's simply too myopic of a tactic. One day of lower sales..wooopeedoo. Downsize your vehicles, buy alt fuels, use public transport, invest in clean energies...these things threaten oil companies over the long term, not this gas boycott that comes out every year for one whole day.

 

[dsade]

Better yet...take a course in Economics.

 

[Iron Warrior]

If that happens then I'll fill up on the 15th because there won't be a line making me wait One day of not consuming doesn't change a thing. This has to be something that is done long term. Perhaps even reducing gas consumption by 3/4 or even 1/2 will change things.

 

[Chad]

um ok. the 14th is fine right?

 

[drunk]

You'll have one day of lower sales, but the rest of the week will be higher to make up for the 15th. So it accomplishes nothing. i doubt the oil companies care that they have day of low sales while the rest of the week makes up for it. Oil companies look at the big picture which everyone else should start doing.

 

[jmh80]

I saw something like this (actually it was on facebook) but the premise was different than just not buying gas one day. The facebook idea was to get everyone or the majority of people (which right there is a major hard point) to stop using the two major gas providers (which currently I believe are Exxonn and Mobil) which would in theroy force them to lower their prices below what everyone is getting at the lower chains, and at that point people would have to switch back over to Exxon and Mobil and completly avoid the other stations until they too dropped their prices below Exxon and Mobils and the cycle continues.

It seems hard to even imagine this to be possible (although in theory it seems plausible) but the probability of people actually taking this into consideration or getitng everyone in on the plan seems not possible.

I dont see how one day of not using gas would force the companies to drop 30 cents in one day. If people continually stoppped buying gas then maybe but the gas companies are still going to be expected to pay X amount per barrel..

ExxonMobil is one company. The biggest merger in history.


In theory - this idea is total horsesh*t.


Your last paragraph is correct. People have to lower consumption to drive down prices. It's a fluid market. Drive less and stop being total morons with SUV's and Hummer's that get 5 miles to the gallon.

 

[jmh80]

It's like peeing into the wind...not much will happen except getting your pants wet.

IMO, it's simply too myopic of a tactic. One day of lower sales..wooopeedoo. Downsize your vehicles, buy alt fuels, use public transport, invest in clean energies...these things threaten oil companies over the long term, not this gas boycott that comes out every year for one whole day.

The oil companies you speak of are most likely the super majors (I.E. BP, Texa-ho, ExxonMobil).

Remember that they are not nearly the biggest oil companies when it comes to reserves (crude oil, in effect, owned). That would be the likes of Aramco (Saudi), PdVSA (Venezuala), etc.

ExxonMobil is like 10th or 15th or something. The rest of the super-majors are barely in the top 25.

The national oil companies currently dominate. And will as oil prices stay high. (Which lends itself to high oil prices to begin with - they are ineptly managed and operated, mooks if you will.)

 

[warnerve]

everyone pump and run for the rest of 2007!!! Tell your friends! We can make a difference

 

[dsade]

I'm thinking if we all make a pledge to drive 10 times as much...then we ALL fill up on the 15th, they will be so stressed out trying to keep up with demand and count all that money that they will have nervous breakdowns, see the error of their greedy capitalist ways, and immediately convert to buddhism.

 

[UHCougar05]

Better yet...take a course in Economics.

I have a degree in it, people should take it. Like bio said, one day isn't going to make one iota of difference in their profits for the year, or even the month for that matter.

The sooner the demand for oil goes down(with China developing like it is, this won't happen anytime soon) supply will go up and prices will go down. A one day protest won't make a dent in the supply or demand. Econ 101. w00t! :numbered:

 

[klugman]

Before we get too crazy attacking the oil companies let's not forget Big Government.

Here, in the People's Republic of CT we have very high taxes imposed on gasoline. This helps bring the price per gallon up over 3.00 right now.

If the Democrats (who control this state) really cared about the middle class and poor they would force Queen Rell to sign a bill that suspended these taxes.

That will never happen of course.

 

[drunk]

Oil companies charge what they can, it's supply and demand. Companies are in business to make money. Everyone complains about gas prices and want gas prices to drop, but won't do anything about it that inconveniences them like driving less or taking public transportation.
Gas is like cigarettes. You can raise prices of both and the demand will still be pretty much the same. It's an addiction.

