It’s another Republican give-away of public assets.

They still get gas on Tuesday, but the price can change at any time, and, like you say, when one does it, they all do it.

In Florida almost all of the retailers makes a dime a gallon, no matter what the price is.

On the other hand, yes, it’s obviously a ridiculous game that the franchisees play. One of them raises his/her price, and they all follow suit–within hours–and all go to around the same price. Occasionally you’ll see one station that’s a penny or two lower than the average price, and sometimes one that’s a penny or two higher (often because of higher rents or a variation in the local gas tax from one community or municipality to another), but generally, the prices are all in the same ballpark. How, exactly, is this not price-fixing and collusion prohibited under federal law?

I have noticed, however, that there are a couple of stations hereabouts that have taken to waiting to change their prices until, presumably, they have to refill their tanks. That, I have less of a problem with. If the owner has to pay more (or less) to buy the product, then s/he can legitimately pass that price change on to customers. But arbitrarily to change the price of product that’s already bought and paid for, that just seems wrong.