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Why are people waiting at Costco gas stations instead of buying Teslas?

Discussion in 'Electric Vehicles' started by JetFalcon, Oct 14, 2019.

  1. jjrandorin

    jjrandorin Moderator, Model 3, Tesla Energy Forums

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    Maybe this depends on where one lives, but before I got my model 3, I filled up my brand new BMW 435 for 3 years on costco gas, and my wife fills up (still) her 2019 X3 M40i with costco gas. Additionally, in my neighborhood (temecula,ca), it was much more common to see BMW / Merc / Audi / Porsche (new / newer), than "some hoopty".

    The costco close to me usually averages 20-30 cents a gallon cheaper than other stations, even for the premium my previous car (and wifes current car) took. With gas now in our area well over 4.00 a gallon, and a typical fill up in my car being 13-15 gallons, simple math says the gas car saves $4.5 a tank.

    I had to fill up my commuter BMW 435 every 3-4 days so roughly $30 a month, for stopping at costco in the morning to get gas (I refused to go during the day when those lines were long).

    I am saving a lot more driving my model 3P, but there was also a large outlay of cash to get there. The car itself, the wall charger, electrical installation in the garage.

    I always wonder why people feel like these type things have to be "either / or". Why do we have to attempt to "look down on" people who are not ready to drive an EV yet? Not much different than how people talk about Teslas on the BMW boards I am a member of... I dont get it from either side....
     
  2. dethman

    dethman Member

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    Why do people wait in line 10 minutes at Costco to save a few bucks on gas?

    Why do people wait an hour sitting at a supercharger to save a few bucks on electricity?

    *shrugs*
     
    • Like x 5
    • Funny x 2
  3. argon2018

    argon2018 Member

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    Not true, I used to always go to Costco for gas. Do you only see Honda and Toyotas putting gas at Costco?
     
  4. 240W

    240W Member

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    You don’t save by going to Costco....

    Let me fill up gas, oh, since I’m here let me stop inside. 30 minutes later and $200 poorer. No wonder Costco stocks are doing so well.
     
    • Like x 1
  5. ebmcs03

    ebmcs03 Active Member

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    You don’t have to go in.
     
  6. azjohn

    azjohn Member

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    In my area Costco is only a few pennies per gallon cheaper not worth the headache IMO, better off to go to a regular gas station at night
     
  7. 240W

    240W Member

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    Easier said than done.

    That place gets me all the time. End up buying stuff I didn’t know I need. And in bulk.
     
    • Like x 1
    • Funny x 1
  8. camalaio

    camalaio Active Member

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    This thread has been a wild ride.

    Folks, not everyone has the money for a new car, whether it's a Tesla, a Camry, or a Mirage. As is almost always the case, in order to save money "long term" you need to actually have more short term money than average. And one of the early posters is entirely correct, a Model 3 isn't necessarily a money saver even in the long run. And they only potentially are in comparison to a new gas vehicle, which as many know is a good way to throw away money to depreciation immediately.

    Just because someone can get a loan for a $40,000+ car over 7 years doesn't mean they should. If they already have a hard time paying for fuel each week, can you imagine them needing to make car payments? Increased insurance rates? Also, they probably get a ridiculously high interest rate, definitely negating any perceived notion of day-to-day savings.

    Buying a Tesla hurt. We decided on a Model 3 over putting money down on a house this year. People will flock to me saying this was a stupid move (I guarantee there's a lot more context), but some of these people will be the ones saying people that can't afford to drive their $1500 gas-powered beater should go drop $40,000 somehow on a Tesla.

    On topic, people often go more out of their way for gas than they save. It's a funny phenomenon, but very prevalent. I just get gas at the same two stations no matter the price because I can't be bothered to invest emotionally into the map of local gas pricing. Also, there's no way people are actually waiting 30 minutes at a gas station, that sounds very inflated. 10 minutes in line perhaps on a uniquely busy day?

    Gosh, great point :D
     
    • Like x 1
  9. RC2785

    RC2785 Member

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    Why are people getting gas at Costco to begin with? Last I heard, Costco gas has a high ethanol count that can damage cars...
     
  10. Watts_Up

    Watts_Up Active Member

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    Don't all the refueling tanker trucks come from the same refinery?

     
  11. rzareiser

    rzareiser Member

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  12. Watts_Up

    Watts_Up Active Member

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    I guess, most people live in the past and are afraid of any change.

    The Model 3 was targeting the BMW Series 3 and Audi A4 owners, and it had particularly been successful doing so.

    Next step is to conveince Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid drivers to get a Tesla .

    This could be in fact the subject of a new thread with the following title:

    Why are people buying Hybrids instead of buying an EV?
     
  13. phaheem

    phaheem Member

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    I used to get gas at that location. Even with the lime extending out into the left turn lane, the longest it’s taken me is ~12 minutes (I timed each visit) and that includes the time it took to pump the gas into my car. Those long lines are misleading when it comes to the actual wait times. And on average, Costco gas is ~$0.50 cents cheaper per gallon than a regular gas station. With 4% cash back on a Costco Citi card and if you can use your time efficiently (e.g., send your significant other inside Costco to start shopping while you get gas), the slightly longer wait time is worth it.
     
    • Informative x 1
  14. Wennfred

    Wennfred Supporting Member

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    Don’t forget the $1.50 hotdog & Coke.
    The Chula Vista Costco has a EVGo station across the parking lot, CHAdeMO & L2.


    Fred
     
    • Like x 1
  15. MXWing

    MXWing Well-Known Member

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    If you were a multi millionaire you are an idiot if you drive around a beater car. It’s just not appropriate to slum it unless you are a hermit and have no friends of similar class.

    Only if they can deliver a combo slice and a hot dog to my car.
     
    • Disagree x 2
  16. mswlogo

    mswlogo Well-Known Member

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    I wonder how long Tesla owners will wait in line for to plug in for a cheap charge. I bet longer. ;)
     
    • Like x 1
  17. Lanzer

    Lanzer Member

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    San Jose
    Hey everyone love a good deal. Including me, who is still convincing myself that I'm saving money in purchasing this $55k vehicle. :D

    Well I have in good faith that we're just being silly here, so I won't pitch in on the discussion about Tesla for everyone. :)
     
  18. Kenz

    Kenz Member

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    Hebron, Indiana
    Let Costco customer service know that EV drivers need to charge up sometimes.
    It would be great for Costco to add in a row of high powered EV chargers in its parking lot.
    30 minutes of shopping is just about right. Even a row of level 2 chargers would be great.
    Time for Costco to go electric. By the way why no solar panels on the roof at Costco.
     
    • Like x 1
  19. TomT

    TomT Technical Maven

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    NE Georgia
    There is rarely a line at our Costco gas station here... And a lot of them do it since they were shopping at Costco already anyway...

     
  20. TomT

    TomT Technical Maven

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    NE Georgia
    A number of Costcos in California used to have 1772 charging stations but they removed them many years ago... I can't remember what the reason given was.

     

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