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A majority of Americans set gas prices for all of us

GasBuddy Blog -- As much as it stinks to hear, sometimes rising gasoline prices are partially our own fault. The fact that Americans are beginning to spend more shows that the economy is on the mend, and while Americans may be buying more food or clothes, they're also making more trips to the store, the mall, etc. The one product letting them get there is gasoline. We can directly tie increased shopping purchases and retail sales increases to gasoline demand. The more people are purchasing, the more gasoline they're undoubtedly using to get to stores or to the mall.

February's retail sales report showed definite signs of people beginning to open their wallets more for items they want, but that also means they should prepare to pay more at the pump...

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Submitted Mar 12, 2010 By: PD

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bladecutter All-Star Author Houston Posts:501 Points:136,050 Joined:Nov 2009	Message Posted: Apr 26, 2010 7:48:16 AM Ignore bladecutter Report Abuse The gas prices are set more by the speculators in the gas futures market than anything else.
POLELANE Champion Author Ohio Posts:6,040 Points:682,545 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Mar 18, 2010 2:32:36 AM Ignore POLELANE Report Abuse I still don't understand how this can be so definately true
Z51Corvette Champion Author Austin Posts:4,020 Points:775,770 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Mar 18, 2010 12:43:51 AM Ignore Z51Corvette Report Abuse Conserve, drive less, plan you trips do as much. Planning yields savings. I don't see the economy improving... I am still trying to drive less.
POLELANE Champion Author Ohio Posts:6,040 Points:682,545 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:43:40 PM Ignore POLELANE Report Abuse I'll take responsibility for my share; maybe even some of yours. If we all pay a fair share things will go more smoothly than if some feel overcharged.
CruisinLinda Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:6,282 Points:1,260,845 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 12:40:47 AM Ignore CruisinLinda Report Abuse It is not necessary to increase driving mileage substantially while we buy goods and services. Shop on the Internet and by phone. Group trips together. If you have so much money, buy an EV or at least a hybrid. We must use less gasoline if we want gas prices to go down! We see articles all the time here that attribute higher bidding on oil futures on speculators' belief consumption will increase.
Jeff1944 All-Star Author South Dakota Posts:685 Points:176,450 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 1:29:15 PM Ignore Jeff1944 Report Abuse Nuclear power is a viable option.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:10,163 Points:592,775 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 10:32:51 PM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse the only way out of the dilemma we're facing is to find renewable, sustainable alternatives that can be made right here in the USA. That will cut Pig Oil's monopoly down and prices for energy would drop all over the place. Well.. I can dream.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:10,163 Points:592,775 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 10:31:03 PM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse get back to the low spending we had after the August 2008 hyper-spiking.
Blue48 Champion Author Illinois Posts:2,491 Points:633,840 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 9:05:06 PM Ignore Blue48 Report Abuse YEP!
kelsielee Champion Author Atlanta Posts:3,271 Points:630,890 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 9:25:01 PM Ignore kelsielee Report Abuse Unfortunately, I am paying higher gas prices but I am not one who has experienced an improved situation in this economy.
genef01 Champion Author Nashville Posts:1,996 Points:664,035 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 8:16:59 PM Ignore genef01 Report Abuse VetteBlue, you are partially correct. Until the US begins developing the abundant resources that are already here in the good old USA and stop importing oil, we are stuck at the hands of oil companies and speculators. Even if we started today without any interference from the eco-Nazies and Pelosi and her co-conspraitors, we are years away from being energy independent. In short, we don't have a national energy policy and need one badly. The goal should be self sufficiency driving toward alternative fuels that take us away from dependence on fossil fuels at all.
nolife Champion Author New Haven Posts:2,136 Points:805,850 Joined:Nov 2004	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 4:13:43 PM Ignore nolife Report Abuse I'm sure Detroit will be getting a price spike as they'll need lots of fuel for the bulldozers.
FuelBarge Champion Author Long Island Posts:3,959 Points:1,060,390 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 3:45:00 PM Ignore FuelBarge Report Abuse If a majority of Americans are causing the prices to rise, how does one explain the price increases through 2009 that did not follow increased consumption? Americans play a part but we do not hold a monopoly on the setting of prices.
Jeepmon All-Star Author San Jose Posts:640 Points:605,180 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 12:29:38 PM Ignore Jeepmon Report Abuse THis is all BS.. we can/should have affordable gasoline!!!
