May 15th Gas Boycott is a Bad Idea

In Theory it Sounds Good...but the Reality is it Just Won't Work

By Gary Picariello, published May 08, 2007
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I received an e-mail the other day -- one of those chain letter type of things that one person sends to 10 friends and each of those 10 individuals sends the e-mail to 10 friends, etc, etc and before you know a whole bunch of folks have received the same e-mail. The e-mail I received (you may have received the same one) goes something like this:

"Don't pump gas on MAY 15th!

In April 1997, there was a "gas out" conducted nationwide in protest of gas prices. Gasoline prices dropped 30 cents a gallon overnight.

On May 15th 2007, all internet users are to not go to a gas station in protest of high gas prices. Gas is now over $3.00 a gallon in most places.

There are 73,000,000+ American members currently on the internet network, and the average car takes about 30 to 50 dollars to fill up.

If all users did not go to the pump on the 15th, it would take $2,292,000,000.00 (that's almost 3 BILLION) out of the oil companies pockets for just one day, so please do not go to the gas station on May 15th and lets try to put a dent in the Middle Eastern oil industry for at least one day.

If you agree (which I can't see why you wouldn't) resend this to all your contact list. With it saying, ''Don't pump gas on May 15th"

Variations of the gas boycott e-mail have circulated annually since 1999, according to rumor-debunking Web site snopes.com, maybe earlier. My question is -- do any of these chain letters do any good? And also, if everyone in the United States stops buying gas on the 15 of May (or any other day for that matter) will it have any effect on how much we pay for gas?

I did a little digging and unfortunately I didn't come up with anything extremely promising.

According to urbanlegends.about.com, economists say it's unlikely that any form of consumer boycott could have an appreciable effect on gas prices nationally. Furthermore, it is hard to conceive of a less effective way to "organize" such a boycott than passing around an anonymous, randomly distributed chain letter like the one above. Past attempts have shown little or no results.

 
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May 15th Gas Boycott is a Bad Idea

Don't buy gas on May 15th? Why not ride a bike instead!

Credit: www.urbanlegends.about.com

Copyright: www.urbanlegends.about.com

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Takeaways
  • Not buying gas on May 15th won't hurt the gas industry a bit.
  • It WILL force us to stay indoors if we don't drive.
  • THAT means less emissions in the air -- which is a GOOD thiing!
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I am sorry if this is in the wrong place or wrong group. Acting Together Will Make A Difference! visit www.end2crazygasprice.com now! Our objective is to Force the gas companies to lower their gas price by asking the consumers in Canada and in the United States NOT TO PURCHASE ANY GAS from the selected gas companies posted below. We can have a significant impact on the price of gas IF WE ACT TOGETHER to initiate a GAS PRICE WAR!!! So Please Start The Boycott Now! Until futher notice WE DO NOT BUY ANY GAS from the following companies CANADA - Esso - Petro-Canada - Shell USA - ExxonMobil (all Exxon Mobile Gas Stations) - Esso - Shell YES, WE CAN WIN BUT...It is absolutely NECESSARY To continue purchasing our gas ELSEWHERE Than at the posted gas stations above and this, until we reach our objective. And, MOST OF ALL, HELP US BY FORWARD THIS MESSAGE TO FAMILY, FRIENDS, CO-WORKER etc...! CAN WE COUNT ON YOU...? Please visit www.end2crazygasprice.com and join us to imple

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Posted on 05/22/2007 at 12:05:00 AM

 
Daniel - A general strike until change is promised has substance. A one-day boycott that, over the long run, affects no one but local dealers is symbolism without substance. If people were angry at the price of Coca Cola, the substantive way to protest would be to switch to Pepsi or (my favorite) RC Cola ... not switch to Diet Coke. My current home is not piped for natural gas. My next home after retirement will be ... and I plan to convert my auto to dual-power NG and propane. Or, I may even jump the gun and do the conversion first - relying on only propane until my move is complete. THAT has substance.

