Mishawaka station tries to ease burden of high gas prices

by Samuel King (king@wsbt.com)

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William Vandygriff is the manager at Swifty's in Mishawaka — one of the few full-service gas stations left in our area

William Vandygriff is the manager at Swifty's in Mishawaka — one of the few full-service gas stations left in our area. (WSBT photo)

By WSBT News1

MISHAWAKA — Prices for regular gas have hit $3.65 a gallon around the area. We've never seen gas prices this high, but one station is trying to ease the burden in more ways than one. Swifty's in Mishawaka is one of the few full-service stations left in our area.

William Vandygriff is the manager at Swifty's. Often he's the only one on duty, taking cash from self-service customers and filling up the tanks for full-service ones.

Many people continue to go with full service even though the prices are just a little bit higher.

“When you're in a hurry, it's a little bit less of hassle,” said Rod Creech, a customer.

“He pumps your gas and you don't have to do it yourself,” said Maxine Sroda, a longtime customer. “I'm a lady and I appreciate him doing it. He's very nice, I've been coming here for years.”

“I like it, I like to handle everything outside,” Vandygriff said. “You're more involved with the community if you're actually out there, instead of being inside the building behind a counter.”

And he hears an earful from customers about high gas prices, so he gives full- and self-service customers paying cash a break — five cents off each gallon.

That has reduced the number of credit card customers. Some other stations encourage people to use cash, so fees charged by credit card companies can be offset and prices can be kept down.

Many drivers feel they have no choice but to pay up.

“Big chunk, everybody's gotta buckle down to make it work, but it definitely puts a strain on the budget,” Creech said.

Everyone here says Vandygriff's personal touch helps take away some of the sting.

“You just be nice to your customers and do your job, they'll come to you,” he said.

Other gas station operators, including Marathon and Speedway, offer rebates or rewards programs that can help drivers save money.

Friday, Apr 25 at 9:37 PM beedee wrote ...

we're heading out to las vegas on our annual vacation. we've been doing this for 30 years. the first trip in '80 gas was under $1 gal and quite affordable.this trip the gas is going to run $720 at $4 gal. they say when crude hits $200 a barrel, gas will be $10 gal. this will be our last trip out there. travelling will be a rich man,s game and America as we have known it will be history. how very, very sad for all of us. greed and apathy have destroyed us and civilization.

Friday, Apr 25 at 9:40 AM A gas station owner wrote ...

Did you know that the cost of gasoline has NOT kept up with inflation over the past 35 years? Aren't you glad you don't live in Europe where the cost of a gallon has been over $7 for several years? As for the credit card rebate and interest - use common sense. BP offers a 5% rebate (that's 18cents/gallon). Keep your cash and PAY OFF THE CREDIT CARD EACH MONTH and you won't have to worry about the interest rate it charges. You get a 25 day grace period. Quit griping and help yourself.

Thursday, Apr 24 at 8:47 PM single mom wrote ...

Thank you for the support I received from some of you. It helps to know there are people who are going through the same thing. And No its not just the gas, Its the cost of everything. My neighbor has 2 little ones and she has to limit there milk so they will have enough for the week. This is crazy. I almost think the gov. wants people on welfare. I am very sad to think all these children are suffering becuase of the raise in prices. I hate to see the prices when they grow up.God B with us

Thursday, Apr 24 at 10:19 AM Kathy from Lakeville wrote ...

Sure they offer rebates or rewards but you have to use their visa or master charge card then they hit you with HIGH interest rates. Just where do you think the Bushs got their money and are still getting it OIL sucker.

Thursday, Apr 24 at 10:17 AM Publicus II wrote ...

To Anon at 9:30 am Check your history books. The Republicans--not 'you demos'--controlled both the Congress and the White House for 85-90% of the last ten years. So why haven't the Republicans done something about this? perhaps, because Big Oil is the Republican Party.

Thursday, Apr 24 at 9:49 AM joe wrote ...

What are going to tell your kids tonight, well we can't do this tonight cause we gas for the car.

Thursday, Apr 24 at 9:38 AM Candy wrote ...

Single mom, im right along with you. Its always been tough, but now its getting tougher. I may have to look for employment closer to my house, I cant afford to drive 25 miles a day anymore. The amount of $ I spend in gas is more then my car payment! Its absolutely crazy & very depressing.

Thursday, Apr 24 at 9:17 AM Dave wrote ...

It's aalways been the Dems who said no to more domestic oil drilling. They always said no to nuclear power. and now this crunch is Bush's fault? Dem logic...you gotta love it!

Thursday, Apr 24 at 9:09 AM I wish we had more full-Gas-Stations wrote ...

