Free advertising?
Gary Lukert, Emporia
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
I write in opposition to The Emporia Gazette’s publishing where the lowest gas price is. You are giving whatever station it is free advertising. You don’t do this for lowest prices on beds, cars, TV, hamburgers, service.
To be quite frank, the differences in gas prices don’t really amount to a hill of beans anyway. Even 10 cents a gallon ... with most fills in my car being gallons or less; my wife’s car around 10-12 gallons.
If I were in the “gas business,” I likely would be much less likely to spend any money with The Gazette ... or, certainly, I would spend less.
All gas-selling businesses are in business. They have employees to pay. This has bothered me for quite some time, but I just hadn’t got around to write The Gazette.
Perhaps you should print bread, milk, and potato prices. I call upon The Gazette to cease and desist the publication of gas prices, lowest or otherwise, unless a particular business buys an ad to publicize theirs.
Do you give free publicity to banks to list their highest rates? Gary Lukert
Emporia
EsqEB (anonymous) says...
The Gazette is just consolidating information readily available to anyone who drives by a gas station. Would you suggest people spend a hour or so driving around to every gas station to find the cheapest gas? That would kind of negate the purpose. I guess the gas stations could compete for what you have declared to be free advertising by lowering the price on their gas.
On the other hand, Mr. Lukert has a great idea for an additional service the Gazette could offer. Why not list which banks currently offer the best rates on their checking, saving and certificate of deposit accounts?
January 21, 2009 at 2:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Bjnemp (anonymous) says...
"Why not list which banks currently offer the best rates on their checking, saving and certificate of deposit accounts?"
Great idea, EsqEB. When I lived in Topeka many years ago, the Capital-Journal did just that. I thought it was a very informative and helpful service.
January 21, 2009 at 2:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dalelinn (Dale Linn) says...
I think the Gazette tries to make itself useful to the people of Emporia and the surrounding areas so that the people will buy their paper and businesses will buy advertising space. There is nothing wrong with the Gazette providing good information to the people to make itself more useful. It is their business.
January 21, 2009 at 5:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
b3bill (anonymous) says...
I'm glad the lowest gas prices are published. If The Gazette wants to report the lowest bread, milk, potato, etc. prices, I'll read that too. Listing the best CD rates in town would also be welcome. It's all local information, which should be a big part of the Gazette.
If the financial benefits of utilizing the best prices is of little or no interest to you, don't bother. However, there are all too many folks here that are having lots of financial problems. Some people without financial problems also choose to be thrifty.
January 21, 2009 at 7:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
monkeyhead (anonymous) says...
I'm with Lukert. I would much rather know the price of bread and milk. Saving a buck fifty on a tank of gas isn't nearly as relevant as saving a buck fifty on a gallon of milk or loaf of bread.. milk is much more expensive by the gallon, so it would make sense that it would save the readers more money by listing milk prices than gas prices. Besides, there are more milk drinkers out there than people who drive..
January 22, 2009 at 8:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Joe_Strummer (anonymous) says...
Which higher priced station do you represent that has you so worked up Lukert??
Maybe the gas stations with the higher prices should bring their prices in line with the lower priced stations instead of trying to milk a few extra bucks from local consumers.
I have 1 vehicle that has a 25 gallon tank. At .10 cents per gallon, (your figure) that's $2.50 per tank. $2.50 is $2.50. That's just one of the 3 vehicles my family drives every week.
Thank you Gazette......keep publishing the lower prices!
January 22, 2009 at 8:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
EsqEB (anonymous) says...
Monkey,
Yes, but the average person does not go through 20 gallons of milk a week.
January 22, 2009 at 8:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Paccifier (anonymous) says...
Let's remember that the gas stations put their prices on signs for all to see- There aren't many other businesses that advertise price quite that way, except for Braums once in a while. If the stations post their prices for the public, why shouldn't the Gazette?
January 22, 2009 at 10:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hottopics (anonymous) says...
Hmmm I'd rather complain about how many of the fast food places serve up old or soggy fries and we just go on like its expected. When we actually do get good fries in the drive through its considered a bonus.
(sorry, being truthful but humorous)
Im going to right that article here one day too! lol!
January 22, 2009 at 11:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Happiness09 (anonymous) says...
Mr. Lukert: It makes me wonder which gas station you own that DOES NOT have the lowest priced gas. And crackinsack....you take the cake again.
January 23, 2009 at 10:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )