With gas prices at and all-time high at $4 a gallon many consumers say they are changing their patterns, and local businesses say the cost is hitting them hard.

Residents and businesses alike are changing their habits to deal with rising fuel prices.

  Prime manager Mourisse Issa said that customers are rarely asking him to fill their tank because the minimum cost is now ranging from $45-$50.

“I feel bad, with gas at almost $4, you lose volume and every customer complains,” said Issa. “We’re not making money now, the oil company is.”

“Our sales have been up,” said Cumberland Farms manager Sandy Whitfield.

With gas costs rising 60 cents in the last two months, Issa predicts the cost of gas will go up to $4.50 for the summer’s high.

However, there are some residents who say that it doesn’t change their patterns.

“You still have to get places,” said Cheril Williams.

Stuart Sheldo said he may change some of his travel patterns.

“But you have to do the same thing everyday, especially for business,” he said.

He said he is going to try to cut back on long trips and do more errands in one trip.

Many people agreed that they were going to consolidate their errands and not go back out for something if it’s not important.

“I think I’m more cautious and I plan better,” said Judy Knight. “I never let my tank get below half because it’s too depressing.”

“I usually fill the tank,” said Ken Jones.  “I don’t want to waste gas coming to get gas; and I only drive if I have to.”

Many consumers said they don’t let their tank go below half.

“My husband has a Dodge Ram truck and it cost $60 for half a tank,” said Ellen Wallace. “We bought a small mobile home, a few years ago, to visit relatives in Virginia, but we’re not going this year.”

“It’s affecting everyone,” she said.

It’s not just East Bridgewater residents who are feeling the pinch. Fuel costs are affecting local businesses as well.

“All my deliveries from lumber companies are now charging and they never used to. The cost is being passed on to the consumer,” said Peter Oakley, owner of Oakley Construction. “Something has got to be done.”

“It’s crippling us,” said Extreme Limousine owner Barry Walter. “We had to put fuel surcharges on everything. There’s the hourly rate and then the surcharge.” He said that his business has gone down and that fuel costs have gone up about 50 percent in a year.