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Consumer Issues & Services Resources
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Issues concerning the seeking to protect and inform the users of goods and services.
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- About.Com: Online Shopping
- http://onlineshopping.about.com/
- An Internet consumer guide to online shopping, with feature articles, Website guides, and discussion forums. Topics covered include Online Shopping 101, customer support & assistance, and product guides.
- Author: Frank Fiore (onlineshopping.guide@about.com)
- Subjects:
- Business & Economics--Consumer Issues & Services
- Business & Economics--E-Commerce
- Apartment Renter's Resource
- http://backtalk.net/arr/
- Resources for tenants, including tips for finding an apartment, housing discrimination, and a discussion forum.
- Author: BackTalk Network (Webmaster@BackTalk.Net)
- Subjects:
- Business & Economics--Consumer Issues & Services
- Social Sciences--Social Issues and Social Welfare--Housing & Poverty
- Keywords: tenants; renters; apartments; landlords; housing
- Auto.Com
- http://www.auto.com/
- "Auto.com provides daily coverage of the auto industry, auto news geared for consumers, auto reviews by some of the nation's top auto writers, and motor sports coverage. The reviews section, particularly, is useful to consumers as they're researching new car purchases. The site also provides in-depth coverage of international auto shows, in Detroit, Tokyo, Frankfort and elsewhere."
- Author: Detroit Free Press (yakscorner@det-freepress.com)
- Subjects:
- Business & Economics--Consumer Issues & Services
- Entertainment & Leisure--Sports--Auto Racing & Road Sports
- Science & Technology--Transportation--Road--Vehicles
- Keywords: News
- Automobile Leasing: The Art of the Deal
- http://www.mindspring.com/~ahearn/lease/lease.html
- How automobile leasing works and how to get the best deal, from a consumer's perspective, written by an experienced consumer.
- Author: Al Hearn (ahearn@mindspring.com)
- Subjects:
- Business & Economics--Consumer Issues & Services
- Business & Economics--Finance--Personal Finance
- Science & Technology--Transportation--Road
- Keywords: Car; Leasing
- Better Business Bureau
- http://www.bbb.org/
- Web server for the better business bureau. "The Council of Better Business Bureaus is committed to promoting and fostering the highest ethical relationship between businesses and the public through voluntary self-regulation, consumer andbusiness education, and service excellence." You can read BBB alerts, file a complaint online, get in touch with your local BBB, and access many online consumer publications through the BBB Library.
- Author: Better Business Bureau (bbb@bbb.org)
- Subjects:
- Business & Economics--Consumer Issues & Services
- Keywords: Business Practices
- brandwise
- http://www.brandwise.com/
- "brandwise, LLC, is a comparison shopping Web site that offers a complete end-to-end purchasing experience, presenting solutions based on individual needs, backed by unbiased product testing and the guidance of the Good Housekeeping Institute." Currently, product information is available for major home appliances only. Includes a library with a glossary and guides to selecting products, a consumer information magazine, and experts available to answer your questions.
- Author: brandwise, LLC
- Subjects:
- Business & Economics--Consumer Issues & Services
- Entertainment & Leisure--Home & Garden
- Keywords: Appliances
- Car and Driver Buying Guide
- http://www.caranddriver.com/
- "Comprehensive site with most makes and models available for review." Browse by make, verhicle type, or price range. Listings include an evaluative description and a chart providing specifications.
- Author: Hachette Filipacchi Magazines
- Subjects:
- Business & Economics--Consumer Issues & Services
- Science & Technology--Transportation--Road--Vehicles
- Center for Law, Commerce & Technology (LCT)
- http://www.law.washington.edu/lct/
- "The Center for Law, Commerce and Technology is a leading center for collaborative research, teaching and scholarship related to the Internet and legal aspects of technology. One of our main focuses is on consumer protection and education...As part of our project "The Internet and the Global Citizen", we feature a new site each week." Info on current litigation and news related to technology included.
