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After much prodding from everybody on the gas prices on Chapman and Brookhurst being cheaper than the Shell on Chapman and Brookhurst in Garden Grove, I decided to check it out.  Low and behold, the Exxon and Chevron in Garden Grove on Chapman & Brookhurst was $.13 cheaper than the Shell on Chapman and Brookhurst!  Just a short drive puts gas prices much lower AND I don’t get the POS quality of Arco.

Since the Shell gas station has chosen to sell on margins and not on volume, I am moving my business to a new gas station.  I will also carry my 5% back gas credit card with me.  My Chase rewards card is good everywhere.

xavier :: May.04.2008 :: Uncategorized :: No Comments »

There was a 4 car accident on the 22 East Freeway on the way to work today.  Normally I would help out because xavier is a qualified emt, but it seemed that everyone was ok.  Seemed like a nasty accident.  Glad to see that everyone is up and walking.  It did slow down traffic on the way to work.

Thanks to my carpool buddy for the pictures.

xavier :: Apr.22.2008 :: Uncategorized :: No Comments »

Based on comments from previous blog posts, I decided to do a poor man’s shopping comparison on gas prices in Garden Grove at 5 various gas stations.  The generic gas station on Trask & Euclid came in the highest.  I think they are outrageous because they are next to the 22 freeway.

Next up is the Arco on Euclid, near Costco in Garden Grove.  Arco came in at the cheapest, but then again they don’t accept credit cards or debit cards.  This is reason enough not to go here.  That and their poor reputation for crappy gas.

Next up is my favorite Shell gas station on Chapman and Euclid.  What use to hold true as the cheapest place in the area for gas holds true no more for this Shell gas station.  I love the US flag in front and all around the Shell gas station, but I refuse to make exorbitant costs for that benefit.  I will take my US dollars somewhere else.

Last up was the Chevron & Exxon on Chapman and Euclid.  I only have the picture of the Exxon, but the Chevron was the same price as the Exxon.  I think it’s time to take my business elsewhere unless the Shell gas station returns to its roots and drops the profit margins.

xavier :: Apr.22.2008 :: Uncategorized :: 1 Comment »

Food rationing has hit many retailers in the West Coast & East Coast areas.  Retailers are cutting the amount of food you can buy.  Costco is limiting people to one bag of rice per member.  Flour and oil is also being limited in purchase by Costco.  Could this be the apocalypse?  A lot of companies and retailers are being hit by the need to diminish inventories based on current economic conditions.  This means that little will be available to the consumer.  All those bakeries and ice cream stores are buying supplies at places such as Costco.  Bananas ran out at Costco, possibly because of ice cream stores buying them all up.  These guys are displacing what is left for consumers.  Everyone should stock up on these supplies before we are forced to endure mass food shortages.

xavier :: Apr.22.2008 :: Uncategorized :: 2 Comments »

It’s nice to see Baskin Robbins offer $.31 (31 cent) scoop night to help firefighters. The night is scheduled for April 30, 2008 at participating Baskin Robbins ice cream stores. The limit is 10 scoops. I think that’s as high as the ice cream goes in the cone before it tips over. With any of these events, get there early as they have long lines. And if you get there early, you can buy 10 scoops and then go back in line to get another 10. They won’t remember you. I think this is a gracious move from a company in helping the local community. There are a lot of Baskin Robbins ice cream stores that are not corporate owned and give the feel of that small business owner feeling. Some even serve up popcorn. I hope that all franchisees can participate in this event. I know how some of those Baskin Robbins franchisees are extremely cheap in not following corporate promotions or they start serving really slow so that you leave. How do I know? It’s all just hearsay from a Baskin Robbins franchisee.  But then again, I also hear the customers who go during this promotion, and all other promotions, are really cheap.  They never leave a tip!  I’m just speaking from hearsay and not from any particular franchisee’s comments.

xavier :: Apr.17.2008 :: Uncategorized :: 4 Comments »