Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

stever

Lots of stations just blend the gas right at the pump to make the midgrade stuff.

And yeah, I'm with you on Top Tier. Top Tier supposedly has less amounts of "varnish" content in the base gasoline stock. But I think it's more important just to buy "fresh" gas at a busy station than worry about the detergent in it. The EPA sets a minimum level as it is.

I'm not even convinced that Techron is anything special and that's the only additive I've ever used, since ethanol replaced my need for the occasional bottle of HEET.

imidazol97

stever said:

And yeah, I'm with you on Top Tier. Top Tier supposedly has less amounts of "varnish" content in the base gasoline stock. But I think it's more important just to buy "fresh" gas at a busy station than worry about the detergent in it. The EPA sets a minimum level as it is.

I'm not even convinced that Techron is anything special and that's the only additive I've ever used, since ethanol replaced my need for the occasional bottle of HEET.

I found a post by yourself from 2008 when I was searching for information as to the veracity of the top tier ratings. It linked a USA Today article stating that the fact that some manufacturers had set the values while others weren't involved indicated it might be a gimmick.

I think that now the chemistry and the car's fuel supply designs are so much better, it machts nichts as to the ratings. I didn't find anything about a difference in the base stock of the fuels. In many areas it all flows through the same pipeline from the supplier. Indeed, much of the nonbranded fuels here comes from the pipeline terminal right across the road from the pipeline terminal for a major company in this eastern midwest. IOW, they both use the same pipeline supply. The trucks have many varied labels leaving the general terminal. The difference is in the additives used by a name brand company, if there is any difference compared to the additive put in by the non name brand company.

The only reference I've seen to the varnishing is due to aging of the gasolines, and that's what Stabil can help control. I was talking to a Volt owner while my Cobalt was serviced and he said the gasoline in his Volt was months old because so little gasoline is used in the way he and his wife drive it. He said the tank is under pressure as a way of keeping the fuel from aging. He said to put in fuel the computer has to be put into fueling mode to allow the cap to be taken off. I'd never heard that mentioned before but aging fuel would be a problem in an electric auto. He did say that he uses Shell premium fuel for that reason. I don't know if that's valid or if that's recommended by GM. I'll have to get a Volt owner manual and look it up.

robr2

graphicguy said:

robr2 said:

graphicguy said:

Let's just crush being held hostage by oil companies and their suppliers. Overall, it's better for EVERYONE and would go a long way to stimulating an economy that still needs stimulation instead of trying to spend our way out of good fortune.

IMHO, the only way to crush being held hostage by the oil companies and their suppliers is to lessen our dependence on oil and gasoline.

But unless people are willing to sacrifice something, it will never happen.

That's the point. We're EXPORTING oil supplies, now. We don't need foreign suppliers

The US has always exported oil. Under federal law passed in 1975, the US can only export US produced oil to Canada.

Even if all imports stopped, we would still be "held hostage by the oil companies and their suppliers." We would still be reliant on them for oil products.

The only way to not be beholden to them is to not use oil at all. And as I said, if we aren't willing to sacrifice, it will never happen.

graphicguy

robr2 said:

graphicguy said:

robr2 said:

graphicguy said:

Let's just crush being held hostage by oil companies and their suppliers. Overall, it's better for EVERYONE and would go a long way to stimulating an economy that still needs stimulation instead of trying to spend our way out of good fortune.

IMHO, the only way to crush being held hostage by the oil companies and their suppliers is to lessen our dependence on oil and gasoline.

But unless people are willing to sacrifice something, it will never happen.

That's the point. We're EXPORTING oil supplies, now. We don't need foreign suppliers

The US has always exported oil. Under federal law passed in 1975, the US can only export US produced oil to Canada.

Even if all imports stopped, we would still be "held hostage by the oil companies and their suppliers." We would still be reliant on them for oil products.

The only way to not be beholden to them is to not use oil at all. And as I said, if we aren't willing to sacrifice, it will never happen.

Bottom line, we still do not need foreign supplies of oil. We can find our own. As such, we can dictate to the refineries who and how we want to do business with here. We're not dependent on their relationships with OPEC, Russia, etc.

Maybe, just maybe we don't have to spend so much, worry so much, about who's killing whom in the Middle East, too.

graphicguy

Back to cars.....

Not sure who this dealer is, but they sure sound interesting (transport your new car anywhere in the lower 48 for no charge, and pick up your trade for no charge).

Aside from that, sweet, sweet cars, too.....


