"...the spots are probably bleached out and no amount of scrubbing is going to help."
I have good news. While at a medical appointment in Pinehurst today, I remembered the nice guy that detailed my cars a couple of times at the local car wash. He is such a stickler for detail. I decided to pay him a visit. After showing and explaining what had happened, he thought that he could remove the stains in just a few moments. With a wash cloth, he applied some window cleaner from a spray bottle to the cloth top. He said that most any degreaser would work. He rubbed the spots gently. Then, with a horse hair brush, he brushed the spots gently. He repeated the process one more time. He used a blow dryer to dry the spots in order for us to really see if they had disappeared. They are completely gone. The process that he used did not fade or hurt the black cloth top at all. I am so pleased and grateful.
I tried very hard to pay the guy, but he absolutely refused. He said that his business had appreciated me as a customer during the five years that we lived in Pinehurst. What a super nice human being.
"There is a hidden hope it helps getting us some kind of preferential treatment."
Driver, you and Mike are certainly entitled to your own opinions. It does seem to me to be a bit hypocritical to use titles for your convenience (restaurants and airline reservations) when you state that you are so strongly opposed to their use.
I'll just drop the topic there and wish both of you good fortune.
My wife is a resident physician. I use the word physician specifically because she hates the title 'Dr' and never uses it. Additionally, some people become weird and assuming when hearing the title, and we both find that the less it comes up around people, the better.
"And I have been exposed as a fraudulent bird droppings expert!"
Not to worry. I'm amazed at the number of times that I have been exposed as a fraudulent expert on this site. Four times within the last month, I've been made out to be an arrogant snob. I guess if it walks like a duck, talks like a duck,....geez, I think that I need a sabbatical.
Nope -- you're pretty much the dean of the joint these days. I will leave it at that. I wrote quite a bit to support that statement, but have deleted it. No sense in rattling the cages of a couple of the others.
My faze vs. phase thing was meant as a subtle jest -- hope you took it that way.
I'll just drop the topic there and wish both of you good fortune.
Don't want good fortune Richard, just a nice reservation at a restaurant every so often. I don't name drop at all. I merely state, "... Dinner reservations for dr. Mike and a guest - I prefer a booth if one is available." The response I get is, "you got it Dr, Mike, would 6:30 meet with your busy schedule?" And I respond any time you have available if fine with me!"
Now that isn't so egotistical. I only use my title for restaurant reservations, nothing else. And from the results of that I usually get, I'd be better off using the name John Doe or Kim Kardashian. No hypocrisy whatsoever - just an edge which works off and on.
these days, it doesn't seem to matter. A lot of restaurants have gone to online reservations. Of course, I probably go to a much lower class of restaurant than you do!
some people become weird and assuming when hearing the title, and we both find that the less it comes up around people, the better.
In social situations the designation "doctor" presents a barrier. Our daughter is a child psychologist and she would never present herself as "doctor" when meeting or talking to other people. It puts up an immediate barrier and you would really cut off a lot of people who may feel intimidated that they are talking to a "doctor".
At work, by all means, it should be used so people know who you are. Or to get better reservations in a restaurant, who cares!
It does seem to me to be a bit hypocritical to use titles for your convenience (restaurants and airline reservations) when you state that you are so strongly opposed to their use.
Just to be clear, if someone earns the designation of being called a "Dr." they can use it as they wish. If you choose to use it in social situations I think you are saying something to other people....you are saying "I am different than you, because I am a doctor and that is what you should call me".
We don't have ex-Sargents going around introducing themselves as Sgt. Jones. If you want to mix with people and are open to talking to anyone, just use your name.
I have two friends who are judges. They worked hard to get there, but they just use their names, it would be awkward calling them Judge --------.
btw, we know several doctors, and I can only think of one, who wants to be referred to as doctor, and I believe it is because his wife likes the status of being married to a doctor.
And that is just my opinion as well, and I can close the topic unless someone has further thoughts.
btw, I don't think you are an elitist snob, you probably have an opinion which is a little more old school and formal. There is no right or wrong to this question, it's what you want to do. In my wife's and daughters case, I give them a lot of credit, they don't want or need to be called "doctor" in public. In the case of one niece I have, she got her doctorate and she wants the whole world to know.
Like I say, I worked very hard for many years and I don't introduce myself as "President".
**** I added this after. I found websites that support both sides. I wasn't going to tell you about the one that supports your side but I will-because that is the kind of person I am, forthright and honest above reproach.
Not going as far back as some of you can on gas prices, but I use an iPhone app called "Gas Cubby" to track my fuel useage, MPG, maintenance, and trip details as I write off part of my vehicle (business use) on my taxes. The app is very useful.
Anyway, I fueled up last night in IL, driving back home.....$4.09/gal for premium.
As I did a quick scroll of what I paid 6 mos ago...$3.13/gal/premium. 3 months ago, I paid $3.17/gal/premium.
Quick math off the top of my head....that' about a 75% increase. The oil industry and the financial markets supporting them is looking eerily similar to the financial/mortgage crisis of '08.
There is no relevant or underlying economic reason for any of this. Demand is dropping, globally. And supply is at it's all time high (in spite off attempts by refineries to take their plants off line).
Gov't should put a 3rd party, non-partisan investigation in place (not the ones who will offer the answers they want).
