We have picked up a buzz about something called the Community Council for Somerset, which is offering a community oil buying scheme. For a subscription of £20 per year, you get access to great prices for oil.
According to their website, the price for domestic heating oil at the end of May 2012 was 56p per litre, a claimed saving of 5.5pence per litre.
However, a quick survey of Boiler Juice and Ford reveals virtually identical prices for immediate delivery, so there isn’t much of a saving – and you have to pay £20 for the privilege.
We advise readers to be very careful, and always check with local suppliers before signing up to these collective purchasing schemes.