UPDATED: 2800+ Complaints So Far On Gas Price Gouging
UPDATED: 2800+ Complaints So Far On Gas Price Gouging Save Email Print
Posted: 6:55 PM Sep 14, 2008
 Last Updated: 3:40 PM Sep 15, 2008
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Seven gas stations so far have been subpoenaed by the North Carolina Attorney General's Office that allegedly have charged $5.49 or more for a gallon of gas.

Today's subpoenas will be served on gas stations in Anson, Ashe, Cherokee, Guilford, Montgomery, Stanley and Transylvania counties.

Attorney General Roy Cooper says he expects more subpoenas to be issued later this week after his office received more than 2,800 complaints of price gouging.

The subpoenas require retailers to provide documentation to the Attorney General's Office by September 26 including information on their costs.

If found guilty, gas station operators can be found guilty of a civil penalty and face a fine up to $5,000.

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More than 2,500 gas consumers across North Carolina reported claims of price gouging over the weekend as gas prices skyrocketed in reaction to Hurricane Ike.

Spokeswoman Noelle Talley said Attorney General Roy Cooper's office is expected to send out subpoenas to several North Carolina gas stations throughout the day Monday.

On Friday, Gov. Mike Easley declared a state of "abnormal market disruption" and signed an order allowing Cooper to enforce the state's anti-gouging law.

Cooper was expected to discuss his office's investigation into possible price-gouging Monday afternoon.

AAA officials said the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in North Carolina is up to $4.085 a gallon, more than 50 cents higher that it was last week.

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Televised reports say Cooper would be looking for "unreasonably excessive" prices.

The claims were triggered by gas prices that approached $5 a gallon at some Raleigh gasoline stations as Hurricane Ike bore down on the Texas coast on Friday.

Cooper's moved came after Gov. Mike Easley on Friday declared a state of "abnormal market disruption" and signed an order allowing Cooper to enforce North Carolina's anti-gouging law.

Cooper said Friday the law applies to all levels of the fuel supply chain. His office began taking complaints on Saturday.

Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
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Posted by: Murl Wobbleton Location: greenville on Jan 15, 2009 at 04:02 PM
Gas and oil prices did go back up to about $52.00 and gas in 1 day shot up 40 cent and now gas and oil is down to 34 dollars a barrel so why isnt gas back down to $1.40 it's funny how fast it shoots up but how slow they are to lower the price.
Posted by: Wanda Location: Ahoskie on Sep 17, 2008 at 01:49 PM
Well, the way i look at it is this. I will to continue to support the gas stations that are willing to help their consumers. On Friday morning, all the stations in this area were $3.99 and the Hess was $3.63. So who would you support? Thanks Hess for not being greedy.
Posted by: ALL OF US Location: WASHINGTON NC on Sep 17, 2008 at 08:27 AM
I will agree the main few gas providers here in Washington do need to be looked into they constantly take advantage of us with price gouging!!
Posted by: lisa Location: corpus christi tx on Sep 17, 2008 at 02:40 AM
i think that is crazy! over 5.00 for gas. I live in tx, near where Ike made landfall and I'll gas did not change at 3. 49 !
Posted by: Mike Location: Roper on Sep 16, 2008 at 10:05 PM
I think it is a sad thing for gas stations to do things like that. For example in Edenton Saturday morning,,a Etna gas station had their prices at over $7.oo a gallon and kept it that was for several hours,, there was numerous complaints and i finally txt witn to let them know what was going on,,and in a matter of a half and hour they was out there changing the price to $3.79 a gallon...my question is why couldn't it have been that price all along!! You try to give people the benefit of the doubt and they take us as being ignorant!!!
Posted by: Anonymous Location: greenville on Sep 16, 2008 at 09:00 PM
maybe the people that are complaining about the gas stations, should contact the terminals where the gas is being purchased to see why they are gouging the stations.
Posted by: Rosebud Location: Lagrange on Sep 16, 2008 at 06:29 PM
People.......remember the stores that jacked their prices and BOYCOTT them! Spend YOUR money elsewhere!
Posted by: Joe Location: Kinston on Sep 16, 2008 at 06:03 PM
received a tip as to what big oil and gas stations were going to pull,I rushed to kinston filled my car and several gas cans so I have rode this one out but will keep in mind those who jacked up their price the highest and will never buy from them again.
Posted by: Michelle Location: Chocowinity on Sep 16, 2008 at 02:54 PM
After driving from Chocowinity to Greenville every day, you see alot of different prices, but the Cypress store on hwy. 33 is by far, the worst. At $4.79 a gallon!!!!!!! The sad thing is, there were actually people at the pumps paying these prices! What is wrong with you all? Drive a mile up the d**n street and support the people that are fair! They jack those prices because they know that you will be dumb enough to pay it!
Posted by: Slow Lane Location: New Bern, NC 28562 on Sep 16, 2008 at 02:50 PM
Here in New Bern, Fisher Oil first to raise prices at the pump, last to drop. Hess and Fuel Warehouse the best.
Posted by: Obama Snake Oil Co Location: Washington on Sep 16, 2008 at 02:21 PM
I think Concerned, that you have your numbers incorrect. You will not make more, you make less. Before NC raised the wage a lunch was $5 average. Now, you can barely get a lunch for $6. So where is the savings? Minumum raise was supposed to be for young people making their way through the work force to something better. It was never intended to be a sitting place in ones career. Every time the minimum goes up everything follows. Look into the history of it over the past two years in NC. Also, on gas, if $5K is the fine, this means the additional $6 per 10 gallons of gas would have been 833 people coming in the gas station to equal the $5K fine. So, they lost this battle to make the big dollars. They lost loyal customers, money and in some cases, all sales, not just gas. Remember to express your gratitude to those that didn't go up over $3.99. Those are the ones that ran out of gas due to the governors 10 gallon panic Friday. Thanks Easley for costing us money for panic soon a tax hike