ToolKing Champion Author Missouri Posts:5,814 Points:1,383,380 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 12:29:19 PM Ignore ToolKing Report Abuse I think the author of this story needs to waste a little gas and get out of his neighborhood and take a real look at life elsewhere. I see NO improving economy where I am. More and more people are struggling to just put food on the table because they have no job. Maybe it is the people with jobs that are doing more traveling and buying. I am willing to bet from the number of people I see and talk to that there are many more struggling than not. Look at the states that are making drastic budget cuts and planning to lay off police, firemen, school teachers, etc. When it comes to laying people off to cut a budget, I believe we should start at the TOP with the "Fat Cats" and work down instead of starting at the bottom. This country is on a down hill slide and not even close to recovery!
WCCurtis Champion Author San Bernardino Posts:2,823 Points:882,100 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 12:27:40 PM Ignore WCCurtis Report Abuse If everyone would fill up at the lowest priced Gas Stations in town, completion would drive down prices at the other Gas stations. They would be forced to lower prices or go out of business. Around here ARCO AM/PM, Costco and Sam's Club are $.20 cheaper than Shell or Chevron.
ftsgt Champion Author Illinois Posts:8,223 Points:1,636,310 Joined:Dec 2004	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 12:15:01 PM Ignore ftsgt Report Abuse better to have the economy on the mend
repeater1 Champion Author Kansas Posts:3,266 Points:1,365,895 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 12:12:50 PM Ignore repeater1 Report Abuse And we are just coming into the highest season of the year for gasoline usage. We need to think about all of our driving trips and how to conserve fuel.
jimshell Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:1,787 Points:443,585 Joined:Sep 2004	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 12:11:17 PM Ignore jimshell Report Abuse I think big oil's greed drive the price more then American consumption.
fedex09 All-Star Author Missouri Posts:605 Points:655,310 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 12:09:20 PM Ignore fedex09 Report Abuse Conserve baby conserve.
paoli8 Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:2,782 Points:892,085 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 12:09:06 PM Ignore paoli8 Report Abuse Wonder which thumb this was sucked out of
BlueVanGroup Champion Author Colorado Posts:2,082 Points:538,975 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 12:09:03 PM Ignore BlueVanGroup Report Abuse "The fact that Americans are beginning to spend more shows that the economy is on the mend." It shows people believe the massive, unsustainable government spending and debt will somehow go away by itself. (Kind of like the 400-pound guy who thinks he looks good in a thong.)
1Casey Champion Author Albany Posts:1,946 Points:961,400 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 12:08:37 PM Ignore 1Casey Report Abuse No excuse for the greed. Caused by speculators.
pdcarver Champion Author San Diego Posts:1,284 Points:245,395 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 12:08:11 PM Ignore pdcarver Report Abuse bullsh1t
threewheeler Champion Author Seattle Posts:2,191 Points:249,975 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 12:03:58 PM Ignore threewheeler Report Abuse this is b s!!!
Hunter114 Champion Author Chicago Posts:2,803 Points:452,770 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 12:01:14 PM Ignore Hunter114 Report Abuse Exactly. Get government and speculators out and let the market work naturally. Then see where gas prices are. Say no to price floors.
civicdutie Champion Author Rochester Posts:2,515 Points:508,725 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 11:59:33 AM Ignore civicdutie Report Abuse Spending is up for those who have jobs, unfortunately, there have been very little jobs created and many people are still unemployed.
outridin Champion Author Illinois Posts:10,149 Points:2,038,210 Joined:Jan 2004	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 11:56:51 AM Ignore outridin Report Abuse i suspect that gas companies believe that people have money to spend that they want some of it. a little more for gas while spending more else where goes unnoticed.
gilfarm Champion Author Alabama Posts:1,972 Points:976,585 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 11:55:08 AM Ignore gilfarm Report Abuse True
ByGuy Champion Author Dallas Posts:3,057 Points:752,030 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 11:54:54 AM Ignore ByGuy Report Abuse Sorry Patrick...it is not our fault. Let the market forces work without Govt interference.
Skip928 Champion Author Arizona Posts:1,813 Points:662,710 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 11:52:05 AM Ignore Skip928 Report Abuse prices will remain high as long as we keep buying it from outside of our own country.
Jizme Champion Author Lincoln Posts:4,732 Points:1,892,490 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 11:51:23 AM Ignore Jizme Report Abuse So they are trying to say that when demand goes up the price goes up. We all know that this is not always true because we have seen the prices go up when the demand was down.
oilrobber Champion Author Miami Posts:4,489 Points:919,160 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 11:51:19 AM Ignore oilrobber Report Abuse I must be real stupid, I can't see where the economy is improving. They are cutting the postal service down to five days a week. Raising the cost of stamps and laying of postal workers. Now they are calling for schools to be open four days a week to save on money. Jobs are not increasing because nobody knows how much taxes will be thrown on them. I can go on, but what is the use. I think I need this to be explained to me again.
