Where The Gas Gouging Buck Stops

Local gas station owners are hurt as much or more than consumers by high gas prices, as they lose business when gas companies force them to raise their prices.

1 minute read

May 29, 2006, 7:00 AM PDT

By David Gest


"While motorists complain about getting gouged to fuel the oil companies' record profits, Lalli and other dealers say Sunoco is gouging them too, by inflating the wholesale price of gas. Even though he's only about a mile from Sunoco's gasoline terminal at 26th Street and Passyunk Avenue, he's paying up to 30 cents a gallon more for gas than the dealers or company-owned outlets in Northeast Philly or Reading. That's because Sunoco simply thinks folks in South Philly will pay it. However, just two blocks from Lalli, a Getty dealer at 21st and Oregon has been selling gas for about 20 cents a gallon less. With that competitive disadvantage, who can blame folks for cruising by Lalli's to line up for the better price?

The Getty dealer gets his fuel from an independent distributor who is paying close to the lowest wholesale price, which last week beat Sunoco's price to Lalli by about 23 cents a gallon. While other dealers could buy gas for as low as $2.799 wholesale a week ago, Lalli -- forced to buy from Sunoco -- was being charged $3.029 a gallon."

Thursday, May 25, 2006 in Philadelphia City Paper

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

4 hours ago - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

5 hours ago - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

6 hours ago - Cities Today