Raj Bhandari, owner of Center City BP in Merrill, Wisconsin, thought he was in a win-win situation. He was offering discounts of 2c/gallon to senior citizens and 3c/gallon to people supporting youth sports. Both good causes – seniors can always do with a break in price to save up that money for medication and increase in youth sports keeps kids in poorer neighbourhoods away from crime and unsavory elements.
However the state of Wisconsin did not agree with him.
But the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection says those deals are too good: They violate Wisconsin’s Unfair Sales Act, which requires stations to sell gas for about 9.2 percent more than the wholesale price.
Bhandari was threatened with legal action and fines if he did not raise prices, immediately. This also meant he could not honor the discount cards he had already handed out. Big oil companies raise gas prices and post record profits year after year with little interference from the government. Meanwhile, the government is too busy targetting enterprising small business owners like Raj Bhandari. Another prime example of government interference in public life.
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