EDITOR'S NOTE: It was a convenience store chain that started the 10 gallon limit on Friday, not Governor Easley. Future posts with this will be rejected. Thanks.
Posted by: Concerned Location: Greenville, NC on Sep 16, 2008 at 01:14 PM
Why not raise the minimum wage to $10.00 It will make a big difference to the people who makes minimum wage.
Posted by: Anonymous Location: Greenville on Sep 16, 2008 at 09:56 AM
Question please--What happens to those who did price gouging. A penalty? Well that makes me feel real good-money going back in my pocket. It is all a rip off. I was standing at the pump -pumping gas and the price went up--no tankers in sight to re fill the tanks. How does the gas stations account for that? Just bleed us dry and wonder why the American people are fed up. And please do not tell me about the new slogan Going to make a change--the only change we can expect is a new leaded in the White House- same old STUFF we have now. My blood pressure can sure rise on this one.
Posted by: T Location: Washington on Sep 16, 2008 at 08:33 AM
$5000 is all they might have to pay. Is that going to be per purchase? The gas stations made well more than that. Gas prices are up, food costs are up both in the gracery store and restaurants. Raises from our jobs get eaten up by the cost of insurance and we haven't gottena cost of living raise in years. Where is all the extra money going to come from Attorney General Roy Cooper. NC needs a cost of living raise to offset some of this cost. Half of us are already ready living from paycheck to paycheck and drowning in between. Can I get an Amen?
Posted by: k Location: eastern nc on Sep 15, 2008 at 09:21 PM
If our country was completely weaned from oil in our daily lives, this country would not be able to survive. Gas for our vehicles is NOT the only thing we get from oil. There are so many products on the market that are made either from oil or its by-products that are used on a daily basis, it's unreal. If this were to happen, does this mean that we would have to come up with alternatives to those as well? It would be too costly and ultimately people would want to go back to being an oil consuming nation. I don't have a problem on decreasing the consumption of oil, but I do have a problem with the idea that we should be completely OFF of it.
Posted by: former Beulaville Resident Location: Pink Hill on Sep 15, 2008 at 09:17 PM
I know for a fact that the Speedy Mart in Beulaville is price galguing. I saw the tanker there yesterday and there were signs on the pumps today stating that they could not sell gas. There is gas in the ground so why cant you sell it? I will tell you, Mr Ricky Lynn Thomas is waiting for the price to skyrocket so he can ROB the public blind.
Posted by: TCE Location: Washington on Sep 15, 2008 at 07:16 PM
Why is it that the national gas average only went up 7 cents but the gas station on the corner of Hwy 264 and Tranter's Creek Road in Washington (Travel Store) went up almost a dollar. While most all other gas stations are in Washington remain at 3.99 a gallon, this particular gas station is $4.59. I just don't understand. I will say that this particular gas station has now lost my business completely. It seems like all the gas stations outside of Washington are 10 to 80 cents lower so I think there is some major price gouging within our community. At this time I refuse to be one of those people that runs out and buys gas because I really won't need any until next week. Hello people, we are going to run out of gas if folks over react (like they always do) and run out and fill up when it's really not necessary. Oil is being released from the strategic reserves to help out with the shut down of platforms. It is a real same that these locally owned business' are price gouging.
Posted by: Cactus Location: Strabane, NC on Sep 15, 2008 at 05:44 PM
I found Hess-Wilco to be the best buy around here. Now for all you folks that have posted comments about price gouging, have you reported it? Next, remember those stations that raised their prices above 4.00, do not buy there anymore. We keep talking about wanting a change in government, that will not happen until we quit voting "the good ole boy" ticket. We have to vote to get all those old congress people out and vote in new blood. Anyone that has been in congress for more than 10 years should be voted out.
Posted by: Debbie Location: Anywhere on Sep 15, 2008 at 04:53 PM
OK..on the webpoll about who to blame on high gas prices...how can it be Big oil co's when everything was wonderful until Hurrican Ike showed its ugly face?????
