Monday's St. Albans Messenger had the following article and prices on pre-buy plans in Monday's Edition. Maryann and I thought about it and although the price is high, we decided to pre-buy 1000 gallons from S. B. Collins at $4.59
Its going to be a tough winter, that's for sure. We use about 1000 gallons for the year which includes our heat and hot water:
Heating oil pre-buy plans up dramatically
ST. ALBANS — A check of pre-buy prices for home heating fuel in the St. AJbans area shows a startling increase in prices over last winter.
Under pre-buy programs, consumers lock in a price for home heating fuel purchases, generally for amounts of 500 gallons or more.
The approximate average pre-buy price last winter was $2.59 per gallon, about a dollar more per gallon than the previous winter.
A check with three local companies late last week showed that pre-buy prices are up at least $2 per gallon.
A survey of local prices shows that Ultramar offers a pre-buy rate of $4.89, Clarence Brown, $4.739. and S.B. Collins, $4.59.
At least one area company. Clarence Brown, is offering a budget program that offers some price protection. Consumers are encouraged to inquire about such possible plans when making arrangements for fuel oil purchases.