As I did a quick scroll of what I paid 6 mos ago...$3.13/gal/premium. 3 months ago, I paid $3.17/gal/premium...Quick math off the top of my head....that' about a 75% increase.
Top of your head isn't working right...
$3.13 to $4.05 is about 30% higher. It's dramatic but not as dramatic as 75%.
> gone. The process that he used did not fade or hurt the black cloth top at all.
That's great news. I wonder why the earlier detail folks didn't know to do what he did. But it was a _miracle_ that you thought of him. I think he should have accepted something in payment.
$3.13 to $4.05 is about 30% higher. It's dramatic but not as dramatic as 75%
Yes, your math is correct. I think GG's point is that nothing rises that fast in a short amount of time. Frankly, to quote Joe Pesci from the Lethal Weapon movies.... "They F you, They F you, They F you" at the pump, plain and simple, the companies and CEO's are getting richer and we are the ones footing the bill. It doesn't get any simpler than that.
the companies and CEO's are getting richer and we are the ones footing the bill.
They charge it....because, they can!
$4.09 is a bargain compared to here....we use litres to disguise the fact gas is so expensive. Premium is $1.44 a litre and 1 U.S. gal is 4 litres or $5.76 a U.S. gallon.
That might make you feel better.
The other thing to keep in mind is gas was 32 cents a gallon in 1966, so 10 or 12X brings it almost equal to other items at that time. In about 1966 I was working part time in a warehouse making 60 cents an hour. I make more than 10 or 12X that now.
Another factor, gas mileage is probably a lot better than what it was in 1966 too!
You're right. Sorry about the math. I was really irritated and wasn't thinking straight after I did a quick scroll through what I've paid for gas over the last 6 months.
All valid points, but explain how (like GG said) demand is lower and supplies are up yet the price raises by 30% in a few months. Is there any other commodity that is that volitile?
It all depends on delivery - I had a customer who would rudely require all of us to call him doctor, needless to say he received the minimum level of service would could get away with.
Other customer were introduced as "Dr. Smith" is a pleasant and breezy tone, they were treated as well as most other customers.
Net net, the Dr title did not get you any better treatment, but it could get your worse... :shades:
If you haven't seen it, it's an in-depth look at the Global Financial Meltdown of 2008 (but still manifests itself today).
I saw it over a year ago, and should rewatch it.
Everyone should see it as it's not a docudrama. It's actual interviews with most of those who were large and in-charge during that crisis and the total lack of culpability they enjoyed (and continue to enjoy) while raping the international community.
It should be required viewing and study for every Econ 101 class throughout the U.S.
Sadly, the conclusion is, no one...not the Presidents, not the Federal Reserve, etc will stop it.
I think the oil industry can be viewed in the same way. No one will stop them.
>oil industry can be viewed in the same way. No one will stop them.
All I heard for 8 years that the gasoline price rise was cause by Bush and Cheney. But they're been gone for 4+ years and gas prices keep going wherever. Guess they weren't the cause after all.
What is really bad in this area is the constant varying in the gas price. It has gone up 50 cents overnight. One part of the region may have gas prices 30 cents lower than other parts. Then they all go up to the same new price at almost every station within 2 hours of each other. Wonder how that happens if there's no collusion among the suppliers.
Near Nashville TN where friends live the price at their stations goes up a few cents and down a few cents rather than modulating a huge amount, and ends having the same average price over 10 days.
explain how (like GG said) demand is lower and supplies are up yet the price raises by 30% in a few months.
I agree completely with GG and you.....the only reason gas is at the price it is is because they can charge that and get away with it.
I just justify it to myself by saying it is still pretty close to be instep with inflation, and cars do burn less fuel.
But, I completely agree, there is no logical reason why gas should be priced so high at this time. I am sure gas companies have a huge book of excuses; *Refineries need updating *Instability somewhere in the worl *Global demand is too high, or too low so cost has to be more * Lack of refining ability * High price of transporting oil * Pirates in Samolia * The unusually colder winter than last year * The Jody Arios trial
the Dr title did not get you any better treatment, but it could get your worse...
That is why I personally would not use the term "doctor" too liberally out in the real world. There are just enough people around who would resent it if you asked them to call you "doctor". It isn't right, but, why take the chance.
I have a great deal of respect for doctors, and they should certainly be called doctor in the workplace.......but, socially, I have to ask why?
That's my belly laugh of the day so far. Good one.
However, the main media will have a pretty face with an IQ or 80 reading the news fax from the oil companies' lobbyists as if the Arios' trial is the problem for the rise today. Whatever is sent out is what the media propagates (in the US, at least, don't know about Canada).
Demand is lower??? Lower than when? Last month, last year, five years ago, ten years ago? There sure can be short term discorrelation between supply and physical demand based on "paper" (speculative) demand, but it will resolve itself sooner rather than later. By nature, speculators tend to hold their positions for short term, take profits and prices go back to their real equilibrium. IF, as GG says again and again, demand were trully down, it would mean users of the product would not willing to pay the asking price. So we should have tons and tons (years worth already according to GG) of unsold crude and gasoline somewhere sitting and waiting for a customer. What do they do with the stuff they cannot sell? Store it in some secret underground/under ocean tanks that nobody has seen until kingdom come? Again, GG has actually inherited that story from his dad, i.e. in his world we have oversupply and underdemand for two generations. Wow!! that's a lot of crude that has been withheld from the market for sake of keeping high prices. I want to know where I can go to get it, perhaps I can bribe the guards and siphon some on the side. I'm sure they are bored to death sitting on that crude for tens of years already...
