Some Regret Locking In Price for Oil

After the rapid run-up in oil and gas prices over the past two years, many consumers have been happy to see them subside in recent weeks.

But then there are those who tried to outsmart the market by signing contracts this summer


Barbara Daley, who is 76 and lives on Long Island, signed up in September at $4.22 a gallon. Now, with prices around $3.10, she is looking for a little sympathy. Mrs. Daley said her heating oil company, which she did not want to antagonize by naming, told her it would cost $599 to terminate the contract