Adams v. GJ Creel and Sons, Inc.

I respectfully dissent believing that this matter should have been submitted to a jury. The basis for this dispute is plaintiff’s contention that Creel used illegal gasoline pricing policies to try to drive Adams out of business.

From 1967-1980, when Adams was a Gulf franchisee, Gulf did not operate its own stations in Horry County. As a franchisee, Adams was sold gasoline by Gulf at the “dealer tankwagon” price, which was more favorable than the price Gulf charged the non-franchisee stations it supplied. In 1980, Creel bought the Adams station property and supply contract from Gulf. Although…