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cadillac-CTS-Certified-2014-cadillac-cts-v-coupe-3-k-miles-rearcam-nav-sunroof-vent-seat-bose-cln-/171578161862?forcerrptr=true&hash=item27f2dafac6&item=171578161862&pt=US_Cars_Trucks

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cadillac-CTS-Vsport-Premium-Certified-2014-cadillac-cts-v-sedan-350-mi-htd-leater-nav-pano-roof-twin-/391004455286?forcerrptr=true&hash=item5b09ae8176&item=391004455286&pt=US_Cars_Trucks

Mr_Shiftright

It's probably time to break up the oil companies like Teddy Roosevelt did with sugar and shipping.

graphicguy

Mr_Shiftright said:

It's probably time to break up the oil companies like Teddy Roosevelt did with sugar and shipping.

You'll get no pushback from me. I think that's an excellent idea.

fezo

True enough. I thought at the time that letting Exxon and Mobil and Chevron and Texaco merge was a big mistake. We could use a serious trustbuster about now. For the same reasons Teddy did.

Meanwhile, I don't care how you finance it but the infrastructure in this country is in awful shape. When I was a kid I watched them build the new bridges that connect us to the barrier island five miles away. It's now considered functionally obsolete. Has been for a good 15 years. They're finally in the first steps of replacing it. There are hundreds of that bridge collapse in Minnesota or the one in Tampa Bay just waiting to happen.

Time to start up the WPA again. Should have been part of the stimulus.

robr2

graphicguy said:

robr2 said:

graphicguy said:

robr2 said:

graphicguy said:

Let's just crush being held hostage by oil companies and their suppliers. Overall, it's better for EVERYONE and would go a long way to stimulating an economy that still needs stimulation instead of trying to spend our way out of good fortune.

IMHO, the only way to crush being held hostage by the oil companies and their suppliers is to lessen our dependence on oil and gasoline.

But unless people are willing to sacrifice something, it will never happen.

That's the point. We're EXPORTING oil supplies, now. We don't need foreign suppliers

The US has always exported oil. Under federal law passed in 1975, the US can only export US produced oil to Canada.

Even if all imports stopped, we would still be "held hostage by the oil companies and their suppliers." We would still be reliant on them for oil products.

The only way to not be beholden to them is to not use oil at all. And as I said, if we aren't willing to sacrifice, it will never happen.

Bottom line, we still do not need foreign supplies of oil. We can find our own. As such, we can dictate to the refineries who and how we want to do business with here. We're not dependent on their relationships with OPEC, Russia, etc.

Maybe, just maybe we don't have to spend so much, worry so much, about who's killing whom in the Middle East, too.

Except that the US doesn't produce 100% of the oil we need, We still have to import at least 25% of our oil needs.

fezo

That gets into that pricing equation. We have the capacity to produce all our own oil (or at worst have Canada as our only folks we import from) but not likely at current prices. This will all shake out. There are certainly times that we buy foreign oil because it's cheaper than using our own.

imidazol97

In case anyone missed it!

abacomike

I was over at Walmart today to do some last minute shopping for the Holidays and found it very "unbusy" in terms of what one would expect for this time of the year.  Compared to what I found at Costco, where it was so crowded I couldn't find a parking space, I am wondering what Costco has that Walmart doesn't have.

I shop at Costco mainly for very few food items because I have found their food prices, in general, to be significantly higher than Walmart or other competing grocery chains.  Their eggs, milk and cheese prices are excellent, however.

Their prices on HD TV's are really not that much better that HHGregg or Brandsmart down here in South Florida.  Yet I see people leaving Costco with baskets and skids of purchases of foodstuffs and appliances.

Just wonder what they have that others don't.  I like shopping there all year round except for this time of year - they are just jammed packed with shoppers every single day.

murphydog

abacomike said:

I was over at Walmart today to do some last minute shopping for the Holidays and found it very "unbusy" in terms of what one would expect for this time of the year.  Compared to what I found at Costco, where it was so crowded I couldn't find a parking space, I am wondering what Costco has that Walmart doesn't have.

I shop at Costco mainly for very few food items because I have found their food prices, in general, to be significantly higher than Walmart or other competing grocery chains.  Their eggs, milk and cheese prices are excellent, however.

Their prices on HD TV's are really not that much better that HHGregg or Brandsmart down here in South Florida.  Yet I see people leaving Costco with baskets and skids of purchases of foodstuffs and appliances.

Just wonder what they have that others don't.  I like shopping there all year round except for this time of year - they are just jammed packed with shoppers every single day.

Mike - this is just my point of view, but all other things being equal Costco provides me with a better experience. They don't seem to stock junk, they don't sneak in extended warranties or other none-sense. They have a simple return policy, they have (typically) better employees. In the Seattle area the parking lot contains no "compact spots" so parking is usually better except at the holidays. My feeling is I get the most overall value for my $$ when I shop there.

