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boston bean

(36,959 posts)
Mon May 4, 2026, 03:39 PM 23 hrs ago

There was a huge long line for gas at 2pm this Monday afternoon

At the local BJ’s.

BJ’s is your New England, Costco like store.

Went in to do some shopping, came out and line was gone and the pumps shut down. They ran out of gas.

47 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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There was a huge long line for gas at 2pm this Monday afternoon (Original Post) boston bean 23 hrs ago OP
That's not a good sign. Vinca 23 hrs ago #1
Nothing Like That Around Here ProfessorGAC 23 hrs ago #2
It was shocking. But it is the truth. Don't know if this is sign of more to come. boston bean 23 hrs ago #3
I Sure Hope Not ProfessorGAC 22 hrs ago #9
I really do not know. But I presume a run on gas at cheaper price could cause supply disruption. boston bean 22 hrs ago #12
Well, We're Sure Sering High Prices! ProfessorGAC 21 hrs ago #16
I'm guessing the idea is that more people are buying discounted gas at places like Costco and BJ's? Ilikepurple 21 hrs ago #20
Good point Farmer-Rick 5 hrs ago #38
They may have been cheaper than anything else nearby nitpicked 23 hrs ago #4
Possibly. boston bean 23 hrs ago #5
I'm getting flashbacks to the 1970s PatSeg 23 hrs ago #6
MAGA is too selfish to do odd/even license plates. haele 21 hrs ago #25
Me too Wicked Blue 2 hrs ago #44
BJs is on the entire East Coast as far west as Ohio Bluestocking 22 hrs ago #7
One is opening in Fort Worth soon. I am getting mailers for a discount membership yellowdogintexas 22 hrs ago #14
BJs is in 22 states including every state east of the Mississippi except, VT, WV, MS, WI & IL Wiz Imp 21 hrs ago #26
I'm in Washington state angrychair 22 hrs ago #8
Southern Oregon paid $4.96 yesterday Tree Lady 22 hrs ago #13
Talked to someone from Seattle proper last week AllyCat 21 hrs ago #15
Last night Seattle feedback unweird 4 hrs ago #40
Holy crap 😳 that's not good at all TommieMommy 22 hrs ago #10
If the Strait of Hormuz is not opened soon, this will be our future. Fil1957 22 hrs ago #11
Not to be "that guy", but the future is electric cars Bluetus 20 hrs ago #29
Good points all. Fil1957 19 hrs ago #34
Maybe MAGA voters might get sick of winning IronLionZion 21 hrs ago #17
I'm not a MAGA voter, and I don't know about you, but I'm sure tired of "winning". Fil1957 19 hrs ago #35
Always Plan My Gas Stops modrepub 21 hrs ago #18
Probably people looking for a discount Renew Deal 21 hrs ago #19
Gas went up about 60 cents a gallon in less than a week. bluestarone 21 hrs ago #21
Pittsburgh area, too spinbaby 1 hr ago #47
Trump's fault Blue Full Moon 21 hrs ago #22
Curious mgardener 21 hrs ago #23
4.13/gal boston bean 20 hrs ago #32
That's significant. I paid almost $50 when I gassed up my Subaru on Saturday. I paid $4.19/gal LeftInTX 2 hrs ago #45
The gas equivilent of a bank run. paleotn 21 hrs ago #24
I think that may explain it. boston bean 1 hr ago #46
Motherfucker needs to go now! Initech 21 hrs ago #27
I'm starting to see $6+ a gallon regular, and saw $8.24 for diesel yesterday. haele 20 hrs ago #28
Here we go! BeneteauBum 20 hrs ago #30
The independent retailers will run out first FakeNoose 20 hrs ago #31
$6.49/gal regular across the street from me dickthegrouch 19 hrs ago #33
It was $5.10 for mid grade in Colorado... kentuck 3 hrs ago #41
It's because gas is discounted there obamanut2012 19 hrs ago #36
He's only been president for 5+years. SamuelAdams 5 hrs ago #37
It's just beginning. National stockpiles have delayed the full impact of the impact the Strait will have on gas prices Martin68 4 hrs ago #39
So glad my car died in October. róisín_dubh 2 hrs ago #42
I anticipate employees requesting to "work from home" 3 days a week by June 1st Moostache 2 hrs ago #43

ProfessorGAC

(77,139 posts)
2. Nothing Like That Around Here
Mon May 4, 2026, 03:53 PM
23 hrs ago

Thankfully.
Every station I've driven by is open for business; no lines.

