Originally Posted by
alexk1980
Why is it when oil prices go up you see a direct increase at the pump. Now that oil is almost $90/barrel, why is gas still up in the mid $3/gal? Does anyone else wonder this, its quick to go up but long to come back down....
It takes a while, to get the oil purchased at this price from the well to your gas tank. Normally the price you see is for the futures preceding month (Nov)
Don't forget the fact the gas station people pay attention to the news and see a jump in prices and may be apt to increase their prices quicker, and decrease them slower especially if there is limited competition (they are the only gas station on that corner or are near and expressway). Gas stations don't make much money off gas, they make money off the crap they sell inside.