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Cheap gas, free education, good deal
(by Robin DeCicco - September 04, 2008)
When it comes to cheap gas prices, publicity stunt or not, motorists don’t care.
The Fuel Merchants Association of New Jersey (FMANJ) and the New Jersey Gasoline C-Store & Automotive Association (NJGCA) teamed with WAXQ-FM Q104.3 last Thursday and offered fuel to all non-commercial vehicles for $1.04 per gallon at the Westview Gulf Station in Ridgefield Park.
Drivers lined up on the morning of Aug. 28 to receive up to 12 gallons of regular unleaded gas. While consumers were filled up, radio hosts Jim Kerr and Shelli Sonstein broadcast their Rock ’N Roll Morning Show from the Gulf station all morning long.
Kat Madaras, Fuel Merchants of New Jersey spokesperson said FMANJ and NJGCA wanted to educate motorists on what drives gas prices and teach the public how to advocate for policies that will help lower the cost of energy. NJGCA also hoped to educate motorists on the importance of reducing credit card fees, which significantly add to the price of a gallon of gas.
"Many motorists don’t realize how credit card companies are making record profits as gas prices rise. Today, fees are as high as 13 cents of every gallon, which are paid to Visa and MasterCard. Paying with cash is the only way to avoid paying these fees and we want the public to know this," Nick DePalma, communications and research director, said.
NJGCA passed out fliers explaining this issue and told consumers to visit www.njgca.org and www.UnfairCreditCardFees.com to learn more about how to solve this problem.
"We hope that informed motorists will contact their elected officials and advocate for legislation to correct this oversight. It is in the interest of both consumers and small businesses to save money rather than hand money over to credit card companies," DiPalma said.
Josefa Paganuzzi, a spokesperson for WAXQ-FM, said that the radio station was very happy to participate in this "great" and "necessary" event.
"We partnered with two great companies to give our listeners a break for Labor Day weekend and they appreciated it," Paganuzzi said.
But for Hackensack’s Nestor Rivera and Ridgefield Park’s Angela Heart, $1.04 per gallon was enough to draw their attention.
Heart thought the gas promotion was "awesome."
Added Rivera: "I haven’t seen this price in more than a decade. It brings back memories. Too bad things go back to normal tomorrow."
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