ProfessorGAC

(77,139 posts)
9. I Sure Hope Not
Mon May 4, 2026, 04:10 PM
22 hrs ago

The US only imports about a half-million barrels a day from the middle east (under 2.5%) so maybe there is some sort of refinery issues in New England.
That would explain the difference between your area and the Midwest.
Not the oil supply, but a refined product disruption.

boston bean

(36,959 posts)
12. I really do not know. But I presume a run on gas at cheaper price could cause supply disruption.
Mon May 4, 2026, 04:38 PM
22 hrs ago

The experts have been saying we won’t see a shortage. But will see high prices.

I do not know.

ProfessorGAC

(77,139 posts)
16. Well, We're Sure Sering High Prices!
Mon May 4, 2026, 05:18 PM
21 hrs ago

The 2 gas stations near our house that are typically a few cents cheaper than others are both at $4.849.
7 or 8 weeks ago it was $1.96 lower.
So, the predictions of high prices is dead on.

Ilikepurple

(775 posts)
20. I'm guessing the idea is that more people are buying discounted gas at places like Costco and BJ's?
Mon May 4, 2026, 05:31 PM
21 hrs ago

Not that there is a nationwide supply shortage? It might show that things are tight enough that more people are willing to wait in long lines for savings on the price per gallon.

Farmer-Rick

(12,766 posts)
38. Good point
Tue May 5, 2026, 10:02 AM
5 hrs ago

There has been a line at the Walmart gas station for the past 3 days around 2 or 3 pm. I never use it because I had my credit card stolen there several times. I rather pay a few cents more to avoid getting my card stolen.

So, I go down the street to the Ingles that has no line. Walmart has the cheapest gas in a 50 mile area. The lines are getting longer there but the other stations are open.

nitpicked

(1,944 posts)
4. They may have been cheaper than anything else nearby
Mon May 4, 2026, 04:02 PM
23 hrs ago

The last holdouts under $4 here just caved, lowest now 4.05.

haele

(15,537 posts)
25. MAGA is too selfish to do odd/even license plates.
Mon May 4, 2026, 05:56 PM
21 hrs ago

They want what they want and they waaaaant it now!
They'd steal gas from an ambulance if they could get away with it.

Wicked Blue

(8,990 posts)
44. Me too
Tue May 5, 2026, 12:15 PM
2 hrs ago

I remember pushing my little Datsun to the pump when it ran empty on the line. Wondering if I should move to Australia.

Bluestocking

(756 posts)
7. BJs is on the entire East Coast as far west as Ohio
Mon May 4, 2026, 04:05 PM
22 hrs ago

I drove by one this week and gas is wicked cheap there. I shop at Costco.

yellowdogintexas

(23,747 posts)
14. One is opening in Fort Worth soon. I am getting mailers for a discount membership
Mon May 4, 2026, 04:42 PM
22 hrs ago

I get my gas at Costco as well. Current average price per gallon across the board here is $3.90 to $4.00.

Costco price is $3.80

I don't drive a lot, and my car gets good mileage, so it has been a while since I filled it up.

Wiz Imp

(10,301 posts)
26. BJs is in 22 states including every state east of the Mississippi except, VT, WV, MS, WI & IL
Mon May 4, 2026, 05:59 PM
21 hrs ago

plus Texas, west of the Mississippi . They are headquartered in Massachusetts and have a Regional office in Florida.

angrychair

(12,441 posts)
8. I'm in Washington state
Mon May 4, 2026, 04:08 PM
22 hrs ago

And gas here is officially over $5, I've seen it over $6 at name brand places like Shell.

Its about to get real ugly, real quick.

