When fuel prices began to climb from about $3.50 to +$4 per gallon, lots of places began adding fuel surcharges. Airplane tickets, taxi cabs, UPS, couriers, and other services all added a line to their bills for fuel surcharge. Delivery charges went up for flowers, heck, for everything. Those surcharges are still in place even though fuel costs have dropped by more than 25%. Not holding my breath waiting for them to go away. What do you think?

I was thinking about this the other day. You know the surcharge will never go away because it was and is a profit-maker.I was also wondering where all of the RV.net members are who would scold others and call us stupid for thinking that gas prices would go back down one day. I can recall people saying "you're dreaming if you think you will ever see two dollar per gallon gasoline again." What do these members have to say now?Bruce

I shipped a box last week with UPS...and of course they had a fuel surcharge.It cost enough through them without this. The fuel surcharge will go awayabout as quick as temporary sales taxes.

Surcharges are like taxes. Go up in bad times when people can least afford it and then never come down, when the good times return. Both government and business claim they are a necessity because of reduced revenues. Neither consider the hardship on the taxpayer/consumer.

I get bottled water delivered. I noticed that a couple of months ago, they changed from fuel surcharge to delivery charge. You can't argue with that.

Amen Isn't that the American way of doing things. Sock it to us no matter what. Oh well enough. Enjoy.

Fuel surcharges still in place | Good Sam Community

18 Replies

J_R2
Explorer
Feb 03, 2015
Diesel fuel surcharge begins at $1.25 per gallon. It increases $.02 per mile as diesel increases $.10 per gallon. Our surcharge is down $.24 per mile currently. Fuel off $1.20 per gallon. Surcharge set every friday, for next week, based on past week purchases.
wing_zealot
Explorer
Feb 03, 2015
This seems rather oddly simple to me. I have never purchased anything that I didn't know what the delivery (or shipping and handling) charge would be. If you don't like the fee, don't pay it. Show your disapproval with your wallet. It's just like buying an RV, I don't care how many fees they tack on or what they call them, the only number that matters is the one at the bottom, don't like it, don't buy it. Maybe I'm missing something?
Homer1
Explorer
Feb 03, 2015
wa8yxm you are right on frequency.
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Feb 03, 2015
Thought I commented in this thread

Murphys economic laws edited for this topic.

As fuel prices go up, surcharges go up to cover the additional cost
As fuel prices go down, surcharges continue to rise so as to increase profit, after all, you were willing to pay it when gas was pushing 5.00 a gallon, now that its pushign 1.00 you shold have more money to pay it with.

Now if you wish my opinion of this... Sorry, do not care to type that language.
time2roll
Nomad
Feb 03, 2015
If fuel has gone down 50%... has the fuel charge dropped 50%?
W4RLR
Explorer
Feb 03, 2015
rockhillmanor wrote:
When fuel prices began to climb from about $3.50 to +$4 per gallon, lots of places began adding fuel surcharges. Airplane tickets, taxi cabs, UPS, couriers, and other services all added a line to their bills for fuel surcharge. Delivery charges went up for flowers, heck, for everything. Those surcharges are still in place even though fuel costs have dropped by more than 25%. Not holding my breath waiting for them to go away. What do you think?

Florida is actually thinking of ADDING a surcharge/state tax to gas because the price is so low so the state can make more money. :S

Stating they thought the consumer wouldn't mind or notice the added cost because the price per gallon was so low. They really need to stop talking to the press.
Another reason I am so happy that I, a native Floridian, have moved to the Volunteer State. They have a whole community here of expatriated Floridians who got out while the getting was good.
mpierce
Explorer
Feb 02, 2015
gcloss wrote:
Fuel charges for FedEx, UPS and LTL trucking companies adjust up or down on a regular basis. These fuel charges are based on the Energy Information Administration (EIA) National Average Diesel Fuel Index published by the Energy Information Administration of the U.S. Department of Energy.

These charges do go down as diesel fuel goes down, but they never go way.

Yes. They are on rolling average prices. So, it takes a while to go down. Also takes a while to go thru stock on hand.

Also, we all know MOST of fuel surcharges are from trucks burning diesel. Diesel has not dropped nearly as far, or as fast, as gasoline has.
gbopp
Explorer
Feb 02, 2015
Cheer up. The price of fuel will go up, then they can justify the surcharge, or even raise it. :(
wing_zealot
Explorer
Feb 02, 2015
Water-Bug wrote:
Surcharges are like taxes. Go up in bad times when people can least afford it and then never come down, when the good times return. Both government and business claim they are a necessity because of reduced revenues. Neither consider the hardship on the taxpayer/consumer.
You must be one of those 1%'ers I've heard so many bad things about, cause I'm pretty sure they said they were only going to raise taxes on the 1%'ers.
gcloss
Explorer
Feb 02, 2015
Fuel charges for FedEx, UPS and LTL trucking companies adjust up or down on a regular basis. These fuel charges are based on the Energy Information Administration (EIA) National Average Diesel Fuel Index published by the Energy Information Administration of the U.S. Department of Energy.

These charges do go down as diesel fuel goes down, but they never go way.