- Author: University of Washington School of Law (lct@u.washington.edu)
- Subjects:
- Business & Economics--Consumer Issues & Services
- Computers & Internet--Internet
- Law, Government & Political Science--Law
- Keywords: E-commerce; Privacy
- Consumer Information Center (CIC)
- http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/
- Includes information about cars, health, and much more. They provide the full text of many of their pamphlets on these and other topics. One of the best consumer resources available at this time. Searchable.
- Author: General Services Administration (catalog.pueblo@gsa.gov)
- Subjects:
- Business & Economics--Consumer Issues & Services
- Consumer Protection
- http://www.ftc.gov/ftc/consumer.htm
- "Consumer Protection is the online service of the Office of Consumer and Business Education of the Bureau of Consumer Protection. It offers the full text of consumer publications on a wide range of categories." Publications cover consumer issues such as homes and real estate, credit, investment, automobiles, health and fitness, and several other topics. They are especially good in the area of how to avoid scams (not just telemarketing, but loans, jobs, 900 numbers, etc.). The publications are also available in Spanish.
- Author: U. S. Federal Trade Commission
- Subjects:
- Business & Economics--Consumer Issues & Services
- Keywords: Tips; Scams
- Consumer World
- http://www.consumerworld.org/
- "Consumer World has gathered over 1100 of the most useful consumer resources on the Internet. Whether you want to check an airfare, find an ATM machine anywhere in the world, file a consumer complaint with a state agency, read 100s of consumer booklets, find a low rate credit card or mortgage, research a law, look up the wholesale price of a car, locate a Better Business Bureau, find a toll-free number, listen (literally) to the latest news, contact a company's customer service department, comparison shop for bargains and last minute travel, check stock quotes or CD rates, read a movie review or see a preview, clip electronic coupons, or search the Internet, you can do it in Consumer World." Searchable.
- Author: Edgar Dworsky (comments@consumerworld.org)
- Subjects:
- Business & Economics--Consumer Issues & Services
- ConsumerSearch.com
- http://www.consumersearch.com/
- Compiles consumer reviews from a variety of sources, then goes one better by summarizing the reviews and 'reviewing the reviewers'. Areas covered include: electronics, house & home, automotive, computers, kitchen, family, sports & leisure, personal finance, photo & video, office, health & fitness, lawn & garden.
- Author: Derek Drew and Carl Hamann (info@consumersearch.com)
- Subjects:
- Business & Economics--Consumer Issues & Services
- Cybercop Precinct House
- http://www.ucan.org/
- A consumer information center for the Internet community which keeps track of scams and rip-offs perpetrated on the net, and tracks Internet-related consumer legislation.
- Author: Utility Consumers' Action Network (ucaninfo@ucan.org)
- Subjects:
- Business & Economics--Consumer Issues & Services
- Keywords: Resources
- DealTime
- http://www.dealtime.com/main/1,3241,,00.html?bNewUser=0
- Search engine for comparing the prices of books, music, movies, software, video games, and much more at several dozen online shopping sites.
- Author: DealTime.com Ltd. (webmaster@dealtime.com)
- Subjects:
- Business & Economics--Consumer Issues & Services
- Edmunds Automobile Buyer's Guides
- http://www.edmunds.com/
- Information about buying new and used cars, along with dealer prices and lists of specs for about 600 different models of cars. The used vehicle prices has entries for all makes and models from 1987 to the present.
- Author: Edmunds Publication Corporation (editor@edmunds.com)
- Subjects:
- Business & Economics--Consumer Issues & Services
- Science & Technology--Transportation--Road--Vehicles
- Keywords: Prices; New; Used; Cars; Trucks; Blue Book
- Epinions
- http://www.epinions.com/
- Reviews of products and services, including financial services, written by actual consumers. "Epinions brings the power of word of mouth from the offline world to the online world. We help shoppers make the right decisions using a platform that delivers real advice, ratings, and reviews from consumers who have actually used the products and services... Epinions.com offers over one million reviews and comments and covers over 200,000 products and services to help you make better buying decisions."
- Author: Epinions, Inc.