Perhaps the painful truth is (I'm not saying for sure, just hypothesizing) that the prices were too low (depressed) for too many years prior 2000, we got used to it and kept thinking that's how it should be and will be forever (remember those Explorers, Tahoes, Blazers, Suburbans and Expeditions selling at record numbers in late 90s?), then market consolidated (Exxon merged with Mobil, Conoco with Phillips, Texaco with Chevron and so on) as those oil guys simply couldn't take it anymore and now prices are what they should be? I don't know, I'm just saying that if demand were as low as GG claims it is, with such high production, there should be somewhere tons and tons of unrefined crude or already refined gasoline that nobody wanted to buy at a proposed price. This simply does not add up - unless the demand is actually higher than GG likes us to believe and whatever they get out of the ground, they sell.
Why is that the natural gas experienced such a price collapse and mighty Exxon (largest producer after acquisition of XTO), Chevron and Cheasapeake could do nothing about it, yet the same people somehow were able to collude and keep oil price high? How is that? Perhaps because the oversupply in natural gas is real and the oil production increases are not enough to move the price down? Is that even possible in that conspiratory world view?
All those conspiracy theories sound really compelling and it is so easy to succumb to that (world view becomes much easier), but they have major weakness: if they were true, there would somewhere be evidence. Don't get me wrong, conspiracies exist, but they are not as omnipotent as some would like us to believe. Oil and gasoline price stays stuboringly high for years now, which tells me, speculators are not responsible for $80+ levels. They may be responsible for those quick runs up or down in matter of weeks, but those things tend to resolve themselves into equilibrium. Yes, 20% run was likely speculative, but sitting there and waiting for some kind of major price collapse back to $1/gallon (as GG suggested multiple times) for 10 years now seems a little silly to me.
...the only reason gas is at the price it is is because they can charge that and get away with it.
Isn't that how markets are supposed to work? When the price gets too high, demand will drop and prices should come down. If it doesn't alternatives are found.
When you sell a book, do you sell it for how much you can get for it or some lower number to be nice to the customer?
The new job is great and am driving so many nice vehicles...last night was a almost new Toyota Highlander. Having a blast though there are way too many personalities in our team...I've heard the other teams are even worse! This is one of the only drawbacks. The other is we usually don't know about our schedule the day before. Last Friday, we got texted at 2:30 for a 5:50 p m job. Yesterday it was at 9:30, not so bad, but they added 2 more jobs onto us at 2:30 and today, so far nothing. Flexibility is the key and luckily, I am flexible. My boss knows that I'm extremely flexible and that 98% of the time, I can be ready within the hour. I want him to be one of the 1st that he gets a hold of sort of like his "go to guy"...and he knows that I'll work any hour or day especially weekends when some will just not work. Hey, when you're retired like me, every day is the same and so far, the wife has told me to "just go for it" and work as much as possible and get those social security quarters so I can get the magic "40" to qualify for ss along with my postal pension. Also, our team has too many people now so we are required to take a few days off which results in a lower check but hey, it's all part of the game. And I'm loving every minute!
Finally tried a new Sentra yesterday but with just 2270 on the clock, the brakes weren't right as the pedal went almost to the floor...not sure why either. Haven't gotten any Buicks yet but plenty of Elantra's, Foci, Corolla's, Malibu's, Altima's. Even had a brand new Nissan Maxima with 40 miles and a sunroof. The weather was a bit on the cooler side so opened it up and the windows and had a great trip across the alley and up to Tampa. The new Ford Escape is a well thought out cute ute but the mileage is abysmal...really stinky for such a small ute...can't even get from Miami to Tampa without needing to stop for petrol. Great vehicle but lousy mileage.
Been nice to have a paycheck every 2 weeks again and I've held up spine wise not to bad. Only refused one work day so far due to the intense pain so this is working out nicely. I just hope to be able to have a more steady schedule in the coming future. But I think once summer comes, some of the folks will start taking some time off. And I'm ready to fill in where needed. Also introduced myself to the one of the other team bosses so he could know who I am. Sometimes they will call folks from another team if they can't get there own people to come in. And many won't go in after a certain time but me, like I said earlier, will go in when called upon...the job is that much fun!
The Sandman :sick: :shades:
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
Is anyone else having the progress bar at the bottom of the IE 8 window show it's in the middle of downloading a webpage or an article on said page even when everything is done? This is only happening on Edmunds. I'm using XP with IE 8.
This is the narrow spot on the bottom border which is about 1.4 inches long when it opens a spot, and then it disappears after all the items on the page have been loaded.
Good. Now how does it look vs. entire world? Tanker rates are cheapest than ever, i.e. you can move crude from A to B for peanuts. Is total oil demand for US, China, India, Africa, Indonesia, Australia, Europe, Brazil, lowest since late 90s? Didn't think so.
