Consumers and Shopping
See also: Green Living -- Cars & Driving -- Identity Theft
- Annual Credit Report.com
"AnnualCreditReport.com is the official site to help consumers to obtain their free credit report." By law, you may request one credit report from them for free each year. Related information at:
- FTC: Facts for Consumers: Credit Scoring
- FCIC: Your Credit Scores
- FICO Score Estimator
- PrivacyRights.org: Your Credit Score: How It All Adds Up
Note: FreeCreditReport.com Scam - 20+ Tools for Price Watching and Protecting
From CNet, a list of "tools aplenty to help you keep an eye on the price of something, and swoop in to get it when it goes on sale or the manufacturer offers a rebate." - The Best Time to Buy Guide
A guide to the most economical time to shop for and buy over 40 types of items, from clothes to cars. From the GoFrugal blog. - Better Business Bureau
Guidance for consumers and business, product reports, how to file complaints, and statistics. Information on everything from "work at home" schemes to complaint reports on businesses in your area. - Catalog Choice
"Catalog Choice is a free service that allows you to decide what gets in your [paper] mailbox. Use it to reduce your mailbox clutter, while helping save natural resources." - CE Customer Support Contact Numbers
"We will be working to maintain the ultimate list of customer support telephone numbers, links to websites websites, e-mail support, links to user manuals, and FAQs for as many CE [Consumer Electronics] manufacturers as possible." - ConsumerReports.org - Blogs
Blogs on cars, electronics, home and garden, safety, money, health, and babies. - ConsumerWorld
Bargains, consumer resources, price comparison, product reviews and more; a wealth of information for the savvy consumer. - Federal Citizen Information Center
A collection of documents about a variety of topics, including cars, children, food, health, housing, recalls, scams, travel, and more. - Feed the Pig
"Saving is easy in theory: just spend less than you earn and put what’s left into a separate account. What’s not so easy is keeping track of your daily spending habits." Calculators and helpful advice on tracking and controlling your spending and saving. - FirstGov for Consumers
More resources from the Federal Government. Subject areas include food, product safety, health, home & community, money, transportation, children, careers & education, technology, and more. - FTC: Consumer Information
From the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, a collection of documents in text and pdf format about a variety of consumer issues including advertising, e-commerce, identity theft, senior issues, and telemarketing among others. - GoodGuide: Ratings of Natural Products, Green Products, and Healthy Products
"GoodGuide provides the world's largest and most reliable source of information on the health, environmental, and social impacts of the products in your home." - HealthyStuff.org
"Test results for more than 5,000 products" showing which possibly hazardous chemicals are present in everyday items such as clothes and toys. - Holiday Shopping, Circa 2008: Tips from the Federal Trade Commission
"Whether you’re shopping at the mall, online, or by phone or mail ... a little planning and know-how can help you deliver a holiday season that’s on budget and maybe even a little less stressful." - How To: The Ultimate Consumerist Guide To Fighting Back
"We've posted recently about how to fight back when a business screws you over, and we've posted a lot of executive contact info over the years. Now we're packaging the two together into one big mega-post of usefulness..." - The 'Lectric Law Library: Consumer Rights & Protection
Consumer rights, scams to beware, and related information. - Looks Too Good To Be True
"This website was developed to arm you with information so you don’t fall victim to these Internet scam artists. Education, good judgment, and a healthy dose of skepticism are the best defenses against becoming a victim. Remember, if it looks too good to be true, it probably is!" - NCLC Guides for Consumers
Advice for consumers from the National Consumer Law Center. - New York State Consumer Protection Board
Information and resources for New York State consumers. - OnGuard Online.gov
"Provides practical tips ... to help you be on guard against Internet fraud, secure your computer, and protect your personal information. - Owner IQ
"Product user manuals, help, forums tips and tutorials." - Recalls.gov
"Follow the tabs to obtain the latest recall information, to report a dangerous product, or to learn important safety tips." - Teen Consumer Scrapbook
Consumer information and tips by high school students for high school students. Sponsored by the Washington State Attorney General's Office. - What It Costs
"Whether you want to know the price range of practical activities -- such as removing a tree stump from your yard, having your teeth whitened or joining a gym – or are interested in our more unusual articles – such as the cost of climbing the Seven Summits..." this site will tell you.