- Subjects:
- Business & Economics--Consumer Issues & Services
- Keywords: Product recommendations; Reviews
- etown.com: The Consumer Electronics Source
- http://www.etown.com/
- This award-winning site (including the Better Business Bureau and Good Housekeeping) features "expert advice, comparison shopping, and online purchasing" for consumer electronics, such as home theater systems, television, camcorders, home audio systems, protable tchnology, and telecom services.
- Author: Collaborative Media, Inc. (jason@etown.com)
- Subjects:
- Business & Economics--Consumer Issues & Services
- Entertainment & Leisure--Music--Audio Equipment & Technology
- Science & Technology--Electronics
- Fannie Mae
- http://www.fanniemae.com/
- The Federal National Mortgage Association site has a section for professional mortgage lenders and several sections for home buyers, including the home buyer section, with lists of properties for sale and other information and the Home Path section, with articles about home buying and financing, including interactive mortgage calculators. A link is provided to the Fannie Mae Foundation, which offers home buyer information in seven languages, provides special information for immigrants and has an English as a second language curriculum available.
- Author: Fannie Mae (webteam@fanniemae.com)
- Subjects:
- Business & Economics--Consumer Issues & Services
- Business & Economics--Finance--Personal Finance
- Business & Economics--Real Estate
- Keywords: Mortgages; Housing
- Find-It! Consumer
- http://finditconsumer.wa.gov/
- A searchable archive of documents related to consumer issues, maintained by the State Library of Washington. Use a keyword search for information on a particular product or topic, or browse a list of commonly searched topics.
- Author:
- Subjects:
- Business & Economics--Consumer Issues & Services
- Health & Medical Sciences--Consumer Information
- Food for Our Future
- http://www.foodfuture.org.uk/
- "The Food and Drink Federation foodfuture programme aims to improve public understanding of genetic modification. The programme has initiated wider discussion of the technology the perceived benefits and disadvantages as well as the ethical and moral concerns. " The website gives background information on GM foods and a balanced analysis of its pros and cons. Also includes consumer information.
- Author: Food and Drink Federation (foodfuture@fdf.org.uk)
- Subjects:
- Business & Economics--Consumer Issues & Services
- Entertainment & Leisure--Food
- Science & Technology--Environmental Sciences & Ecology
- Keywords: Genetically Modified Food; GMF; Crops; Agriculture
- Gomez
- http://www.gomez.com/
- Rates online merchants, auction sites, brokers and travel agents and provides information on online commerce. "The mission of Gomez Advisors is to be the single best source of insight for consumers when selecting e-commerce services."
- Author: Gomez Advisors, Inc. (contact@gomez.com)
- Subjects:
- Business & Economics--Consumer Issues & Services
- Computers & Internet--Internet--World Wide Web
- Keywords: book; bookseller; air travel; airline; airplane; vacation; personal finance; investing; investment
- Home Energy Saver
- http://homeenergysaver.lbl.gov/
- "The Home Energy Saver is designed to help consumers identify the best ways to save energy in their homes, and find the resources to make the savings happen. The Home Energy Saver was the first Internet-based tool for calculating energy use in residential buildings... By changing one or more features of the modeled home, users can estimate how much energy and money can be saved and how much pollution prevented by implementing energy-efficiency improvements. All end uses (heating, cooling, major appliances, lighting, and miscellaneous uses) are included." Includes a glossary and links to other sources of information about products, construction standards, and home building.
- Author: Environmental Energy Technologies Division
- Subjects:
- Business & Economics--Consumer Issues & Services
- Business & Economics--Real Estate
- Science & Technology--Energy
- Keywords: energy efficiency; construction; utility; utilities
- Homefair.Com
- http://www.homefair.com/
- Real estate site with articles on buying and financing a home, along with interactive calculators - a salary calculator for comparing the cost of living in different locales, calculators for moving costs and qualifying for a mortgage and a quizzer to help you understand some of the issues in buying your home and auto insurance.
- Author: The Homebuyer's Fair, LLC
- Subjects:
- Business & Economics--Consumer Issues & Services
- Business & Economics--Finance--Personal Finance
- Business & Economics--Real Estate
- Keywords: Housing; Mortgages; Insurance
- Insurance Information Institute
- http://www.iii.org/individuals/
- Information about insurance issues surrounding your home, business, auto, and more.
