Consumer Help

Government Sites

Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs & Business Regulation

The state's watchdog agency has a helpful website for Massachusetts consumers, including a complaint filing process, fraud alerts and reports on ongoing investigations, online publications concerning topics such as the Lemon Law, landlord-tenant, and small claims, and access to information about the state's regulatory divisions.

U.S. Consumer Gateway

A helpful site which serves as a one-stop gateway to the consumer resources of the Federal Government. Broken down by subject, and searchable, the site offers easy access to the consumer divisions of Federal agencies, reports and consumer tips, as well as special interest articles and scam or safety alerts.

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Division

Recall notices, safety tips for kids and families, and other information. Some pages are available in Spanish.

U.S. Consumer Information Center

Full-text of hundreds of Federal consumer publications, together with links to consumer resources available only on the Web, and to the Consumer's Resources Handbook, available in several formats. Includes a guide to Federal Government Sales

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Other Resources

The Better Business Bureau Central Web Server for U.S. and Canada

Check this site for fraud alerts, updated consumer information, and links to other sites for the savvy consumer. Includes links to local Bureau offices and World Wide Web pages where available.

Consumer Reports Online

The free sections of this site include selected articles from Consumer Reports magazine for the last two years in nine categories from cars & trucks to personal and leisure purchases, lists of recent product recalls, and a manufacturer locator. Additional articles and services are available with a paid subscription. Also available is a companion site, Consumers Union, an advocacy group for consumers which includes full-text articles on product safety, health and finance issues, with a section in Spanish.

ConsumerSearch.com

Before you make your next purchase, check this site out! ConsumerSearch analyzes product reviews from many online sources, in order to identify the best products. Links to original review sites and for further research are provided.

Consumer World

THE place to start for consumer information. Lists of helpful sites indexed by subject, information on product recalls, scams, travel and computer bargains, automotive information ... and the list goes on. A search engine helps you navigate. Also includes links to Better Business Bureaus and government consumer agencies.

Edmunds Car Prices

Looking for a new or used car? Check here first for reviews of new vehicles, extensive product information, and a search engine to check on trade-in and suggested retail prices for older cars.

Guidestar: The Donor's Guide to Charities and Non-profits

Provides a searchable database with information on the programs and finances of over 600,000 American charities and non-profit associations. Relies on data from the Internal Revenue Service as well as other material. Includes news, reports and other resources for potential donors and volunteers.

Homefair.com

A selection of calculators to help your decision-making when buying or selling a home or relocating. A salary calculator estimates how much money you'd need to make in a new location to equal your present salary; there are also mortgage and relocation calculators along with other helpful tools.

LowerMyBills.com

Compare rates in your geographic area for long-distance and wireless phone service, Internet access, gas and electric utilities, credit cards, mortgages, home and car loans and insurance.

What's A Dollar Worth

A CPI (Consumer Price Index) calculator, provided by the Federal Reserve Bank at Minneapolis. Enter a dollar amount and a year, and the calculator will convert the amount to its equivalent during that time period.

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Springfield Library
http://www.springfieldlibrary.org
220 State Street
Springfield MA 01103
413-263-6828