Einstein47 Champion Author Utah Posts:6,058 Points:1,103,190 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 11:47:25 AM Ignore Einstein47 Report Abuse this article is so full of logic holes. we should have been enjoying the cheapest gas when the recession hit full force. but alas the speculators kept gas high. the US economy was NEVER strong enough for $4 gallon gas.
badtazz Sophomore Author Washington Posts:222 Points:81,445 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 11:39:06 AM Ignore badtazz Report Abuse That is why we are now at $2.95 here where do I send my thank you? Oh wait, I can't afford a stamp anymore.
bluzdw Sophomore Author Missouri Posts:121 Points:30,595 Joined:Feb 2010	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 11:39:01 AM Ignore bluzdw Report Abuse SHOULD BE SPECTATORS.
Diesel_Ram Champion Author Dallas Posts:1,518 Points:517,325 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 11:38:26 AM Ignore Diesel_Ram Report Abuse No it the minority and they are called speculators.
twiper1 Champion Author San Diego Posts:2,746 Points:592,495 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 11:38:25 AM Ignore twiper1 Report Abuse This article is true to a point. Im sure our way of buying gas does impact the price, But the big factor is the greedy Arabs that cant seem to make enough money off of the rest of the world
cutter1330 Champion Author Oklahoma Posts:2,941 Points:683,235 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 11:37:40 AM Ignore cutter1330 Report Abuse So now I can drive to the mall. I just can't buy anything once I get there.
jd2009 Champion Author Honolulu Posts:1,682 Points:523,505 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 11:36:51 AM Ignore jd2009 Report Abuse More speculation and greed
abuck Champion Author Pittsburgh Posts:3,051 Points:553,555 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 11:36:43 AM Ignore abuck Report Abuse they know we'll pay and they'll try to squeeze every penny out of us...
ShudBWalking Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,751 Points:324,680 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 11:36:30 AM Ignore ShudBWalking Report Abuse this is b s!!!
ToyotaGuy08 Rookie Author Medford Posts:89 Points:313,405 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 11:31:44 AM Ignore ToyotaGuy08 Report Abuse Increased demand? Just an excuse! The average price of gas at this time of year in 2005 was 2.06. Are you telling me that demand in this economy is higher than it was in 2005? I don’t think so. See attached reference. March 2005 Average Gas price
bicycler Champion Author Ontario Posts:9,540 Points:1,669,035 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 11:30:42 AM Ignore bicycler Report Abuse GasBuddy: Unfortunately you have a good point, but one must factor those who preach higher [prices also feed the speculators and the oil companies to take advantage of greater consumer activity.
matman01 Champion Author Detroit Posts:8,943 Points:975,770 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 11:30:14 AM Ignore matman01 Report Abuse Speculators and a lack of alternative energy are reasons for higher gas prices.
dopster Champion Author Toledo Posts:2,002 Points:1,326,860 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 11:27:54 AM Ignore dopster Report Abuse Oil prices are still a reflection of worldwide demand, which continues to increase even as US demand decreases for now. Blaming the President for oil prices now makes no more sense than blaming Bush for oil prices during his term. Remember when it was over $4.00?
fordfan1 Champion Author Indiana Posts:3,993 Points:876,565 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 11:23:18 AM Ignore fordfan1 Report Abuse I agree that Greed drives up the price for gas. How do can big oil explain the refineries shutting down and slowing production when there is a large among of oil on the market. They all are in bed with the speculators and futures buyers to drive the prices up.
jwduke1 Champion Author Iowa Posts:11,130 Points:2,182,780 Joined:Apr 2004	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 11:21:31 AM Ignore jwduke1 Report Abuse The majority is Obummer & the speculators!
foxups Champion Author Toledo Posts:3,252 Points:645,060 Joined:Feb 2004	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 11:20:25 AM Ignore foxups Report Abuse let the good times roll and gas up too
baitmn Champion Author New Orleans Posts:3,818 Points:1,091,375 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 11:20:18 AM Ignore baitmn Report Abuse This is bull, IT is the GREED of the Sand People along with the GREED of the Oil Speculator trying to control the market prices, that are pushing the pump prices upward. I hope they all loose their A.. off in the market.