Consumer Information

QUICK LINKS: Cars, Credit and Financial, General Consumer, Product Reviews, Web Buying


Cars

AutoTrader.com
Used car buying and selling, searchable by make, price and location.

Car Buying Services - About.com
Links selected to help you find your way to the right purchase.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Information on the safety of vehicles and equipment.

Edmunds Auto Review
Provides prices, including used prices back to 1990 models, results of road tests, car and truck reviews.

Fuel Economy
Dept. of Energy allows you to compare gas mileage.

Intellichoice
Detailed dealer pricing, complete ownership costs, and advice on insurance, depreciation, leasing, purchasing, financing and safety.

Kelley Blue Book
New cars and used (back to 1980) car values.

Lemon-Aid
A Canadian web site with basic information to help you make a good car buying decision and to help you protect your rights.

MSN Carpoint
Everything you need for researching a new car purchase

NADA
Prices for used cars, trucks, boats, recreational vehicles, motorcycles, ATVs, snowmobiles, motor homes, trailers, campers, and personal watercraft.


Credit and Financial

AnnualCreditReport
Obtain free credit report once every 12 months

Debt Collection Practices: When Hardball Tactics Go Too Far
Tips for dealing with creditors from the Privacy Clearinghouse

Bankrate Rates
For mortgages, loans, savings, credit cards, and more

General Consumer Information

Better Business Bureau

Consumer Union
Publishers of Consumer Reports

Consumer.gov
Federal government gateway to consumer info

Federal Consumer Information Center

Find-It Consumer
Consumer pamphlets and the place to check out a contractor, business or charity in Washington

Recalls.gov
The latest recall information about consumer products, motor vehicles, boats, food medicine, cosmetics and more.

Washington State Attorney General Consumer Information
The place to file a complaint about a Washington business or as a Washington consumer

Washington State Bar Association Consumer Information



Product Reviews

CNET
Reviews for electronics and technology purchases

ConsumerSearch
Product reviews

Consumer Guide
Ratings and reviews to help you make decisions

Consumer Reports
Some articles are available for free; full text access is available through the ProQuest database (most current three months not available) Lynden Reference Center has reference copies of magazine that can be copied for free.

Energy Star US
Environmental Protection Agency ratings of energy-efficient products.

Epinions.com
Unedited opinions for user members about a wide variety of products, includes links to other professional product reviews & buying guides.

Goodhousekeeping Product Tests



Web Buying

Consumer Reports Webwatch
Provides unbiased and practical research on Web site publishing and business practices

Buying Medicine and Medical Products Online

Internet Fraud Watch

Onguard Online Online Shopping
Provides practical tips from the federal government and the technology industry to help you guard against Internet fraud, secure your computer, and protect personal information.

BBBOnline Consumer Safe Shopping Site
This safe shopping site links to companies that are members of their local Better Business Bureau.

Safeshopping.org
The American Bar Association’s guide to online shopping

Updated 8/07 TB