Somebody else asked earlier about gas - I have purchased gas at Costco almost exclusively since they started selling it. I have had no adverse effects in any of my cars. I have had a Toyota Tacoma, Mazada 3, Mitsubishi Montero, Mercedes C350, Lexus RX 350 and a BMW X3. So far so good.

ab348

I have always avoided Walmart for a bunch of reasons - an image in my mind of selling junky items, the clientele, poor service. But lately I have had a change of heart. They have expanded their stores into Supercenters locally with a pretty full array of grocery items. I probably buy 70% of my groceries there now. They aren't cheaper on everything, and I tend not to buy their meat because I am not a fan of how they package it (one size/one price, not by the lb) but for most things they make me wonder how the supermarkets get away with the prices they charge. A french bread baguette that the market charges $3 for is $1.13 there. A tub of yogurt is $1 cheaper. A can of soup is (on sale this week) $2 cheaper. A package of fresh mushrooms is $1 less. They have a brand new in-store bakery and turn out very nice stuff. It is a real revelation for me.

I have also had some dealings with the store staff since starting to buy groceries there and have found them excellent, and providing good, no-questions-asked service. I am not a fan of the crowds but it is a good experience overall. And I always see Cadillacs like mine, M-B E and S series cars, BMWs, etc in the lot, so the stigma of only the impoverished and uneducated shopping there seems to be gone.

jayrider

graphicguy said:

Back to cars.....

Not sure who this dealer is, but they sure sound interesting (transport your new car anywhere in the lower 48 for no charge, and pick up your trade for no charge).

Aside from that, sweet, sweet cars, too.....


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cadillac-CTS-Certified-2014-cadillac-cts-v-coupe-3-k-miles-rearcam-nav-sunroof-vent-seat-bose-cln-/171578161862?forcerrptr=true&hash=item27f2dafac6&item=171578161862&pt=US_Cars_Trucks

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cadillac-CTS-Vsport-Premium-Certified-2014-cadillac-cts-v-sedan-350-mi-htd-leater-nav-pano-roof-twin-/391004455286?forcerrptr=true&hash=item5b09ae8176&item=391004455286&pt=US_Cars_Trucks

Go to all items for sale then click on sold to see what cars sold for which includes "free" shipping.

abacomike

@murphydog‌
@ab348

You both made some excellent points.  I agree that the shopping experience at Costco is superior to Walmart.  Costco, as you said Murph, stocks almost exclusively excellent merchandise.  Their frozen foods and dairy products are superior.

Maybe I just avoid Costco because of the crowds.  I go to Costco at least once a month for cheese, bagels, snacks, drink mix, etc., even if I have to buck all that traffic and people.  I now buy all my gasoline at Costco as well.

I just need to get to Costco early enough to find parking.  I just wish the store opened at 8:00 AM instead of 10:00 AM.

Thanks for your feedback - I overlooked the gobs of positives in favor of a few negatives.

abacomike

Spoke to my son last night and we discussed the possibility of him flying in to Ft. Lauderdale for a week next summer and we could either drive down to The Keys or to Naples for a nice restful vacation for him.  He will sure need a break from all his responsibilities as well as what he is going through with these heavy radiation treatments.  He said he'd like that, so I called my brother to see if he would come down to watch Dad if Justin comes in next July.  He said he would.

So I am hoping to spend a nice 6-7 days next summer rebonding with him.  I was thinking of Islamorada which is below Key Largo and above Key Marathon.  They have great sport fishing there and some very nice hotels both on the Gulf and the Ocean.

Has anyone ever been to Islamorada?  If so, what do you think of my idea?

fezo

Well, I drove through it maybe 38 years ago.... It was quite nice.

You can't go too far wrong worth the Keys.

I'm a big fan of Costco but I'm with Mike that they aren't necessarily the cheapest in electronics for the most part. I've scoped out TVs but will now always order online with someone with the lowest price and white glove delivery.

That said they do double the manufacturer's warranty on electronics. This came in very handy when the first HDTV I got. Toshiba had a two year warranty. The set had issues in year 3. That would be 2009. Costco sent over twp guys and while watching them I'mm thinking "this can't end well" but they fixed it just fine. Last year the motherboard died. Ended up buying two TVs, both better than the original, for less money than the one.

I like how Costco treats their employees and you see a lot of loyalty there.

My local Costco has a hearing aid center with a licensed audiologist. I had gone to an independent guy and the cost was high and the product not so hot. I had 90 days to return them for a full refund and did so. The Costco audiologist gave me a far better exam and sold me hearing aids that were far superior and half the price. (My mid-level hearing is just fine; it's high frequencies and to a lesser extant low frequencies that are the problem. everything is cool now. They also sell excellent batteries for pennies.)