Yes, but a big portion of the price we pay at the pump is due to refining the crude. If the prices of crude are remaining steady and the US demand is lower why/how do the prices raise by 30% or more in 3 months?
Been nice to have a paycheck every 2 weeks again . . .
I don't need the details, but have been curious as to whether you get paid by the mile/hour/trip or what? Door-to-door, time in the car? That sort of thing. I used to work for myself, driving, and it was strictly a mileage proposition -- some loads paid more per mile than others.
Because it is as easy to transport gasoline and diesel out of the country, as it is to transport the crude. Or to be more precise - to direct those gasoline/diesel tankers that used to go to the US, elsewhere. Not sure which one is actually correct, but the effect is the same. Refined product is now as much global, as crude is, so it is subject to the same world demand laws. Compare that with natural gas, which is not as portable (we don't have LNG terminals yet). That one costs here less than 1/5 (one-fifth) of the price charged by Gazprom to Europe. All because nat gas is "local". Crude, gasoline, diesel are not.
This article sorta proves what you are saying. I still think that keeping our prices low will only help our economy. The oil companies couldn't care and again (to my original point) they are only ones benefitting from this.
Well the last one I agree with, kind of. We all work to get money, not because we love humanity and want to bless it with fruits of our labor. Oil companies (and Wall Street types) are no different. They will charge as much as they think they can get. When they are right, the prices are and demand are stable, when they are wrong (or some other market players could be, too) things can be all over the place, just like they were in 2007-2008 ($145 down to $35 up to $80).
What I think could be easily done is putting some strong limitations on "non-user" trades, from lower margin limits, to collateral, to what else. I don't believe for a minute it would bring the price down to $1/gallon, but it may stabilize its trajectory. It will still keep going up, IMHO, but perhaps not in 25% increments over a month (just to drop same amount a few later). I don't know what the "right" price of gas is for today. It surely is not one buck, but four bucks seems to high considering past few years history.
Whatever is sent out is what the media propagates (in the US, at least, don't know about Canada).
Absolutely true in Canada too. It's only an opinion, but from someone who has had some background in journalism, that news here isn't quite as blatantly bias as it is in the U.S. But, then, everything here is more mellow by a few notches.
When I worked for a large book publisher they gave me huge signs for retail store owners to place in their windows advertising a particular book. It was a waste of money here, no one would put a big sign in their window...hard to explain to the company advertising department.
But, yes, reporters write or read news and don't question the source or why they tell you what they are telling you, they just pass it on like it was fact.
If I am not mistaken, countries like Canada have higher prices at the pump simply because of higher taxes. Some body has to pay for that free health care.
For years OPEC has said price manipulation by U.S. financial institutions is the culprit defining gas prices.
Make oil traders take delivery of the crude they buy.
Whenever gas prices are reasonable, the U.S. economy typically hums along.
But, just like derivatve trading, sub prime mortgage instrument selling, Enron, etc, whenever a few people try to bilk many (as is happening in the oil industry), disaster is just around the corner.
We get stuck with the bill.
I'm still waiting to be paid back for AIG, Goldman-Sachs, etc for the financial bailout.
When you sell a book, do you sell it for how much you can get for it or some lower number to be nice to the customer?
To be honest, I could sell a book for more than I get for it. But, I like to work on volume. I believe I can make more by pricing as low as possible and by getting repeat customers plus new customers who will tell others how great the prices are.
Another principle that I work under is I like to turn my money around faster. I would rather sell faster, get my money out faster, pay suppliers faster, and get even better pricing.
But then, I have an endless supply of books. I think gas or oil really, is more limited. You've got only so much to work with, and you may as well maximize your profit with what you got.
Those are really the two ways to market. Be a custom retailer and make more profit per item, but sell less, or be a volume dealer, and make it on the numbers. I like to sell lots, because then my custmers love me...I am making them profitable.
Compare that with natural gas, which is not as portable (we don't have LNG terminals yet).
????
According to the FERC, there are 12 LNG terminals in the United States - 3 in MA alone. My previous employer was located about 1/2 mile from an LNG terminal. The joke was that if anything happened there, I wouldn't feel a thing.
If I am not mistaken, countries like Canada have higher prices at the pump simply because of higher taxes. Some body has to pay for that free health care.
Yes, you are right, a large part of that extra cost is due to a few factors; *Government taxes partly to cover health care is a big one, * The Cdn Dollar is usually lower than U.S. dollar, now around 97 cents. * Higher trasportation costs. Larger country geographically with 1/10th the population * Higher wages. Minimum wage in most provinces is about $10 hr + or - .25 cents. Avg minimum wage in U.S. $7.25. * Property costs about 30% more, so those costs have to be recovered.
But, yes, we do have "free" health care. One of our neighbors in Florida was saying that they had to pay to have cateracts and that would be a hardship. Not saying "free" healthcare is a great answer, but if you have to go to the hospital it is nice to know you won't have a $50K bill....and if you're buying private insurance that has some pitfalls too. I don't know if anything like that is free, it is just how do you want to pay?
Are these terminals good for exports? I know we had some import terminals (believe it or not, in 2001 there was a Fed report saying we will all run out of nat gas), but the flow reversal is not so simple (or is it?). Do they serve gas rich shale areas? My understanding is Cheniere is building new infrastructure for that purpose, but it's still not ready with target dates still in couple of years, at least. This country has a multiple supply of its own demand of nat gas and no way of exporting it. If it did, we would all pay twice the price already and chemical companies would not be setting new facilities for their production.
