Dear Editor:
Last week I took it upon myself to try to find out why there is such a discrepancy in gas prices, here in the valley.
I travel up and down the valley roads, probably more times than anyone that does not travel to work. Out of the five service stations I spoke with, I asked who owns the gas in your tank, you or the oil company? Out of the five I got three “I don’t knows,” and one discreetly told me it was none of my business, however one owner-operator told me what he wanted me to believe, which is that many of the service stations belong to one oil company, the Chevron Conoco, and Esso and they are just starting up and they buy cheap gas.
I smiled and nodded my head to make him think I believed him, while I controlled my laughter. All the while thinking my van runs well on cheap gas.
Last Wednesday, gas at the old prairie Oasis was selling for 118.5 a litre plus you get two cents cash back, while gas in Osoyoos was priced at 132.9 a litre and the Chevron in Oliver were selling for 121.9 a litre. That’s over 50 cents a gallon. (I’m from the old school.)
If I have time I go across the line and meet up with four more Canadians filling their tanks, even with our 75-cent dollar I save over 20 bucks a fill.
The owner/operator I spoke with said he was suffering, however he was not able to buy his gas at a price to be competitive. I can’t see any change in the near future. I believe in shopping at home but when it hits me in the back pocket I think differently.
Don Brady, Osoyoos
