Retail psychologists know we buy more when a price is rounded down from a whole amount because we focus on the left side of decimal points. (which is why prices end with .99 cents.) The petroleum industry takes this tactic a ridiculous step further by adding 9/10 of a cent, which isn't supported by any US currency.
IF BIG OIL CREATES THEIR OWN FRACTIONAL MONETARY SYSTEM, THEY SHOULD CREATE THEIR OWN CURRENCY TO SUPPORT IT!
If oil companies insist on adding 9/10 of a cent per gallon, they should reimburse the Treasury Dept. to re-mint the old 1/10 of a cent “Mill” as described in the Coinage Act of 1792. No other industry uses this pricing tactic and taking an extra 0.1 cent per gallon on billions of gallons adds insult to injury during an economic crisis.
Thank you.