If anyone knows how Costco sets their gas prices, please do share with the rest of us!
When we lived in Seattle, our Costco's gas prices were consistently a few cents less other nearby gas stations.
When we moved here to Austin, we initially found the Costco prices to be equal to the lowest-priced "regular" stations. So, I thought there was no difference and that it was a regional thing.
But just recently, since the latest spike in gas prices started, I have found Costco Austin's gas prices to be a bit lower than others.
Yesterday I paid $3.599/gallon at Costco, while other stations were charging $3.639 - $3.699.
The last time I filled up at Costco (about a month ago), the price was about 3-cents less than the stations.
This has me wondering if Costco uses a formula where they have a fixed profit they make, while maybe the "regular" stations are taking advantage and doing a teensy bit of "gouging"?
In any case, Costco is definitely shining right now as far as gas prices go.
What are you all experiencing where you live? Are you noticing a bigger price gap on Costco gas recently, or has the gap stayed the same as usual?
P.S. - As I was getting ready to leave Costco yesterday, a lady just about gave me a heart attack when she ran up right behind my car just as I started backing out and disappeared from view. Of course I hit the brakes ... She stood up and just stood there for a second staring at what I swear was a coin in her hand! For crying out loud, I'm all for picking up coins off the ground, but please don't put your life and my sanity in jeopardy like that! Wanna know my first thought? "That couldn't be baselle, could it? Naw - She doesn't live in Austin!"
Costco Gas
May 16th, 2008 at 11:38 pm
May 16th, 2008 at 11:51 pm 1210981864
Years ago I was told by a Costco worker, that they charge what the last "load" cost, and even if they price goes up around town, they continue only charging by what they paid for the last delivery. They will also always beat the local price, so if they paid more and the prices go down, they will still stay competitive. You have to remember though, Costco's grade of fuel is not as high as some other stations.
May 17th, 2008 at 12:46 am 1210985213
May 17th, 2008 at 05:16 am 1211001383
May 17th, 2008 at 06:03 am 1211004218