The Exxon gas stations in Coos Bay, shown here, and elsewhere on the South Coast are in the process of switching over to ConocoPhillips 76. World Photo by Lou Sennick
The area’s old familiar Exxon signs disappeared last week, with ConocoPhillips 76 signs emerging in their place.
Coquille-based Ron’s Oil Co. has been taking down Exxon signs and putting up the 76 signs at its stations for the past week or so.
Ron LaFranchi, who owns several gas stations on the South Coast — in Coos Bay, North Bend, Coquille, Myrtle Point, Reedsport, Gold Beach and Brookings — said that Exxon did a market withdraw from Oregon and Washington in June. This gave him six months to decide on a new franchise.
“We interviewed a bunch of them,” LaFranchi said of the franchises he considered.
He said he looked at the programs the franchises had to offer and the delivery plans before making his choice. Once he made the decision, he ordered new signs, computers and decals for the pumps.
LaFranchi has owned gas stations in the Bay Area for 33 years and had been an Exxon distributor for 14 years.
He said he had been very happy with Exxon before the company announced its market withdrawal.
Since he made the changeover, he’s heard a few complaints from customers who were used to using their Exxon credit cards.
“It’s kind of a hassle,” LaFranchi said.
But in the long run, he said, it has been worth it because his cost for the gasoline is a few pennies less than it was before.
“I like to keep my prices low,” LaFranchi said. “I’m very happy with it.”
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I agree the EXXON cards should be honored. It caught me by surprise as I have been moving between Medford and Bandon and my gas bills were high so I was using my Exxon card for awhile.
“I like to keep my prices low,” LaFranchi said. “I’m very happy with it.” Prices low?! Go 22 miles north to Reedsport and their prices are even lower, South to Coquille, even East to Tenmile... all lower prices than CB NB
The World welcomes your comments about stories, and we encourage a robust dialogue on this site. All comments must meet reasonable standards of decency and civility.
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