News 12 at 11, September 14, 2008

AUGUSTA, Ga. --- The fuel-frenzy leaving many gas stations and drivers like Arn Bjorn high and dry.

"I don't think there's a viable excuse for running out of gas other than people buying a whole bunch," Arn Bjorn said.

Some people are almost running out of gas just trying to find some. We saw several cars pull in to a gas station that's all sold out, then circle around and leave for the next fuel stop.

"I look at them all day and call it "ring around the rosey". They've been playing ring around the rosey all day, trying to find...I've had customers come in and say this is the fourth store, please tell me you have some gas, and I'm like, "I don't," Shawona Freeman said.

Shawona Freeman works at the BP on Washington Road in Martinez, and she says the panic at the pump hasn't been pretty.

"What did ya'll do to the prices? Why you all jack them up like that?" Freeman said.

Shawona says she understands the aggravation.

"To see the prices just jump like that out of the whack. $1.50, or whatever. That makes someone want to pull their hair out, but you got to stay strong," Freeman said.

But customers like Bjorn aren't buying it.

"It's insane. The price jumped within a day," Bjorn said.

And just how long it will take for the gas to come and the prices to drop, is anybody's guess.

We want to remind you that South Carolina and Georgia both put their price gouging laws into effect Friday. In South Carolina, the Attorney General wants you to report suspected price gouging to police. In Georgia, Governor Sonny Purdue wants reports directed to his office for consumer affairs. That number is 1-800- 869-1123.