Hi: As a retired economics prof, I would make a couple of points. First, in a market economy, goods are rationed by price. There have been two "oil crises" in my lifetime. The first was in 1974 under President Nixon. The other was during President Carter's term in 1980. In both cases, there were attempts to ration gasoline by such gimmicks as alternating days when you were allowed to buy based on whether your number was even or odd. Then Reagan came along. No more messing with the price of gas. At the high prices, people who couldn't afford it cut back. And oil companies, seeing the chance for more profits, started supplying more. Net result? More gas at a lower price. This process is why economists in general don't believe that price gouging is a real thing.
As to your question about changing the price between shipments: Remember, the gas station has to pay for that next - higher priced - truckload of gasoline. If they don't raise the price of the gasoline to meet the market, they won't be able to afford to restock.
There have been two "oil crises" in my lifetime. The first was in 1974 under President Nixon. The other was during President Carter's term in 1980.
In both cases, there were attempts to ration gasoline by such gimmicks as alternating days when you were allowed to buy based on whether your number was even or odd.
Then Reagan came along. No more messing with the price of gas. At the high prices, people who couldn't afford it cut back. And oil companies, seeing the chance for more profits, started supplying more. Net result? More gas at a lower price.
This process is why economists in general don't believe that price gouging is a real thing.
As to your question about changing the price between shipments: Remember, the gas station has to pay for that next - higher priced - truckload of gasoline. If they don't raise the price of the gasoline to meet the market, they won't be able to afford to restock.
I hope this answers your questions.
Regards
Dallas