Posted by: bigfruitbasket Location: NC on Sep 15, 2008 at 04:29 PM
More reasons why we need to get away from an oil based economy. Why is it that every crap country that has oil has a fruit for a leader or hates everyone else in the world? The Feds dropped the ball in the 70s to make good on a promise to wean us off of oil back then--OPEC embargo, does anyone remember that? Now, every time a breeze blows in through the Gulf, we ALL pay for it.
Posted by: paul Location: greenville on Sep 15, 2008 at 04:21 PM
Hess in Oxford is 20cents cheaper than greenville. And the gas comes from the wilmington tank farm. Greenville always has high gas. And people keep buying.
Posted by: sr Location: havelock on Sep 15, 2008 at 04:20 PM
not buying gas won't make the price go down. the day before the prices went up I heard a story on NPR that the big oil companies were upset that less people were buying gas and that was causing the prices to go down... their solution... decrease production of gasoline to increase more demand, thus resulting in being able to keep higher prices for their profit margin.
Posted by: Jackson Location: Greenville on Sep 15, 2008 at 03:25 PM
Stephanie from Washington, you forgot the grocery bill, food is sky-high to!
Posted by: james Location: wash. on Sep 15, 2008 at 03:24 PM
Taylor Oil store # 7 raised their prices by $ 1.00 from Thursday am to Fri. am
Posted by: Obama Snake Oil Co Location: Washington on Sep 15, 2008 at 03:22 PM
Hello Steve, I agree with you on cutting back on fuel, but some people won't even slow down. My 94 Suburban is getting 24mpg daily. I do slightly under the speed limit, stopped jack rabbit starts, coasting to red lights. I always thought this vehicle would never see this kind of mileage but it can. Yet I notice the frenzy to get to work in the morning on 254 near the BCC. Now I know why farmers used to drive their pickups at 35mph, they were getting very good gas mileage. So, some people just drive like usual and gripe about the price like they are not part of the problem. Well, that is the problem. I have posted before, when is this going to break your back, $5,$6,$7...if you cannot cut back, cut back speed, it really makes a difference.
Posted by: Dawn Location: Beaufort on Sep 15, 2008 at 03:19 PM
Cmon America, we need to get mad. raising the price of gas in ANTICIPATION of a storm is unconscionable, especially while the price of oil by the barrel keeps going down! Our govmnt is out of control.
Posted by: STEPHANIE Location: WASHINGTON on Sep 15, 2008 at 03:08 PM
I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW I'M SUPPOSE TO TAKE CARE OF THREE KIDS AND BUY GAS AT THE SAME TIME PLEASE SOMEONE DO SOMETHING
Posted by: Jackson Location: Greenville on Sep 15, 2008 at 02:48 PM
Trade/Wilco has done well with their price increase. I feel that they have increase a little at the time.
Posted by: Irritated Location: Ayden on Sep 15, 2008 at 02:38 PM
The biggest threat to our economy in all this is the idea of supply and demand. The big oil companies know we will need it so they can demand whatever price suits them. It's not run for the likes of the common man. These companies are in business to make MONEY for their stock holders! The stockholders ARE IN CONGRESS! They pass the laws governing big business, get real.
Posted by: Steve Location: Chocowinity on Sep 15, 2008 at 02:13 PM
Hello people, don't buy the gas and the price will go down. I understand you have to get back and forth to work but how many people drove their cars this weekend? cut the grass? It really is supply and demand, they can raise the prices because people just grumble and pay. If people let that car sit and not move just one day a week that is how you send a msg. back
Posted by: question Location: greenville on Sep 15, 2008 at 02:06 PM
Is NC still under a state of emergency after the tropical storm that came through? If so retailers are held by law not to price gouge. If so it is considered federal. Federal Prosecution is what needs to happen. WITN maybe you need to be out on the streets rallying for this crime. Why stay neutral all the time.
Posted by: MARCIE Location: FARMVILLE on Sep 15, 2008 at 01:59 PM
OK SO HERE IN FARMVILLE THERE IS GAS GOUGING PRICES TOO. IN CHEVRON ON Corner of Main & Pine Streets IS 4.60. WHILE IN HESS ON Marlboro Rd & S Main St IS 3.95. THAT IS JUST WRONG
Posted by: I. Location: Rate on Sep 15, 2008 at 01:57 PM