- Author: Insurance Information Institute (carys@iii.org)
- Subjects:
- Business & Economics--Consumer Issues & Services
- Business & Economics--Insurance
- Kelley Blue Book
- http://www.kbb.com/
- New and used car pricing information. Browse through a hierarchical list to find the make and model in which you are interested.
- Author: Kelley Blue Book (kelley@kbb.com)
- Subjects:
- Business & Economics--Consumer Issues & Services
- Science & Technology--Transportation--Road--Vehicles
- Keywords: New; Used; Prices; Cars
- The Lemon Car Page
- http://www.defect.com/
- "This page offers general information regarding lemon car cases." Links are provided to most states "Lemon Laws" and lawyers where appropriate.
- Author: T. Michael Flinn (tmf@defect.com)
- Subjects:
- Business & Economics--Consumer Issues & Services
- Science & Technology--Transportation--Road
- Keywords: Consumers; Car
- MacBuy.com: The Macworld Buyer's Guide
- http://www.macbuy.com/
- MacBuy.com provides useful product reviews, rating and pricing information on the Macintosh platforms. The site includes a search function for assisting in finding product information/reviews. This site makes extensive use of drop-down menus.
- Author: MacPublishing, L.L.C.
- Subjects:
- Business & Economics--Consumer Issues & Services
- Computers & Internet--Computer Hardware
- Computers & Internet--Platforms--Macintosh
- Keywords: software
- Maven: Business Week's Computer Buying Guide
- http://www.maven.businessweek.com/index.html
- Maven provides useful product reviews, rating and pricing information and advice on both Mac and PC platforms. The "news" section "takes you to the Business Week Online Computer Room, a browsable archive containing most of the computer coverage from Business Week magazine for the past several months." The site includes a search function for assisting in finding product information/reviews. This site is frame-based.
- Author: Business Week Magazine and National Software Testing Laboratories (maven@nstl.com)
- Subjects:
- Business & Economics--Consumer Issues & Services
- Computers & Internet--Computer Hardware
- Computers & Internet--Computer Software
- Keywords: PC; Macintosh
- Money: Best Places to Live
- http://money.cnn.com/best/bplive/
- This site profiles America's 300 largest metro areas. Money's Best Places search engine allows one to search a database in order to find the best places to live, work or play. Search by city name or by a combination of nine factors, including: weather, economy, housing, health, education, crime, transportation, leisure, arts and culture.
- Author:
- Subjects:
- Business & Economics--Consumer Issues & Services
- Business & Economics--Finance
- Reference--Census Data & Demographics
- Keywords: Weather; Arts; Leisure; Homes; Cost of Living
- The Mortgage Calculator
- http://www.interest.com/hugh/calc/
- Interactive calculation and display of a payment schedule for a mortgage. Links to a number of other financial calculations produced by the same author, including savings accounts, retirement planning, FHA vs. conventional mortgages, and others.
- Author: Hugh Chou (hugh@ibc.wustl.edu)
- Subjects:
- Business & Economics--Consumer Issues & Services
- Business & Economics--Finance--Personal Finance
- Business & Economics--Real Estate
- nadaguides.com (N.A.D.A. Used Car Guide)
- http://www.nadaguides.com/
- Find the estimated value of a used car using the following information: Make, Series, Body Style, and available Options. The information can be selected from pull-down menus. Also has guides for marine craft, aircraft, power sports vehicles (motorcycles, snowmobiles, etc.) and recreational vehicles.
- Author: N.A.D.A. (info@nadaguides.com)
- Subjects:
- Business & Economics--Consumer Issues & Services
- Science & Technology--Transportation
- Science & Technology--Transportation--Road--Vehicles
- Keywords: cars; dealers
- Ohio Consumers' Counsel Consumer Assistance Handbook
- http://www.state.oh.us/cons/handbook/
- "While the OCC Consumer Assistance Handbook is most specifically geared toward Ohio consumers, it contains information useful to people across the U.S. Topics include avoiding telephone scams such as slamming and cramming, reducing unwanted calls from telemarketers, deciphering utility bills, choosing long-distance providers and gas suppliers, reading gas/electric/water meters, home energy efficiency and more."
