Infuriated. Frustrated. Angry.
These are the words some local gas station employees are using to describe customers as gasoline prices skyrocket.
On a recent Tuesday afternoon, the price for a gallon of regular unleaded was $2.70 at Sunoco, 1152 Ortonville Road. Clerk Barb Schlink says customers are furious and they let her know it, too. She recounts how an elderly woman drove by the week before, honking her horn, pointing a finger at Schlink and yelling, ‘Your prices are too high!?
‘Some people act like I own the place and set the price,? Schlink says. ‘There is nothing I can do about it.?
Schlink is upset about prices herself. When she bought her Pontiac Grand Prix two years ago, it cost her $28 to fill the tank. The last time she filled it, it cost $55.
While she is talking, an Oakland County Sheriff’s Deputy from the Brandon substation walks in and asks if a customer who recently left without paying for her gas has returned to pay. The woman had attempted to pay with a credit card that was denied and then left.
Schlink notes another vehicle recently drove off after filling up with $67 worth of gas, but says she hasn’t had many drive-offs, most customers are regulars.
Rachel DeCost, clerk at Quick Save BP, 101318 Hegel Road, Goodrich, said their customers must all pre-pay, reducing the number of drive-offs.
Other local gas station employees are having more trouble with people pumping gas and leaving without paying. Jody Morris, manager of the Shell station, 1765 M-15, says she’s had plenty of drive-offs– about ten last month, worth about $250 of gas. Likewise, Halanna Sanders, the manager of Citgo at 495 S. Ortonville Road, had five in one week, for large amounts each time.
Police reports are not taken on drive-offs unless a license plate number is obtained, says Sergeant Tim McIsaac, Brandon Township substation commander. He has not seen an increase in the number of drive-offs reported, but adds that doesn’t mean they are not occuring.
‘In law enforcement, we would like to see gas station owners have customers pay first or use a credit card, but we realize that could be an inconvenience.?
Station employess are also noticing differences in the way people pay for their gas. They say many customers are using whatever change they have.
‘People are giving dimes, nickels and pennies to get gas,? said Morris. ‘They’re scraping change out of their car.?
‘It seems we get a lot more change and more often now customers bring in pop bottles to return and take the money in gas,? said Patty Sweet, clerk at the Church & Sons BP, 803 S. State Road in Goodrich.
Sanders has noticed not only more coins being given, but an increase in credit card usage.
Fewer customers are filling up at the pump, too.
‘More people are getting $10 or $15 worth of gas and hoping that prices go down,? said Schlink.
But with the recent devastation wreaked by Hurricane Katrina on Aug. 29 on gulf coast states and oil production in the Gulf of Mexico, gas prices are expected to continue increasing, possibly hitting the $3 per gallon mark.
‘They (customers) don’t understand why the gas prices are going up,? says Sanders, who adds that a customer recently threatened to turn the station in because their prices were higher than in Detroit. ‘Now, they will go up again because of the hurricane.?
‘Customers ask, ‘Why are gas prices so high?? ? said DeCost. ‘One customer handed me a $20 bill and asked for his two gallons of gas.?
With higher gas prices, watch for higher prices on other items, too. Morris notes the Hostess distributor recently informed her that the prices on snack cakes will increase because of the cost of gas for drivers. Morris has also noticed a decrease in charitable giving. Her Shell station has been seeking donations in a drive for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, but she says the charity is suffering because people say they can’t afford to give because of the price of gas.
‘Everyone feels they are a charity and need it,? Morris said.
Although many drivers are unhappy and seem to hold a grudge against the clerks, Sanders believes they are getting used to the higher prices.
DeCost agrees.
‘Some of the customers got excited when gas went up to $2.70, but they don’t take it out on me– they just pay it and move on,? she said.
‘They’re mad, but they can’t really fight it,? explains Schlink, adding that some customers have told her they plan to buy smaller vehicles with better gas mileage. ‘They need gas to get to work. They come in and yell, hoot and holler, but then they still pump gas.?