 

[Pfunk47]

I don't understand how people think 1 day of no gas is going to do anything. Major Companies deal in quarters, not days - Exxon just had a 9+billion in revenue 2nd quarter with 2 more to go for the year. Is 1 day going to cripple that - sure :frustrate. Also high gas prices are not just "big oil" - The Gov. & state need a piece of mountain high cake as well, they are actually trying to invent new taxes in order to obtain 50% of oil company profits, they aren't far behind as it is anyways - 36% I think.

so in actuality gas is really about $1.90 but thank our taxes for this $3.20 we see now - and to those who think a change can be made, HA. Until alternatives are plentiful and readily available only the "true" consensus, not your average lazy american, will seek them out - not those who want to save a buck.

small link to gas taxes and history
The Tax Foundation - State and Federal Treasuries "Profit" More from Gasoline Sales than U.S. Oil Industry

 

[jmh80]

Gasoline is a drop in the bucket for a super major's profit. Look at the earnings profiles they are required to file with the SEC.

Look at the % of the total profit that comes from refining (where gasoline profits would be booked). Menial.

Some companies make more money from their chemical companies than refining.

 

[Chad]

No Gas Today!!!
STICK IT TO THE MAN!

 

[Pfunk47]

do the gas companies know about today too???? - all of a sudden gas went from $3.24 yesterday to $3.50 in MI - looks liek they are sticking it to us.

while where on the topic of gas...


Citgo's Name Change - Spread the word...

This past week, the President of Iran visited President Chavez of Venezuela. Their main theme at the meetings, "DESTRUCTION OF AMERICA"
and KILL ALL JEWS" ! It is not President Bush they hate. It is you and me!

President Chavez is spreading the "HATE AMERICA" to other South American countries. All Americans must stand up and listen to what the two
Presidents say. Chavez is using the "oil to the poor" in this country to undermine our government.


Now Citgo is changing their name because of poor sales caused by our standing up and not buying Citgo gas. Don't let the name change fool you -
it's still Chavez's gas!

CITGO Changing Name To PETRO EXPRESS

I had to forward this, because Chavez is starting to feel the loss of revenue from his holdings - HE OWNS CITGO. This is a very important move
that everyone should be aware of.


ANNOUNCED JUST RECENTLY, CITGO, BEING AWARE THAT SALES ARE DOWN DUE TO U.S. CUSTOMERS NOT WANTING TO BUY FROM "CHAVEZ", HAS STARTED TO CHANGE THE NAME OF SOME OF THEIR STORES, TO: "PETRO EXPRESS".

DO NOT BUY FROM "PETRO EXPRESS". "PETRO EXPRESS" IS ALSO 100% OWNED BY CHAVEZ".

 

[dlew308]

i bought gas today, it was down to 3.559/gal
if you want to make money like exxon etc, buy their stocks

 

[dsade]

Gas didn't change price at all here in Ohio. Still around $3.15 a gallon.

But I did get a personal letter from the CEO of Mobil, begging me for my $50, and asking me personally (yes, it was signed in pencil...so I know it is really by his own hand) to PLEASE save his company and buy gas today.

 

[spatch]

The vast majority of Americans are dependant on gasoline. A boycott would only work if we had a different option to resort to , such as electric cars. Currently, a boycott on gas would be like a boycott on oxygen.

 

[dlew308]

I didn't buy gas today on purpose, my low fuel light came and I have to go to work
Now the mpg ratings for some hybrid cars are being changed to reflect realer numbers, which are around 11mpg lower then advertised....boo!

 

[dsade]

Sounds like instead of perfecting a design that runs on Gas and electricity, it runs partially on bullshiat.

 

[dlew308]

dsade: mix up something and sell NP gas!!! haha

 

[CNizz]

i didnt pump gas today, just like i didnt pump gas the last 20 days and wont pump for another few. Take that AMPM!

 

[Iron Warrior]

I pumped gas today but ARCO didn't give me a coupon or a discount on an escort so I guess they didn't really care if we bought gas today

 

[warnerve]

i got gas yesterday too. i was stunned at the number of people i know who actually fell for this. people love to take a stand that requires no effort and doesn't really inconvenience them, even if it doesn't make sense

 

[jmh80]

Gas didn't change price at all here in Ohio. Still around $3.15 a gallon.

But I did get a personal letter from the CEO of Mobil, begging me for my $50, and asking me personally (yes, it was signed in pencil...so I know it is really by his own hand) to PLEASE save his company and buy gas today.

Mobil isn't a company any more, Dsade. Unless you got a letter from ExxonMobil. Mobil is no more.



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