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Consumer
Information
General: Better Business Bureau http://welcome.bbb.org News, business reports, a resource library, and links to local offices throughout the country. Consumer Information http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/consumer.shtm From the Federal Trade Commission, this site offers "practical information on a variety of consumer topics." Consumer Reports Online http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/index.htm Ratings and reports as well as safety alerts and recalls. "published by Consumers Union, an expert, independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to work for a fair, just, and safe marketplace for all consumers." ConsumerSearch http://www.consumersearch.com A directory of resources on a variety of consumer topics including software, electronics, house and home, and more. Consumerworld.org http://www.consumerworld.org A megasite with links to everything from airline deals to low-rate credit cards, price comparisons, consumer agencies, avoiding junk mail, bargain hunting, and news. Federal Citizen Information Center http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov Federal information about hundreds of products and services-such as finance, housing, travel, and vehicles-searchable by topic or keyword. NJ Division of Consumer Affairs http://www.nj.gov/oag/ca/home.htm Information about product recalls, provides complaint forms, and enables the user to search for licensees. USA.gov - Government Sales & Auctions http://www.usa.gov/shopping/shopping.shtml Information about upcoming U.S. and state government sales and auctions of surplus property: real estate, airplanes, boats, cars, jewelry, etc. U.S. Consumer Gateway http://www.consumer.gov The federal government's Gateway can be explored by topic. It includes child protection, money management, health care shopping, food and product safety data, home and community advice, technology purchasing and privacy tips, and a telephone directory of Federal services. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission http://www.cpsc.gov Useful reports about concerns such as power equipment, indoor air quality, and poison prevention; kids' pages promoting safety; product recalls; news; etc. Automotive: Car Prices http://www.carprices.com Prices and reliability for new and used models from 1985 to last year. Covered also are financing, insurance, recalls, rebates, and warranties. Carfax: Vehicle History Service http://www.carfax.com For a fee, from a database of over 550 million reports from motor vehicle agencies in the U.S. and Canada, learn if you're considering a "lemon" and find out about a vehicle's accident history and odometer reading. The Center for Auto Safety: Lemon Laws http://www.autosafety.org/lemonlaws.php What to do if you bought a "lemon," and how to resolve common problems for most models on the road. ChiltonLibrary http://www.npl.org/Pages/InternetResources/auto_er.html Repair, maintenance, and service information for the most popular cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs. Repair manuals, emissions information, diagrams, and step-by-step guidance are offered. Access from home with your Newark Public Library card. To use: Enter your library card number. Edmund's Automobile Buyer's Guide http://www.edmunds.com Reviews of new and used vehicles, road testing reports, safety data, quotes for parts and accessories, and links to incentives and rebates. Insure.com http://www.insure.com/articles/carinsurance Find insurance quotes and basics, like how to read a policy, what to do in case of an accident, and wise insurance shopping for people in their teens or twenties. Kelley Blue Book http://www.kbb.com Evaluations, title histories, pricing, financing, insurance, car care tips, and links for online buying or selling of a new or used vehicle. Safercar.gov http://www.safercar.gov From the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Information about recalls, crash test and rollover ratings, tire ratings, and air bag safety. Family and personal: American Immigration Resources on the Internet http://www.immigration-usa.com/resource.html A multilingual site for locating laws, lawyers, and organizations; plus self-help guidance and additional links. Auction Guide http://www.auctionguide.com Search for your desired category (antiques, computers, etc.) and find upcoming auctions. The Coupon Mom http://www.couponmom.com Compiles discount offers and coupons from retailers and other coupon websites. Dollar Stretcher http://www.stretcher.com/index.cfm Appliances, beauty products, cleaning solutions, coupons, funerals, home decorating and repair, one-income families: the list of subjects continues, and the advice assists in economizing. Dr. Toy http://www.drtoy.com/main/index.html Best current products and toy buying advice specific to purchases for children of various ages. Also examines crafts, food, music, videos, software, and travel items. Free Site http://www.thefreesite.com Discounted and free goods and services. For those wishing extra privacy, notice the Anonymous Freebies page. Internet Airfares http://www.air-fare.com/promos.htm Deals, discounts, and promotions for travelers. PriceScan http://www.pricescan.com "Unbiased price and product information" for online shoppers of books, music, movies, video games, computers, electronics, office equipment, sporting equipment, and watches. TSA for Travelers http://www.tsa.gov/travelers From the Transportation Security Administration, the site offers information about air travel, cruise line travel, and mass transit resources. Finance: Bank Rates