I tend to have better interaction with Costco employees than Walmart in much the same way I find that Home Depot folks seem to know their stuff better than Lowes.

abacomike

fezo said:

Well, I drove through it maybe 38 years ago.... It was quite nice. You can't go too far wrong worth the Keys. I'm a big fan of Costco but I'm with Mike that they aren't necessarily the cheapest in electronics for the most part. I've scoped out TVs but will now always order online with someone with the lowest price and white glove delivery. That said they do double the manufacturer's warranty on electronics. This came in very handy when the first HDTV I got. Toshiba had a two year warranty. The set had issues in year 3. That would be 2009. Costco sent over twp guys and while watching them I'mm thinking "this can't end well" but they fixed it just fine. Last year the motherboard died. Ended up buying two TVs, both better than the original, for less money than the one. I like how Costco treats their employees and you see a lot of loyalty there. My local Costco has a hearing aid center with a licensed audiologist. I had gone to an independent guy and the cost was high and the product not so hot. I had 90 days to return them for a full refund and did so. The Costco audiologist gave me a far better exam and sold me hearing aids that were far superior and half the price. (My mid-level hearing is just fine; it's high frequencies and to a lesser extant low frequencies that are the problem. everything is cool now. They also sell excellent batteries for pennies.) I tend to have better interaction with Costco employees than Walmart in much the same way I find that Home Depot folks seem to know their stuff better than Lowes.

Thanks, Fez.  I have driven through myself, but I never stayed there or even stopped for lunch, etc.

I agree that Costco employees are more knowledgeable and more gracious than Walmart employees.

I have a 32" Toshiba HD 1080 that I bought at Brandsmart 5 or 6 years ago.  Still works perfectly and it gets lots of use. It even has a built-in DVD player.  I think I paid $329.00 for it which was a great price.  I use it in my bedroom which is kind of small and the 32" size is perfect.

Again, thanks for your feedback on Islamorada.  I hope one of the regulars or a lurker has some firsthand knowledge and experience.

stickguy

I have never been to Costco. the nearest one to me is about 1/2 hour away, so not useful for regular stuff. Seems like it could pay if I needed Tires I guess.

we do have a membership at BJs and use that quite often, but it is much more convenient to us.

imidazol97

" I tend to have better interaction with Costco employees than Walmart in much the same way I find that Home Depot folks seem to know their stuff better than Lowes."

I find here that Lowes has employees who know their stuff in various trades-related departments like electrical and plumbing on duty during the day hours. When I remodeled our kitchen, the electrical guys were a big help with how to rewire from the main box out as I added new overhead and undercabinet lights along with moving the electric stove. The Home Depot store is not as good because it seems to be a smaller store than the other 3 in town.

A Costco just opened here in our area so I'm reading the comparisons with Sam's and Costco carefully. Our Sam's is a few miles away and awful, just awful. I'll have to see if Costco does guest visits.

ab348

As a single guy, I had a membership at Costco once many years ago and never used it much. I just don't need to buy things in the quantities they were selling them in - maybe that practice of theirs is different now. But the one thing that really turned me off was the lineup for receipt checking on the way out. I presume they do that everywhere and not just here.

abacomike

ab348 said:

As a single guy, I had a membership at Costco once many years ago and never used it much. I just don't need to buy things in the quantities they were selling them in - maybe that practice of theirs is different now. But the one thing that really turned me off was the lineup for receipt checking on the way out. I presume they do that everywhere and not just here.

They do that at most places where they have self-service checkouts.  But you are correct, Costco checks all shoppers, but the line takes no more than 2-3 minutes to get through.

Like I said in a previous post, I just wish they opened earlier than 10:00 AM.  I know the gas pumps open at 7:00 AM at our local Costco.  They have 12 pumps and I usually have to wait 3-5 minutes to get to a pump.  $277.9 a gallon is about 30-40 cents a gallon cheaper than most other top tier gasoline stations.  

28firefighter

Having lived in Seattle for two years now, I can say the Costco experience here in Seattle is a bit different from where I was living before.  Namely, price wise here, they are the same if not cheaper than the local grocery stores and tend to have better quality stuff.  There are also more warehouse locations to choose from. 

When I was in Pittsburgh, there were fewer warehouses and generally Giant Eagle or Walmart was much cheaper day-to-day.  An experience more akin to Mike's. 

murphydog

The only draw back I have is the other customers at Costco, sort of a cross between zombies and sheep shuffling from one food station to another. Wondering away from their cart left awkwardly in the middle of the aisle. I wish they had a set 2 hours with no free food samples.

My son love the car wash, and the downtown costco has a nice car wash for $8.00

graphicguy

Costco and Sam's Club are within 100 yards of each other by me. And, about 20 minites from my home. So, both are convenient. I have a membership at both.

Costco generally has better, higher quality merchandise. Their customer service is a quantum leap better than Sam's, too.