Tree Lady

(13,372 posts)
13. Southern Oregon paid $4.96 yesterday
Mon May 4, 2026, 04:39 PM
22 hrs ago

At Costco. We get our gas from WA state so it’s usually more here because longer delivery miles. First time in our van we rarely use we said $30 instead of filling up. Our main car is my Prius. Thank god it gets 55-60 mpg.

AllyCat

(18,960 posts)
15. Talked to someone from Seattle proper last week
Mon May 4, 2026, 05:16 PM
21 hrs ago

Who said gas was $7/gal and she has to drive all over for work.

In Wisconsin and she couldn’t belie how cheap it was after we griped over the overnight 50 cent increase

unweird

(3,304 posts)
40. Last night Seattle feedback
Tue May 5, 2026, 10:49 AM
4 hrs ago

$6 range at a Chevron seen and photo shared. Heard rumor that gas stations are retooling signs to accommodate double digit dollar pricing.

Bluetus

(3,028 posts)
29. Not to be "that guy", but the future is electric cars
Mon May 4, 2026, 06:19 PM
20 hrs ago

Actually, it is the present for millions of people already. I realize that this may not be a viable answer for some people, and I'm not trying the "fossil shame" anybody. But I can't believe there has not been more discussion in the MSM about how this whole oil crisis is completely avoidable with the right energy and transportation strategies. And obviously, the Republicans have blown all of that up.

Why is this not getting more discussion?

modrepub

(4,165 posts)
18. Always Plan My Gas Stops
Mon May 4, 2026, 05:25 PM
21 hrs ago

into NE based on BJs gas stations. They tend to be 10-20 cents cheaper than other local options; and you can get a discount based on purchases.

So while running out of gas is unusual and a bit frightening, I'd say given how much gas prices are rising, especially after Tuesdays and Wednesdays due to releases of petroleum product inventories, I wouldn't be surprised after last week that people are gassing up early in the week to avoid steeply rising prices.

I won't say this won't be happening this summer if this Iran WAR doesn't get resolved.

Renew Deal

(85,305 posts)
19. Probably people looking for a discount
Mon May 4, 2026, 05:26 PM
21 hrs ago

I saw a very long line at a costco yesterday, but I think it's only 20-30 cents cheaper per gallon, which is often the case. But I guess with the price going up, people are paying more attention to it.

bluestarone

(22,397 posts)
21. Gas went up about 60 cents a gallon in less than a week.
Mon May 4, 2026, 05:38 PM
21 hrs ago

I'm sure it's gonna start really going up. By next week i'm thinking easily over $5 to $6 a gallon here in North Dakota.

spinbaby

(15,403 posts)
47. Pittsburgh area, too
Tue May 5, 2026, 01:43 PM
1 hr ago

I got gas at $4.05 last week and it was $4.69 when I drove by yesterday. I’m very thankful I drive a Prius.

Blue Full Moon

(3,611 posts)
22. Trump's fault
Mon May 4, 2026, 05:40 PM
21 hrs ago

The oil companies tell Trump no.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/exxon-chevron-have-no-plans-to-boost-production-despite-trump-s-pleas-for-more-drilling/ar-AA22c7PT

Today at the Meijer's getting gas. There was 2 Trump types filling up their full size pickup trucks. They both said thanks a lot Trump and said they wasn't going to vote republican.

boston bean

(36,959 posts)
32. 4.13/gal
Mon May 4, 2026, 06:48 PM
20 hrs ago

At this BJ’s you have to be a member to buy gas at this station. You can get better price by having one of their cc cards and save another 10 or 15 cents/gal.

LeftInTX

(34,769 posts)
45. That's significant. I paid almost $50 when I gassed up my Subaru on Saturday. I paid $4.19/gal
Tue May 5, 2026, 12:18 PM
2 hrs ago

Keep in mind prices are cheaper in Texas than other parts of the country. Consumers will notice when they pay $10 more to fill up.

