Let us suggest some of our favorite websites in several consumer categories:
Automobile Buying
edmunds.com Car buying and pricing information; road testing and safety information
Kelley Blue Book Online version of the printed Kelley Blue Book; provides new and usedautomobile values, and trade-in values
NADAguides.com New and usedautomobile pricing; also includes used values of classic automobiles, motorcycles, boats, RVs, aircraft, and manufactured housing
Consumer Credit
AnnualCreditReport.com Centralized service for consumers to request free annual credit reports. It was created by, and is the only online service authorized by, all three ofthe national consumer credit reporting companies, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion
National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) Consumer credit counseling and education organization; contact information for free local credit counseling
Nolo's Legal Encyclopedia: Debt & Bankruptcy Legal issues and advice regarding debt, overspending, and bankruptcy
Consumer Protection
Arizona Registrar of ContractorsSearch for licensed contractors and check for complaints
Better Business Bureauof Central/Northern ArizonaSearch for reliability reports on local companies and charities, file complaints online, locate BBB member businesses, and more; serves Apache, Coconino, Gila, La Paz, Maricopa, Mojave, Navajo, Pinal, Yavapai, and Yuma counties
Consumer Action WebsiteFederal website with downloadable Consumer Action Handbook, featuring “helpful tips about preventing identity theft, understanding credit, filing a consumer complaint . . . filing for bankruptcy, finding a lawyer,” etc.
GuideStar: The National Database of Nonprofit OrganizationsGathers and distributes data on more than 850,000 IRS-recognized nonprofits; view annual reports to find out how your donations are being spent
Home Buying and Renting
Arizona Residential Landlord and Tenant Act Full text of the law, plus related resources from the Arizona Secretary of State
AZCentral Real Estate The Arizona Republic's real estate classifieds. Searchable by price, area, and features.
Nolo's Legal Encyclopedia: Real Estate and Rental Property Legal issues regarding buying, owning, and renting property
Product Evaluation
Consumer Reports Online Includes some free consumer product advice (paid subscription required for full access. Full-text articles available in Masterfile Premier)
ConsumerSearchA site that reviews and summarizes the reviewers, and identifies the best products
Epinions.com A site that allows consumers to share their experiences andopinions, good and bad, about the products they use |