Captive market
By Patrick Kelley
Originally published 02:00 p.m., April 3, 2008
Updated 02:00 p.m., April 3, 2008
A lot of Emporians are making simple little charts in their heads these day, updating them every time they pass a gas station.
One line on the chart represents the price of gasoline. The line wobbles, dives and swoops, but its trend is always upward.
The other line represents the money available to spend on gasoline. At best, the line is flat and horizontal, but given the rising cost of food and other necessities, most peoples’ money line has begun to sag. Eventually, the two lines will cross. Before that happens, it is a good idea to think about ways to keep the lines apart.
Of course, the best way to save money on gasoline is to use less gasoline. The only sure way to use less gasoline is to drive less. In that simple equation, there may be some good news for Emporia merchants.
Back when turnpike tolls were lower and gasoline was cheaper, driving to Topeka or Wichita — or even Kansas City — for a meal, shopping and maybe a show — could be justified as a reasonable entertainment expense. That’s not true anymore.
Even for people with cars that get more than 30 miles a gallon on the highway, a simple drive on the turnpike to Topeka and back costs almost $20. These days, $20 will also buy about nine dozen eggs or five or six loaves of good bread or five gallons of milk. A trip to Kansas City and back costs as much as dinner for two at a midrange family restaurant.
What has happened is that higher gas prices have eaten up any price advantage for shoppers going to Topeka or the other big towns. Shoppers may still be attracted by the wider selection in the big stores, but as gas gets more expensive, the attraction wanes.
For years, the Chamber of Commerce has been telling Emporians to “Shop Emporia First.”
That is no longer just a marketing slogan. Now, it’s wise advice.
Bjnemp (anonymous) says...
If gas were $10 per gallon it would still pay to drive to Topeka, Wichita, or Kansas City to shop. Every time I purchase a new car I spend $40 to save $4000 by driving to Topeka or Kansas City to buy. I like nice clothes. In the 13 years I have lived here I have yet to find a shoe store that sells Johnston & Murphy or Allen Edmond shoes, custom tailored suits, designer label dress and sport shirts, or top quality outerwear. I can't buy what doesn't exist nor am I willing to be grossly overcharged on what cheap inferior quallity goods that do. As gas prices continue to rise I may shop the bigger cities less often, but will just buy more each time I do. The price of gas won't keep my dollars here; selection and availability of quality goods will... and I don't see that happening anytime soon.
April 3, 2008 at 7:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
admireed (anonymous) says...
Bj, you should live in MIssion Hills.
April 3, 2008 at 10:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
neighbor (anonymous) says...
The local merchants and retailers are going to be seeing less money being spent by those of us who shop E-town first most of the time too. Fuel, groceries, household supplies, all have went up while wages have not kept pace. At our household, we will cut back on everything but bare necessities. Forget pleasure trips, vacations, etc, we will have to cut the budget everywhere. We will be using the generic aisle more often. To save money on meat, we bought a beef and filled the freezer at a price 20 cents cheaper than what you pay for the greasy hamburger at grocery stores. We will rely on the garden for veggies. Sorry restaurants, we can no longer afford to feed our family at your establishments. Car dealers, you won't be seeing us anytime soon. Sorry lumberyards and hardware stores, upgrades and remodels are out of the question. The sweet tooth is going to have to get over it, soft drinks(one retailer raised their price this week on a 2 liter bottle of pop by 40%)ice cream, etc, forget it we didn't need it anyhow. We may even be forced to even drop small but unnecessary expenses like our Gazette subscription.
April 4, 2008 at 1:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ksfarmer (anonymous) says...
Gazette had a special in March----- $ 5.00 for a whole month! It's only a quarter for a weekend paper out of the machine, use one coupon and it pays for itself.
April 4, 2008 at 6:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
netloafer (anonymous) says...
One of the things Pat Kelley didn't include in his editorial was the electronic commerce factor. There is no doubt that gas prices have, and will continue to have, a great impact on travel to Topeka, Kansas City, etc. But, it doesn't necessarily follow that we are all going to start flocking to local merchants. I think that there is a sizeable number of Emporians who will start doing more shopping for things on line, including clothing, electronics, and even appliances.
Also, there will be less money spent in the purchase of commodities (lumber, electrical, etc) from local merchants as families spend more of their shrinking disposable dollars on necessities like food, medical care, etc.
The city is also going to have to take a hard look at its spending as the impact of Tyson and the general economic dowturn play out. The initial signs aren't encouraging. The city manager has been given a $5K raise. It may seem like little to the commissioners who approved the raise, but to folks with shrinking incomes and increasing tax burdens it seems a lot, and it couldn't have come at a worse time.
The other thing the city needs to look at is its current debt load. A significant amount of our mill levy goes to paying interest on debt already incurred.
April 4, 2008 at 8:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Bjnemp says, "I can't buy what doesn't exist nor am I willing to be grossly overcharged on what cheap inferior quallity goods that do."
I agree, particularly with regard to the clothing line. One occasional well-organized trip out of town can very well pay for itself.
One other avenue I use is ordering on line, and have found a few places that offer lower shipping rates, or don't charge shipping at all with purchases that total over a certain amount. I bought a great canvas tote and a pair of sport sandals from L.L. Bean yesterday sans shipping charges.
Yes, shopping at home whenever possible does support local merchants, and for some things that's okay, but not to the point where we're spending more to obtain less just to support the home team.
April 4, 2008 at 9:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Bjnemp (anonymous) says...
Kstrebuchet: I believe the article you refer to was the one on legalizing machine guns. I also noticed it was suddenly missing. Like you, I suspect censorship due to all the negative feedback. Go to the top of the home page to the "search" box and type in machine guns. It will come up. It's still there, just conveniently well hidden from the general public.
April 4, 2008 at 9:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Penny (anonymous) says...
I easily found both articles in the archives, neither has been removed. Paranoid much?
April 4, 2008 at 11:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Bjnemp (anonymous) says...
Penny: the machine gun article WAS removed from the "most active" arena and buried in the archives even though it was a far more active blog than those which replaced it. The move smelled of censorship. We are not paranoid, just observant, which you obviously are not. I mentioned in my insertion that the missing article was in the archives. Your comment showed a lack of sense, Penny.
April 4, 2008 at 11:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Speaking of buying things, and on a lighter note, the wind delivered a scrap of paper to my driveway this morning. It was an old receipt from a Stephens Furniture Co, Inc., "Bargain Center," 507 Commercial in Emporia. Dated 1958, it is for a 6 piece living room suite priced at $139.50, sales tax $2.79.
Just thought some of you would find a short trip in the "way- back-when machine" something of momentary interest.
April 4, 2008 at 12:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
admireed (anonymous) says...
Create. Stephen's Furniture was on Commercial just north of Pool & Wright. They stocked furniture and Frigidaire Appliances. Stephen's took some furn. and app. trade-ins and sold them out of the "Bargin Center". The appliance part of that business has now become Hill's Appliance.
April 4, 2008 at 12:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Admire, I find that very interesting, especially the Hill's Appliance connection since I am familiar with them. Thank you.
April 4, 2008 at 1:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
emporia123 (anonymous) says...
Early Release is posted and has never moved. Follow link
http://www.emporiagazette.com/news/20...
To comment on story go to forums
http://www.emporiagazette.com/forums/...
April 4, 2008 at 4:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
poacher (anonymous) says...
Kstrebuchet
Who cares. Who really cares. Follow emporia123 links and people can find story and can comment.
April 5, 2008 at 6:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )