I guess you didn't read my posts. It's entirely possible that the gas from the local corner no-name gas station is the same as the 76. There's no such thing as saying you'll always get good gas from name-brand places. Please go back and read my posts. Storage conditions and the specific blend of additives that were put in that batch make the gas what it is. If those things aren't good, then you can get a bad tank of gas at 76, Mobil, Shell, or any name-brand place.

 

Here's a great example for you:
"Tesoro’s retail-marketing system includes over 870 branded retail gas stations, of which more than 380 are company-operated under the Tesoro, Shell, Mirastar and USA Gasoline brands."

So that great Shell gas you buy is the same exact stuff as is sold at those other no-name stations.

 

Here in Illinois the Costco gas is usually within a few cents of the majors. I tend to run Shell as I have a corporate card that gives a few cents a gallon off so it ends up being less than Costco.

I do like the additives, but paying $.20 or $.25 a gallon just for additives is a little crazy IMHO.

 

The Sam's Club in my town posts signs stating that their fuel is Ethanol Free. Unfortunately it is a bit out of my way, but I will fill up there whenever possible. The discounted price is nice, but the Ethanol Free is what I'm after.