- Author: Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC)
- Subjects:
- Business & Economics--Consumer Issues & Services
- Law, Government & Political Science--Government--US State & Regional
- Keywords: Ohio; utilities; electric
- Outlet Bound
- http://www.outletbound.com/
- This site enables the user to search for outlet stores by location, store name and brand of merchandise. It also provides information on outlet malls and on Outlet Bound's publications. "We are dedicated to providing the most comprehensive listing of all outlets throughout the United States and Canada."
- Author: Outlet Marketing Group Inc. (randy@outletbound.com)
- Subjects:
- Business & Economics--Consumer Issues & Services
- Keywords: Bargain; Save; Money
- PassengerRights.com
- http://www.passengerrights.com/
- "PassengerRights has been designed to help protect and assist the consumer. We've done all the necessary research for every type of complaint travelers may have and have compiled hundreds of e-mail addresses so that your complaint will be forwarded to the appropriate parties within seconds." The site has a clear listing of consumer rights, advice on how to protect them, and also has guidelines for writing a complaint that will get results.
- Author: Global Travel International (contactus@passengerrights.com)
- Subjects:
- Business & Economics--Consumer Issues & Services
- Entertainment & Leisure--Travel & Tourism
- Keywords: travel; passenger rights; complaints
- PlanetFeedback.com
- http://www.planetfeedback.com/
- "If you've ever wanted to tell a company what was wrong or what was right with its service, but found it too confusing or time-consuming to do, PlanetFeedback can help." Use this site to compose and send feedback letters to companies in a variety of industries. There is also consumer news and information available, as well pointers to other places to look for consumer information.
- Author:
- Subjects:
- Business & Economics--Consumer Issues & Services
- The Privacy Rights Clearinghouse (PRC)
- http://www.privacyrights.org/
- PRC is a nonprofit consumer information, research, and advocacy program, based in San Diego, California. PRC provides a variety of services and products to consumers, including a hotline for reporting privacy abuses, consumer advocacy, and educational materials. Their web site contains a variety resources that provide practical tips on safeguarding personal privacy, including privacy fact sheets (in English and Spanish), identity theft resources, speeches and testimony given by PRC, and links to the privacy-related Web sites.
- Author:
- Subjects:
- Business & Economics--Consumer Issues & Services
- Law, Government & Political Science--Political Science--Politics--Political Advocacy Groups
- Keywords: Privacy; Privacy concerns; Telemarketing; Junk mail; Credit; Privacy laws
- Product ReviewNet
- http://www.productreviewnet.com/
- "Reviews of all sorts of products, including computers, software, electronic stuff, CDs, stereo systems, TVs, office equipment, games, books, sporting goods, cars, gardening supplies, restaurants, hotels...and much, much more." Searchable database has abstracts of review articles from online and print resources, with links to online full text where available.
- Author: Rain Corp (raincorp@SHORE.NET)
- Subjects:
- Business & Economics--Consumer Issues & Services
- Ram Research Group
- http://www.ramresearch.com/
- Ram Research Group surveys over 500 banks, credit unions and financial companies which provide consumer credit cards, accounting for over 97% of the U.S. market. Terms and rates are described. The site also includes consumer tips and news about the credit card industry.
- Author: Ram Research Group (webmaster@ramresearch.com)
- Subjects:
- Business & Economics--Banking
- Business & Economics--Consumer Issues & Services
- Business & Economics--Finance--Personal Finance
- Keywords: Credit cards; Interest
- Realtor.com
- http://www.realtor.com/
- "This unique full service real estate site is designed to make it easier for home shoppers to look for and buy a home. REALTOR.COM allows busy house-hunters to quickly and conveniently view a wide variety of homes that meet their personal requirements." The Find a Home service lists real estate for sale in the U.S. with listings provided by over 550 real estate multiple listing services. It is searchable or accessible by state via a clickable image map.