What Mr.William Vandygriff is doing is great by filling up the tanks for full-service and self-service pumps I thought its was neet when I was a kid and we had the full service stations. out there being and knowing your customers on a personal bases. We need more people like Vandygriff. he's doing a great service for the coummity.

Thursday, Apr 24 at 8:30 AM Anonymous wrote ...

Excuse me, but Bush did not cause this mess. It is caused by greed of Opec and the oil companies. You demos control congress, why haven't you guys done something about this? No, because all the demos in congress know how to to is whine, and hold hearings on nothings. Some one sneezes in washington, they hold a hearing.

Thursday, Apr 24 at 6:05 AM SS wrote ...

When gas jumped to $3.65 earlier this week I passed Swifty...Still $3.45..Way to go Swifty. We appreciate the effort.

Thursday, Apr 24 at 5:14 AM RAJ wrote ...

Have you noticed that at alot of stations they no longer offer the solution or squeege to wash your own windows.Just where has customer service gone?? I am so fed up with gas prices.We are car pooling as we were paying $700.00 per month in gas.The next thing is we will have to move closer to our employment. I feel for people with limited income who cannot afford to put gas in their cars. JUST REMEMBER BUSH IS A REPUBLICAN WHO CAUSED THIS MESS.VOTE DEMOCRATIC!

Thursday, Apr 24 at 4:55 AM hey listen! wrote ...

The last thing the govt. wants to do is lower gas prices. It cuts into their tax base! That is why we are dependent on oil like a crack addict is on drugs. They have addicted us and don't want a way out. If they did, they would lose TAX MONEY! That aintagonna happen!

Thursday, Apr 24 at 2:20 AM To Single Mom wrote ...

It's good to vent. It's good to be concerned for the welfare of your children and you should be proud of eleven years with one employer on your day job. Call 2-1-1. This is an emergency relief number that has a statewide network of agencies and organizations that can supply a variety of assistence to people in need. NOT ALL PROGRAMS ARE FREE. There are programs in place that direct people where to go for the answers to problems that will only increase in the future. Good luck and God Bless!

Wednesday, Apr 23 at 11:12 PM Diane wrote ...

People's lifestyles are being changed because of fuel prices, and that shouldn't happen. One day soon, average folks like myself are going to have to decide if they want to buy groceries or gasoline for the week after the utility bill has been paid. It isn't already enough that folks have to decide to pay for food or necessary medications in this country. Something has to give, and NOW! We can't keep going like we are, and we shouldn't have to work 2 full-time jobs to make ends meet.

Wednesday, Apr 23 at 9:07 PM single mom wrote ...

I had to call in to work today cuase I had no more gas money left for this week. All I drive is to and from work and to the grocery store once a week. I live in the sub. of elkhart, No busses and work is too far to ride my bike or walk. I have been at my day job for 11 years and my eve. job for 2 years. This is the first time this has happend. I cant get to and from work and still feed my children. Something needs to be done FAST! NO not welfare. Ill pay my own way.Thank you I needed to vent.

Wednesday, Apr 23 at 8:10 PM Jim Welsh wrote ...

Rod goes to Swifty!?! Awesome.

Wednesday, Apr 23 at 7:39 PM I ain't THAT glad! wrote ...

I've seen William and he does hustle. I've even tipped him several times when I did the self serve thing, he's a good employee and a decent human being. But for $3.65 @ Gal for gas there auto be 4 Arabs running around my car while it's being fueled kicking tires, checking oil, and topping off the fluids while GWB squeegees the windshield. As far as "Mr. Ain't that bad" goes I'm glad he's conserving fuel while still spending energy but the fact is that every American is getting hosed these days!

Wednesday, Apr 23 at 4:59 PM Ain't that bad! wrote ...

My wife and I made a new years resolution to not spend over a certain amount on gas per month no matter what. It's been somewhat incovenient but once we got through the crunch we started enjoying finding new ways to cut corners. We've each spent some time in the library killing time waiting to get picked up by the other, and we've tracked what we would have spent if we continued as we were. We're using 60 gals kess gas. Sure we've missed a few affairs, but we've had a few more at home :)

Wednesday, Apr 23 at 4:26 PM Fed up with big oil wrote ...

The real question is why does gas that has been in this country for years go up everytime oil futures (5 years from now) go up? Oil that comes out of the ground today in the middle east won't be in the USA for atleast 2weeks. When the crude gets here it won't be refined into gasoline till 1 year from now.

Wednesday, Apr 23 at 3:29 PM me wrote ...

Anybody in politics is gettin a cut of our gas money and of course tax money!

Wednesday, Apr 23 at 3:12 PM You can call me JACK wrote ...

I emailed US Senators' state reps, mayors, former governors and mayors....EVERYONE needs to BUY them with email to DO SOMETHING ABOUT THESE disastorous prices ! Someone, somewhere is going to get violent and nobody will benefit from that !

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