Gas Station's Discount Pricing Strategy Bringing In Customers
STOCKTON (CBS13) - A gas station in Stockton has one price by day and a different one at night. And the strategy appears to be bringing in the customers -- just what the owner wants.
As soon as the clock strikes 10 p.m. every night, the price at a Stockton gas station drops by 40 cents.
We spoke with the gas station's owner on why he's offering night time pricing.
Between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m., if you pay cash or use the ATM to buy regular gas, it's only $3.29 a gallon. It's $3.69 the rest of the time.
"And since we were not making anything at night anyway, I thought let's take and let's cut the price as far down as we can possibly go," said gas station owner Darrell Eppler
He says it's all about bringing in customers.
The 76 station owner came up with the idea after watching the big box stores publicize their shopping deals and bargains on Black Friday
"They were getting these customers into their location for one reason: price," said Eppler.
"I think it's great. Anything I can save money on, I'll do," said a customer.
His idea is working. Many people we talked with had already heard about the deal and say they'll only get their gas here.
"I think it's a smart idea. I think a lot of people travel on Interstate 5 and I think a lot of people would stop and see that," said a customer.
Sure, you may have to get stay up a little late, but this owner's marketing plan definitely has people changing when and where they go to get their gas.
"It will certainly make me think about coming here between 10 a.m. and 4 a.m.," said a customer.
How long will this deal last? It started two days ago and the owner says he has to try it out for at least a year to see if it works.
According to AAA, the average gallon of regular costs $3.69 statewide. The average price is $3.61 in Sacramento and in Stockton and Modesto it's $3.59.
