Gas Stations Dropping Brand Names

[storewanderer]

Chevron in Elko, NV has switched to Mobil (Red Lion station). This was a very long term Chevron (many decades). This leaves no Chevron in Elko. But there are like 8 Sinclair Stations (a couple are former Chevrons).

Elko was always interesting on gas. At one time 15 years ago, it had all of the Conoco brands at once - there was a P66 (currently Shell on Mountain City Highway a KJ's Super Store), a couple Conocos (still Conocos), and a 76 out on Lamoille Highway (now Sinclair). This was the only place I saw all 3 brands operating together like that at the same time.

This is probably the first time Mobil has been used in Northeast Nevada.

[BillyGr]

Makes sense - it's all the same gasoline so why pay more for a brand than another place?

Just like buying the store brand item rather than the name brand.

The only exception would be when the name brand is at the same price point and they offer something else (like Mobil with their points system or Speedway the same) - that, surprisingly enough, does happen in a few places and at certain times - in fact one area locally with 4 stations in less than 1 mile of road, the Mobil is usually equal or cheaper than the others, Sunoco, Citgo and Stewarts (NY Chain with no gas branding in most spots).

[storewanderer]

Makes sense - it's all the same gasoline so why pay more for a brand than another place?

Just like buying the store brand item rather than the name brand.

The only exception would be when the name brand is at the same price point and they offer something else (like Mobil with their points system or Speedway the same) - that, surprisingly enough, does happen in a few places and at certain times - in fact one area locally with 4 stations in less than 1 mile of road, the Mobil is usually equal or cheaper than the others, Sunoco, Citgo and Stewarts (NY Chain with no gas branding in most spots).

In the west, Chevron has a very strong reputation for having higher quality gasoline than other brands. Many people will only fill up at Chevron out west. It is funny as I don't think Chevron has that reputation so much in other territories like FL and GA (they almost look like an also ran in those places).

The major gas brands do monitor stations for fuel quality, take random gas samples to ensure the gas is not contaminated or being altered somehow, etc. at random at dealer sites. There is probably more quality control with branded gasoline than unbranded gasoline. But these retailers etc. who brand their gas with their own brand (like Stewarts in your example) have their entire brand from the gas to the stores to the bottled beverages to protect and they aren't going to compromise it by selling lousy gas.

[Alpha8472]

I never fill up with Chevron in the San Francisco Bay Area. The price for Chevron is the highest of all gas stations. The people who pay over $6 for Chevron gas are obviously not worried about price.

[jamcool]

Makes sense - it's all the same gasoline so why pay more for a brand than another place?

Just like buying the store brand item rather than the name brand.

The only exception would be when the name brand is at the same price point and they offer something else (like Mobil with their points system or Speedway the same) - that, surprisingly enough, does happen in a few places and at certain times - in fact one area locally with 4 stations in less than 1 mile of road, the Mobil is usually equal or cheaper than the others, Sunoco, Citgo and Stewarts (NY Chain with no gas branding in most spots).

In the west, Chevron has a very strong reputation for having higher quality gasoline than other brands. Many people will only fill up at Chevron out west. It is funny as I don't think Chevron has that reputation so much in other territories like FL and GA (they almost look like an also ran in those places).

The major gas brands do monitor stations for fuel quality, take random gas samples to ensure the gas is not contaminated or being altered somehow, etc. at random at dealer sites. There is probably more quality control with branded gasoline than unbranded gasoline. But these retailers etc. who brand their gas with their own brand (like Stewarts in your example) have their entire brand from the gas to the stores to the bottled beverages to protect and they aren't going to compromise it by selling lousy gas.

It goes back to the Standard Oil of California days-they were considered the premier service station system on the West Coast (Union 76 was their closest rival)

[storewanderer]

It goes back to the Standard Oil of California days-they were considered the premier service station system on the West Coast (Union 76 was their closest rival)

Noticed down in SoCal the 76 stations looked better than they look in other territories.

[Jeff]

It goes back to the Standard Oil of California days-they were considered the premier service station system on the West Coast (Union 76 was their closest rival)

Noticed down in SoCal the 76 stations looked better than they look in other territories.

But lately in my area 76 stations have been changed.

Montebello - has been a 76 for at least 50-60 years, closed earlier this year and is now a Mobil
Alhambra - has been a 76 for ages as well. Closed this year, became an independent station for a month and is now a Chevron.

Others as well have converted. One off the 60 and 3rd St in East LA has been an independent station for years now.

[Alpha8472]

I have noticed that in the past few weeks many independent gas stations have appeared in my area. Some were branded 76 or Valero not too long ago. These have the lowest prices for gas. They are beating or matching the nearby Costco at $5.09. It has caused Costco to lower its gas prices. Costco gas stations in other further away cities are charging $5.49. Costco is no longer the lowest priced gas around.

Previously, people would avoid non-brand name gas stations and willingly pay more for brand name gas. Now there are crowds at independent stations. Even car washes that sell cheap gas are becoming popular. Things have changed so much in just the past several weeks. Some of those gas pumps at car washes look so old, but they are popular now.

[storewanderer]

I have noticed that in the past few weeks many independent gas stations have appeared in my area. Some were branded 76 or Valero not too long ago. These have the lowest prices for gas. They are beating or matching the nearby Costco at $5.09. It has caused Costco to lower its gas prices. Costco gas stations in other further away cities are charging $5.49. Costco is no longer the lowest priced gas around.

Previously, people would avoid non-brand name gas stations and willingly pay more for brand name gas. Now there are crowds at independent stations. Even car washes that sell cheap gas are becoming popular. Things have changed so much in just the past several weeks. Some of those gas pumps at car washes look so old, but they are popular now.

Someone is out there in the market offering to supply these single station owner independent unbranded stations fuel at very low prices basically matching Costco (so very low is relative to branded stations). This has been going on in Reno and Carson City for many years. Some of the stations that were doing this picked up Sinclair and continued the tradition, one I used to go to recently picked up the 76 brand and is now .14 above the cheaper stations (including the Sinclair) and seems to be deserted; sad as the owner was very friendly.

[veteran+]

Is this all Tier One (top tier) gasoline?