Gas... Costco is Top Tier. Used it for 10 years in small block V8s, turbo motors, high strung supercharged motors, and a rotary motor. Never a hint of a problem.

Needless to say, I am in Costco 10x more than Sam's. Every once in a while, I find Sam's cheaper on computer peripherals.

fezo

That thing on Costco on tires is spot on. When I had my blowout I got to the car over to the place with the blowout insurance. He said given the age of the tire and the amount of tread he could discount the tire's price by $50 making it $170. Costco sells them for $155 and includes roadhazard and blowout insurance in that price.

My former regular mechanic has priced himself right out of my business,

fezo

I can't comment on BJ's tires because I haven't tried but I suspect it's similar. We went from neither to both a few years ago.

venture

abacomike said:

ab348 said:

As a single guy, I had a membership at Costco once many years ago and never used it much. I just don't need to buy things in the quantities they were selling them in - maybe that practice of theirs is different now. But the one thing that really turned me off was the lineup for receipt checking on the way out. I presume they do that everywhere and not just here.

They do that at most places where they have self-service checkouts.  But you are correct, Costco checks all shoppers, but the line takes no more than 2-3 minutes to get through.

Like I said in a previous post, I just wish they opened earlier than 10:00 AM.  I know the gas pumps open at 7:00 AM at our local Costco.  They have 12 pumps and I usually have to wait 3-5 minutes to get to a pump.  $277.9 a gallon is about 30-40 cents a gallon cheaper than most other top tier gasoline stations.  

We don't have a Costco here, but at Sam's Club they have a Business Membership and you can get in at 7 am. Their regular hours begin at 10 am too I think. Usually there are not many people there between 7 and 10 and parking, obviously, is a breeze. You may want to inquire the next time you are at Costco's. Just tell them you own Mike's Frequent Car Buyers. You never know.

qbrozen

graphicguy said:

Back to cars.....

Not sure who this dealer is, but they sure sound interesting (transport your new car anywhere in the lower 48 for no charge, and pick up your trade for no charge).

Aside from that, sweet, sweet cars, too.....


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cadillac-CTS-Certified-2014-cadillac-cts-v-coupe-3-k-miles-rearcam-nav-sunroof-vent-seat-bose-cln-/171578161862?forcerrptr=true&hash=item27f2dafac6&item=171578161862&pt=US_Cars_Trucks

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cadillac-CTS-Vsport-Premium-Certified-2014-cadillac-cts-v-sedan-350-mi-htd-leater-nav-pano-roof-twin-/391004455286?forcerrptr=true&hash=item5b09ae8176&item=391004455286&pt=US_Cars_Trucks

Huh. That's interesting. Their website and ebay pricing aren't aligned, though. Wonder if the website price doesn't include the transport. I'm going to give their quote system a shot for kicks.

graphicguy

qbrozen said:

graphicguy said:

Back to cars.....

Not sure who this dealer is, but they sure sound interesting (transport your new car anywhere in the lower 48 for no charge, and pick up your trade for no charge).

Aside from that, sweet, sweet cars, too.....


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cadillac-CTS-Certified-2014-cadillac-cts-v-coupe-3-k-miles-rearcam-nav-sunroof-vent-seat-bose-cln-/171578161862?forcerrptr=true&hash=item27f2dafac6&item=171578161862&pt=US_Cars_Trucks

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cadillac-CTS-Vsport-Premium-Certified-2014-cadillac-cts-v-sedan-350-mi-htd-leater-nav-pano-roof-twin-/391004455286?forcerrptr=true&hash=item5b09ae8176&item=391004455286&pt=US_Cars_Trucks

Huh. That's interesting. Their website and ebay pricing aren't aligned, though. Wonder if the website price doesn't include the transport. I'm going to give their quote system a shot for kicks.

Q....would be interested in hearing about your results.

I assume that CTS-Vs are fairly available. So, it would stand to reason that they have to be somewhat competitive on price. Still, that's a chunk of change to transport any car you buy from them.....at no charge.

I only had one experience with a CTS-V, and it was brief. WOW! It's that kind of car.

abacomike

@venture‌

You have to concede one thing, venture - I kept the CLS 550 for 13 months.  Over the past 15 years, that's kind of a record for me!

The new E400 Sport Sedan is such a pleasure to get in and out of and the visibility is so much better.  With the 19" wheels and performance tires, it corners and rides so similarly to the CLS now.

I got a kick out of putting the cruise control on yesterday while driving home on the Turnpike.  The car steers itself!  It uses the sensors and cameras to keep the car centered between the lane marker lines.  And if I get too close to the car in front of me, cruise disengages until the distance between me and the car in front of me is once again 100 feet (what I set the distance to be).  It then re-engages.

This car is the nicest one I've ever owned, but not as beautiful as the CLS.

isellhondas

Costco's global headquarters is five minutes from our home and as a result I have met many Costco employees and management. They all LOVE working for Costco and have nothing but praise.

