After the Labor Day holiday, Las Vegans usually find some relief from high gasoline prices. Not so this year. Drivers are facing an average of $2.06 per gallon of gasoline, a five-cent increase since August.

AAA Nevada spokesman, Michael Geeser said he was amazed, wondering why Nevadans were paying more this month compared with last — especially since California gasoline prices remained fairly stagnant in the past month.

Geeser offered a ray of hope, saying he hopes that as the crude oil prices begin to fall the savings will be passed on to Nevadans.

Other factors keep pump prices high in Nevada said Joe Sparano, President of the Western States Petroleum Association. "Nevada has the second highest taxes on gasoline in the nation at 54 cents a gallon while 43 cents per gallon is the national average."

Also, he added, "California refineries have to spend 5 to 10 cents more per gallon to create a product for Las Vegas that meets the state's standards for cleaner-burning fuel."

What can be more frustrating than filling up your gasoline tank and a couple of minutes later spotting another station selling gasoline for a nickel a gallon cheaper! Today, a drive on Charleston Blvd for a quick check on prices revealed an astonishing fluctuation in the matter of a few blocks.

Before my survey trip, I did try to call several stations to find out what their prices are and discovered they usually don't want to give out their prices on the phone.

I assume they think their competitors are doing the calling.

Belatedly, I discovered an easier way to compare prices. Las Vegas Valley prices can now be found online at Las Vegas Gas Prices (http://www.vegasgasprices.com). This info is available through the nonprofit GasBuddy Organization Inc.

At this time Gas Buddy (http://www.gasbuddy.com) links to 173 price comparison Web sites. The GasBuddy network surveys an average of 150,000 stations each week in the United States and Canada.

Tim Herbst, Terrible Herbst Oil, Las Vegas has been chosen as 2004-2005 Western Petroleum Marketers Vice President.

Las Vegans are proud of Morgan O'Conner who is Nevada's Western Petroleum Marketers scholarship recipient for 2004. Excelling as an honor student isn't enough for Morgan. She works part-time, and participates in a number of activities at her school and donates her spare time to Ronald McDonald house where she works in the office, assists at events and tutors children.

Western Petroleum Marketers Association second post convention trip, a 10 day Hawaiian Islands cruise, has received an enthusiastic response and several have already made their reservations.

The cruise is scheduled March 17-27, 2005. The price includes cruise accommodations and port tax. Fly to Honolulu, Hawaii and board the Royal Caribbean International ship, Legend of the Seas. You will spend several days exploring the islands and, on the seventh day, begin the four-day cruise to Ensenada, Mexico. For more info, contact Chris Lambert at 1-800-748-4777.

The exotic travel experience being offered by the Western Petroleum Marketers Association has been moved to April 29-May 9, 2005. The trip includes visits to Quito, Ecuador, Baltra, and the Galapagos Islands. For complete info, contact Chris Lambert at 1-800-748-4777 or Gerry Tedrow, 801-263-9762.

Originally published in the October 2004 issue of the O&A Marketing News.
Copyright 2004 by KAL Publications Inc.