Rising gasolene prices

[CP5415]

My LHS happens to be on my way home from work, so no, it won't have a negative affect on the # of trips I make. [:)]

Gordon

[on30francisco]

All the LHSs in this area are on city bus or Metro (subway) routes. If I have to go there, I just use my Fast Pass if I bought one or just pay a fare of $1.25 for a round trip. One LHS is within walking distance although their stock is skimpy and high priced. I usually buy most of my supplies either on-line or at arts & craft stores.

[steffd]

Just my 2 cents but perhaps those individuals working in or near city centers should consider public transit such as the commuter train instead of driving to work everyday. You can park your car, carpool or get a ride from your home to the nearest train station. Even with the cost of a monthly pass, you should still save substantially on fuel and possibly even parking expenses and may in return have more disposable income left over for your hobbies. However, the current fuel prices must not seem to bother those consumers who still insist on buying and driving their big V8+ cars, trucks and SUV’s. I mean really, who needs that much power in a domestic vehicle unless you have esteem issues and need to compensate for something.... [(-D] Also, I think when your LHS is more than 150KM from your home, it's not really a “local” hobby shop anymore and maybe it's time to cut back on the frequency of visits. Perhaps considering alternate sources such as on-line or mail order could be an option if fuel cost is becoming a concern.

As for the environmentalist issues, I think there is a happy medium and a way petroleum companies can produce fossil fuels safely while placing an emphases on protecting the environment at all costs which should be of GREAT CONCERN to Everyone Everywhere. We have so many resources and technology available to us that both groups could work together. The problem is that there are still to many old-timers and politicians around who don’t really care about environmental issues and are only concerned about amassing wealth and power because they know there are going to die before the impact of their greed and recklessness affect them. [}:)]

Stephan

[gvdobler]

Fergmiester

What's the "big R" ???

[sunsetbeachry]

my VINCENT gets a full tank for 5 bucks. The truck gets 55 bucks, the turtle 69 toyota motorhome 15 mpg ;town car 69 Plymonth about 8mpg So when kathy and chuck go to the store use right foot thru floor and use all 400 hp When I go to the store 150mph VINCENT wwwwwwwwwwweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Astoria Or. Costco 2.62 reg; Seaside Or. 2.92 That is where all the tourists have to buy gas and I won't tell them any different as you can see I don't like the way they treat us here on the coast.;but I still love my hp and speed and I' m guess still stuck with it . Even though we are now in our 60's Chuck and Kathy

[roadrat]

I know some people think that owning a SUV is evil but you know what for about two hours of work a weak I can fill the tank of my wifes v6 explorer, Now if anybody else feels comfortable shoe horning there family into a geo metro and sending them out on the highway so they don't have to work the extra two hours please feel free to do so! but not me.
I did'nt buy an SUV because "esteem issues" I bought and keep it for peace of mind.

bill

[okiechoochoo]

QUOTE: Originally posted by SpaceMouse

If there is an effect, it will be, like Lothar says, in the shipping. Everything comes by truck these days and a 25% increase in fuel will trickle down.

Right now we are feeling a crunch becasue the incresase prices are in our face, and true some people who drive a long way to work are getting slammed. But this little hike will be nothing compared to what is coming next month. Two laws are going into effect. One will prohibit bankrupcies for people over a certain amount and the other will double minnimum credit card payments.

That will hurt most people far more than gas prices.

I had heard about the bankruptcy law but only heard yesterday about the credit card law.
I keep my card paid off so I really don't care but I agree that will really hurt a lot of people who have maxed their credit limits and live making minimum payments. Wow, this could be interesting[^][^]

[IRONROOSTER]

I don't think that the cost of gas is the big problem so much as the cost of other things that will rise. A lot of power plants burn oil which will drive up the cost of electricity. That in turn affects manufacturing costs. That along with increased transportation costs will hurt because everything will go up in price which means fewer dollars for recreational activities. The gas cost can be coped with by using mass transit where feasible, better trip planning, more fuel efficient cars, etc. But the rising cost of everything we buy means less money for hobbies even if you live next door tp the shop and can walk.