http://www.bankrate.com/brm/default.asp Survey interest rates and fees for ATM's, certificates of deposit, credit cards, loans, and savings accounts. In English or in Spanish. Inflation Conversion Factors for Dollars 1665 to Estimated 2016 http://oregonstate.edu/cla/polisci/faculty/sahr/sahr.htm The Consumer Price Index along with government spending and debt, Congressional salaries, and minimum wages. National Foundation for Consumer Credit http://www.nfcc.org Budget calculators, bankruptcy information, online counseling, and helpful links promoting financial literacy and health. Homes and mortgages: Buying a Home http://www.hud.gov/buying From the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Information about home buying: finding out how much you can afford, knowing your rights, shopping for a loan, getting a home inspection, and more. HSH Associates http://www.hsh.com From the consumer loan publisher, a geographically arranged guide to finding rates and providers; with additional tutorials about such subjects as adjustable rate mortgages. Mortgage Market Information Services http://interest.com Advice for first-time buyers, comparison shopping for rates and services, information about community demographics, home sales reports, and features like "mortgages for the credit-impaired." Mortgage-net http://www.mortgage-net.com State-by-state lender listings, interest rate trends, a mortgage calculator, and a mortgage reference desk with explanations, real estate terminology, programs, and miscellaneous articles of value to home buyers. NJ Housing Resource Center http://www.njhousing.gov An online tool which lets users locate affordable housing (rentals, for sale, or homes with accessibility features). Zillow.com http://www.zillow.com Free valuations and data for 67,000,000+ homes to help buyers and sellers assess the market. No personal information required. Identity Theft: Avoid ID Theft http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft From the Federal Trade Commission, learn more about identity theft and what to do if your information has been stolen. Identity Theft Resource Center http://www.idtheftcenter.org "A nonprofit, nationally respected organization dedicated exclusively to the understanding and prevention of identity theft." Consumer alerts, prevention tips, and other resources. Insurance and health: A.M. Best's Ratings Search http://www.ambest.com "Nearly 6,000 life/health, property/casualty, and international insurance companies'" rates and services are rated. See too the insurance guide of factors to consider when buying various sorts of insurance. Includes a glossary of terms. HealthGrades.com http://www.healthgrades.com Ratings for hospitals, physicians, health plans, and nursing homes; with special directories of chiropractors, fertility clinics, and imaging services. Richly enhanced with health education articles and news. InsuranceQuote.net http://insurancequote.net "Auto, home, life, health, disability income, annuities, business, commercial vehicles, long term care, boat quotes available from all states and all companies." Quicken Insurance Quote http://tinyurl.com/39tqod "Auto, home, life, health, disability income, annuities, business, commercial vehicles, long term care, boat quotes available from all states and all companies." Quickquote http://www.quickquote.com Annuity, dental, health, life, student, and travel policy costs from eighteen large companies. Legal and advocacy services: ABA LawInfo.org http://www.abalawinfo.org From the American Bar Association, this directory offers links to information on various legal topics. Consumer Rights & Protection http://www.lectlaw.com/tcos.html Hundreds of articles ranging from credit and loans to warranties, truth-in-leasing, discrimination, hiring an attorney, and more. Includes a legal dictionary. FindLaw Consumer Law Center http://public.findlaw.com A very thorough site that gives users "a general understanding of consumer legal issues and the legal process." Among the resources provided are a detailed consumer assistance handbook, lawyer and legal aid clinic directories, and surveys of legal topics relating to autos, banking, bankruptcy, credit, discrimination, estate planning, government benefits, health, investment, labor and employment, and more. FindLaw Lawyer Directory http://lawyers.findlaw.com Search for lawyers by location or by legal area. Other resources include: issue-specific guides, articles, FAQs, and a court directory. National Consumer Law Center http://www.nclc.org A fund of information about protecting your home, car, and credit; with additional material about utility services, lawyers, etc. National Consumers League http://www.nclnet.org Seeking to represent consumers and employees "on marketplace and workplace issues," this organization's site informs users about timely topics such as Internet fraud, generic drugs, and door-to-door sales. Nolo Press Self-Help Law Center http://www.nolo.com Employment, landlord-tenant relations, small business, credit, family, tax, personal injury, and other law topics comprise the consumer encyclopedia available at this site. Public Citizen http://www.citizen.org Founded by consumer rights pioneer Ralph Nader, this organization provides information about the safety of a wide array of products, services, and programs, just a few of which are food and drugs, motor vehicles, and medical devices. News, rallies, and petitions round out the site. Last updated 1/15/08 |
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http://www.npl.org/Pages/InternetResources/SubjectGuides/consumer.html ©2008 The Newark Public Library |
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