Quote:
Originally Posted by dkveuro
In Florida and else where there's laws about price gouging.........how come the petroleum companies can do it ? 
Now, when it gets cold here and i have to buy to burn fuel to continue in business, I don't increase my rate or parts prices. So now they have another excuse...
Rigs, platforms evacuate Gulf ahead of Isaac - Houston Chronicle
i bet the areas unaffected and thousands of miles away also increase the price.
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Well, it is certainly within your rights to increase your prices seasonally; but it might not be great for customer relations.
It does seem like almost anything is used as an excuse to raise prices, and we rarely hear of the opposite; but shutting in a portion of GOM production can obviously have an effect on supply.
Storm Isaac's westward shift may target U.S. offshore oilpatch - AlertNet
Independent retailers who are supplied from Gulf Coast refineries are going to raise prices in advance of any perceived supply disruption. Most of them operate on pretty thin margins anyway, so they can't afford to sell too cheap or they may not be able to refill their tanks.
Company owned retail outlets always take what they can, when they can. They are always looking to maximize profit.