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Independent gas stations see how low they can go

seattletimes.nwsource.com -- If you are looking for gas deals in the Puget Sound area, your first stop might not be General Brushless Car Wash, the family-owned Everett establishment with a bucket-headed mascot.

But that is where, on Thursday, a lucky driver could find a gallon of gas going for just $3.76 — well below the state average of $4.08 and 38 cents cheaper than the average price of gas in the Seattle metro area, according to AAA data.

So how does owner Mark Hoidal keep prices so low, while Washington still carries the dubious distinction of having the most expensive gas in the contiguous 48 states?

Since the carwash is not tied to a particular brand of gasoline, Hoidal said he isn't wed to a particular brand-owned refinery. Instead, he relies on his gas supplier, PetroCard, to buy gas on the more vo

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Submitted Jun 15, 2012 By: teafortwo

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GetMaxCashBack Veteran Author Trenton Posts:386 Points:165,675 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Jun 15, 2012 12:29:00 PM Ignore GetMaxCashBack Report Abuse I feel safer buying from a brand because I feel like I can hold a company responsible for the quality of gas. Not so much with private sellers who can probably go a while selling bad gas, and then close down and open somewhere else before anybody catches on.
jrs4125 Champion Author Indiana Posts:2,768 Points:593,695 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Jun 15, 2012 7:15:50 AM Ignore jrs4125 Report Abuse alrighty then
rbrk02 Champion Author Rhode Island Posts:5,753 Points:819,180 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Jun 15, 2012 5:07:41 AM Ignore rbrk02 Report Abuse $3.76 is considered low?
ziyulu Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:8,507 Points:1,604,660 Joined:Aug 2007	Message Posted: Jun 15, 2012 4:35:37 AM Ignore ziyulu Report Abuse I'm still waiting for $2.999 gas. And I'm hopeful we can see it.
MImusicman Champion Author Michigan Posts:1,883 Points:409,625 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Jun 15, 2012 4:20:05 AM Ignore MImusicman Report Abuse we benefit here in mid-mich from new stations coming in and then having gas wars.
Nancy&Len Champion Author Cleveland Posts:2,063 Points:1,947,765 Joined:Sep 2004	Message Posted: Jun 15, 2012 2:52:39 AM Ignore Nancy&Len Report Abuse ok
djgunrunner Champion Author Salt Lake City Posts:10,109 Points:2,350,555 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Jun 15, 2012 2:20:28 AM Ignore djgunrunner Report Abuse Brand name stations usually have to sign a contract to sell at the price of the refinery they deal with whether they want to or not.
TIGERPAW46 Champion Author Florida Posts:7,136 Points:1,357,630 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Jun 15, 2012 12:41:40 AM Ignore TIGERPAW46 Report Abuse People argue we shouldn't hurt American businesses by applying an export tax on Petroleum but what is the difference that makes it ok to apply it on other american business Exports? There is a need for import & Export taxes to keep the playing field more equal & to keep prices for some products less expensive for the American public. Why should we sell our countries resources to another nation while shorting our own country, or pricing them such as achieving the same. Non American Citizens are buying up this country & sending our resources back to their sister lands. Is that ok with the majority of Americans. The USA will end up just like many foreign countries unproductive over worked land depleted of it's surface & Subterranean minerals etc.
TIGERPAW46 Champion Author Florida Posts:7,136 Points:1,357,630 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Jun 15, 2012 12:20:22 AM Ignore TIGERPAW46 Report Abuse He's still handicapped by Those pushing prices higher than reasonable by Speculation on Futures, illegal price fixing & monopolies. plus the manipulation of supplies by refineries & oil companies. Then there is the unrestricted Exportation of oil & distillates out of the USA when the Government restricts or applies restrictive level exportation taxes on other US products to control distribution & keep prices lower within the nation. Other countries do the same & we should be also. [Edited by: TIGERPAW46 at 6/15/2012 1:23:32 AM EST]
truvoice1 Champion Author San Diego Posts:1,288 Points:475,890 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Jun 15, 2012 12:15:30 AM Ignore truvoice1 Report Abuse As the article points out, the independent stations live and die by the supply available from the local refineries. There is a local independent near my home who has huge storage tanks which enables them to stock up when prices are down and then as prices rise they are able to undercut all of the majors and most other independents. It can be a crap shoot and there have been a few times when they guessed wrong and had to price their gas above the majors because they guessed wrong on which way prices were going.