At this point, while some people are affected I think the economy as a whole can absorb the current cost. I worry about it going to $4+, at that point everything will suffer and just covering the basics will be a major concern for a lot of people.
Enjoy
Paul

[jwr_1986]

I drive 45 minutes to get to my LHS. Now that trip has to wait until I'm going that way which is about once every other month or less [:(]

Jesse

[Anonymous]

I don't have a LHS, so the price of gas is not a consideration in regard to my train buying.

HOWEVER, the price of oil will eventually impact everything we buy, so we will most certainly see continually rising prices on the trains we puchase, no matter whether these items are bought locally or come from some distance via mail order. Manufacturing costs will increase; overseas freight charges will increase; warehousing costs will increase; dealer's will have to increase prices to maintain a reasonable profit margin in light of increased heating and electricity costs; shipping rates (UPS, USPS, etc.) will increase, and so on and so forth. It won't matter if you have a LHS right down the block, or have to order from one a thousand miles away, you WILL be paying more to support your hobby.

But we (and I'm speaking of Americans here 'cause that's where I live) have only ourselves to blame. Make no mistake about that! We allowed ourselves to become energy dependent rather than energy independent, and now we are starting--just starting, mind you--to pay the price. And it's going to get a whole lot worse before it ever begins to get better thanks to our head-in-the-sand approach to the problem.

[Anonymous]

I veiw this problem with mixed emotions. I see that the price of gas effects eveything. When the cost of material goes up $1.00 the cost of the product to the wholeseller goes up $1.15 (same percentage profit just a bigger sale). His selling price goes up an additional $.25 and then the shop has to raise their price to stay at the same percent so the additional cost to us could be an additional $.35. So a cost increase of $1.00 means a retail increase of $1.75.

I've found out that after I pay the S & H the LHS prices are very close to the mailorder prices and the LHS has it today.

After getting a royal screwing from Hobby Circle it'll take a long time for the Mail Order savings to match the LHS savings.

[steffd]

QUOTE: Originally posted by roadrat

I know some people think that owning a SUV is evil but you know what for about two hours of work a weak I can fill the tank of my wifes v6 explorer, Now if anybody else feels comfortable shoe horning there family into a geo metro and sending them out on the highway so they don't have to work the extra two hours please feel free to do so! but not me.
I did'nt buy an SUV because "esteem issues" I bought and keep it for peace of mind.

bill

As per my comments yesterday, I just wanted to make sure that it is understood that I am not trying to offend or attack SUV's in general or their owners. I'm talking about any gas-guzzling vehicle whether it is a truck or a car with Large Block engines producing unnecessary amounts of Power for “Domestic” use, Not size. Ultimately, it's the consumer's choice on what type of vehicle they want to purchase but they should be conscious of that choice when they are visiting the gas pump more frequently and having to fork out more $$$. You know there is a compromise between a Geo Metro and a Hummer or Expedition and not only SUV’s or trucks offer superior protection unless all us mortal car owners are suicidal. Some trucks and SUV's have been known to flip and owners tend to also think they are invincible. I think it how you drive and not what you drive.

Stephan

[steffd]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Allan Miller

I don't have a LHS, so the price of gas is not a consideration in regard to my train buying.

HOWEVER, the price of oil will eventually impact everything we buy, so we will most certainly see continually rising prices on the trains we puchase, no matter whether these items are bought locally or come from some distance via mail order. Manufacturing costs will increase; overseas freight charges will increase; warehousing costs will increase; dealer's will have to increase prices to maintain a reasonable profit margin in light of increased heating and electricity costs; shipping rates (UPS, USPS, etc.) will increase, and so on and so forth. It won't matter if you have a LHS right down the block, or have to order from one a thousand miles away, you WILL be paying more to support your hobby.

As for my comment considering alternate sources for individuals having to travel long distances to get to their “Local” hobby shop such as on-line or mail order supplier. I agree that shipping, manufacturing, utility and other associated costs will increase due to the higher cost in fuel but you still don’t have to pay the full amount to fuel the delivery truck and other costs are amortized. However, you do have to pay 100% of your fuel bill for your vehicle regardless of the destination. I’m not saying axe you LHS, just look for additional sources or solutions. If you have a good relationship with you LHS and they value your patronage, maybe they can accommodate you by shipping your items to you in consolidated orders. Just a thought!

Stephan