Letter to the editor

Over the past several months I have noted that retail gas outlets located in Cranbrook typically sell a litre of regular gasoline approximately $.10 less than those in the Invermere/Fairmont area.  

Recently the price of regular fuel was $1.589 per litre in Cranbrook and $1.699 per litre in Fairmont. I do not believe that Cranbrook retailers benefit from refineries located closer to their outlets or from shorter shipping routes and yet they can offer a better pump price.

I spoke to an employee at one of the Invermere service stations, whose pump price was less than the posted price on their sign. When I questioned the difference, he informed me that they were told the price to post for their fuel, so they complied. He went on to say, “most of our customers know the pump price is two cents cheaper than the sign advertises. That way we don’t get in trouble with the other service stations.”

Have you noticed how the local price per litre moves up and down in unison within hours?

To me, the situation smacks of ‘collusion’ thus affecting the pocketbooks of local drivers who have restricted options when filling their tanks.

Jim Horne, Fairmont Hot Springs