Consumer Information
BehindTheLabel.org
http://www.behindthelabel.org/
"A multimedia news website covering the stories of people fighting
for fundamental human and labor rights against the goliath global clothing
industry." Features a FAQ, news, campaigns, audio and video clips,
a browsable archive, and related links. Sponsored by a "global alliance
of clothing workers, religious leaders, and students." (LII)
Best Places to Live (Money Magazine)
http://money.cnn.com/best/bplive/
A list of "the most desirable places
to live in America." Profiles of each town include information on
weather, housing, leisure, culture, environment, crime, and education.
Searchable and browsable. Provides an explanation of the methodology
used in compiling the rankings. From CNN/Money. (LII)
The Better Business Bureau
http://www.bbb.org/
Updated several times
a month, their alerts section warns about fraudulent business scams.
In addition, there is
a national database of business reports that include complaints on companies,
a searchable directory of BBBs in the U.S. and Canada (with links when
available), the BBB Code of Advertising, the Standards for Charitable
Solicitations, a link to their charities database, and full text of many
booklets. (LII)
Consumer Information Center (FCIC)
http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/
The FCIC responds to millions of queries per year about federal agencies,
programs, and services via its toll-free number. With this site, it aims
to provide a way through the maze of federal agencies from numerous angles:
popular subject groupings, a children's page, and sections for federal
phone numbers (including toll-free) and Web sites. Some information is
also in Spanish. (LII)
Consumer World
http://www.consumerworld.org
The most comprehensive
directory of consumer products and information on the Web. Not annotated.
Over 2000 resources:
check an airfare, find an ATM machine, file a consumer complaint with
a state agency, read hundreds of consumer booklets, find a low rate credit
card or mortgage, look up the wholesale price of a car, locate a Better
Business Bureau, find a toll-free number, contact a company's customer
service department, comparison shop for bargains, check stock quotes
or CD rates, or read a movie review. Created by Edgar Dworsky, noted
consumer advocate. (LII)
Disaster Safety Tips (American Red Cross)
http://www.redcrossstl.org/ProgramsServices/DisasterServices.aspx
The site of this "emergency response organization" contains
news, press releases, FAQs, and information on disaster preparedness, post-disaster
dangers, giving blood, services for military members and families, and
more. (LII)
National Charities Information Bureau
http://www.give.org/
"Reports on nationally soliciting charitable organizations that
are the subject of donor inquiries. These reports include an evaluation
of the subject charity in relation to the 23 provisions of the voluntary
CBBB Standards for Charitable Solicitations." Includes a special
section on charities involved in relief efforts for the 2004 tsunami
in South Asia. Give.org is affiliated with the Council of Better Business
Bureaus (LIII)
Product Reviews Net
http://www.product-reviews.net/
This resource reviews products, analyzes other reviews, and provides
top-rated products listings. Their reviewers include "former writers
for Consumer Reports, PC Magazine, and The New York Times; a Wall Street
research analyst; and talent from dozens of major magazines and newspapers." Product
categories include electronics, sports, office, kitchen, health, automotive,
and garden. (LII)
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
http://www.cpsc.gov/
Site includes press releases for all CPSC recalls (back to 1973), information
for businesses regarding Consumer Product Safety Act and other issues,
information in Spanish, children's safety games, and information on fireworks
safety. There are links to the websites of other federal agencies that
have responsibilities for products not under the jurisdiction of the
CPSC.
(LII)