The date of this article was 2009, in depths of the recession. Of course, people would say nothing will get better for years, when they are in the middle of the severe recession. They always do, then the demand "unexpectedly" raises again. Did they write the same thing in 2010 and 2011? What does "weak" demand mean? The article said (again it was 2009) that 2013 projected demand was "less than last year", which was 2008, record year on the books. One would expect the record be held for couple of years, especially when they make projections during world recession. How does the projected demand compare to 2005? 2000? 1995? 1990?
But I agree - some limits on non-user trading should be placed. It is not normal when a barrell changes an owner ten times before it even reaches the port and those who bought that barrell, don't even have to put much of their own money. Delivery may not be necessary, but leverage (margin) limits absolutely. Let them trade, but make it so they commit much more of their own capital, not just borrowed paper money. Make clear distinction between airline buying contracts for their fuel and some hedge fund bozo trying to play "contango".
We're on the hook if we get hospitalized outside of Canada. But then we can buy travel insurance which is usually about $1/day per person.
Speaking of gas prices, we live in a part of Vancouver that's only 15 minutes away from the US border so we usually hop across the border to fill up and end up saving $15- $25 per tank of gas. It adds up when we do it once a week.
No, there's no bridge and there are two border crossings within 5 minutes of each other, both are regular land crossings. If one border it busy we'll go to the other one. Lineups are usually no longer than 5-15 minutes if that.
We usually go at less busy times likes weekday evenings or during the daytime, never on weekends as the lineups are usually 45 minutes to one hour long.
What would happen if you had to be hospitalized while you were in Florida.
Boomer gave you the short answer, but I can give you a little more detail. Almost all Canadians with any sense buy travel Health Insurance. Some policies allow you to go outside the country for 1 week or 2 weeks etc automatically without asking, as many times as you want in a year. That could cost $50 for the year.
We have 2 weeks but then if staying longer, like we do, we can top it up depending on length of stay, that costs $50 to $100 a month depending on your age and health.
One friend of ours, a Canadian, fell over on the golf course and was out cold. They took him to the hospital. They did every test imaginable. They said he was fine, it may not happen again. The bill was $12000 that his insurance covered. He can still get insurance, but he can't make another claim for that particular situation again.
One lady in our community, also from Canada, passed out. They believed it was major. They flew her back to Canada on an executive jet so she could go to a hospital in Canada....it was cheaper than admitting her to a hospital in the U.S.
The insurance company does that quite a bit if at all possible, far cheaper to pay for a plane ticket than pay for hospital care.
One Canadian went across the border to go to a football game. He was a young guy and didn't think to buy insurance, what can go wrong during one night of fun. He got hit by a car coming out of a bar after the game. Ran up a hospital bill of $150,000. He died from his injuries. The last I heard the hospital still wanted their money.
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I have good news. While at a medical appointment in Pinehurst today, I remembered the nice guy that detailed my cars a couple of times at the local car wash. He is such a stickler for detail. I decided to pay him a visit. After showing and explaining what had happened, he thought that he could remove the stains in just a few moments. With a wash cloth, he applied some window cleaner from a spray bottle to the cloth top. He said that most any degreaser would work. He rubbed the spots gently. Then, with a horse hair brush, he brushed the spots gently. He repeated the process one more time. He used a blow dryer to dry the spots in order for us to really see if they had disappeared. They are completely gone. The process that he used did not fade or hurt the black cloth top at all. I am so pleased and grateful.
I tried very hard to pay the guy, but he absolutely refused. He said that his business had appreciated me as a customer during the five years that we lived in Pinehurst. What a super nice human being.
Richard
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Driver, you and Mike are certainly entitled to your own opinions. It does seem to me to be a bit hypocritical to use titles for your convenience (restaurants and airline reservations) when you state that you are so strongly opposed to their use.
I'll just drop the topic there and wish both of you good fortune.
Richard
25 NX 450h+ / 24 Sienna Plat AWD / 23 Civic Type-R / 21 Boxster GTS 4.0
Not to worry. I'm amazed at the number of times that I have been exposed as a fraudulent expert on this site.
Richard
Nope -- you're pretty much the dean of the joint these days. I will leave it at that. I wrote quite a bit to support that statement, but have deleted it. No sense in rattling the cages of a couple of the others.
My faze vs. phase thing was meant as a subtle jest -- hope you took it that way.
Don't want good fortune Richard, just a nice reservation at a restaurant every so often. I don't name drop at all. I merely state, "... Dinner reservations for dr. Mike and a guest - I prefer a booth if one is available." The response I get is, "you got it Dr, Mike, would 6:30 meet with your busy schedule?" And I respond any time you have available if fine with me!"
Now that isn't so egotistical. I only use my title for restaurant reservations, nothing else. And from the results of that I usually get, I'd be better off using the name John Doe or Kim Kardashian. No hypocrisy whatsoever - just an edge which works off and on.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
In social situations the designation "doctor" presents a barrier. Our daughter is a child psychologist and she would never present herself as "doctor" when meeting or talking to other people. It puts up an immediate barrier and you would really cut off a lot of people who may feel intimidated that they are talking to a "doctor".
