|
Steve Hamparsumian, who owns a Lukoil in Bloomingdale, said his gas station was acquired by Lukoil about six years ago. Since then he said he has lost 50 percent of his business. He said his rent has tripled in that time. "We have to pay considerably higher prices for anyone else," Hamparsumian said. "Not only are we selling less, our customers have to pay higher prices." Risalvato said Lukoil and other companies engage in zone pricing, or varying prices based on the competition in local marketplaces. He said Lukoil is an "egregious offender" when it comes to zone pricing, further adding to the higher price it charges owners for gas. Lukoil, in its statement, defended zone pricing, saying it's a "commercially reasonable practice" used by gasoline marketers for many years and fully compliant with state law. "We deeply regret that the NJGCA, a trade lobbyist, has apparently encouraged public misstatements and ill-conceived actions which harm consumers, rather than engage in constructive dialogue," the company said. Tom Kloza, chief analyst at the Oil Price Information Service, which has an office in central New Jersey, said Lukoil and its dealers have had a tenuous relationship over the past few years. "There has been a history of discontent," he said.
[Associated
Press;
Copyright 2012 The Associated
Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
News | Sports | Business | Rural Review | Teaching & Learning | Home and Family | Tourism | Obituaries
Community |
Perspectives
|
Law & Courts |
Leisure Time
|
Spiritual Life |
Health & Fitness |
Teen Scene
Calendar
|
Letters to the Editor