Motorists in the states of New Jersey and Pennsylvania may be in for a surprise when they pull into a Lukeoil gas station. It is reported that 57 of the franchise's owners have been protesting on Wednesday against the gas prices they are being charged by Lukoil North America, which is a subsidiary of the Russian corporation, OAO Lukoil.

The disgruntled owners have responded to the steep fees by posting their respective gasoline prices between $8.99 to $9.99 per gallon at their stations. They are claiming that it affects their quality of business when they are forced to charge increasing rates to customers.

Khaled Kezbari, an owner of three Lukoil stations in the New Jersey area, had stated the following to ABC News:

"We are doing this because we are dying. Lukoil is charging us costs higher than the retail market. How can you compete? You cannot compete in a market like that."

Outside the gas station of Kezbari in Mount Laurel, N.J., the price of the gas is being posted at $9.99 a gallon. However, the 46-year-old stated that the owners will not be charging the customers the high prices, but are only putting them up for 24 hours in protest of the high costs to them.

"It would be ridiculous if they charged that amount. We are trying to send a message to Lukoil so they know what our feelings are," added Kezbari.

Kezbari said that he is actually charging his customers $3.79 a gallon for regular gas. He stated that stations do not have much of a choice but to pass on its increased costs to customers, which has contributed to lower sales.

Kezbari also said that his stations used to pump around 6,000 a day but now only uses about 3,000.

The labor costs, rent, taxes and fees in New Jersey have also resulted in a decreased in his profit.

"If I am paying 3 cents on the dollar for credit card fees, how can I survive?" Kezbari stated.

Tags
Offbeat