NanaNJNJ Veteran Author New Jersey Posts:280 Points:56,025 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: Jun 15, 2012 12:14:20 AM Ignore NanaNJNJ Report Abuse Seems like it would be very stressful to run one in this economy.
Ahking Champion Author Orange County Posts:3,512 Points:604,425 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Jun 15, 2012 12:13:07 AM Ignore Ahking Report Abuse Hope he's appreciated.
BigBob12345 Champion Author Gasbuddy Posts:1,521 Points:304,730 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Jun 15, 2012 12:12:21 AM Ignore BigBob12345 Report Abuse ok
ican2step Champion Author Pittsburgh Posts:1,691 Points:429,350 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Jun 15, 2012 12:10:27 AM Ignore ican2step Report Abuse It still costs me over $50 to fill my tank. Crazy.
Sisu58 Champion Author Michigan Posts:1,283 Points:356,320 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Jun 15, 2012 12:09:53 AM Ignore Sisu58 Report Abuse A gas war, now that my kind of war.
NedW Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:5,625 Points:1,144,195 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Jun 15, 2012 12:08:33 AM Ignore NedW Report Abuse When are writers going to stop calling gas over $2.00/gal. low?
sdiddydaddy Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:1,101 Points:397,145 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Jun 15, 2012 12:07:42 AM Ignore sdiddydaddy Report Abuse good for them. Nice to see somebody take a stand.
Ready Eddie Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:5,781 Points:1,344,720 Joined:Feb 2003	Message Posted: Jun 15, 2012 12:06:00 AM Ignore Ready Eddie Report Abuse Good for all.
chicoCA Champion Author California Posts:1,986 Points:1,776,100 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Jun 15, 2012 12:03:36 AM Ignore chicoCA Report Abuse okay
Gas Thirsty Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:4,882 Points:3,229,545 Joined:Mar 2003	Message Posted: Jun 15, 2012 12:03:29 AM Ignore Gas Thirsty Report Abuse Independent stations tend to have lower prices.
Ron77095 Champion Author Houston Posts:3,070 Points:604,625 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Jun 15, 2012 12:02:10 AM Ignore Ron77095 Report Abuse ok.
alterman156 Champion Author New York Posts:7,495 Points:1,558,725 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Jun 14, 2012 11:59:52 PM Ignore alterman156 Report Abuse I saw a few stations in my area with lower prices than most and they're not always independent stations.
Bussman Champion Author Dallas Posts:5,523 Points:1,360,935 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jun 14, 2012 11:58:56 PM Ignore Bussman Report Abuse Keep it going, men.
58salty Champion Author Jacksonville Posts:6,645 Points:631,840 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Jun 14, 2012 11:58:21 PM Ignore 58salty Report Abuse Good for all of them.
GAS1251 Champion Author Texas Posts:5,158 Points:1,628,180 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Jun 14, 2012 11:55:00 PM Ignore GAS1251 Report Abuse Glad I'm not there,3.76 doesn't sound like a bargain.
kcboy Champion Author Utah Posts:3,978 Points:1,509,750 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Jun 14, 2012 11:53:08 PM Ignore kcboy Report Abuse Interesting but I would like to see lower gas prices. We are still way above the national average.
jetskijerry Champion Author North Carolina Posts:3,906 Points:774,220 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Jun 14, 2012 11:52:26 PM Ignore jetskijerry Report Abuse NC is still at $3.33
OOXXFF Champion Author Greensboro Posts:3,073 Points:1,080,605 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Jun 14, 2012 11:52:20 PM Ignore OOXXFF Report Abuse Good for Mark.
tsa3333 Rookie Author Michigan Posts:30 Points:110,700 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: Jun 14, 2012 11:52:12 PM Ignore tsa3333 Report Abuse good luck
300kmiles All-Star Author Orange County Posts:529 Points:416,020 Joined:Dec 2009	Message Posted: Jun 14, 2012 11:52:12 PM Ignore 300kmiles Report Abuse Mark, great work!
jetskijerry Champion Author North Carolina Posts:3,906 Points:774,220 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Jun 14, 2012 11:52:01 PM Ignore jetskijerry Report Abuse just filled up in SC for $3.03.
SHEP20715 Champion Author Maryland Posts:8,481 Points:1,716,795 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Jun 14, 2012 11:51:18 PM Ignore SHEP20715 Report Abuse Good for them
mrbee Champion Author Little Rock Posts:3,764 Points:2,468,380 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Jun 14, 2012 11:49:59 PM Ignore mrbee Report Abuse Lower here by far.
heartbroken2010 Champion Author Ottawa Posts:4,354 Points:899,485 Joined:Aug 2010	Message Posted: Jun 14, 2012 11:48:21 PM Ignore heartbroken2010 Report Abuse for now this is good , but i can only hope he can maintain this. kudos to him.
bojiway1 Champion Author Minnesota Posts:2,054 Points:480,460 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Jun 14, 2012 11:48:13 PM Ignore bojiway1 Report Abuse Ok