I'm not all that economy minded, but when you hit that $50 mark you notice. My car was in the $35 range for quite a while.

paleotn

(22,570 posts)
24. The gas equivilent of a bank run.
Mon May 4, 2026, 05:54 PM
21 hrs ago

An isolated incident since supply isn't an issue in the US. Only the price is.

haele

(15,537 posts)
28. I'm starting to see $6+ a gallon regular, and saw $8.24 for diesel yesterday.
Mon May 4, 2026, 06:14 PM
20 hrs ago

San Diego, CA.
I'm really, really glad we got an EV last year.
I can deal with the higher cost specialty tires and the CA "make up for not paying CA taxes at the pump" doubling of the tag renewal.
But no way in hell would we be able to afford the gas price for Laz's delivery gig that pays his and the grandkid's dental loan - $14k left to go for braces, 3 root canals, and a full set of permanent dentures.
Even on an engineer's pay and disability, Dental is F'ing expensive because it's a "moral hazard"...
A moral hazard - even if you're a kid whose palate is too narrow, and your adult teeth are coming in jammed and twisted up against each other. Or the medication you were taking for a long term neurological problem eventually infected the roots of all your teeth at the jawline (where brushing and cleaning wouldn't matter), and you had to get them all removed or risk sepsis.
I digress.
Not everyone can work from home, and services will start to break down as service workers, such as therapists, tutors and assistants, ect...

FakeNoose

(42,119 posts)
31. The independent retailers will run out first
Mon May 4, 2026, 06:45 PM
20 hrs ago

I'm talking about the gas stations that don't operate under a major logo like Shell, Mobil, Texaco, etc. It will be harder for the independent stations to get their deliveries on time and some might have to close.

We saw this happening during the oil/gas shortages of the 1970's. Nobody was happy with the odd/even setup, but at least it cut down on the long lines. If your license plate ends with an odd number you could buy gas on Monday, Wednesday or Friday. If your plate ended in an even number you could buy on Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday. Before they did that, everyone spent hours waiting in line on any day and it was ridiculous.

obamanut2012

(29,483 posts)
36. It's because gas is discounted there
Mon May 4, 2026, 07:49 PM
19 hrs ago

Same as Costco here in Sacramento. No lines yet anyplace else so far.

Bj's isn't only in New England.

SamuelAdams

(131 posts)
37. He's only been president for 5+years.
Tue May 5, 2026, 09:59 AM
5 hrs ago

In that time, he has given us the worst pandemic in a century, the worst economy since the Great Depression, the worst racial unrest since the Civil Rights era, and the worst oil crisis in at least a half century, probably ever. He also started another Middle East forever war in a country even Bush wasn't dumb enough to attack. He's on a roll.

Martin68

(27,997 posts)
39. It's just beginning. National stockpiles have delayed the full impact of the impact the Strait will have on gas prices
Tue May 5, 2026, 10:08 AM
4 hrs ago

(and everything else).

róisín_dubh

(12,379 posts)
42. So glad my car died in October.
Tue May 5, 2026, 12:11 PM
2 hrs ago

I’ll be selling my car in the US in June. Diesel in the UK will hit £2/litre very soon (if it’s not already). My mate has already told his son he can either get the train or the bus up this weekend- he can’t afford to keep doing two round trips to pick him up and drop him off every fortnight.

Moostache

(11,259 posts)
43. I anticipate employees requesting to "work from home" 3 days a week by June 1st
Tue May 5, 2026, 12:15 PM
2 hrs ago

The fact is that commuting to an office to sit at a desk and work on a PC connected to the internet and internal systems (that can be accessed remotely as well) is an insane thing to do anyway, but when gas is about to hit $6 or even $7 a gallon for non-premium, the pinch is real and the ripple is coming.

Spending across the board is being shed at alarming rates. The entire supply chain of this modern economy is swimming in petroleum from start to finish. Prices are going to soar like Germany after WWI without definitive leadership stepping up and removing Trump and his clowns and sycophants from the room immediately.

We are facing an absolute crisis - unseen in decades - and the imbecile in the big chair should not be trusted to run a charity bake sale. This is how the USA ends, with cos-play 'leaders', ineffective 'opposition' and a population barely able to lift their heads from their phones long enough to give a damn. Jesus fucking Christ...throw in Soma and Huxley was goddamn right!!!

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