I won't shop at Walmart. Their stores make a K Mart look like an upscale department store!

They go into small towns and put all of the mom and pop stores out of business and then they raise their prices.

graphicguy

fezo said:

That thing on Costco on tires is spot on. When I had my blowout I got to the car over to the place with the blowout insurance. He said given the age of the tire and the amount of tread he could discount the tire's price by $50 making it $170. Costco sells them for $155 and includes roadhazard and blowout insurance in that price.

My former regular mechanic has priced himself right out of my business,

fezo....since I'm a veteran member with you guys here in these threads, I rarely have to get tires. New tires are just one reason of many to buy a new car.

But, a former GF had to get tires for her vehicle a few years ago. She shopped relentlessly and decided Costco was the best. IIRC, she saved quite a bit of money.

I can't remember a time that I didn't just pull up to the pump to get gas at Costco....no wait. And, just checked GAS BUDDY. Costco around here is selling RUG for $2.14/gal. They used to just add 20¢ to the cost of RUG for PUG. Just in the last few weeks, they've started charging over 35¢ more per gal over RUG (the equivalent of a 50%+ increase). So, are they overcharging in my 'burg, given they're TOP TIER gas and seem to have their fair share of vehicles that require PUG in the tank? Or, is there something else going on at the refinery level (which I suspect, given that other TOP TIER providers like Shell are charging 50¢ more for PUG vs RUG).

I just find that interesting how even on the retail level, pricing is treated fast and loose.

robr2

graphicguy said:

I can't remember a time that I didn't just pull up to the pump to get gas at Costco....no wait. And, just checked GAS BUDDY. Costco around here is selling RUG for $2.14/gal. They used to just add 20¢ to the cost of RUG for PUG. Just in the last few weeks, they've started charging over 35¢ more per gal over RUG (the equivalent of a 50%+ increase). So, are they overcharging in my 'burg, given they're TOP TIER gas and seem to have their fair share of vehicles that require PUG in the tank? Or, is there something else going on at the refinery level (which I suspect, given that other TOP TIER providers like Shell are charging 50¢ more for PUG vs RUG).

I just find that interesting how even on the retail level, pricing is treated fast and loose.

The price differential between regular and premium has increased simply due to the fact that
regular gas is a loss leader/break even commodity product as it represents appx 90% of all gasoline sales. Premium fuel is not a commodity as it's sold mainly as an upgrade to regular or as a requirement for some car owners. It's profitable item for stations to sell.

graphicguy

robr2 said:

graphicguy said:

I can't remember a time that I didn't just pull up to the pump to get gas at Costco....no wait. And, just checked GAS BUDDY. Costco around here is selling RUG for $2.14/gal. They used to just add 20¢ to the cost of RUG for PUG. Just in the last few weeks, they've started charging over 35¢ more per gal over RUG (the equivalent of a 50%+ increase). So, are they overcharging in my 'burg, given they're TOP TIER gas and seem to have their fair share of vehicles that require PUG in the tank? Or, is there something else going on at the refinery level (which I suspect, given that other TOP TIER providers like Shell are charging 50¢ more for PUG vs RUG).

I just find that interesting how even on the retail level, pricing is treated fast and loose.

The price differential between regular and premium has increased simply due to the fact that
regular gas is a loss leader/break even commodity product as it represents appx 90% of all gasoline sales. Premium fuel is not a commodity as it's sold mainly as an upgrade to regular or as a requirement for some car owners. It's profitable item for stations to sell.

Interesting....so, 90% of the gas sold (RUG) is sold at a loss? Doesn't sound like a good business model.

Mr_Shiftright

Reminds me of the old joke: "Sure I lose money on every item, but I make it up in volume!"

venture

abacomike said:

@venture‌

You have to concede one thing, venture - I kept the CLS 550 for 13 months.  Over the past 15 years, that's kind of a record for me!

The new E400 Sport Sedan is such a pleasure to get in and out of and the visibility is so much better.  With the 19" wheels and performance tires, it corners and rides so similarly to the CLS now.

I got a kick out of putting the cruise control on yesterday while driving home on the Turnpike.  The car steers itself!  It uses the sensors and cameras to keep the car centered between the lane marker lines.  And if I get too close to the car in front of me, cruise disengages until the distance between me and the car in front of me is once again 100 feet (what I set the distance to be).  It then re-engages.

This car is the nicest one I've ever owned, but not as beautiful as the CLS.

I understand Mike, but the gist of my reply was to let you know that there may be alternatives to only being allowed to enter Costco's at 10 am. I don't remember what Sam's Club required as far a "why" I wanted a Business membership, but I don't remember that it was a very rigorous process.

abacomike

@venture‌

I think I pay $55.00 a year for Costco membership.  Our Costco does not open early for business memberships - so it doesn't pay to spend an extra $20.00 if I get no benefit from it.

