Alabama store sues Buc-ee’s for ‘predatory’ fuel prices
Less than a month after the first Buc-ee’s outside of Texas opened in Alabama, the convenience store is facing a lawsuit claiming gas prices at the new location are unfairly low, according to the petition filed in federal court last week
Oasis Travel Center claims in the lawsuit the Alabama store’s gas prices are “predatory” and harmful toward its business. The travel center appears to be located about 4 miles east of the new Buc-ee’s location in Baldwin County, along Interstate 10 and Country Road 64.
The lawsuit claims the store violated the Alabama Motor Fuel Marketing Act by selling gas below the threshold imposed by the law. The complaint says the store opened Jan. 21 offering fuel at $1.79 per gallon for regular unleaded gasoline. Since then, prices for regular gas at the store have fluctuated between $1.79 and $1.87, the lawsuit says.
The lawsuit also highlighted the sale of nonethanol “Plus” gasoline at $1.93 per gallon.
“This price is dramatically below cost as defined by the (Alabama Motor Fuel Marketing Act),” according to the lawsuit.
The lowest gas price in Baldwin County on Wednesday was $1.81; the average price was $1.97, according to GasBuddy, a website that tracks gasoline prices nationwide. The price at Buc-ee’s was listed at $1.89.
Oasis Travel Center, which says the Buc-ee’s gas prices have hurt business, is seeking an immediate injunction to stop Buc-ee’s from selling gas at those “predatory” prices, according to the lawsuit.
“Buc-ee’s has always provided our customers with the best experience on the highway, from the world’s cleanest bathrooms, to great food,” according to a Bucee’s statement “Part of this experience includes high quality fuels, priced fairly and competitively.”