- Author: National Association of Realtors
- Subjects:
- Business & Economics--Consumer Issues & Services
- Business & Economics--Finance--Personal Finance
- Business & Economics--Real Estate
- Keywords: Housing
- ReliaQuote.com
- http://www.reliaquote.com/
- "Access to valuable information about insurance. Consumers can obtain free quotes from multiple companies which will enable them to make an educated decision about their insurance needs. Completely pro-consumer and not affiliated with any insurance company." The "Insurance 101" provides basic information about several types of insurance.
- Author: ReliaQuote, Inc. (info@reliaquote.com)
- Subjects:
- Business & Economics--Consumer Issues & Services
- Business & Economics--Insurance
- Safeshopping.org
- http://www.safeshopping.org/
- A detailed and thorough guide to shopping safely on the Internet. Has information for buyers and sellers and covers such issues as security, privacy, payment, sellers, prodcut, delivery, and complaints.
- Author: American Bar Association
- Subjects:
- Business & Economics--Consumer Issues & Services
- Computers & Internet--Internet--World Wide Web
- Keywords: e-commerce; cyber-shopping; shopping; online
- Strategis
- http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/engdoc/main.html
- A website about Canadian business put out by the Minister of Industry. The site has sections on company information, international business, consumer information, technology, business support, human resources, small businesses, and more. Versions of the site are available in English or French.
- Author: Industry Canada (hotline.service@ic.gc.ca)
- Subjects:
- Business & Economics--Business Administration & Management--Small Business & Entrepreneurship
- Business & Economics--Consumer Issues & Services
- Business & Economics--International Business
- This to That
- http://www.thistothat.com/
- "A simple, practical guide to finding the right adhesive. Select the two types of materials that you plan to glue together, and get impartial product recommendations with information on toxicity, time to adhere, cost, and more. Glue trivia, history, and humor complete the offering."
- Author: thistothat.com
- Subjects:
- Business & Economics--Consumer Issues & Services
- Entertainment & Leisure--Home & Garden
- Science & Technology--Chemical Sciences (Chemistry)
- Keywords: glue; adhesive; home repair; do-it-yourself
- U.S. Consumer Gateway
- http://www.consumer.gov/
- "A 'one-stop' link to a broad range of federal information resources available online. It is designed so that you can locate information by category -- such as Food, Health, Product Safety, Your Money, and Transportation. Each category has subcategories to direct you to areas within individual federal web sites containing related information. ScamAlert! provides current information on fraudulent and deceptive practices in the marketplace. This feature appears on each page, as necessary, and contains important law-enforcement information and tips to avoid scams. Of Special Interest showcases new education and consumer awareness campaigns and other items of significant interest."
- Author:
- Subjects:
- Business & Economics--Consumer Issues & Services
- Law, Government & Political Science--Government--US Federal Government--Executive--Agencies
- Yahoo! Autos
- http://autos.yahoo.com/
- "Everything you need to buy, sell, or research cars."
- Author: Yahoo! Inc.
- Subjects:
- Business & Economics--Consumer Issues & Services
- Science & Technology--Transportation--Road--Vehicles
- Yahoo! News Full Coverage: Consumer News and Recall Information
- http://dailynews.yahoo.com/fc/Business/Consumer_News_and_Recall_Information/
- Features current news stories related to consumer information and product recalls. Also links to news sources, opinions & editorials, magazine articles, video sources, and related Web sites.
- Author: Yahoo! News (full_coverage@yahoo-inc.com)
- Subjects:
- Business & Economics--Consumer Issues & Services
- Yahoo! Used Car Guide Provided by Edmund's
- http://autos.yahoo.com/edmunds/
- Used vehicle prices from Edmund's, all makes and models from 1987 to the present, arranged in a simple hierarchical format.
- Author:
- Subjects:
- Business & Economics--Consumer Issues & Services
- Science & Technology--Transportation--Road--Vehicles
- Keywords: Prices; Used; Cars; Trucks; Blue Book
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Last Updated Apr 25, 2002