WHY isn't anything being done? I can see limiting gas...but for it to go up 50 cents in anticipation of the storm is insane. Yet ANOTHER reason we need to find alternative fuel...and have more refinaries. Just makes me sick. LUCKILY I filled up for $3.57 the night before...but have hardly done ANY driving...want to conserve til the spike goes down. Oil is under $100 today ( 9/15 )
Posted by: bm Location: tarboro nc on Sep 15, 2008 at 01:55 PM
There should be a limit on how high they can raise the price of gas. People who do not bring home but about 250.00 a week are not going to be able to get gas, buy food and take care of their other bills because at $4.29 a gal you can't afford to put to much in the tank. There should be a limit on how much they can raise the price and hearing that they have to charge because of what they pay is bull. .
Posted by: Nana Location: Southern Pitt on Sep 15, 2008 at 01:43 PM
Agree with "Concerned" from Chicod. I have frequently stopped at the little store at Shelmerdine because he is usually always cheaper than either of the other stations on 43 South...Could not believe my eyes when I saw the $4.99 for regular gas. That is the highest price I've seen between Greenvile and Havelock. Paid $3.79 yesterday in Havelock, but there was a 10 gallon limit.
Posted by: Kit on Sep 15, 2008 at 01:25 PM
Talon: That is why I stay away from Trade Wilco. They have different prices all over the cities depending on what gas stations around them are priced. I hate gas stations like that.
Posted by: what Location: Ahoskie on Sep 15, 2008 at 01:19 PM
Jernigan Oil Company from Ahoskie to Greenville over 4 dollars?
Posted by: Eileen Location: Washington, NC on Sep 15, 2008 at 01:17 PM
i paid $4.69 per gallon for gas at a Stop N Go on friday. This was gouging since you could get gas at other stations in Washington for $ 3.99. Previously this station had the cheapest gas in Washington and that's why I went there. On sunday they had lowered the price to $ 3.98 per gallon.
Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 15, 2008 at 01:16 PM
They also need to look into price fixing in Washington, NC. Drive around and all most all the stations are the same price.
Posted by: T Location: Washington on Sep 15, 2008 at 01:15 PM
Why was Washington one of the highest charging? Where is it in Beaufort County do I go to complain? Thank you.
Posted by: Ripped Off Location: Morehead City on Sep 15, 2008 at 12:08 PM
Can someone tell me why gas prices on Wall Street are now down to 96$ a barrel but we have yet to see the savings at the pump. I belive in March when they were that low we were paying less than 3$ a gallon. Looks like what goes up is going to stay up.
Posted by: stinks Location: New Bern on Sep 15, 2008 at 11:36 AM
The sad thing is we have spent our money on those theives and we will not get any of our money back... They have CHEATED US.. I wish they would shut the ones down for at least a week and make them suffer that GOUGED US..
Posted by: Talon Location: NC on Sep 15, 2008 at 10:19 AM
I like the comments made by people who say they'll never shop at some of these stores who are price gouging. That's the way to hit the local thieves, in their fat wallets. I get so sick of people blaming just one part of the oil industry for high prices. Oil speculators, overseas suppliers, big oil and LOCAL OIL JOBBERS are ALL involved. Each wants to get their cut of the gouging pie. The constant misinformation and lying through the media, each step in the supply chain blaming the other, makes me sick. So, in addition to the criminal investigations, we all should note which stores have ripped us off, and boycott them. Drive them out of business, but be carefull, because they can and will change the names of their stores. Research and find out who owns the gas stations and if the owners have been guilty of price gouging in the past, then don't patronize their stores. I wish there was a website with gas price histories for each local oil distribution company's prices.
Posted by: k Location: eastern nc on Sep 15, 2008 at 09:50 AM
This matter of price gouging should have been looked into last week as soon as the rumors came around. The AG should not have waited so long. He needs to go out to these gas stations instead of just filling out paperwork. At least this way we know our tax dollars are working.
Posted by: Tara is right Location: NB on Sep 15, 2008 at 09:13 AM
Fuel Markets are owned by Fisher Oil in New Bern. He was the first to jack his prices. Friday morning at 9.30 it was up to 4.49 at his Riverdale Market. I'll try my best to never spend another dime at any of his businesses, and he owns a bunch of them around New Bern, Havelock and Bridgeton.
