Consumer Information

Consumer Protection

• Better Business Bureaus

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• BoatU.S. Consumer Protection Bureau

  Information for boat owners including a Boat Manufacturers Directory and a dispute mediation program. Discusses your rights as a consumer.

• Consumer Reports

  Look in the Free Highlights sections under each of the banner topics for free consumer advice.

• Consumer.gov

  Includes Consumer's Resource Handbook.

• Crossroads (Safety, Health, Environment)

  Links to articles of interest to personal and business/industry consumers. Covers ergonomics, first aid, injury statistics, indoor air quality, emergency and risk management, chemicals and chemical safety, and electronics recycling.

• Federal Trade Commission

  Articles on consumer subjects (with subdivisions) that include everything from Advertising to Tobacco. The section on products and services includes buying jewelry, new clothing care labels, pre-paid phone cards.

• Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

  Insurance Institute for Highway Safety presents its statistics on accidents, vehicle ratings, other safety facts and statistics.

• Minnesota Department of Commerce Consumer Tips

  Information about the rights and responsibilities of consumers under Minnesota law.

• National Association of the Remodeling Industry

  Guidelines for hiring contractors, including essential interview questions.

• National Consumers League

  Protection against fraud.

• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

  Motor vehicle safety issues are dealt with. Includes crash test ratings. This site addresses some of the issues associated with school bus safety.

• Privacy Rights

  Tips on maintaining privacy and preventing identity theft in an era of increasing technology.

• U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

  Report unsafe products here.

• U.S. Food and Drug Administration

  Information on food, drugs, medical devices, biologics (vaccines), animal feed and drugs, cosmetics, and radiation-emitting products.

• Your Credit Score

  Information on consumer credit provided by Consumer Action (a non-profit consumer advocacy organization) in partnership with Visa.

Cost of Living

• Consumer Price Indexes

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• Cost of Living Calculator

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General Sites

• Consumer Action

  Consumer information (including the current Consumer Action Handbook) from the Federal Citizen Information Center.

• Consumer Information Center

  Source for government publications.

• ConsumerSearch

  Consumer information with links to the magazines in which the original articles appeared.

• Consumerworld

  Searchable catalog of useful consumer resources.

• Edmunds.com

  New & used vehicle values.

• Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago

  Information about checks and currency, credit, Treasury securities, savings bonds, interest, mortgages, the economy, and more.

• Minnesota Consumer Credit Card Report

  Annual report from the Minnesota Department of Finance providing consumers with credit card interest rates, terms of credit, grace periods, and annual and other fees.

• Recalls

  Information on recalls of unsafe, hazardous or defective products -- consumer items used in and around the home, motor vehicles, boats, food, medicine, cosmetics, and chemicals.

• Sperling's Best Places

  Find your best place to live. Survey helps you determine your criteria, then gives a list of U.S. cities that meet them. Includes climate and crime statistics.

Price Comparisons

• 10-10 PhoneRates.com

  Compares long-distance phone rates.

• A Bell Tolls

  Long distance rate comparisons.

• CardTrak.com

  Comparison shop for credit/debit cards.

• Consumer Guide

  Includes Best Buys

• Fueleconomy

  Compare the fuel efficiency of different makes, models, and years of cars. Check the price of gasoline in your area. Site also offers mileage tips.

• Nursing Home Compare

  Compares nursing homes in your location according to your selected criteria. Offers explanations of why certain items are important when choosing a nursing home.

• Point.com

  Cell phone, plan, and accessories comparisons for individuals and business.

• Remodeling Online

  This site provides all types of remodeling help from the planning stages through construction. Lets you plan your remodel online under the Find-a-Pro section.

• Scout Report Best Sites

  Guide to best internet sites.

Price Guides

• Autotropolis

  Interactive tools for consumers researching the purchase of a new or used vehicle.

• Cars.com

  Help for everything relating to buying and selling an automobile.

• CostHelper

  Typical costs for over 600 items and/or services and background information on what should be included in the cost for each.

• Google Product Search

  A Google search engine designed to locate things for sale online.

• Kelley Blue Books

  Car values and more.

• NADA Guides.com

  Used vehicle values.

Product Information - Sources

• Appliance411

  Purchase and service information on home appliances.

• Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers

  Information to guide consumers through selection, use and care, service and repair of household appliances.

• Autosite

  800 numbers, recalls, and more

• Digital Television Transition

  Help for consumers in preparing for the 2009 transition from analog to digital broadcast television.

• Gamanet.org

  Certified efficiency ratings for residential and commercial heating, and water heating equipment --from GAMA (the Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association)

• HousingLink

  This organization distributes low-income housing information for Twin Cities metro-region. Directory of housing searchable by location, housing type, available subsidies and accessibility.

• HVAC for Beginners

  Brand ratings of furnaces, air conditioning units, boilers, water heaters and related devices, compiled by former contractors, now turned HVAC consultants.

• RealEstate.com - Resources and References

  Provides addresses, phone numbers and descriptions of state and national agencies designated to help consumers rent and purchase homes. Includes financial help and civil rights organizations.

• RERC - Hearing Enhancement Research

  For people considering a hearing aid, this site offers suggestions for everything from "Do I need a hearing aid" to what to expect from a hearing aid dispenser.  This site does not rate hearing aids; but it does give a consumer checklist.