Z51Corvette Champion Author Austin Posts:8,495 Points:1,673,120 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Jun 14, 2012 11:47:05 PM Ignore Z51Corvette Report Abuse You do what you need to in order to stay in business. Good for him. On another topic... The Washington politicians need to have their pay for life revoked. It is a gross dereliction of duty to expect to receive an annual pay that exceeds 90 percent of all Americans. Public servants... spare me the rhetoric! Bring the pay to the average American and show us a reason to vote for you... Humility before Greed!
firefly09 Champion Author San Diego Posts:2,497 Points:716,700 Joined:Mar 2009	Message Posted: Jun 14, 2012 11:45:16 PM Ignore firefly09 Report Abuse Hope we see a lot more lower gas prices because of this.
SavALot Champion Author Virginia Beach Posts:8,479 Points:1,713,110 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Jun 14, 2012 11:43:43 PM Ignore SavALot Report Abuse Competition breeds the lowering of prices
throttle Champion Author Maryland Posts:11,982 Points:2,464,695 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: Jun 14, 2012 11:43:42 PM Ignore throttle Report Abuse Makes sense.
TBONE3 Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:8,756 Points:1,978,600 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Jun 14, 2012 11:43:38 PM Ignore TBONE3 Report Abuse We need more owners like Mr. Hoidal. Good going sir!!!
LCSTEELERBOB Champion Author Gary Posts:2,961 Points:720,130 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jun 14, 2012 11:40:26 PM Ignore LCSTEELERBOB Report Abuse lets support the little guy
Saunch2012 Veteran Author Pennsylvania Posts:451 Points:111,105 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: Jun 14, 2012 11:40:14 PM Ignore Saunch2012 Report Abuse ok
BackwoodsPundit Champion Author Richmond Posts:5,185 Points:1,013,175 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Jun 14, 2012 11:39:43 PM Ignore BackwoodsPundit Report Abuse What free ride? The only one getting a free ride is government bureaucrats, they produce nothing and want ever more. Oil companies produce a product we all absolutely need. And the US oil companies arent even in the top 10 as terms of size - they are price takers, not price makers. The vast majority of the so-called special tax breaks that "medium oil" gets in the US are the same business deductions that every company gets. To take them away is not leveling the playing field, it is punishing them for daring to profit. Understanding that helps one understand why people and businesses are largely not willing to risk expanding , except in special government favored and subsidized ventures. Because if you succeed, you will be labeled a "Big" something or rather, and your profits targeted for confiscation by some wanna-be Comrade Commissars who believe they are better able to spend it.
frostyWV Champion Author West Virginia Posts:2,339 Points:519,235 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Jun 14, 2012 11:39:17 PM Ignore frostyWV Report Abuse wish we had independents around here.
jem069 Champion Author Detroit Posts:2,548 Points:689,030 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Jun 14, 2012 11:39:16 PM Ignore jem069 Report Abuse Ok
Matt G Champion Author Boston Posts:4,543 Points:2,774,990 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Jun 14, 2012 11:38:46 PM Ignore Matt G Report Abuse Ok
otherdave Champion Author Indiana Posts:3,403 Points:1,270,810 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jun 14, 2012 11:38:33 PM Ignore otherdave Report Abuse Around here almost all of the "independently" owned stations and C stores are branded. If the "brandholder" says raise prices the "independent" owner has no choice. Over 1/2 of the stations in my county are Marathon / Greedway! Monopoly?
Jskidmore Rookie Author Vancouver Posts:96 Points:792,360 Joined:Nov 2009	Message Posted: Jun 14, 2012 11:38:25 PM Ignore Jskidmore Report Abuse I buy at the COOP and get a rebate back on all purchases
joel27nc Champion Author Raleigh Posts:10,547 Points:1,860,320 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Jun 14, 2012 11:38:14 PM Ignore joel27nc Report Abuse I wish they'd start soon..they should be about $1.xx/gallon.
teafortwo Champion Author Washington Posts:22,132 Points:1,387,015 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Jun 14, 2012 11:38:03 PM Ignore teafortwo Report Abuse FROM THE ARTICLE: All gas sold in the country has to meet national quality standards, but branded gasoline can contain brand-name additives like Techron for Chevron stations. The supply of gas on the West Coast is rising now that several previously closed refineries are back online, said Tim Hamilton, executive director of the Automotive United Trades Organization, a nonprofit group representing gas stations and suppliers in Washington. He said the unbranded-gas market usually experiences the price drop first, which is why Costco, Safeway and other unbranded stations often have the lowest prices in the state. The benefit of being unbranded can be great when wholesale prices drop, but when they rise, they can send the price at the pump soaring. "As an independent, you live and die with market volatility," said Tom Kloza, chief oil analyst at the Oil Price Information Service. "As spot prices and wholesale prices for gasoline go up or down, your cost moves very quickly."