Gas prices

[albert_dao]

Okay, the other day I got this silly email about the rising gas prices and how a collective consumer base could help bring them back down.

The whole premise was that if everyone stopped buying gas from the largest oil companies (shell and petro or something), these companies would have to theoretically respond by lowering their prices to regain competitive advantage. This, in turn, would cause a price race resulting in other petroleum suppliers to match price.

This sounds far too simple to work. Anyone see any pitfalls right off the bat that will keep this thing from flying? I'm really skeptical about the whole idea, thought I really don't have any definitive reason why. On the other hand, I've talked to some people who think it's the best thing to happen since sliced bread.

Input? Anyone get this email?