From yesterday's NYT:

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 — when prices peaked — locking in rates for delivering home heating oil through the winter. They will most likely end up paying more than their neighbors to heat their homes and apartments this winter.

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 — about what she paid to fill up her 250-gallon tank one time last winter.

“They said it might go up to $6, so I locked in a fixed price,” Mrs. Daley said. “I’ve been with this company 30, 35 years. You would think you would get some consideration. I’m not asking for the world.”