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Posted on 05/16/2007 at 12:05:00 PM

 
Lec Walesa got the entire country of Poland to strike the Soviet Union...a heavy handed totalitarian regime and it was not only successful, but changed the entire world. We cannot see the way clear to protest-in a country where protest is revered-an oppressive industry's pricing...!! You all deserve what you get. Anyone who does not use the right to actively protest does not deserve the right. They shall be lead as sheep and invariably to their own slaughter.

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Posted on 05/16/2007 at 9:05:00 AM

 
Such a boycott is not only a bad idea, it's a silly idea. A much better idea would be this one. First, don't announce it (grin). Start this by word of mouth until a multitude of people agree that they'll do it. Then, on a given day, everyone in agreement has their auto converted from gasoline to dual-power (natural gas and propane). NG companies already install filling areas in NG homes. You can become your "own" gas station at home. And on the highway, propane is readily available at numerous gas stations. A one day boycott does nothing. A permanent boycott would drive the message home.

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Posted on 05/16/2007 at 7:05:00 AM

 
I agree that little good comes from these types of protests. #1 - the gas companies know that if no one drove on a specific day (an impossibility in itself), the driving that didn't get done that day would be done the next day and we'd still need to buy gas then for those errands. #2 In reply to Micah regarding Shell, in particular. As my husband operates a Shell station, I know their gas is of the best quality so you get better mileage and it helps prevent costly engine problems in the long run as opposed to independents. AND, the mark-up on gas at Shell is often a mere 3-cents above cost!

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Posted on 05/16/2007 at 5:05:00 AM

 
Oops, guess html is a no go in the comments. The interview is at http://www.alternet.org/environment/51758/

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Posted on 05/15/2007 at 11:05:00 PM

 
So nothing can be done by consumers to lower prices? The author of Oil on the Brain, in this interview, says she discovered differently. She advocates buying gas from independents (not Shell or Exxon and other majors): Because the independents exert pressure to keep the prices down, and I support the struggling independent work ethic.

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Posted on 05/15/2007 at 11:05:00 PM

 
Not a econ pro, but I have a slight suspicion that gas prices will increase tomorrow.

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Posted on 05/15/2007 at 11:05:00 PM

 
I was actually surprised how well publicized it was this time around. It was on AC a few times, it was on local craigslists all over the place, and it even made the front page of our local newspaper. Unfortunately, it wouldn't work. I was planning on participating until I realized I was completely empty. Ah well. Great article though!

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Posted on 05/15/2007 at 10:05:00 PM

 
Nice though, but not a realistic way to change anything. How about 'National Carpool Day' or 'National Walk to Work Day' instead?

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Posted on 05/15/2007 at 9:05:00 PM

 
Even if people boycott the gas stations they'll still use the same amount of gas in the long run. If they didn't fill up today, they'll fill up tomorrow. In my area the gas prices were higher than ever today - $3.39 a gallon.

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Posted on 05/15/2007 at 6:05:00 PM

 
aw shoot...was hoping it might have a chance! ;-)

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Posted on 05/15/2007 at 6:05:00 PM

 
The only way you're going to bring the gas price under control is by doing something that has a long term effect; car pooling, taking the bus if you have access to one or even walking when you can. If you decrease demand, prices go down. Simple economics. The reason the prices are always going up is because, even though people complain about them, they find every excuse to continue using as much gas as they always do.

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Posted on 05/15/2007 at 3:05:00 PM

 
I have heard people talking about it before too. I think it is silly to try and do something like a gas boycott. Although it does feel good trying to stand up for yourself and make a point, everyone knows that consumers need gas. What does it matter if you get gas on the 14th or the 17th? They are still going to end up with our money.

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Posted on 05/15/2007 at 2:05:00 PM

 
I forgot about the whole thing...until I was already pumping. I was running on fumes, but I'm sure so many people filled up yesterday or will tomorrow, that it won't have much effect. The only longterm solutions I can see lowering prices are: alternative fuels and more gas-efficient vehicles. Speaking of "alternative fuels", Willie Nelson and some partners are producing something called "Bio-Willie". I don't remember exactly what it is, probably gasohol, but imagine if we could use the fumes from Willie's tour bus, inside the bus, I mean, to fuel vehicles!

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Posted on 05/15/2007 at 2:05:00 PM

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