NearU Search helps consumers save at the pump

By Giselle Tsirulnik

September 9, 2008

Don't be a grump at the pump

With fluctuating gas prices on everyone's mind, NearU Search is helping consumers save money when filling up on fuel.

The SMS search company teamed up with GasBuddy to provide mobile alerts that respond to changes in local gas price. Users can access the service by texting Gaspass to the shortcode 63278.

"With oil at an all time high, the most useful information is where to find cheap local gas at any given moment," said Antony Radbod, marketing director at NearU Search, Pasadena, CA. "For a flat fee of $7.99 a month, subscribers can also take advantage of a sophisticated search to find the lowest prices in any area, even while traveling."

NearU Search is a local search and text alerts provider.

NearU Search text services are designed to provide lifestyle information on the go to users who want to spend more time living and less time searching. The service is available on mobile phones on all major U.S. carriers.

With the gas alerts service, consumers can select what days to get alerts on.

"With NearU Search's SMS technology and GasBuddy's gas price information consumers will be able to save money at the pump," Mr. RadBod said.

GasBuddy operates GasBuddy.com and 180 other local gas price information Web sites that collect retail gasoline and diesel prices for up to 130,000 gas stations across the United States each day.

GasBuddy.com is able to provide timely, comprehensive and accurate pump prices in the industry through its network of 700,000 volunteer fuel price spotters, direct station surveys and relationships with credit card companies.

The GasBuddy.com data is used by millions of consumers and businesses to save money on gasoline expenses every day. GasBuddy claims over 9 million unique hits a month.

GasBuddy and NearU are not the only companies trying to help people save on gas.

AAA has launched the latest version of its AAA Mobile wireless navigation program with a new feature that lets drivers get prices at several gas stations near their current location (see story).

NASCAR is also concerned with fluctuating fuel prices.

It has teamed up with the Alliance to Save Energy for a campaign, which will fuel-efficiency tips to consumers on their mobile phones (see story).

"Our overall strategy is to get consumers the information they want, when they want it and in the way they want to receive it," Mr. Radbod said. "Gas is affecting people a lot these days and we want to help address that challenge."

Comments on "NearU Search helps consumers save at the pump"

1. Jack Roberts says:

   September 9, 2008 at 8:51am

   There's no way people will pay 8 bucks a month when you can get that service for free with Microsoft Live or Say Hello.
   
   The few that do subscribe will drop it when prices fall.
   
   Give me a break!
   
   Jack