Gas station in SC get sued for selling gas too cheap

[liberal N proud]

This clip on CNN
http://www.cnn.com/video/partners/clickability/index.html?url=/video/law/2006/04/26/sillman.sc.gas.station.lawsuit.wyff
Apparently a Citgo station was selling gas below cost which in South Carolina it is unlawful.
:wtf:

[Ecumenist]

1. Ain't that a bitch.

Crazy...

[Shipwack]

2. There's actually a very good reason why that is illegal...

We have a similar law here in FL that the big gas companies are trying to repeal (which is your first warning clue right there....)

If you are allowed to sell gasoline at below cost, the big chain gas stations will do so in order to force small independent stations out of business. The big chains can afford a loss for a time because of budget reserves, and additional revenue streams from their on premise convenience stores.

So the law is there to protect small businesses, and ultimately the consumer, since if only the big companies are left, they will simply jack up the prices.

Or maybe not, I suppose. It all depends on how much faith you have in big business...