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Fueling the economy

The price hikes at the gas pump have had a positive consequence; it’s driving a small segment of the computer industry.

It seems gas stations with non-digital fuel dispensers cannot compute prices in excess of $3.999. In order to keep small retailers operating, Patrick Hooker, state agriculture commissioner, last week said that those gas stations with the older equipment can apply to post their prices at half-gallon increments.

Ah, we know what you’re thinking and so did the ag department. So as to make sure no one pulls a fast one on the motorist, signs advertising fuel prices must still post the price for a full gallon of fuel, but the price displayed on the pump would be half the per-gallon price. Imagine the cars hitting the brakes if $1.99 was put up on a sign?

The half-price option was added to state regulations in the early 1980s when the price of fuel went above $1.999 per gallon. Ah, the good ol’ days.

The regulations were last utilized in the fall of 2005 when prices moved above $2.999 per gallon. Ah, still the good ol’ days.
This time, the replacement computers should extend price computing capability to $9.99 per gallon. God forbid!
Many of the older mechanical dispensers use numbered wheels to display the gallons and total sale figures. Hooker’s announcement lets gas stations compute prices at one-half the price per gallon until they have the dispenser upgraded with a replacement computer.
And there’s the rub.
Conspiracy buffs take note: There apparently is a national shortage of replacement computers.
The primary U.S. manufacturer of the equipment has a backlog of 13 weeks for delivery, according to the ag department. A maker of rebuilt equipment is also reporting backlogs of 17 weeks.
Well, we’re glad to hear of one positive aspect from the rising cost of fuel.
We just wonder if the manufacturer is going to add a fuel surcharge for the delivery.

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