And yet, people still fill up at the more expensive stations without shopping around. Are those Esso points really worth it?

While I really appreciate Costco lowering the price of fuel in this city, I am realistic when it comes to business tactics and pricing strategies.

This is all about “market share” and which business can get the biggest piece!

Whether this price war lasts or not for now I am enjoying the fact that I am paying 30 dollars less to fuel up than 2 weeks ago.

Costco at 116.9 right now. Good to see that.
We got ripped off way too long.
And then there is still buying people at these expensive stations? They must have way too much money or make their money to easy.

People#1, feel free to shop anywhere but Costco!! Do your part to maintain your favourite gas station’s market share! I’d write more, but I’m off to Costco to fill up!

“64 cents per gallon”.

Why not just stick with 14 cents per litre. I think we switched to metric in the 1970s.

Also, is that an imperial gallon or US gallon?

“Why not just stick with 14 cents per litre. I think we switched to metric in the 1970s”

I’m guessing it’s because many regulars on O250 have great difficult adjusting to anything remotely regarded as relating to “modern times” or “current affairs”, LOL ;)

Am I correct in assuming that Costco is having a gas war with themselves? Is that really a war?

“And yet, people still fill up at the more expensive stations without shopping around. Are those Esso points really worth it?”

– Buying diesel perhaps?
– Maybe they wanted to get a car wash after they were done filling up?
– Maybe they are only buying 40 litres of gas and it’s not worth saving $2.00 to $3.00 to go out of their way to Costco?
– Maybe they don’t have a Costco card and don’t care to get one?

Oh, nmg, as usual your brilliance is underwhelming.

Yeah, thanks for your insight NMG, but I was referring to stations that are in close proximity but have different prices posted, not Costco.

Also, PG’s prices were always near the national and provincial averages. The people who thought we were getting gouged must not leave town much.

Canada never fully went metric so that is why you can still buy a 2×4 and a 4×8 sheet of plywood thanks to our good ole neighbours.

Some folks still want to buy the non ethanol blend from Chevron. The good thing is premium is cheaper now too.

The question is how low can it go? If Costco can still turn a profit from a bulk purchase and sell it back to us at a 1.00/ litre then it’s win win.

They might have to build a pipeline from Costco to the refinery.

“Yeah, thanks for your insight NMG, but I was referring to stations that are in close proximity but have different prices posted, not Costco”

What is the price difference we’re talking about? If it’s only a couple of cents and you drive a car, we could be talking about a difference of about a nickel a day for gas. Most people won’t expend the effort to pickup dirty loose change on the street of they see it, so I’m not surprised that they wouldn’t make a point of seeking that saving at the pumps.

If, on the other hand, you drive a truck or use lots of gas, then I can see the benefit of shopping around.

I think the simple reality is that for most people, shopping for gas is no different than shopping for a ham, hair spray, pizza, toilet paper or a pair of jeans. They will pay a premium for convenience and/or they just don’t care about saving a buck here and there. They see it as an immaterial concern to their regular routine.

Perhaps O250 should send some reporters out to some service stations other than Costco and ask people why they continue to buy gas there? Surely it isn’t rocket science when the majority of people continue to do it. I mean really, people continue to buy steaks, TV’s, batteries and household cleaner at stores other than Costco, so why not gas?

Same goes for those same products from Save On vs. Walmart vs. Superstore vs. Future Shop, etc.

Can’t this whole thing just be summed up by consumer psychology?

In my case I skip on Costco because my credit card gives me 4% off on all gas purchases, and I can’t use it at Costco. so if my station Costco is at 118.9 I’m break even at $1.24 elsewhere, and if there’s no line elsewhere, even better – so various types of reward programs tie into it all. That said, glad to see someone keep these guys honest.

NMG: “I think the simple reality is that for most people, shopping for gas is no different than shopping for a ham, hair spray, pizza, toilet paper or a pair of jeans. They will pay a premium for convenience and/or they just don’t care about saving a buck here and there. They see it as an immaterial concern to their regular routine.”

