March 19, 2008
Valdosta - With soaring prices at the pump, consumers are feeling the pinch. But not just when filling their tanks.
Many businesses are forced to up their prices to absorb the extra costs too.
"We finally adjusted our prices after a year of gas prices being like this," says Loco's General Manager Matthew McIntosh. "We just changed our menu a month ago and it was the same, about seven to ten percent across the board."
They say the are being hit from all sides.
Food prices are soaring as well and the cost of supply deliveries are going up too. "The prices on routine trucks are eight to ten percent higher," McIntosh adds.
Some businesses are imposing an extra delivery fee to help drivers like Paulette Inman. "Our job is driving so we need gas prices to go lower then they are because filling up, I have a wrangler and it takes $60.00 to $70.00 to fill it up."
But still she's having a hard time breaking even. "If it's a busy day, then no. If it's a slow day, then half and half."
And with experts saying gas may increase to $4.00 a gallon by the summer, businesses and drivers a like are searching for new ways to ease the pain at the pump.
"I'll find another job because that's to high for gas prices and I have three kids. I can't do it like that," Inman says.
"Everybody's feeling it! It's not just one person. It's hard right now," McIntosh adds.
And make ends meet until the economy and business can get back on track.
Some businesses we spoke to says they imposed extra delivery fees last year when gas prices went up and have been fortunate enough to not have to raise them again.
Others have set a minimum amount that must be spent before they'll deliver any food.
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