ORLANDO, Fla. — Drivers frustrated with the oil disaster are fighting back at the pump and it's starting to have an impact. Many drivers are boycotting BP.
VIDEO REPORT: BP Boycotts Hurting Central Fla.
Last week, BP gas stations in the Panhandle told WFTV business was down as much as 35 percent. WFTV found out Tuesday that dozens of BP stations in the Orlando area are in the same boat.
BP's owner in Atlanta told WFTV he understands people are upset with the company, but boycotting BP gas stations isn't really affecting the oil giant; it's hurting American business owners and their employees.
"I'm boycotting BP," one driver told WFTV.
Boycotting BP gas stations seems to be the "in" thing to do nowadays. Drivers are furious with the company and the way its officials are dealing with the devastating oil spill that continues to cover the Gulf of Mexico, ruining the environment and livelihoods alike.
The ban is payback.
"I hope they feel at least a little bit of hurt," another driver said.
The owner of one gas station told WFTV protesters have it all wrong.
"They're not hurting BP, they're hurting the business owners and the employees," franchise owner Russell Scaramella said.
In 2008, the England-based oil giant quit the retail gasoline business because margins were lousy. Today, the 11,500 gas stations that carry its logo in the U.S. are owned by independent franchises, such as Russell Scaramella of Florida Oil Holdings.
Scaramella has owned and operated all 28 BP/AMPM stations in the Orlando area since March. He's worried the bad publicity will eventually hurt his bottom line.
"Employees are calling worried about their jobs. Not going to a BP gas station isn't the answer," Scaramella said.
Station owners only make pennies on the dollar selling gas. Their profits come from customers spending money in the stores.
Scaramella couldn't tell WFTV exactly how much his stores have suffered since the boycott started, but added layoffs could be a possibility in the future if the bans continue.
Scaramella signed a 20-year deal with BP to carry its brand, so he can't just find another supplier.
Some say, if you want to protest, it's better to do so online. According to BP, they have PR agents monitoring what people are saying about them on the Internet.
WFTV
