Why are Pittsburgh's Gas Prices Still so High? (Beaver, Foxburg: tax, living in)

[Burghgirl17]

Originally Posted by SteelCityRising

(likely a fictitious LLC meant to divide legal culpability and liability)

Lol, what, exactly, is a "fictitious LLC"? Mapleview Partners is a legit corporate entity, with a registered address in Belle Vernon. It's general partner is another corporate entity (not at all uncommon) Sylvan Investments Inc., also with an address in Belle Vernon. (Source for this information is the Pennsylvania Department of State corporate search webpage). The officers of Sylvan Investments also own an oil company who sold off a bunch of gas stations to Get Go (Family-owned Belle Vernon company fuels a history of growth | TribLIVE). They probably still own the land and GE leases it from them. Probably pay the property taxes as part of the rent or something like that.

As another aside, if you want to start a business, you would be well served to educate yourself on the benefits (both tax and liability - I would think liability would be a HUGE concern with your eventual business venture) various corporate formations.

[SteelCityRising]

Sorry, the word "fictitious" was extraneous. I typed that in a rush as I headed out the door to work.

I realize an "LLC" is formed to keep various business functions separate and to differentiate between what entity may be liable for what. I know all about the various tax (dis)advantages of different entity types, too.

[sskink]

I didn't check today, but as a general rule in the South Hills, the gas stations near the Bridgeville 79 exit will be 10 cents less than Mt. Lebo/USC/BP/Dormont while the new Sheetz on Rte 88 in Castle Shannon will be 20 cents less.

[raynist]

Originally Posted by sskink

I didn't check today, but as a general rule in the South Hills, the gas stations near the Bridgeville 79 exit will be 10 cents less than Mt. Lebo/USC/BP/Dormont while the new Sheetz on Rte 88 in Castle Shannon will be 20 cents less.

I generally find the bridgeville exit gas stations to be higher than USC/peters twp prices.

Saw gas today in state college for $3.07

[SteelCityRising]

Paid $3.33/gallon tonight at the GetGo in Squirrel Hill, and that's the cheapest I've been able to find in the city.

[bluecarebear]

Was over in Ohio this weekend. I filled up for $2.97. Came back to town and the price was $3.39.

[bluecarebear]

Originally Posted by ferraris

Isn't pretty much everything in Pittsburgh more expensive than the state average?

I was talking to a person who sells at a farmer's market out in a rural county. They said when they come to Pittsburgh they mark up the price over 50%. One of the reasons was that Pittsburgh residents will pay it. In the rural areas, Pittsburgh is seen as the piggy bank. It is where the money is. Vendors will gouge prices when they can.

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by bluecarebear

I was talking to a person who sells at a farmer's market out in a rural county. They said when they come to Pittsburgh they mark up the price over 50%. One of the reasons was that Pittsburgh residents will pay it. In the rural areas, Pittsburgh is seen as the piggy bank. It is where the money is. Vendors will gouge prices when they can.

I really never thought of Pittsburgh as being an "affluent" city---more of a middle-class one. Either we're much wealthier than we give ourselves credit for OR most other areas are in pretty deplorable economic shape if people here are ready and willing to pay more for gas, more for fresh produce, more for rent, etc.

[bluecarebear]

Originally Posted by SteelCityRising

I really never thought of Pittsburgh as being an "affluent" city---more of a middle-class one. Either we're much wealthier than we give ourselves credit for OR most other areas are in pretty deplorable economic shape if people here are ready and willing to pay more for gas, more for fresh produce, more for rent, etc.

I was surprised. I thought the main reason for mark ups would be transportation costs, etc. Price gouging has made me look at COL in general and question the pros and cons of city vs country living.

[jea6321]

bp on 51 below mt washington always seems to be the cheapest gas prices in the city. Last week it was 3.29. and at the top of the hill on virginia ave, the price was 2.59 the same day.

futures for oil look pretty good for the short term for gas prices to stay down, perhaps we will even see 2.xx prices here in pittsburgh this winter.

all in all though, the amount of money 20-50 cents a gallon adds up to over a year is pretty minimal. There are a lot of other ways for the average person to cut money from their monthly spending that would dwarf the small gas savings. Stop eating out so much, quit smoking, dont buy expensive coffees every day, dont go to the bar as much, watch a movie at home instead of the theater, cut your cable service down, switch to a cheaper phone service, etc.