Cook Memorial Public Library District

Consumer Resources

…selected by Cook Memorial Librarians

Shopping for a new appliance or other major purchase? Cook’s Reference Desk
may have a consumer file on the product. Each file contains pertinent recent articles
and ratings from several leading consumer magazines. The library also subscribes
to print price guides for used cars, motorcycles and boats.

Librarians' suggestion: Search for articles about consumer topics, including product reviews and comparisons in Magazine and Newspaper Resources.

Web sites
The following web sites are recommended by Cook Memorial librarians for the
quality of their content.

General | Automobile Purchasing

General
Better Business Bureau Reports of complaints against businesses and charities, online complaint forms.

Consumer Information Center Online versions of government-produced consumer pamphlets.

Consumer Price Index Latest and comparative cost of living data.

ConsumerSearch Examines and analyzes product reviews, then ranks products.

Consumer World Megasite with organized links to over 1700 consumer-related sites.

Credit Card Watch Compare rates.

Gas Price Watch Consumer advocacy site for gas prices.

Get Human Secret phone numbers and codes to get to a human when calling a company or government agency for customer service.

Illinois License Look-Up Search for disciplinary actions regarding any licenced professional in Illinois. Search by name or profession.

Inflation Calculator

Junk Busters Eliminate junk mail, spam, etc.

National Charities Information Bureau See ratings and order reports on specific charities.

Recalls Find out about unsafe, hazardous or defective products including motor vehicles, boats, food, medicine, and cosmetics.

Shopping.com Compare prices on specific products.

10-10 Phone Rates

Automobile Purchasing
Carfax Enter a car’s VIN number to access a report on the car’s history.

Crash Test Ratings

Edmund’s Online version of the popular print guides to autos.

Intellichoice CarCenter Information and Ratings on new and used cars.

Kelley Blue Book

NADA Guide Also includes pricing for trucks, motorcycles, recreation vehicles, motor homes, small boats and more.

SaferCar.gov Government ratings of tires and air bags; information on rollovers, defects and recalls.