Starting Friday, gas stations around the Triangle started spiking their prices. They raised them because hurricane Ike might disrupt future gasoline production.
The cost of the gas they have in the ground is totally unaffected by whatever may or may not happen with this hurricane.
But folks made runs on gas stations fearing prices would rise.
Because of this, when I leave for NY later today, I’ll pay a 10-20% premium on the fuel the gas stations already have!
That’s f’ing ridiculous. There’s no two ways about it, this is pure gouging.
If the refineries are shut down for a couple days, then when you can’t get more gas, or it’s more expensive, then you can raise prices. Raising them ahead of time panders to people’s fear and panic and rips off your neighbors.