DONT PUMP GAS APRIL 15TH 2012

[LenoraMinogue]

I'm not sure it will do much good, but sure, I'll participate. What can it hurt?

[lkeys81]

Thats not going to do a thing, the gas company still going to get money no matter what.

[jordandog]

Don't pump gas on April, 15 2012

KEEP SENDING THIS - Let's all try this, wonderful if it helps.

Il do it! If running low, just get your gas the day before on April 14 or the day after on April 16. Every little bit helps.

In April 1997, there was a "gas out" conducted nationwide in protest of gas prices. Gasoline prices dropped 30 cents a gallon overnight.

On April 15, 2011, all internet users are not to go to a gas station in protest of high gas prices. Gas is now over $1.20 a liter/$3.87 in most places.

If all users did not got to the pump on the 15th, it would take $2,292,000,000.00 (that's almost 3 BILLION) out of the oil companies pockets for just one day, so please do not go to the gas station on April 15th and let's try to put a dent in the Middle Eastern oil industry for at least one day.

Can you say "Urban Legend", because that is all this is!

Analysis: False and misleading. Here's why:

1.The flier above was copied verbatim from a chain email that circulated five years ago, in April 2007. The date is new, but the message is old: If every American who reads the posting refuses to buy gas on the same day, we are told, it will cut into the profits of oil companies and force them to lower gasoline prices. Well, it didn't work in 2007, and it won't work in 2012, for exactly the same reasons.

2. Contrary to what's stated above, there was no nationwide "gas out" in 1997. There was one in 1999, and it did generate media attention, but it didn't cause gas prices to drop 30 cents per gallon overnight — in fact, it didn't cause gas prices to drop at all. Despite the popularity of the chain letter, the 1999 boycott attracted few active participants and was completely ineffectual.

 
3. The figures don't add up. If (unlikely as it is) 100 million U.S. drivers did join forces and refuse en masse to refill their tanks on April 15, the total amount unspent could add up to as much as $3 billion. It doesn't follow that a one-day boycott would decrease the oil companies' revenues by $3 billion, however, given that normal gasoline sales per day, across the entire United States, is less than half that much to begin with.



4.The boycott is ill-conceived. Whether the total impact on revenue was a half-billion, 3 billion, or 10 billion dollars, the sales lost due to a one-day consumer boycott wouldn't dent the oil companies' profits at all. Think about it. Every driver who refuses to buy gas on Sunday is still going to have to refill their tank on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday, making up for Sunday's lost sales. Industry profits for the month as a whole, if not the week, will end up being normal, or very close to it.


An effectual gas boycott would require participants to actually consume less fuel — and to do so in a sustained, organized, disciplined fashion over a defined period of time — not just skip a day before filling up as usual.

http://urbanlegends.about.com/od/government/ss/April-15-Gas-Boycott.htm

[kay7]

I always check urbanlegends when I get an email that sounds a bit funky rather than just sending junk on to my friends because they seem to be very gullible based on what they send me    I will always send the link back to whoever sent me the email so maybe they'll be more likely to check before sending the next one 

[jordandog]

I always check urbanlegends when I get an email that sounds a bit funky rather than just sending junk on to my friends because they seem to be very gullible based on what they send me    I will always send the link back to whoever sent me the email so maybe they'll be more likely to check before sending the next one 

Lol! I do the same thing.

[devideddi]

gotta go to work

[ssmsurvey]

Sounds good to me. It's a Sunday, anyway. Just stay home or fill up the day before. Would be nice if it works.

[Getinonthis]

Will this truly make an impact or get the point across to Gas Companies as it will on our neighborhood gas stations? What if Gas prices went up the day before and after, how effective will this boycott be seeing that gas is a necessity? Isn't there a more impacting way of demanding or requesting change rather than a move that will increase sales on the day before and after the strike? Not being a pessimist I’m just evaluating the cause…

 

[rghvac69]

Oil is priced in US dollars. A weak dollar means it takes more dollars to buy a barrel of oil. Strengthen the dollar and gas prices will come down eventually.

[bowrunner]

Oil is priced in US dollars. A weak dollar means it takes more dollars to buy a barrel of oil. Strengthen the dollar and gas prices will come down eventually.

The above is so true and it works with everything.  That's also why food and most everything else keeps going up.  The government keeps printing more money and that makes the value of the money go down.

[shortnlovabl3]

who knows what really would happen if you didn't get gas the 15th but no matter how much you tell people, they'll forget or we just can't tell everyone in time

[marcee30]

You know what I will do it with you....So times the little people count for something. We may not make a big difference to the corporation but the gas stations in the neighborhood will sure feel it. I'm in Kentucky and the gas is between 3.75/3.81. I will spread the word.

[plennis]

  The one email going around that seemed to make the most sence is the one that says do not buy from Exxon and Mobil indefinitely.  They are the biggest (and now one company), when they start to feel  and drop the price the smaller stations would follow suit.    That seems like worth a try.

[jordandog]

Did anyone bother to read my post above (message ID 514965) about this being 100% BS?! A 'boycott' will do nothing, zip, zero, zilch!

"I'm not sure it will do much good, but sure, I'll participate. What can it hurt?"

"We may not make a big difference to the corporation but the gas stations in the neighborhood will sure feel it."

Yes, there ya go! Hurt the little guy who is trying to make a business work, pays LOTS of tax dollars that in turn support your own city and it's infrastructure, and is NOT able to set the price of gas because they are at the mercy of the oil/gas suppliers. Hurt the owner of the station who is trying to feed his/her family just like you all are. How does that make any sense whatsoever?!

It is beyond discouraging to see how easily people who complain about NOT being able to find work, not making enough to buy a home, the price of food, you name it, get sucked into myths like this one. And yet you wonder why life doesn't get any easier and the majority of this country is waiting to see what the next strike against trying to have a decent 'existence' will be....

[rogery]

I think it would be more effective to simply boycott one oil company totally. If everyone refused to buy xyz gas forever, might send a message.