I’ve lived in Peoria all my life, and I’ve yet to find anyone who can answer this puzzle for me: What is so special about Beachler’s Amoco (corner of War Memorial and University) that their gas is always 10 to 15 cents per gallon higher than everyone else in town? And why in the world are there always people there filling up?
Is it a status thing — like wearing the hottest brand of clothing? Is it a full-service station, where a gaggle of grease monkeys run out, ’50’s-style, and start checking your oil, tire pressure, washer fluid, etc., in addition to filling up your tank and making friendly conversation with you? Does a genie pop out of the pump and grant you three wishes? Do they have a special blend of gasoline that smells like a fresh chocolate mocha if you accidentally spill it on you or your car?
Any of these things might make their “special” prices worth it. But, from what I can tell, it’s just like any other gas station. So why the high prices?
You know, I always go to the Road Ranger, and always think the same thing when I look across the street. I once was going to the Road Ranger and noticed that the BP was actually a few cents lower!! I quick pulled a U and filled up. I told the cashier that this was the first time I’d ever paid less at the BP, and she looked across the street, shook her head and said it was the first time she’d ever seen it lower. Road Ranger must have been asleep at the wheel.
They actually do have a different blend of gasoline from the other stations. Little bit better MPG. Don’t know if it’s worth it or not, but I know that’s what Terry has said in the past.
I got the answer to this one. Let’s say gas is 10 cents higher at BP than RR. I think I’ve been to RR 3 times. Twice I spent Lord knows how long jockeying for position and once when I went to leave, I couldn’t move because I had two other people trying to get my pump…one from the back and one from the front. Neither would move and I coudln’t pull away. I got out, locked the car, went inside and comapred the price of Pepsi vs. Dr. Pepper for 20 minutes. My car has a 16 gallon tank. Dead empty RR would save me $1.60 over BP. The hassle at RR (except at 5:30 am going to work) isn’t worth it. Easy to pull into Amoco, pop in the Amoco card, fill it, spring for a car wash on occasion, off I go. No hassles. However, I usually buy gas at the BP\Amoco in the Heights as its usually about the same price as RR.
I would bet that some of it has to do with having a credit card for that station. I used to have an Exxon card and I would go out of my way to get to an Exxon station to fill up, so I wouldn’t have to spend cash.
And on the subject of gas, I first moved here in December 2004. That’s about a year and a half ago. I remember, at that time, always trying to find a gas station where the price was under $2 a gallon. It’s $3 freakin’ dollars a gallon. 1 1/2 years! WTF?!?! I was pretty young in the 70’s during the gas crisis (born 1970) so I can’t recall the price fluxuations then, but talk about conspicuous consumption! I’m seeing a lot more hybrid cars around, but I sat at the intersection by Beachler’s yesterday, staring at a massive Suburban on the Chevy dealer’s lot, brand new and all shiny. Ten bucks says some idiot will buy it within the week, despite the fact that it gets like 8 miles to the gallon. Hybrids should be flying off lots. People should be riding buses more, bikes, walking! But no, we’re so damn comfortable in our personal vehicles. Me included. But I’m broke and couldn’t afford a new (even used) car if it were free, let alone any monthly payment.
But I have cut down driving, running errands all at once, etc. Oi!
One of my neighbors said – and I’d love more confirmation from the blogosphere as my car is in desperate need of some tuning up and I’m SO SICK of the Ford dealer’s crap (and prices) – that Beachler’s does a lot of their business in car servicing, oil changes, things like that, and that they do a good job and don’t try to rip you off (“you” in this case being women, as it was a female neighbor and I discussing it).
If anyone DOES know somewhere good I could go for an oil change and to make my suspension suck less, I’d be thrilled to hear it. We have yet to find a reliable mechanic here and it’s the sort of thing you hate to experiment with!
Eyebrows, I highly recommend Stecher’s Automotive on Main St. near Bourland. They do an excellent job at reasonable prices. My wife and I have used them for years and never been dissatisfied.
About 10 minutes up I-74 (if you can find an onramp) is Reid’s Mobile in Kickapoo. You want an honest man who will get under the hood and not rip you off? He’s the one.
And he loves gossip; I swear he knows just about everyone in Peoria, and all the dirt. If only he were a blogger…
Amen for Reid’s. He is the best. My father-in-law has been going there for years (he owns a used car lot) and I wouldn’t think of going anywhere else.
Fairlane Auto Service and Tire, corner of Sterling and Rohmann in West Peoria. The owner/mechanic there is very honest.
Eyebrows, I’ve had good luck with Miller’s automotive on Gale and University. He has been honest, and not done work that didn’t need to be done or said what could wait and what needed to be done now. Re: gas…how about gouging in Peoria as a whole, cross the river, hit Bloomington. The story is that since Peoria doesn’t have a direct interstate route to St. Louis or Chicago it’s the transportation cost…yet I have paid less in Washburn or Manito…looked really hard and there’s no interstate there. One would think a few barge loads down the river would be lower the transportation costs.