If you're frustrated with the rising cost of gasoline don't blame the retailers.
With crude oil at around 120 bucks a barrel , gas station owners aren't happy, either.
"There's this perception out there that the retailers sometimes are the ones profiting in this environment and where in reality we're just as frustrated by the high price of gasoline as our customers."
Matt Hauser, President of the Wisconsin Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Store Association , says retailers are currently paying $3.00 a gallon for wholesale gasoline, but there are other fees tacked on to that price.
"There's 32.9 cents in state taxes and fees, another 18-and-a-half cents for the federal tax, a couple pennies for transportation, and you're quickly to $3.50, $3.55 a gallon. And if you're consumer's paying with a credit card that's another six or eight cents going to the credit card companies."
So, retailers make only about a penny and a half per each gallon of gas, according to the National Association of Convenient Stores. Meanwhile, after digging deep into their pockets for gas money, Hauser says consumers are cutting back on impulse items.
"Maybe they're cutting back on the cup of coffee, maybe they're not purchasing that lottery ticket, or buying those couple extra bottles of soda."
Hauser believes it will be a tough summer on smaller retailers.