Davidson won't knuckle under without fight over as a Petro-Can or Sunoco dealer', he went on to say. But Mr. (From page 1) "They either want me to shut down or sign 8 Davidson, @e Hearing id (Centre ¢f Port Perry Dennis J Hogan ann Hearing Aid Consultant Dr. E. Mannen's Office - 24 Water St. S., Lakeview Plaza, Port Perry, Ontario LOB 1NO. 985-9192 985-3003 DR. P.H. PUCKRIN wishes to announce the opening of his practice of FAMILY MEDICINE effective July 1, 1984 in association with Medical Associates of Port Perry 462 Paxton Street - 985-8421 2 "l lw Fans who says he is an avowed free enterpris- er, decided he wasn't going to knuckle under without a fight and said he would rather go out of business before sign- ing on as a retail dealer with one of the major oil companies. So, last Friday morn- ing, he set up a blinker board sign in front of his Highway 12 station which says he is being forced out of business, and he contacted several newspapers and television stations to tell his story to the public in the hopes that the major oil companies will change their pricing policies for the gasoline they sell to independent dealers like himself. Mr. Davidson told the Star that about the middle of last week, he was informed by Sunoco that he would be charg- ed 41.8 cents per litre for (regular) gasoline and slightly more for un- leaded and premium gas. To stay in business, his profit margin has to be about 5.7 cents per litre, which means he had to retail the gas at 47.3 per litre to his customers. However, retail deal- 4 Come Celebrate 4 Canada Day with Us! oo JULY 1st ers for Petro-Can and Sunoco were selling gas that week for 39.2 cents per litre. When he contacted the supplier, he was told there is no way they will sell gas to him at a cheaper rate and he got the same answer from all the major companies who supply gasoline. He said independent dealers all across Ont- ario were faced with the same problem last week. It is estimated that about 40 per cent of all Ontario gas stations operate ynder an inde- pendent label like Sipco, or Pioneer, or DX, or - XL Mr. Davidson says that charging one price for gasoline to the independents and a lower price to their own retail outlets is a viola- tion by the major oil companies of federal trust legistlation. He says the Association of Independent Dealers in Ontario are going to launch legal action, but he figures that by the time the case makes its way through the courts, many dealers, including himself, will go broke and be out of business. He claims the major oil companies are trying PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, June 26, 1984 -- 9 to force the independ- ents out of business so that they will have total control of the retail gas market and be able to set whatever price they want for gasoline. Mr. Davidson admitt- ed that by going public with his story and trying to embarass the major oil companies, he won't get much sympathy from them, but he is hoping that the public will rally in his support and the support of other independents. He is especially annoyed that govern- ment-owned Petro-Can and Sunoco are involve- ed, saying in effect that his own tax dollars are being used to help put him out of business. But he says if he has to go out of business, he won't go down without a fight and he will never sign on as a dealer for one of the major oil companies. He said Friday, the motoring public are being supportive by purchasing some gaso- line from his outlets at the higher price, but he said he could hardly blame somebody for buying gas at 39 cents per litre, rather than 47 cents per litre, (that's about 35 cents per gallon difference). Over the weekend, some independent retail outlets were selling gas at 39.2 cents per litre, but they were able to do so through price support from their own com- panies, not because the wholesale price has been lowered accord- ingly. He has plans to con- tact his MP and MPP over this matter of what he calls unfair pricing tactics on the part of the major oil companies. Sea Queen BATHERS & COVER UPS Ladies' \SUN DRESSES by Caron & Ruby Lou CHILDREN'S BATHERS MEN'S BATHERS SHORTS & TOPS For the Family JL Come out and enjoy and the fun and excitement at the LIBRARY PARK on the waterfront in Port Perry. SPONSORED BY THE SCUGOG CHAMBER OF COMMERCE . SEWING NEEDS - T-SHIRT MATERIAL Assorted Colours POLYESTER & COTTON Polka Dots & Stripes POLYESTER & COTTON MESH QUILTED FABRIC with MATCHING PRINTS Large Assortment of Colours POLYESTER & COTTON BROADCLOTH § Reg. 2.75 Metre 2.25 m. MEAN A A.W. BROCK DEPARTMENT STORE QUEEN STREET - PORT PERRY (Merchandise Not Exactly as Illustrated.)