MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Gas is now selling for about $3.76 a gallon in the Twin Cities, and motorists aren’t the only ones complaining about big jumps in prices. Independent gas stations are also feeling the squeeze.

Ted Brausen owns a station in Arden Hills and is a former president of the Minnesota Service Station Association. He says it was easier when prices rose just pennies at a time.

“You know a lot of times we’re only working on (a margin of) 5 or 10 cents a gallon, so when the price goes up 10 cents we have to somewhat try to react fast,” he said. “Other than that, it would cost us a lot of money.”

Then there’s the 3 percent fee for every gallon paid for with a credit card. Brausen says at least 80 percent of his customers now pay with credit.

Prices aren’t expected to drop anytime soon since the switchover to summer grade fuel is coming.

Just a month ago prices in the Twin Cities were averaging $3.15 a gallon.