Posted by: ron Location: washington on Sep 15, 2008 at 08:43 AM
Go to the washington city hall and sign the gouging complaint that will be forwarded to the state AG. F ray Moore (Liberty store?? yeah right!!) and Jonny Moore (Travel Stores) need to be prosecuted. They have continually pulled these kinds of rip-offs. Just so they know, I NEVER would buy from them anyway. Based on the anti-gouging law, they should be indicted this week.
Posted by: Tara Location: New Bern on Sep 15, 2008 at 08:11 AM
The one gas station that I have noticed only increased by 10 cents to $3.78 was TradeMart/Hess. If you have the opportunity, support them!
Posted by: Tara Location: New Bern on Sep 15, 2008 at 08:10 AM
All of the fuel markets, at least in New Bern are price gouging. They jumped to $4.37 overnight and within two days have gone down to $4.19. I will never buy from any of them again!
Posted by: concerned citizen Location: chicod on Sep 15, 2008 at 08:08 AM
on hwy 43s between greenville and vanceboro we have a little conveniant store called t.l. bess who always has gas cheaper than anyone else until friday he is now 4.99 i will never stop there again
Posted by: Ray on Sep 15, 2008 at 06:59 AM
Cypress Station in Chocowinity at $4.79 a gallon. If that's not gouging, what is? I'll never buy another drop of gas from him
Posted by: Talon Location: NC on Sep 15, 2008 at 06:34 AM
I agree with TCE. I couldn't figure out why the Travel Store was charging 4.59 until I stopped at the Hess station and saw they were out of gas, then I understood that there was no other place close by to get any, so the TS was raking in all the money it could. And don't tell me that the local oil jobbers are just passing on increases from big oil. How come when the price of crude oil rises by 10% we pay 50 to 75% more at the pumps. I just don't get it. I'm very conservative and I am a capitalist, but when EXXON made the largest profit, last quarter, of any business of any kind, in the history of the world, something STINKS!
Posted by: Terri Location: Washington County on Sep 15, 2008 at 06:18 AM
I just hope they do not limit their investigation to the Raleigh area. Gas prices were a big problem out here in no mans land too! The Makin Tracks was over 4.50 while the Trade Mart stayed at 3.55 all day Friday, and the Quality station was at 3.69. Neither of them moved their prices at all while the other local stations took advantage of the frenzie.
Posted by: to high Location: williamston on Sep 15, 2008 at 06:18 AM
Friday night the Liberty gas station in Washington price for premium was $4.80 and not even a half mile down the road it was only $4.09. Price gouging I think so. County leaders need to look into this and shut these places down. North Carolina needs to set a standard that this will not be tolerated and if it happens the state has the authority to shut these places down!!!!!!
Posted by: Leigh Location: Greenville on Sep 15, 2008 at 05:57 AM
Going from Greenville to New Bern on Friday afternoon it is clear that New Bern gouges more than any city around! From 3.63 in Greenville to 4.37 in New Bern...it is clear there is some serious corruption going on in New Bern that SOMEONE needs to look into!
Posted by: maggie Location: aurora on Sep 15, 2008 at 12:46 AM
gas in aurora is $1.00 more per gal then last week i know that is prices gouging.
Posted by: TCE Location: Washington on Sep 14, 2008 at 09:11 PM
Travel Store, Corner of HWY 264 and Tranter's Creek Road in Washington is at $4.59 a gallon. That's Gouging!!!
Posted by: David Location: Manteo on Sep 14, 2008 at 08:10 PM
Using the excuse of Hurricane Ike to jack up gas prices was completely uncalled for to begin with. The entire price gouging ordeal was created and done first off by our "Wonderful government and oil companies." Is Cooper going to start questioning them before accusing these gas stations? Or is the Government and oil companies the only ones allowed to break the law? They use every excuse they can conjure up to con us out of our money but yet nothing is ever going to be said to them!! Its a disgrace how the laws work and how certain ones can get away with more than others. Gas station owners make approximately 4 cents profit per gallon, where the government and oil companies make billions a year - but you dont see anyone saying anything to them!
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