Then why do so many people bi**h about gas prices so much if a few cents doesn’t matter? My theory is that people just like to bi**h. ;-)

“Also, PG’s prices were always near the national and provincial averages. The people who thought we were getting gouged must not leave town much”

You know what’s funny? Gas at Costco in Ottawa right now is 118.9. Surely there must be national price fixing by Costco on their gas prices, LOL.

The rest of the stations here seem to be hovering between 121.6 and 124.9.

I haven’t priced checked clay pots between Home Depot, Home Hardware, Lowe’s and some mom and pop stores, but I’ll bet someone is getting gouged somewhere. That said, it’s probably not near as bad as the gouging you’d receive from buying them at ArtKnapp’s, LOL ;)

“Then why do so many people bi**h about gas prices so much if a few cents doesn’t matter? My theory is that people just like to bi**h. ;-)”

I agree with your theory 100%, LOL ;)

Good post ski50, makes allot of sense.

Thanks Costco; whether the price remains this low I will buy my gas at your store ; at least you had the guts to lower the price.

$1.11 a litre now ……

Some people seem to enjoy calling other peoples’ comments b**ching or whining, whereas their own comments are nothing but examples of erudite wisdom and admirable sagacity!

Come on, PG, you know I’m right. :-)

Quit bitching about being right JohnnyB! :)

Interesting comment about the 4% off with a credit card……. How much is that interest rate on all those gas purchases? If you shop at Costco enough your membership is free. Regardless Costco has stirred up some long overdue much need competion. Considering we have one of only two refinerys in the province our gas should be a steal here compared to delivery costs that other communities pay.

Pretty sad when Terrace and Burns lake have been cheaper than PG off and on for years.

I don’t have the inside track but I would bet good money that the gasoline at Costco is coming from Edmonton. Not from the PG Husky refinery.

askrik Pretty sad when Terrace and Burns lake have been cheaper than PG off and on for years.
I agree, had to drive a few times to Burns Lake and Williams Lake and yes, gas was always cheaper there.
And right now Gas at Super Store is $ 116.9, so with your PC Card you will get a coupon of 7 cent per litre, so not that bad right now.
Still thankful, that Costco started to sell gas in PG and the prices finally had to go down.

Here is a link that shows us where we were, no doubt about it, British Columbians have been paying the highest gas prices in the Country.

http://ca.finance.yahoo.com/blogs/insight/british-columbians-pay-highest-gas-prices-north-america-170514284.html

I think there should be a Costco Gas Station in every BC community!

Ooops, not just in Canada, we were paying the highest gas prices in North America… wow!

I simply go to the gas station closest to my location at the time and isn’t busy. I don’t have a gas guzzling giant so even when gas is expensive, it still doesn’t cost that much to completely fill up my tank.. If my vehicle wasn’t so efficient with gas I’d be more concerned about where I go to get it, but as of now, not really. Not to mention, I do not have a Costco card, and don’t need one right now. I plan on getting one in the future though.

Maybe Costco should swing a deal with the airport and stock gas in the airports empty tanks, in case of closures on the hi-ways. I doubt if there is aviation fuel in those tanks.

People: “Here is a link that shows us where we were, no doubt about it, British Columbians have been paying the highest gas prices in the Country.”

If you actually read the link you posted, “BC” is defined as the lower mainland, and that’s because they pay a transit tax.

Chetwynd must have a transit tax at 142.9

Thanks for the example oldman, JB there are many more places in BC that pay at least the same pice of gas as the lower mainland.

Smithers is at 140.9, which is comparable to the lower mainland. We pay for the transportation costs to get our fuel trucked up here.

Fuel transportation costs – transit tax works out to about the same price per litre. Trying to split hairs JB? Point is as the article states; British Columbians have been paying the highest gas prices in NORTH AMERICA!!!

Thanks for the reprieve from those highest gas prices Costco :-)

yes we may not pay a transit tax but… we sure pay our share of carbon tax johnny boy now for the life of me I wonder who imposed that tax suck it up buttercup and pay up

Diesel prices are also to high.I am sure one of the local fuel outlets will step up to the plate and lower the price of diesel like Costco did with the gas.I will be waiting.