Happy times at gas pump

John Howell
Posted 11/25/14

If people seem happy at the service station, it’s because they are.

Lower gasoline prices – the lowest in more than four years, with regular at less than $3 a gallon – has people thinking …

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Happy times at gas pump

Posted

If people seem happy at the service station, it’s because they are.

Lower gasoline prices – the lowest in more than four years, with regular at less than $3 a gallon – has people thinking they’ll see more of their family, splurge on a Starbucks coffee, pay off those bills that have piled up and have some cash to buy extra Christmas gifts.

The mood was definitely upbeat at the Hess station at Hoxsie Four Corners Saturday afternoon, although the wind had people pulling their collars up. There was no dawdling at the pump, but as long as it was running there was the opportunity for those filling up to share some observations on how lower prices would affect them.

“I think people seem cheerier. It’s put people in a good mood,” Pamela Cardillo said.

The writer and marketing consultant was driving through Hoxsie when she spotted the price for regular at $2.84. “I saw that and said I’m coming in here right now.”

And instead of putting in $20, she didn’t stop until the tank was full.

“It’s nice to see something come down,” she added.

Yesterday’s AAA’s survey of prices in Rhode Island found self-serve, regular unleaded averaging $2.95 per gallon, down three cents from last week. Prices locally are 20 cents lower than a month ago. The current price is 14 cents more than the national average for regular unleaded of $2.81. A year ago at this time, Rhode Island’s average price was 48 cents higher at $3.43. The range in prices in the latest local AAA survey for unleaded regular is 30 cents, from a low of $2.82 to a high of $3.12.

Norma Brooks also made a stop at Hess Saturday. She was wearing a big smile.

Brooks lives in Pawtucket, and has daughters in Warwick and other parts of the state. The lower prices mean she’ll be able to visit them that much more often. She knows where she’ll be spending her savings – on more gas and on more time with her family.

Ron Langlais drives a 2010 cream colored Buick Lacrosse. It used to cost him about $45 to top off the tank, and Saturday the pump stopped at $32.

“I’ll take the wife out to dinner,” he said.

But, by his reasoning, the prices should go down further. He thinks regular should be selling at $2.50 a gallon. He’s not going to take any chances. He said his next car would be even more fuel-efficient. The Buick gets 28 miles per gallon.

Tammy Hamel-Taylor had a smile, too.

“I can go over to the Starbucks and get a coffee now,” she said, gesturing in the direction of the coffee shop less than a block away. The lower prices will also change her habits in another way. She used to drive around on a partially full, or depending how you look at it, empty tank.

“I’ll fill her up now,” she said. “I’m much happier to see prices come down. Every little bit helps.”

Wayne and Shirley Josefson were happy with the price, although they know gasoline will cost more when they get home.

Their car was coated in salt, and Shirley used a squeegee on the windows while Wayne pumped. The couple lives in Saskatchewan and was in Warwick to visit Wayne’s brother.

“This is cheaper than in Canada,” he said, doing the math mentally to convert Canadian dollars and the cost per liter into American dollars and gallons. Prices have been also dropping in Canada, he reported.

He offered a suggestion that might influence prices even more.

“Tell President Obama to let the pipeline go through,” he said.

Mike Marrocco, who works at Tyco in Pawtucket, said the price really doesn’t affect him that much. He was driving a company car, and estimated it costing about $45 to fill the tank, down from $55.

“I’m sure they appreciate it,” he said of Tyco.

Mike Cerrito was happy for the lower prices, although he doubts it will last.

“With the election, I knew this was going to happen. Things are going to go back up,” he predicted.

Cerrito believes the lower prices are all part of strategy to put some money in people’s pockets so they’ll go out and spend.

“But people just don’t have the money,” he said.

Also, he says while gasoline prices have declined, other costs are climbing.

A chef who has worked at Warwick Country Club, Potowomut Club and is now with the Veterans Department of Food Service, Cerrito said the cost of celery has gone from 99 cents to $2.19.

Gasoline may be lower for the moment, but he figures his cost of living hasn’t dropped.

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