Aliso Messenger & Courier

May 10, 2004

Dear Valued Customer:

As you are no doubt aware, gasoline prices throughout the country and Northern California in particular have risen drastically over the past few weeks. We instituted our current 3% fuel surcharge at $1.70/gallon (many of our competitors implemented fuel surcharges when gas hit $1.50!), but we are faced with increasing concern among our driving force. We are therefore looking to implement a sliding-scale fuel surcharge based on the following fuel increases:

Current Fuel Surcharge: 3%
Gasoline Price @ $2.20/g: 5.5% (2.5% Increase)
Gasoline Price @ $2.40/g: 8% (2.5% Increase)
Gasoline Price @ $2.60/g: ... (we may be asking for your help at this point)

Difficult as this is for us to impose, we feel that the increase is both duly warranted and fairly set at the level we have requested. We ask that you bear with us during this difficult time as we try our best to cope with this situation which is beyond our control. With loyal customers such as you, we should be able to continue to provide the level of service that you expect from our company and retain the driving force that helps us maintain this high level of service.

Sincerely,

Keith Williams
President, Aliso Messenger & Courier

For up-to-date fuel price information, visit AAA's Daily Fuel Gauge Report.

To learn more about why California gas prices are so high, visit the Department of Energy's Primer on Gasoline Prices.