[vkou]

If I didn't know how much I had to pay for gas until two months after I left the pump, my gas would cost $25/gallon, and I would count myself lucky that I'm buying it from a station that has a reputation for not swindling me.

That is, of course, after my 'gas insurer' comped the station anywhere between $0 and $25, that number being determined by the astrological position, and retrograde state of the planets.

[darawk]

Sure, non-transparent pricing is a problem too. My point is just that inelastic demand is not on its own an explanation for the problem.