Steep discounts on gas? Pennsylvania may have us beat
For what Jersey lacks in cheap gas specials we make up for in not having to get out of the car at the pump (take that PA).
But seriously — Pennsylvanian fan-favorite gas service Sheetz is having a $1.99-per-gallon gas special on unleaded 88 gas until Nov. 27 to fuel up all of those Thanksgiving travelers.
So why can't New Jersey gas stations do the same?
Why isn't gas discounted in New Jersey?
Well, like most things, the do's and don'ts for New Jersey gas come down to some pretty old laws.
And by 'pretty old' we mean nearly a century.
The 1938 measure prevents gas stations from selling fuel cheaper than they bought it, and the law was established just a quarter-century after the first drive-up gas station.
The idea was to prevent companies from establishing monopolies on gasoline, but it looks like you can thank this law for preventing your travel price cut this week.
If it's any consolation, New Jersey isn't the only state with a sales-below-cost law, and there have been attempts in the past to get rid of the ban.
Until then, consider reveling in the fact that you can still fill up from the warmth of your vehicle as the colder months creep in.
Kaitlyn McCormick writes about trending issues and community news across South Jersey for the Courier Post, The Daily Journal and the Burlington County Times. If you have a story she should tell, email her at kmccormick@gannett.com. And subscribe to stay up to date on the news you need.
This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Sheetz is having a sale on gas. Why can't New Jersey do the same?