At work, by all means, it should be used so people know who you are. Or to get better reservations in a restaurant, who cares!
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Use the designation "Dr." and use it well for any transaction...it's us against them in the business world.
That is very different than throwing it around in a social situation.
If you can get better service at the dealership or a better seat at the theatre than use the designation, you earned it.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Just to be clear, if someone earns the designation of being called a "Dr." they can use it as they wish. If you choose to use it in social situations I think you are saying something to other people....you are saying "I am different than you, because I am a doctor and that is what you should call me".
We don't have ex-Sargents going around introducing themselves as Sgt. Jones. If you want to mix with people and are open to talking to anyone, just use your name.
I have two friends who are judges. They worked hard to get there, but they just use their names, it would be awkward calling them Judge --------.
btw, we know several doctors, and I can only think of one, who wants to be referred to as doctor, and I believe it is because his wife likes the status of being married to a doctor.
And that is just my opinion as well, and I can close the topic unless someone has further thoughts.
btw, I don't think you are an elitist snob, you probably have an opinion which is a little more old school and formal. There is no right or wrong to this question, it's what you want to do. In my wife's and daughters case, I give them a lot of credit, they don't want or need to be called "doctor" in public. In the case of one niece I have, she got her doctorate and she wants the whole world to know.
Like I say, I worked very hard for many years and I don't introduce myself as "President".
**** I added this after. I found websites that support both sides. I wasn't going to tell you about the one that supports your side but I will-because that is the kind of person I am, forthright and honest above reproach.
First the nay sayers and these are somewhat amusing;
How to address doctors
This next one supports my side in the letter to Dr. Brodart but supports you at point 5.
Addressing doctors
Like I say, no right or wrong....it is just a reflection of your values and what you are comfortable with.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Anyway, I fueled up last night in IL, driving back home.....$4.09/gal for premium.
As I did a quick scroll of what I paid 6 mos ago...$3.13/gal/premium. 3 months ago, I paid $3.17/gal/premium.
Quick math off the top of my head....that' about a 75% increase. The oil industry and the financial markets supporting them is looking eerily similar to the financial/mortgage crisis of '08.
There is no relevant or underlying economic reason for any of this. Demand is dropping, globally. And supply is at it's all time high (in spite off attempts by refineries to take their plants off line).
Gov't should put a 3rd party, non-partisan investigation in place (not the ones who will offer the answers they want).
Something is seriously wrong here.
Top of your head isn't working right...
$3.13 to $4.05 is about 30% higher. It's dramatic but not as dramatic as 75%.
That's great news. I wonder why the earlier detail folks didn't know to do what he did. But it was a _miracle_ that you thought of him. I think he should have accepted something in payment.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Yes, your math is correct. I think GG's point is that nothing rises that fast in a short amount of time. Frankly, to quote Joe Pesci from the Lethal Weapon movies.... "They F you, They F you, They F you" at the pump, plain and simple, the companies and CEO's are getting richer and we are the ones footing the bill. It doesn't get any simpler than that.
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They charge it....because, they can!
$4.09 is a bargain compared to here....we use litres to disguise the fact gas is so expensive. Premium is $1.44 a litre and 1 U.S. gal is 4 litres or $5.76 a U.S. gallon.
That might make you feel better.
The other thing to keep in mind is gas was 32 cents a gallon in 1966, so 10 or 12X brings it almost equal to other items at that time. In about 1966 I was working part time in a warehouse making 60 cents an hour. I make more than 10 or 12X that now.
Another factor, gas mileage is probably a lot better than what it was in 1966 too!
Not justifying it...just a bit of perspective.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Icon I6L Golf Cart
Other customer were introduced as "Dr. Smith" is a pleasant and breezy tone, they were treated as well as most other customers.
Net net, the Dr title did not get you any better treatment, but it could get your worse... :shades:
http://www.sonyclassics.com/insidejob/
If you haven't seen it, it's an in-depth look at the Global Financial Meltdown of 2008 (but still manifests itself today).
I saw it over a year ago, and should rewatch it.
Everyone should see it as it's not a docudrama. It's actual interviews with most of those who were large and in-charge during that crisis and the total lack of culpability they enjoyed (and continue to enjoy) while raping the international community.
It should be required viewing and study for every Econ 101 class throughout the U.S.
Sadly, the conclusion is, no one...not the Presidents, not the Federal Reserve, etc will stop it.
I think the oil industry can be viewed in the same way. No one will stop them.
All I heard for 8 years that the gasoline price rise was cause by Bush and Cheney. But they're been gone for 4+ years and gas prices keep going wherever. Guess they weren't the cause after all.
What is really bad in this area is the constant varying in the gas price. It has gone up 50 cents overnight. One part of the region may have gas prices 30 cents lower than other parts. Then they all go up to the same new price at almost every station within 2 hours of each other. Wonder how that happens if there's no collusion among the suppliers.
Near Nashville TN where friends live the price at their stations goes up a few cents and down a few cents rather than modulating a huge amount, and ends having the same average price over 10 days.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
I agree completely with GG and you.....the only reason gas is at the price it is is because they can charge that and get away with it.
I just justify it to myself by saying it is still pretty close to be instep with inflation, and cars do burn less fuel.
