Want to Know the Cost of Gas, Insurance or Long Distance? Check These Impartial Sites

Last weekend my doorbell was rung on two consecutive nights by a chap from Just Energy. He was hoping to convince us to renew a five-year gas plan we had opted into in 2005, for another five years. This time, the cost per cubic metre was about 40% less than what we had been paying, instantly making me feel that I had been duped the first time around. Clutching his brand new iPad, (which displayed my most recent Enbridge bill), he tried to reassure me that he was in fact from Just Energy, and that Just Energy was in fact my supplier for the past five years. Truthfully I couldn't recall who my supplier was, because my monthly gas bill comes from Enbridge. He agreed to go away after I agreed he could return in a few days time, once I had looked at all the numbers.

You're probably thinking that I was about to become a victim of identity theft or some other fraud. But I read the fine print on the bill and saw Just Energy listed as my supplier, and received an email proving the guy on my doorstep was from the company. Between his first and second visits I went online to try to discover what current gas-per-cubic-metre costs are these days. EnergyShop.com was very helpful, and was able to make a reasoned decision as to which deal was best for my family's energy budget. Clicking around on the web I found several more sites that are handy for quick cost comparisons of consumer products and services.

Most of these sites rely on consumers to report latest price drops or increases. Here's a list of them, in case you are shopping around for insurance coverage, a cell phone plan or gasoline prices in your area. Drop us a line if you know of any impartial sites that do the same work and are reliable.

Compare gas prices for your car - Gasbuddy.com
All insurance types - Kanetix - free online insurance quotes
Cell phone plans and rates - Comparecellular.com
Energy prices - www.energyshop.com