If you're like me you avoid brick and mortar stores simply because crowds make your feet itch and the same items are almost always available for less online. Still, for those that actually enjoy shopping, but don't want to get ripped off, [Frucall][2] has introduced a handy new [SMS price comparison service][1].

The Frucall SMS service compliments and already quite handy 800 number that offers similar features, but uses your precious minutes. Now you can get the same info by texting in a product's UPC or ISBN number.

For the time being the messages must be prefixed "FRU" and sent to a short number 32075, but Frucall says they will be offering a dedicated number and dropping the prefix once the service moves out of beta.

In addition to sending back online prices Frucall can bookmark items, save your inquire history and quite a bit more though you'll have to register for a free account to do so.

The service worked without a hitch in my testing and even looked up a long out of print book. 

Similar services are available via Google's SMS setup which returns results from the recently renamed [Google Product Search][4].

Which ever service you prefer SMS delivery of online pricing is going to come in handy the next time a salesperson assure you there's no better prices to be found... oh, really, let me just check that...

[via [The Consumerist][3]]

[1]: http://www.frucall.com/jsp/frucall-text.jsp "Frucall"
[2]: http://www.frucall.com "Frucall"
[3]: http://www.google.com/intl/en_us/mobile/sms/ "Google SMS"
[4]: http://blog.wired.com/monkeybites/2007/04/the_google_serv.html "The Google Service Formerly Known As Froogle"