But, I completely agree, there is no logical reason why gas should be priced so high at this time. I am sure gas companies have a huge book of excuses;
*Refineries need updating
*Instability somewhere in the worl
*Global demand is too high, or too low so cost has to be more
* Lack of refining ability
* High price of transporting oil
* Pirates in Samolia
* The unusually colder winter than last year
* The Jody Arios trial
etc. etc.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
That is why I personally would not use the term "doctor" too liberally out in the real world. There are just enough people around who would resent it if you asked them to call you "doctor". It isn't right, but, why take the chance.
I have a great deal of respect for doctors, and they should certainly be called doctor in the workplace.......but, socially, I have to ask why?
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
That's my belly laugh of the day so far. Good one.
However, the main media will have a pretty face with an IQ or 80 reading the news fax from the oil companies' lobbyists as if the Arios' trial is the problem for the rise today. Whatever is sent out is what the media propagates (in the US, at least, don't know about Canada).
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Perhaps the painful truth is (I'm not saying for sure, just hypothesizing) that the prices were too low (depressed) for too many years prior 2000, we got used to it and kept thinking that's how it should be and will be forever (remember those Explorers, Tahoes, Blazers, Suburbans and Expeditions selling at record numbers in late 90s?), then market consolidated (Exxon merged with Mobil, Conoco with Phillips, Texaco with Chevron and so on) as those oil guys simply couldn't take it anymore and now prices are what they should be? I don't know, I'm just saying that if demand were as low as GG claims it is, with such high production, there should be somewhere tons and tons of unrefined crude or already refined gasoline that nobody wanted to buy at a proposed price. This simply does not add up - unless the demand is actually higher than GG likes us to believe and whatever they get out of the ground, they sell.
Why is that the natural gas experienced such a price collapse and mighty Exxon (largest producer after acquisition of XTO), Chevron and Cheasapeake could do nothing about it, yet the same people somehow were able to collude and keep oil price high? How is that? Perhaps because the oversupply in natural gas is real and the oil production increases are not enough to move the price down? Is that even possible in that conspiratory world view?
All those conspiracy theories sound really compelling and it is so easy to succumb to that (world view becomes much easier), but they have major weakness: if they were true, there would somewhere be evidence. Don't get me wrong, conspiracies exist, but they are not as omnipotent as some would like us to believe. Oil and gasoline price stays stuboringly high for years now, which tells me, speculators are not responsible for $80+ levels. They may be responsible for those quick runs up or down in matter of weeks, but those things tend to resolve themselves into equilibrium. Yes, 20% run was likely speculative, but sitting there and waiting for some kind of major price collapse back to $1/gallon (as GG suggested multiple times) for 10 years now seems a little silly to me.
2018 430i Gran Coupe
Isn't that how markets are supposed to work? When the price gets too high, demand will drop and prices should come down. If it doesn't alternatives are found.
When you sell a book, do you sell it for how much you can get for it or some lower number to be nice to the customer?
Finally tried a new Sentra yesterday but with just 2270 on the clock, the brakes weren't right as the pedal went almost to the floor...not sure why either. Haven't gotten any Buicks yet but plenty of Elantra's, Foci, Corolla's, Malibu's, Altima's. Even had a brand new Nissan Maxima with 40 miles and a sunroof. The weather was a bit on the cooler side so opened it up and the windows and had a great trip across the alley and up to Tampa. The new Ford Escape is a well thought out cute ute but the mileage is abysmal...really stinky for such a small ute...can't even get from Miami to Tampa without needing to stop for petrol. Great vehicle but lousy mileage.
Been nice to have a paycheck every 2 weeks again and I've held up spine wise not to bad. Only refused one work day so far due to the intense pain so this is working out nicely. I just hope to be able to have a more steady schedule in the coming future. But I think once summer comes, some of the folks will start taking some time off. And I'm ready to fill in where needed. Also introduced myself to the one of the other team bosses so he could know who I am. Sometimes they will call folks from another team if they can't get there own people to come in. And many won't go in after a certain time but me, like I said earlier, will go in when called upon...the job is that much fun!
The Sandman
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
Some quick Google action will cleary show that demand is lower.
One Source
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This is the narrow spot on the bottom border which is about 1.4 inches long when it opens a spot, and then it disappears after all the items on the page have been loaded.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
http://www.indexmundi.com/g/g.aspx?c=xx&v=91
http://chartsbin.com/view/oc2
The second chart shows Asia/Pacific oil consumption exceeding North America's in already in 2007, whereas in 1986 it was just half.
At this point US oil consumption matters, but not nearly as much as it did just 10 years ago.
2018 430i Gran Coupe
Yes, same browser and OS.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Icon I6L Golf Cart
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Icon I6L Golf Cart
I don't need the details, but have been curious as to whether you get paid by the mile/hour/trip or what? Door-to-door, time in the car? That sort of thing. I used to work for myself, driving, and it was strictly a mileage proposition -- some loads paid more per mile than others.
2018 430i Gran Coupe
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Icon I6L Golf Cart
What I think could be easily done is putting some strong limitations on "non-user" trades, from lower margin limits, to collateral, to what else. I don't believe for a minute it would bring the price down to $1/gallon, but it may stabilize its trajectory. It will still keep going up, IMHO, but perhaps not in 25% increments over a month (just to drop same amount a few later). I don't know what the "right" price of gas is for today. It surely is not one buck, but four bucks seems to high considering past few years history.
