While most of us are not yet comfortable with the idea of a world where everything can be bought by computer, the Internet still holds value for the information it can provide about consumer choices.
Almost every major company has a site that, in one way or another, attempts to convince consumers that the featured product is the best value. Don't believe it. The Internet is full of independent resources for quality research.
Every major purchase deserves some product research.
www. consumerreports.org: For decades Consumer Reports magazine has been a primary source for queries about product quality. Now the magazine is online with many of the older features and some new ones.
The Internet version has the same articles and testing about everything from TVs to cars, but it adds consumer feedback. Learn from other readers what they like or dislike about the products that are a part of all of our lives.
Log on to this site before making any major purchase.
www.ftc.gov/ftc/consumer.htm: The Federal Trade Commission is one of those government agencies that is relatively unknown but an influential force in commerce.
Like most government agencies, the FTC has arms developed to work as a public service for U.S. citizens. This site is the government equivalent of Consumer Reports.
On the home page, the user will find a menu of subject items from investments to tobacco to identity theft. Many of the scams legitimately or illegally pulled on consumers are listed here. Weary consumers should make this their first stop.
Following a link entitled "saving money on transportation," the user learns that it is best to book a weekend stay as part of a vacation in order to ensure the best airfare. Shopping around for the best rate in rental cars may reveal dramatic differences in price, the site attests. What might seem obvious rules of thumb to some can be elusive to others. Take a look.
www.consumer.net: This is an interesting site that offers a few products designed to keep away telemarketers.
There is the "Don't annoy me" anti-telemarketing kit for $20, or the "Easy Hangup" that tells unwanted callers to get lost, for $17.50. Buyers can purchase a combo of both products for $32.50.
The irony is that the operators of Consumer.net are asking consumers to spend money in the process of eliminating telemarketers. Is this a self-defeating practice?
www.badbanks.com: Banks can be the easiest scapegoats for the financial woes of the world. Badbanks.com is a sounding board for unsatisfied customers. Simply log on and read other's opinions about local or national banks and type in your own complaints. A menu with bank names and hypertext links makes searches easy.
www.nacp.org: The National Association of Consumer Protection is a lobbying group that brings the concerns of its members to legislators and companies. As a member, complaints about product or service quality can be registered with the organization and passed on to somebody who can do something about it.
www.lemon.org: Nearly everyone deals with the hassle of purchasing, maintaining or driving a car. Before that next car purchase, make a stop at Lemon.org and find out whether the model that you are considering has any known problems.
As we know, a car can have a serious defect without being recalled. Manufacturers often save this measure for defects that are inexpensive for the company. Learn about the problems that some of the site's users.
There are also laws that protect consumers from shoddy products. This site may provide a remedy.
www.pueblo.gsa.gov/crh/respref.htm: The 2001 Consumer Action Handbook, a product of the Federal Consumer Information Center, is online. Links provide information from banking, to corporations to consumer organizations.
The text can be downloaded in easy-to-use file formats.
www.state.nv.us/ag/consumer/home.htm: As small as Nevada is, it doesn't lack for 'big government.' Case in point: The Nevada Bureau of Consumer Protection.
As a branch of the Nevada Attorney General's Office, the bureau provides information about where to take complaints, especially for concerns of fraud (the office has a fraud division).
Three distinct units are set up to protect Nevada consumers: the Antitrust Unit, the Telemarketing and Deceptive Trade Practices and Securities Fraud Unit and the Utilities Consumer Advocate Unit. Find out how to get in touch with the right people.
Ideas? Feedback? Please contact me at jimscripps@Tahoe.com
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