I am writing regarding the article in Monday’s Free Lance, the
lawsuit against Safeway.
Dear Editor:
I am writing regarding the article in Monday’s Free Lance, the lawsuit against Safeway. If the prices shown in the picture are current, then I do not believe they are too low, at least not compared to the prices we are paying in our area between and including Sacramento and Stockton.
Our local mini mart, which sells ARCO gas, as well as another local station is charging the same. Granted there are many brand name stations charging much more, but you don’t see lines there. A few miles down the road at Costco they are a few cents less.
We pay on average $2.14 to $2.19 per gallon for premium grade gas as of this writing – Costco being the lowest at $2.14 per gallon of premium gas. Maybe the other stations in Hollister are trying to profit too much.
I have always thought Hollister gas prices have been historically higher and out of line with most other areas. When visiting or going on business out of town, we always made a point of filling up before heading home since we saved as much as 20 cents per gallon many times compared to Hollister gas prices.
Hollister needs something like Safeway to give the stations some competition and keep the prices down. In my opinion, the other stations have lost business due to the economy and rising prices of gas, more choices and people not driving as much because they can’t afford to. Commuters are probably filling up out of town where the gas is cheaper and doing more carpooling. Closing businesses and loss of jobs also have a trickle down effect, all the way to the gas pumps.
What next? Raley’s (Nob Hill) suing Safeway for having some lower food prices and vice versa?
Sylvia Ernani,
Galt, Calif.