When I go to Costco, I get there at 9:30 AM, and there are no other cars in the parking lot.

graphicguy

Mr_Shiftright said:

Reminds me of the old joke: "Sure I lose money on every item, but I make it up in volume!"

Love that quote.

I've heard decades worth of whining by gas conglomerates and station owners how they can't make any money with gas priced the way it is. Yet, those places keep cropping up on more and more street corners.

Independent guy, owned his own station in the neighborhood I used to live in, always drove 6-7 series BMWs. He had some very nice digs to boot. He always cried how he couldn't make any money selling gas. Kind of fell on deaf ears. If you're going to plead hardship, at least pretend you're suffering some hardship.

Even Costco, where their pumps are far away from the store says they make money on gas. And, their gas is cheaper than just about everywhere else.

So, not seeing gas as a loss leader. Gas is nearly 1/2 what it was 6 months ago. Funny thing, I don't see anyone declaring bankruptcy....not the likes of Exxon, nor the Shell station down the street.

Someone mentioned "fracking" would stop. Not seeing that, either. They're making money, even if gas goes to under $2/gal (which it look like it might). No one let's a multi-million/billion dollar investment churn if they aren't making money on it.

robr2

robr2 said:

graphicguy said:

I can't remember a time that I didn't just pull up to the pump to get gas at Costco....no wait. And, just checked GAS BUDDY. Costco around here is selling RUG for $2.14/gal. They used to just add 20¢ to the cost of RUG for PUG. Just in the last few weeks, they've started charging over 35¢ more per gal over RUG (the equivalent of a 50%+ increase). So, are they overcharging in my 'burg, given they're TOP TIER gas and seem to have their fair share of vehicles that require PUG in the tank? Or, is there something else going on at the refinery level (which I suspect, given that other TOP TIER providers like Shell are charging 50¢ more for PUG vs RUG).

I just find that interesting how even on the retail level, pricing is treated fast and loose.

The price differential between regular and premium has increased simply due to the fact that
regular gas is a loss leader/break even commodity product as it represents appx 90% of all gasoline sales. Premium fuel is not a commodity as it's sold mainly as an upgrade to regular or as a requirement for some car owners. It's profitable item for stations to sell.

graphicguy said:

Interesting....so, 90% of the gas sold (RUG) is sold at a loss? Doesn't sound like a good business model.

Very often it is. Gross profit margins on gasoline are typically 3-5%. Once you swipe your credit card, they might make a few pennies on the gas. It's often a loss or break even proposition at net. For stations with convenience stores, gas is 70% of sales but it represents only 30% of profit. The goal of the low price of regular is to get you in the convenience store to buy coffee, soda, milk, cigarettes, et al where they make 70% of the profit.

Now a busy station sells about 100,000 gallons of gas a month. At $0.02 cents profit, that's only $2,000. The real money is in the convenience store.

graphicguy said:

Funny thing, I don't see anyone declaring bankruptcy....not the likes of Exxon, nor the Shell station down the street.

The Shell station down the street is doing just fine because he made $0.87 on the $0.99 cup of coffee and $2 on the $4 gallon of milk you bought,

graphicguy said:

I've heard decades worth of whining by gas conglomerates and station owners how they can't make any money with gas priced the way it is. Yet, those places keep cropping up on more and more street corners.

If you notice, nobody is opening a station that just pumps gas anymore. They are all convenience stores that happen to sell gas.

dino001

fezo said:

It's now considered functionally obsolete. Has been for a good 15 years. They're finally in the first steps of replacing it. There are hundreds of that bridge collapse in Minnesota or the one in Tampa Bay just waiting to happen."

Not to get overly technical with you, but functionally obsolete bridge simply means "not enough capacity", not "in poor shape". There are bridges in great shape that are functionally obsolete, because traffic increased well beyond what was envisioned by the designers. Another reason of being functionally obsolete is having old-style traffic rail (compromised crash safety) or inadequate sidewalk. When bridge is in really poor shape that it needs restrictions for the weight of traveling vehicles, then it is classified as "structurally deficient".