2018 430i Gran Coupe
That is a good article. Clear and easy to understand the business logic.
"But more drilling is happening now, and prices are still going up. That’s because Wall Street has changed the formula for pricing gasoline."
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Absolutely true in Canada too. It's only an opinion, but from someone who has had some background in journalism, that news here isn't quite as blatantly bias as it is in the U.S. But, then, everything here is more mellow by a few notches.
When I worked for a large book publisher they gave me huge signs for retail store owners to place in their windows advertising a particular book. It was a waste of money here, no one would put a big sign in their window...hard to explain to the company advertising department.
But, yes, reporters write or read news and don't question the source or why they tell you what they are telling you, they just pass it on like it was fact.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
http://www.thefreelibrary.com/OPEC+insists+world+oil+demand+will+remain+weak+for- - +years.-a0203256552
So why does the price keep going up?
For years OPEC has said price manipulation by U.S. financial institutions is the culprit defining gas prices.
Make oil traders take delivery of the crude they buy.
Whenever gas prices are reasonable, the U.S. economy typically hums along.
But, just like derivatve trading, sub prime mortgage instrument selling, Enron, etc, whenever a few people try to bilk many (as is happening in the oil industry), disaster is just around the corner.
We get stuck with the bill.
I'm still waiting to be paid back for AIG, Goldman-Sachs, etc for the financial bailout.
To be honest, I could sell a book for more than I get for it. But, I like to work on volume. I believe I can make more by pricing as low as possible and by getting repeat customers plus new customers who will tell others how great the prices are.
Another principle that I work under is I like to turn my money around faster. I would rather sell faster, get my money out faster, pay suppliers faster, and get even better pricing.
But then, I have an endless supply of books. I think gas or oil really, is more limited. You've got only so much to work with, and you may as well maximize your profit with what you got.
Those are really the two ways to market. Be a custom retailer and make more profit per item, but sell less, or be a volume dealer, and make it on the numbers. I like to sell lots, because then my custmers love me...I am making them profitable.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
????
According to the FERC, there are 12 LNG terminals in the United States - 3 in MA alone. My previous employer was located about 1/2 mile from an LNG terminal. The joke was that if anything happened there, I wouldn't feel a thing.
Yes, you are right, a large part of that extra cost is due to a few factors;
*Government taxes partly to cover health care is a big one,
* The Cdn Dollar is usually lower than U.S. dollar, now around 97 cents.
* Higher trasportation costs. Larger country geographically with 1/10th the population
* Higher wages. Minimum wage in most provinces is about $10 hr + or - .25 cents. Avg minimum wage in U.S. $7.25.
* Property costs about 30% more, so those costs have to be recovered.
But, yes, we do have "free" health care. One of our neighbors in Florida was saying that they had to pay to have cateracts and that would be a hardship. Not saying "free" healthcare is a great answer, but if you have to go to the hospital it is nice to know you won't have a $50K bill....and if you're buying private insurance that has some pitfalls too. I don't know if anything like that is free, it is just how do you want to pay?
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
2018 430i Gran Coupe
But I agree - some limits on non-user trading should be placed. It is not normal when a barrell changes an owner ten times before it even reaches the port and those who bought that barrell, don't even have to put much of their own money. Delivery may not be necessary, but leverage (margin) limits absolutely. Let them trade, but make it so they commit much more of their own capital, not just borrowed paper money. Make clear distinction between airline buying contracts for their fuel and some hedge fund bozo trying to play "contango".
2018 430i Gran Coupe
Speaking of gas prices, we live in a part of Vancouver that's only 15 minutes away from the US border so we usually hop across the border to fill up and end up saving $15- $25 per tank of gas. It adds up when we do it once a week.
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
We usually go at less busy times likes weekday evenings or during the daytime, never on weekends as the lineups are usually 45 minutes to one hour long.
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
Boomer gave you the short answer, but I can give you a little more detail. Almost all Canadians with any sense buy travel Health Insurance. Some policies allow you to go outside the country for 1 week or 2 weeks etc automatically without asking, as many times as you want in a year. That could cost $50 for the year.
We have 2 weeks but then if staying longer, like we do, we can top it up depending on length of stay, that costs $50 to $100 a month depending on your age and health.
One friend of ours, a Canadian, fell over on the golf course and was out cold. They took him to the hospital. They did every test imaginable. They said he was fine, it may not happen again. The bill was $12000 that his insurance covered. He can still get insurance, but he can't make another claim for that particular situation again.
One lady in our community, also from Canada, passed out. They believed it was major. They flew her back to Canada on an executive jet so she could go to a hospital in Canada....it was cheaper than admitting her to a hospital in the U.S.
The insurance company does that quite a bit if at all possible, far cheaper to pay for a plane ticket than pay for hospital care.
One Canadian went across the border to go to a football game. He was a young guy and didn't think to buy insurance, what can go wrong during one night of fun. He got hit by a car coming out of a bar after the game. Ran up a hospital bill of $150,000. He died from his injuries. The last I heard the hospital still wanted their money.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250