Want to sell a product, charge whatever you want for it and not get much flack for doing so? Sell gasoline.

It seems to be all profit for petrol companies, with whom consumers are becoming increasingly frustrated with but, at the same time are powerless to stop.

Drivers are at the mercy of stations who usually say they have no choice but to comply with high oil costs.

But, with the falling oil barrel cost, customers want to know how come subsequent

decreases in gas prices aren’t following — especially when there was no hesitation in their increase.

In the Oct. 29 edition of the Free Press, our front page story (“Oil prices examined,” Joan Silver) touched on this hot-button issue.

In the story, a spokesman from one of the big oil companies attempted to sort out the consumer gas confusion. He said petrol pricing depends on the volume of gas each site sells and the level of local competition, as well basic business considerations.

So gas stations are just like every other business. But, wait — he also said a higher volume of

sales translates into the option of charging lower prices and pretty much blamed lack of brand loyalty and abundance of stations in 100 Mile House on the district’s current higher-than-average prices.

One would think that, with four stations

in very close proximity to each other, 100

Mile House would see a glorious gas war

with lower prices than areas with one petrol

outlet.

But instead, 100 Mile sees 115 cents a litre when Mission and Abbotsford are seeing under a dollar.

This is an issue that everyone seems to have something to say about. The Free Press website, www.100milefreepress.net, has already seen heated discussion through the new commenting system.

Visitors to the site can comment on any

story that’s posted, as well as vote on topics

and post upcoming events in the calendar feature.

It’s understandable that product must be transported and employees paid, but it gets a bit ridiculous when prices are lower to the north and south of the district.

By the way, as of writing, Kitchener, Ontario, is basking in the glow of 87.5 cents a litre.