Fred Meyer gas price drop was a mistake

The overnight price drop that lowered Fred Meyer fuel prices from $2.92 to $1.91 between Monday and Tuesday was a mistake, and the company is working to raise prices back to what they were before the drop, according to a Fred Meyer spokesperson.

“That huge price drop yesterday was a mistake and it was a mistake that come from our corporate office,” Fred Meyer spokesperson Melinda Merrill told the Empire Wednesday morning. She also noted that Store Director Jim Floyd, who told the Empire that the price drop was intentional on Tuesday, had no way to know that the price change was in fact a corporate error.

As it turns out, an employee in Fred Meyer’s corporate office sets gas prices using an algorithm. According to Merrill, the price was supposed to drop from $2.92 on Monday to $2.91 on Tuesday, but a typo on behalf of corporate staff changed a penny price drop to a dollar.

“That is obviously a very low price that we can’t maintain,” she said. “It was a dumb bad mistake, and it happened at a bad time given the time and all the conversation about fuel prices.”

Though Fred Meyer will restore its gas to the correct price, the low prices won’t be leaving as quickly as they came. Merrill said that the company will gradually raise its prices to avoid shocking customers. Today the price of gas will be raised to $2.11 per gallon.

At this point, Fred Meyer doesn’t have a set timeline for raising its fuel prices back to normal, Merrill said.

More in News

President Joe Biden speaks during a reception in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, March 29, 2023, celebrating Greek Independence Day. (AP Photo / Susan Walsh)
Biden won’t veto Republican-led bill ending COVID emergency

Republicans celebrated the turn of events Wednesday.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Police calls for Thursday, March 30, 2023

This report contains information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

Robert DeMaine, principal cellist of the L.A. Philharmonic, is scheduled to perform Dvorak’s Cello Concerto during a pair of concerts this weekend by the Juneau Symphony. (Courtesy Photo/ Daniel Lippitt)
Say cello to the guest artist: Symphony performance features L.A. Philharmonic’s principal cellist

Concert will include Dvořák’s Cello Concerto among other selections.

Moby the Mobile Greenhouse is a traveling greenhouse project of the Sustainable Southeast Partnership. Since 2016, Moby has helped jumpstart communities of growers in communities from Kake and Hoonah, to Pelican–where Moby is currently being utilized. (Courtesy Photo / Lione Clare)
Resilient Peoples & Place: Traditional food fair and farmers summit represent breadth of Southeast Alaska’s food system

Southeast is energized for a new season of cultivating and harvesting a bounty of fresh local food.

Alaska State Troopers logo.
State Trooper convicted of attempted sexual abuse of a minor

KENAI — Vance Peronto, formerly an Alaska State Trooper based in Soldotna,… Continue reading

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Police calls for Wednesday, March 29, 2023

This report contains information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

An otter sleeps on the ice near an open channel (Courtesy Photo / Jos Bakker)
On the Trails: Spring comes slowly

As I await more and bigger signs of spring, there have been good things to see along the trails.

State Sen. Bert Stedman, center, co-chair of the Senate Finance Committee, presides over a committee hearing Thursday. The committee on Monday approved an $8.4 million fast-track supplemental budget to address staff shortages in processing food stamps, public defenders and legal advocates for vulnerable residents. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
Bill with funds to address food stamps backlog goes to governor

Legislature gives near-unanimous approval to hiring extra staff to fix months-long backlog

Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire
From left to right, Carlee Simon, Frank Hauser and Thom Peck pose for a photo on Tuesday at Thunder Mountain High School after the Juneau School Board hosted a public forum in which Simon, Hauser and Peck were given an opportunity to answer questions as the three finalists being considered for the Juneau School District superintendent position.
Superintendent finalists field questions

Forum held ahead of Wednesday’s special school board meeting.

Most Read