June 28, 2008
Consumer, General Interest
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Predicting future oil and gas prices is highly uncertain with the volatile global markets. The puzzling question today on everyone’s mind is if the time has come to lift the ban on US oil and gas drilling and if the risk is worth the potential reward.
With gas prices currently sitting at $4 a gallon, Congress is again wrestling with proposals to allow drilling in now-restricted portions of the eastern Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic and Pacific. President Bush estimates that an extra 18 billion barrels of oil – equivalent to the nation’s current oil production for the next 10 years would be available from drilling in areas currently banned. Although there’s uncertainty as to how long it would take to begin production, this would allow us to reduce our growing dependence on oil imports.
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June 22, 2008
General Interest, Service Manager
2 Comments
 The photo above was taken outside a bar in Tampa, Florida. The business owner’s humorous statement attracts attention from possible patrons.
Has a slowing economy along with climbing gas prices affected auto repair shops for better or for worse?
As gas prices increase along with almost everything else, most people will inevitably be keeping their cars longer and that means more vehicles with more repair needs. But, does that mean automotive repair shops will have an influx of work to do? That depends.
Shops rely on people to bring in their vehicles for oil changes where they hope to find additional auto repairs that will help them turn a profit. However, with tougher economic times encroaching, many people who would normally bring their vehicle in for a simple oil change will be choosing instead to change the oil themselves and save a few dollars. People will be more willing to drive their vehicle without air conditioning or take the rise of not getting extensive brake work as long as the vehicle stops. Bare minimum crucial fixes combined with a hope-for-the best mentality will keep many repair shop’s profits down.
On the flip side, because more people are driving older vehicles, many are making repair purchases with more of a preventative mentality by keeping their car in good working order so it will last. So although there might be less work to be had, the shop owner who is able to offer competitive pricing along with having an honest reputation will most likely be the one who drives more people into their shop.