Text to save money at the shops

A new service has been launched allowing Britons to use their mobile to find the best value deals for electrical goods.

From today shoppers will be able to compare an item's price in a shop with the three cheapest deals available online - simply by sending a text message.

Britons can head to the high street, check out the latest gadgets and gizmos in person, then instantly compare their prices against the cheapest online retailers.

With the new system shoppers send a text message with the make and model of the product they are interested in to 60207, the service then replies with the three cheapest places (and prices) the product can be found online within 30 seconds.

This lets shoppers either use this information to bargain with the high-street retailer or to buy the product from one of the online retailers.

For example, the list price of a 42-inch HD-ready plasma Panasonic television is £1995.99.

However, a text to the new 60207 service reveals that it is available from £1,549.99 from two online retailers and £1,673.99 from another.

Research from 60207 predicts that shoppers will be able to save between 18 and 20 per cent using the new service.

"As Christmas approaches the high streets will be packed with stressed bargain hunters looking for a good deal on anything from a new HD TV for the living room to a fridge freezer for the kitchen," said Nick Mearing-Smith, managing director of 60207.

"Many will be left disappointed when they discover the bargain they got on the high street doesn’t look so great when they return home and check online.

"Whether shoppers are searching for good deals on the high street or simply don’t have access to the net, 60207 will give them the power to make informed decisions without them wondering if they are getting a good deal."

Texts cost 50p, for more go to www.60207.com