As a dirty foreigner, who pays more per gallon but only uses three gallons a month, I laugh at you Americans.
You especially are hardly dirty Japa. We appreciate your numerous efforts for DF. Yeah, I can sorta see a bit of the US v. foreign gas arguments.... I dunno.
The thing that keeps me on the fence about the foreign gas is higher thing is: a.) currency conversion rates (a math issue), b.) amount used v. price, c.) realistic alternatives (we don't really have public transit in a lot of places, and certainly not good public transit).
a.) It's not just the exchange rate itself but also the frequency which that rate changes.
b.) Even I lower prices if I know there's a greater volume involved. Why yes Real Estate Brokers and Art Houses/institutions who have access to a steady stream of people who will be my repeat customers. I will look at things for you incredibly cheap. I'll make it up on the volume of work you refer to me with house transfers and artists. Realtors deal with lots of people buying real estate needing purchase agreements and deeds done, and art houses deal with lots of artists who (if they know what's what) need contractual work to retain copyright to their work and also who are we kidding, drug charges....
The volume of work, or product (in this case gas) matters to the price. This is an unfortunate, unforeseen downside to conservation rooted in economics and division of costs. It is one semi legitimate argument against conservation/environmentalism. (I'll happily explain this if anyone cares).
Speaking of that, the bail bondsmen! O heck yes.... Why what's that you say? Turns out the guy has finally figured out he doesn't stand a chance without a lawyer.... O my....
This happens all the time you say...?
c.) Can you take a train over there at a reasonable price? Because honestly we don't have many passenger trains in the US. Same thing with busses in a lot of areas even. Yes, you're implicitly paying for the cost of fuel in public transit, but due to greater division of costs and very possible public subsidies, it ends up being cheaper, at least traditionally.