Welcome to Campos Inc's quarterly newsletter for the Voice of the Region panel members! We thank all of the Voice of the Region panelists who participated in the latest survey about Rising Gasoline Prices; 1,507 of you participated, giving us interesting insight and opinions. See article, Consumers Today React More Strongly to Crude Oil Price Increases Than in 2005, below to read more about the results.

 

 

 

Consumers Today React More Strongly to Crude Oil Price Increases Than in 2005

Major findings of a recent survey conducted by Campos Inc show that, although oil prices periodically rise and fall, the recent almost-daily increases at the gas pumps, which have hit the $4+ mark at many stations, have put the squeeze on the wallets of many Americans-affecting their usual travel, leisure, shopping choices and decisions.

Data shows that 90% of regional respondents report being negatively affected over the last six months compared with 78% of respondents to the 2005 Campos Inc Gas Survey. In the 2005 survey, 59% of respondents said they made fewer trips and consolidated trips to save gas compared with 80% responding that way in last month's survey.

Higher gas prices are adversely affecting respondents' vacation plans, with only 66% having vacation plans this summer compared to 78% in 2005.  In addition, although most respondents in 2005 planned to use a personal and/or rental vehicle to get to their vacation destination, only 41% of 2005 respondents anticipated that high gas prices would affect their plans. That number jumped to 70% of respondents to this year's survey.

Who do they blame? The oil companies, the government, politicians, people who drive gas guzzlers - multiple guilty parties.

Campos Inc conducted the first gas survey in May 2005 and then conducted it again last month (May 2008) to determine how the residents of Southwestern Pennsylvania had been affected by the rising gasoline prices over time. The surveys asked identical questions both times to allow for a fair comparison of the data. Both surveys were sent to members of the Campos Inc Voice of the Region Panel across a 10-county area to gauge local opinion. The survey consisted of 10 questions pertaining to recent hikes in gasoline prices and their affect on consumer behavior and vacation plans. We also asked respondents to explain who/what is to blame for the issue, and whether or not gasoline prices will continue to rise. In 2005, we received 1,871 responses; in last month's survey, we received 1,507 responses.  Read more...