Why do diesel prices vary so much?

[Scuba_Steve]

NPD are setting up stations around Otago/Dunedin area. The LARGE unmanned ones are hard to compete with for the small local ones in the same area. Is it "Competition" or "price gouging" ???

If the big names in the game can afford to drop prices ... is the product overpriced ??? It must be if they still show a profit.

And I haven't been to Auckland since 1985. I really don't care what they charge for fuel there.

But also remember ... was there not an extra road tax put on fuels in Auckland (area ??) to subsidise Auckland roads ... quite some time back ... ???

The product is overpriced but what I'm saying is it's not the individual store that's overpricing it, it's the controlling head-office in the OP's case it's Z (the corporate) NOT Z (the station)

[pritch]

The stations don't make much on gas. A few years ago a new owner took over a local gas station, she wanted someone on the forecourt. She was told by Mobil that she wouldn't make enough money for that. There was only ever the one employee on duty - on the till.

[FJRider]

The product is overpriced but what I'm saying is it's not the individual store that's overpricing it, it's the controlling head-office in the OP's case it's Z (the corporate) NOT Z (the station)

Z does NOT want to carry the Auckland area road tax. So Auckland vehicle owners get to pay it.

Aucklander's can afford it ... if they can't they can move to Huntly.