At the Sunoco gas station on Rockaway Turnpike in Cedarhurst, Kumar Vipin, station manager, has noticed a similar trend. “Our gas prices have gone down this summer,” he said. “We are seeing more customers here. I’d estimate that we have seen 25 to 30 percent more in sales this summer.”
However, at the nearby Gulf gas station, Omar Bangoura, a station shift manager, hasn’t seen much of a difference in sales. He attributes the lack of difference in sales to being located in a highly competitive area, as there are five gas stations located along the same stretch of road between Lawrence and Cedarhurst.
“Compared to the winter, yes, we’ve had more customers, as we usually do better in the summer,” he said. “But still, to me, it’s slow. Customers aren’t coming like they used to, and that affects our business. Each station has their own reasons for giving their gas prices.” Bangoura also said that of the gas stations located nearby his, their prices all stay within 2 or 3 cents per gallon of each other.
Evan Gartner, a 17-year-old day camp worker, said he has budgeted well in purchasing gas for his car this summer, and appreciates the dip in prices. In preparing for the winter months when he thinks prices will rise, his advice to fellow drivers is simple. “One word: carpool,” he said.