These fuel costs are depressing...

[Nick Chapman]

Just went through my bank records. Was trying to get an idea how much more I am paying for fuel. Here are the basic's

5-1-2007 Gas fill up for the van was $51.77

7-26-2007 Fill up for $67.26

12-20-2007 Fill up for $82.35

4-20-2008 Fill up for $121.36!!!!

So in 1 year it went from $51 to $121 to fill up the same van.

I've raised my prices, but I don't know if it'll be enough to compensate for the fuel cost. I may have to sell the van and stop the mobile service

[Hemin8r]

Re: These fuel costs are depressing...

It's getting tougher. I was just reading this story this morning http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/080421/oil_prices.html & I thought. Oh great. Next thing is if a fly lands on one of their oil tankers they have the need to raise it a little more. When will it end.

[Forever New]

Re: These fuel costs are depressing...

What size van do you have and how large of a market do you cover?

[Andy M.]

Re: These fuel costs are depressing...

Hey Nick,

Yeah the gas prices are absolutely ridiculous. It's ashame that guys like you who are working for themselves are feeling it in the wallet more than some. Although, everyone has to deal with it. Maybe you could explain to your mobile customers your situation, explain that you have a shop now, and it would be cheaper for them to bring their vehicles to you. I don't really see any light at the end of the tunnel as far as gas prices go. You are absolutely correct, It is depressing!

Andy
101impala

[Nick Chapman]

Re: These fuel costs are depressing...

What size van do you have and how large of a market do you cover?

Van is a 2004 model Chevy 3500 1 ton. 6.0L engine.
We have a very large market. DFW is a very large metroplex, and we cover every square inch of it. In the past, I would turn down jobs because of their distance. But nowadays, with not just fuel, but everything going up in price, paying someone to detail your vehicle is becoming more and more of a luxury item. So we've had to expand our service range.

[Mort Corey]

Re: These fuel costs are depressing...

Maybe you could add a "fuel surcharge" where appropriate. Your customers would be more likely to understand that the service work costs XX dollars plus a surcharge for the mobile service. They've obviously got cars so they'd be aware of the gas prices. The airlines use that technique....as does my plumber.

Mort (who feels your pain)

[Forever New]

Re: These fuel costs are depressing...

We need Hybrid or EV commercial vehicles. Thats great that most of the auto makers are starting to show a green (other than money) side, but unfortunately commercial vehicle MPG doesnt seem much better. I wonder how feasible an electric commercial vehicle or one with a motor assist would be for our application.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: These fuel costs are depressing...

I like Morts idea of a surcharge. This is what I would do. Divide your DFW area into zones. If your in zone 1 its this much. Zone 2 this. This way people would not complain about a surcharge. Its just a regular rate. Some times people complain about the extra's tacked on. Just a thought.

[Forever New]

Re: These fuel costs are depressing...

^ good idea. I may have to do that here in Jacksonville, as we are the 4th largest city (land wise) in the world. Over a million people but pretty well spread out.

[yalerd]

Re: These fuel costs are depressing...

It's a world wide problem.
Every country in the world is suffering from high gas prices, it's sad man

[Paul S]

Re: These fuel costs are depressing...

Try pulling into the truckstop and filling up twin 150 gal tanks at $4.20 a gallon. Ouch. Then listening to a customer complain his freight bill is higher then it was last time.

[RogueGypsy]

Re: These fuel costs are depressing...

I feel your pain. Went to fill up the truck Friday, when the pump stopped at $100 I put the hose up and left. A mile down the road I noticed it was only 3/4's full. The pump only authorized to $100, I topped it off Saturday for another $40. That's the little truck. The two big water trucks have twin 50 gallon saddle tanks. OUCH!!!

As much as I hate the high prices here, it's a little less painful knowing Europe and even Canada have been paying $5-$6 gallon for years.

I guess the upside is with prices what they are, Tar Sands are now worth developing and refining. Our neighbors to the North have vast supplies of them. That said, I'd rather send my money to my Canuck brothers than to a Middle Eastern country that would like to kill me.

Monte Python singing out of tune, the greatest song ever............"Always look on the briiight siiide of life............"

[Forever New]

Re: These fuel costs are depressing...

Soon we'll be importing most of our oil from Alberta Canada anyways. Its like a northern Texas up there with all of the recent finds and development.

[Jeepster04]

Re: These fuel costs are depressing...

I would trade that 6.0L in for something with a smaller engine before I shut down mobile detailing completely.

Maybe even get a small pick-up with a box trailer? Wouldnt be as nice a setup but I would think that would save a little $$ in gas.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: These fuel costs are depressing...

Our new 1975 Jimmy with a brand new 350 engine, 4 barrel carb, 4.11 gears and 31" tall tires is getting about 12 miles per gallon on the freeway at 70 miles per hour.

It's costing us about $80.00 to drive round trip to work plus about $8.00 in toll road fares.

Ouch!

So we're looking at a new econobox for commuting to work and leaving the toy at home until the price of gas drops down again if ever.