Consumer Information Online
General Information
- FTC Shop Safely Online Brochure
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Prepared by the Federal Trade Commission and American Express, this brochure includes helpful tips for secure and private shopping on the Internet, especially during the holidays.
Practical tips from the government and the technology industry on avoiding Internet fraud.
- Safe Shopping
- This American Bar Association site shows you how to shop safely online. Answers questions about security, privacy, payment, product, terms delivery, records, complaints, and tips.
Shopping
- Superstores
Amazon.com - Not just for shopping, but also a great place to get user reviews of books, electronics, apparel & accessories, toys & games, DVDs, home products, baby products and much more.
- Product and Shop Directories/Price Comparison
Various shopping search directories to help you find the right stores quicker.
BizRate - Independent directory of quality shopping sites. Provides the top 25 retail sites for overall customer satisfaction in the categories of apparel, books, computers, electronics, food and drink, games and toys, health and beauty, hobbies and collectibles, home and garden, music and videos, and sports and fitness. Shop by product. Takes you to the appropriate website where you can purchase the product.
- Product Reviews (Professional Ratings)
Various product review sources. Get the most info before making a purchase decision.
Consumer Reports -
Still the best site for professional product reviews. A fee is required for the ratings section, but there is some free information available here. You can search the website to find out which issue of Consumer Reports reviews the product you are researching. Then, stop in the Evanston Public Library to view the appropriate issue, or use the Library's online resource, "Infotrac General Reference Center Gold," to read the electronic copy (Evanston Public Library cardholders only).
- ConsumerSearch
- Get expert product reviews free from Consumer Reports, PC Magazine, and dozens of other sources. Product categories include electronics, sports, office, kitchen, health and beauty, cars, and baby products.
- Product Reviews (Consumer Ratings)
Various products reviewed by consumers. Get the most info before making a purchase decision.
Epinions-
Great site to consult before you buy any product! Provides unedited opinions and reviews from user members about a broad range of products and services. Links to professional reviews and buying guides are also available in many categories.
Reviews of all sorts of gizmos: phones, cameras, digital frames, MP3 players etc. Bonus: you can also download free instruction manuals!
- Auction Sites
Auctions where the site provides the tools for Internet users to buy/sell products between one another.
Ebay - An online marketplace where practically anyone can sell practically anything. Includes tens of millions of registered members and maintains a well-respected feedback system where users (buyers and sellers) can submit comments about their dealings with one another.
Online product review sites have a common flaw; you can't tell if theperson writing the review actually bought the product! Buzzillions gives higher rankings to reviews written by verified customers.
Travel
- Online Travel Agents
Take care of all your travel arrangements online.
Expedia - Microsoft owned online travel agency. Able to book flights, hotels, rental cars, vacation packages, and cruises directly from the website, often at discounted prices.
- Note that most airlines, hotels, cruise lines, and car rental companies have their own websites where they offer information and discounted prices. For example:
United
Hilton
Royal Caribbean
Avis - Bargain Travel Agents/Travel Auctions
Travel Agents offering discount prices and last-minute deals.
Priceline.com - With a little flexibility in your travel plans you can name your price on airfare, hotels, rental cars, cruises, or vacation packages.
- Travel Guides
Resources for planning and researching trips.
MyTravelGuide - online travel planning, chat, travel tools, online booking, more.
- Note that most publishers of travel books have online companion websites where much (if not all) of the content is free. For example:
Fodors
Frommers
Lonely Planet
Rough Guides
Rick Steves - Online Maps
Travel Agents offering discount prices and last-minute deals.
Mapquest - worldwide maps, directions, yellow pages, and travel guides.
Additional Consumer Websites of Interest
- Consumer Product Safety Commission
- Search for product recalls, report an unsafe product, view and order CPSC publications.
- Better Business Bureau
- Includes sections on "Online Fraud Red Flags," "Online Shopping Tips," "Protecting Your Privacy," "Bogus Websites," and "Quick Check List."
- Consumers Union Advocacy Site
- Lots of good consumer related information by the publishers of Consumers Reports.
- FirstGov – Consumer
- Part of FirstGov project, resource for consumer information from the federal government.
- National Fraud Information Center
- Internet and telemarketing fraud; advice, trends, and more.
Other Good Shopping Sites
Yahoo
Shop.com
Consumer Guide
Ratings.net
Half.com
Other Good Travel Sites
Travelocity
Cheap Tickets
Yahoo Maps
Time Out!
There are many, many more sites. For even more Consumer and Travel sites visit the Evanston Public Library Reference Web Site Bookmarks (our favorite websites by subject)