As a bridge engineer I can tell you all that talk about our infrastructure being in such poor conditions is often a "fund-raising" mantra for the industry groups, because everybody else is also doing it. If you say our bridges are generally fine, you don't get funds on new projects. You have to picture imminent Armageddon to get attention. For sure there are number of bridges requiring repair, rehabilitation or full replacement, but there are many more in quite decent condition. They sometimes can be too small for the traffic they carry, because somebody just built twenty more subdivisions unaccounted in the traffic projections, but they are still structurally OK. ASCE always sends those "C-" or "D" reports, but that's a political talk, so when something really bad happens, like I-35 collapse, they can point out "I told you so". The truth of I-35 collapse is that the collapse had nothing to do with general condition of the US infrastructure that, but it was a combination of many different factors, most of them unique to this bridge, from original design issues, to construction methods, to maintenance.

dino001

BTW, the bridges in worst shape are usually those owned by small municipalities (county or city roads). There is a perverse system of incentives for those entities to neglect the maintenance, as you can get federal or state money for a new bridge, but the upkeep and maintenance is entirely local budget. I have seen one bridge "ready" to fall into water. What was worse, it was a toll bridge, but the city was using the proceeds for everything else. By the time they realized they needed a new one, the coffers were empty, they didn't qualify for outside money, it was a real bind, especially that it was a $30M+ structure (draw bridge), very expensive. They squeaked in the funding thanks to a powerful congressman as part of a pork barrel. By the time the old bridge was demolished (to make space for the new one), it was rated to take a pickup truck across, nothing more.

driver100

fezo said:

I tend to have better interaction with Costco employees than Walmart in much the same way I find that Home Depot folks seem to know their stuff better than Lowes.

I agree about Costco, plus I would add they have way more items. My wife usually finds clothing at Costco but never anything at Sams. Way more food to sample at Costco as well!

We are back North for 2 weeks...went from 65F to 30F...kind of a shock to the old system!

*and if I may add, I posted at 8 a.m. yesterday and there were 32 posts by 7 pm, today I just went on at 2:15 and there were 26 more. We must be setting records!

henryn

isellhondas said:

I won't shop at Walmart. Their stores make a K Mart look like an upscale department store!

They go into small towns and put all of the mom and pop stores out of business and then they raise their prices.

I'm going to have to (respectfully) disagree with you here. Yes, Walmart often drives mom and pop stores out of business. But they don't do it by lowering prices temporarily, and then raising them back up. They do it by having low prices all of the time. Their methods of keeping prices so low all of the time are rather reprehensible, but that's a different story.

imidazol97

I saw a VW bug today sitting next to me after eating at Chic-Fil-A. It was red and had black circular spots of varying sizes all over it. Then I saw the sign lettered on the side, Bug-a-Boo Exterminator. Imagine a Bug, painted like a ladybug, for an exterminating company.

And the license plate was BUG GONE that you saw after it passed you. Clever.

abacomike

imidazol97 said:

I saw a VW bug today sitting next to me after eating at Chic-Fil-A. It was red and had black circular spots of varying sizes all over it. Then I saw the sign lettered on the side, Bug-a-Boo Exterminator. Imagine a Bug, painted like a ladybug, for an exterminating company. And the license plate was BUG GONE that you saw after it passed you. Clever.

Down here in Southern Florida, an exterminating company called "Truly Nolan" uses only yellow VW Bugs with varying sized black spheres and 2 black antennae shaped like those found on insects protruding skyward from the front of the roof.  When you see them on the road, they actually look like yellow ladybugs moving down the street.

driver100

henryn said:

isellhondas said:

I won't shop at Walmart. Their stores make a K Mart look like an upscale department store!

They go into small towns and put all of the mom and pop stores out of business and then they raise their prices.

I'm going to have to (respectfully) disagree with you here. Yes, Walmart often drives mom and pop stores out of business. But they don't do it by lowering prices temporarily, and then raising them back up. They do it by having low prices all of the time. Their methods of keeping prices so low all of the time are rather reprehensible, but that's a different story.

That could be true Henryn, I am not sure. But, once I did see a documentary and they said there was a camera store in the same plaza as a Walmart. Supposedly (or do I use allegedly?) Wally-Mart lowered their prices on cameras until the camera store was gone.

Wallymart has made deals that have bankrupt suppliers or have hurt them badly. Google Walmart and Vlasic Pickles or here's an article that shows how they have put many suppliers under.

They have also done good work too, generally made prices lower and have sharpened other retail chains and suppliers operations.

WALMART AND VLASIC PICKLES

venture

abacomike said:

@venture‌

I think I pay $55.00 a year for Costco membership.  Our Costco does not open early for business memberships - so it doesn't pay to spend an extra $20.00 if I get no benefit from it.

When I go to Costco, I get there at 9:30 AM, and there are no other cars in the parking lot.

Well yes. That makes perfect sense then.

I really like that Sam's Club allows business members in between 7 and 10 am. It's not nuts like the rest of the time. Of course if one would want to sample all the food items - they aren't available at these times. Me? I just want to get in and get out.

explorerx4

@fezo, You threw your local mechanic under the bus over $15? He can't compete with the big box stores on commodities like tires. Next time you need a repair, take your car to Costco/Walmart and see how that works out for you.