Frugal Shoppers Turn to Internet to Buy Gas
NATALIE ALLEN, CNN ANCHOR: Some people are turning to the Internet to save money at the gas pump. A couple of different online services can help you get lower prices. CNN's Jennifer Rogers (ph) says the cyber-savvy are filling up without the frustration of sticker shock.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's really a difficult time for us.</s>JENNIFER ROGERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): From New York City cab drivers...</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think it's ridiculous.</s>ROGERS: ... to California commuters, this summer's rising fuel prices touched a nerve and turned the cost-conscious onto the Internet for help.</s>CARL HAYNES, PRICELINE.COM CUSTOMER: Let me have 10 gallons.</s>ROGERS: Carl Haynes, a father of eight from New York, now buys his gas online at Priceline.com.</s>HAYNES: I'm saving 30 cents a gallon. I could bring it up and I could show you. Well, this week I didn't save that much. I only saved 20 cents a gallon. I'm broken-hearted about it, yes.</s>ROGERS: Known for name-your-own-price plane tickets and groceries, Priceline added gas this summer. So far, over 30 million gallons have been bought using the service. But it's not quite as easy as point, click and pump. First, you need to enter the grade of gasoline, number of gallons, and your zip code, then select at least three gas stations in your area, and finally name your price. Priceline claims your bid will be accepted or rejected within 60 seconds. The company says average savings are about 12 cents a gallon. But some financial planners question whether it's really worth it.</s>LEWIS ALTFEST, L.J. ALTFEST & CO.: Americans like the idea of something for nothing. And some people, spending the time is sort of a nothing. For others, it's the most precious commodity they have.</s>ROGERS: Another online alternative, Gaspricewatch.com, which counts on volunteers to send in the prices they pay at the local pump so you can comparison shop from your PC. That's "Your Money," Jennifer Rogers, CNN Financial News, New York.