Beer vs. Petrol

I can buy a schooner of the same local beer at two different pubs, one down the road from each other. Whilst different in design, layout and food offering, both pubs are pretty much the same and the identical beer is poured into an identical glass and served at the same temperature at both venues. Each venue charges a different price for the beer and during the week, the price fluctuates depending on the day, and even depending on the time of day.

That’s beer. The same thing happens to a lettuce, a loaf of bread, a magazine, a can of fizzy drink, a cinema ticket and so on.

So why all the fuss with petrol?

Why do we as consumers, who consistently fail to put ourselves in a competitive position by buying bigger cars with bigger engines, ignoring public transport or even just using our own two feet, then complain when the petrol companies take advantage of our own stupidity?

Petrol is a commodity. If you want to pay less for it, use less of it.