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Businesses struggling in the VI- Gas station owner

- amid concerns over inconsistent fuel prices
Following concerns by consumers that the price for fuel should be lower than it currently is at gas stations around Tortola, one gas station owner has hit back saying consumers should be thankful that the price is not higher, while insisting that business is not so good in the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO/File
A quick check at a few gas stations revealed the concerns of Mr Morrison, however, it was found that the price for gasoline at an East End station is at an all-time low at $3.55 per gallon, while the prices range from $3.78 - $3.89 in areas more heavily commuted. Photo: VINO
A quick check at a few gas stations revealed the concerns of Mr Morrison, however, it was found that the price for gasoline at an East End station is at an all-time low at $3.55 per gallon, while the prices range from $3.78 - $3.89 in areas more heavily commuted. Photo: VINO
Back in November 2014, Mr Bevis A. Sylvester, Regional General Manager of Delta Petroleum (Caribbean) Limited, in an exclusive interview with this news site had explained that the prices for gasoline on the global market had been dropping and are promising to drop even further, a trend he said Delta Petroleum would follow for the sake of its customers. Photo: VINO/File
Back in November 2014, Mr Bevis A. Sylvester, Regional General Manager of Delta Petroleum (Caribbean) Limited, in an exclusive interview with this news site had explained that the prices for gasoline on the global market had been dropping and are promising to drop even further, a trend he said Delta Petroleum would follow for the sake of its customers. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Following concerns by consumers that the price for fuel should be lower than it currently is at gas stations around Tortola, one gas station owner has hit back saying consumers should be thankful that the price is not higher, while insisting that business is not so well in the Virgin Islands.

One consumer, who was willing to go on record with his concerns shared by many others about gas prices, had said Government needed to monitor the prices at the pumps to ensure that consumers are getting what they deserve according to world market prices.

“It is not back as high as it was sometime late last year but they creeping up with it and government and whoever in authority should be keeping an eye on these gas stations because we didn’t hear about any rise in the price of gas on the international scene,” said Mr Paul Morrison, a consumer residing in the East End area.

Noting that the price of gasoline is still relatively low, Mr Morrison is of the view that there is need to see some level of stabilisation in the price for gas at stations territory wide. “I don’t know what it is like in the West or on Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke and Anegada but on Tortola the price is all over the place,” he said.

A quick check at a few gas stations revealed the concerns of Mr Morrison, however, it was found that the price for gasoline at an East End station is at an all-time low at $3.55 per gallon, while the prices range from $3.78 - $3.89 in areas more heavily commuted.

Back in November 2014, Mr Bevis A. Sylvester, Regional General Manager of Delta Petroleum (Caribbean) Limited, in an exclusive interview with this news site had explained that the prices for gasoline on the global market had been dropping and are promising to drop even further, a trend he said Delta Petroleum would follow for the sake of its customers.

He had also explained that from about the last week in November 2014 the price per gallon of gasoline was at $4.65. “From then to now the drop in price has been noted to be $4.50, then to $4.24 and as today November 18, 2014 it was $4.16 per gallon,” he had told this news site.

Be thankful?

When concerns about the see-sawing of the price of gasoline across Tortola were raised with this news site, attempts were made to reach Mr Sylvester and other owners of gas stations but were unsuccessful as, for the most part, phones kept ringing out and text messages went unanswered.

However, one gas station owner who insisted he did not want his name or his gas station mentioned in this instance said, “People need to know business is not good in the BVI. We struggling but one thing they have to be thankful for is that the price is nothing high like it was for last year. It is still considerably low and some cars breaking down because they are not accustomed to having a full tank of gas. Now with $50 or less certain cars can full their tank to top, before they had to fork out $70 - $80 to full a tank.”

It should be noted that all countries have access to the same petroleum prices of international markets but then decide to impose different taxes. As a result, the retail price of gasoline is different in various countries.

In the US, the average retail price for regular gasoline decreased one cent from the previous week to $2.80 per gallon as of June 29, 2015, 90 cents per gallon less than the same time last year.

14 Responses to “Businesses struggling in the VI- Gas station owner”

  • just saying.. (06/07/2015, 08:47) Like (17) Dislike (7) Reply
    The ndp sell u all hope now we have to do dope to survive
    • true tolian (06/07/2015, 09:26) Like (34) Dislike (1) Reply
      @just saying
      If some business owners and their employees had good customer service and marketing
      skills they could at times see their businesses doing a little better,there is nothing
      like good customer service.
      • Customer Service (07/07/2015, 01:22) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        Truth be told true tolian the customer service is extremely poor in most places one visits. Most government offices I've visited in recent months it seems like you are begging for a favor. Restaurant worst man come on we can do better. Sour faces, don't care attitude, on a phone, I've never seen any thing like this in a long long time sad to say
    • Really!!! (06/07/2015, 10:45) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      No wonder that business owner's business is not doing well. The cost of his gas should reflect what it costs him to get the gas plus his profit margin. If the price it costs him to get the fas goes down, then he should be able to adjust the price to the consumer and still keep his profit margin as it relates to the gas because the cost price is the cost price. The wider question as to whether his business is doing well has nothing to do with the price of gas in general. Everytime it goes down, the customer should fee the difference, everytime, otherwise the business model is not set up right. What he is saying is that he has to keep the cost of gas higher than it really should be because his business has relied on the higher revenue gained from the higher prices and he can now not adjust downwards. Sad, but not correct economic principles.
  • TEK DAT (06/07/2015, 09:51) Like (19) Dislike (20) Reply

    Ayo want NDP while they full up dem pockets and ayo can't full up you tank!

    Tek DAT in ayo r@$$$$$ 

    FOR DA WHOLE ENTIRE 4 YEARS I WILL BE SAYING TEK DAT IN AYO R@$$$$$$$$$$

  • Really (06/07/2015, 09:55) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    Is that the excuse, "gas stations struggling" every vehicle needs gas to move and there are at least 2 to 3 cars to a household these days. The supermarkets and gas stations are businesses that never hurt. So stop lying while you all tyring to get rich or die trying!!
  • voter (06/07/2015, 10:14) Like (7) Dislike (4) Reply
    Imagine how much tougher it will get when they start the NHI tax to fund their Eternity Hospital executive bonuses and pay rises and all
  • east (06/07/2015, 10:29) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Gas and food killing we
  • i was hacked (06/07/2015, 12:59) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    LMAOOOOOOOOOOOO @ cars breaking down because their tank is full. that was funny

  • talking lies? (06/07/2015, 13:36) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    How can they say business in that industry is not great when EVERYBODY buys gas because EVERYBODY NEEDS gas!!! No wonder they did not want to be named...talking lies? Drop your prices 20cents lower than your competitors per gallon and see how great your business will be.
  • simple (06/07/2015, 14:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Some people shouldn't be in business, simple! IT seems that once you are a local you supposed to be able to open a business and it should all be fine, just on the basis that it's a local business. First off, there are way too many gas stations in the BVI for the population and vehicles. We have 3 stations alone between Purcell and Baughers bay, a mere 2 mins away from each other. DA MEK SENSE? Someone will feel the pinch. The only ones that will be smiling are Delta and Botanic Station (formerly Popeye station), because of their locations and Delta because of their set up and marketing. The others are like dump heaps and I won't drive there for nothing.
  • PIE! (08/07/2015, 14:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    truth is gas prices are lower than they were last year....but who knows how the price will swing with things heating up on the international market with Greece. I say Delta all the way, least i could win free $100 in gas for this summer, ain't seeing nothing from them other stations....and Bevis is all ah we bouy.


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