Finding the best products or services can be a difficult and time-consuming process. These websites provide buying guides for various consumer products, offer help on finding vendors, and link to periodical databases in which magazines can be searched for articles on the best products. The consumer protection links also provide information about where to file a complaint after receiving a faulty product or poor service.
Current and past issues of Consumer Reports are available at the Information Services Desk of the Library along with other buying guides for cars, computers, and home appliances.
Web resource 
Available with Skokie Public Library card 
Available in Library only
Librarian Recommendations
These article databases and websites have been selected by librarians at Skokie Public Library as outstanding resources and good places to start a search for consumer information.
Become.com
Become.com provides research on products or services linking to buying guides, expert reviews, forums, safety recalls, and specifications. Also includes a comparison shopping feature.
Better Business Bureau
of Chicago
Find Chicago and Northern Illinois company and charity reports or file a complaint about a business at this site.
ConsumerReports.org from EBSCO
ConsumerReports.org contains information that enables consumers to make better purchasing decisions on the products they are shopping for. The site provides ratings and reviews, recommendations, and buying advice. Additional information includes brand reliability and user reviews, plus news, blogs, forums, and video content. Searchable sections include Cars, Home & Garden, Electronics, Babies & Kids, Money, Food, and Health.
Consumers' Checkbook
Consumers' Checkbook evaluates the quality and prices of local service firms and stores, such as auto repair shops, plumbers, dentists, banks, and insurance companies. Chicago-area companies are rated by users and evaluated by Checkbook staff. Consumers’ Checkbook/The Center for the Study of Services is an independent, nonprofit consumer organization founded in 1974 with the help of funding from the U.S. Office of Consumer Affairs.
ConsumerSearch
This excellent website provides the "best reviews" on hundreds of consumer products, including summaries of articles from Consumer Reports.
Edmund's.com
From the publisher of Edmund's® Automobile Buyer's Guide, find price information, ratings, and reviews for new and used cars.
Financial Ratings from Weiss
Financial Ratings from Weiss contains independent ratings of the financial stability of banks, credit unions, and insurance companies. A Medigap buyers guide recommends companies and gives prices customized to the age and place of residence of the person entering the data.
Your Access to Free Credit Reports
From the Federal Trade Commission, this site provides detailed "Facts for Consumers" regarding the hows and whys of ordering free credit reports.
General Consumer Information
Become.com
Become.com provides research on products or services linking to buying guides, expert reviews, forums, safety recalls, and specifications. Also includes a comparison shopping feature.
CNET.com
Articles, reviews, and price guides to electronic products and computer hardware.
ConsumerReports.org from EBSCO
ConsumerReports.org contains information that enables consumers to make better purchasing decisions on the products they are shopping for. The site provides ratings and reviews, recommendations, and buying advice. Additional information includes brand reliability and user reviews, plus news, blogs, forums, and video content. Searchable sections include Cars, Home & Garden, Electronics, Babies & Kids, Money, Food, and Health.
Consumers' Checkbook
Consumers' Checkbook evaluates the quality and prices of local service firms and stores, such as auto repair shops, plumbers, dentists, banks, and insurance companies. Chicago-area companies are rated by users and evaluated by Checkbook staff. Consumers’ Checkbook/The Center for the Study of Services is an independent, nonprofit consumer organization founded in 1974 with the help of funding from the U.S. Office of Consumer Affairs.
ConsumerSearch
This excellent website provides the "best reviews" on hundreds of consumer products, including summaries of articles from Consumer Reports.
Epinions.com
Epinions provides reviews of products and services written by consumers themselves.
Federal Citizen
Information Center
Browse through hundreds of online consumer pamphlets on topics such as cars, children, money, food, health, and much more.
Financial Ratings from Weiss
Financial Ratings from Weiss contains independent ratings of the financial stability of banks, credit unions, and insurance companies. A Medigap buyers guide recommends companies and gives prices customized to the age and place of residence of the person entering the data.
FindTheBest
FindTheBest has been called a “comparison engine” in that it uses hundreds of specialized online apps that offer users an ultra-detailed comparison of products and services from unbiased, authoritative sources. The apps include searches for things like ski resorts, treadmills, car insurance providers, and smart phones.
J.D. Power Consumer Center
Ratings of consumer products and services based on consumer surveys. Covers autos, boats, electronics, investing, healthcare, telecommunication, travel, and more.
PriceGrabber.com
This site offers product and price comparisons, consumer reviews, and merchant ratings for a wide range of consumer products.
Recall Warnings
This website by Nolo Press provides recall warnings and alerts for cars, clothing, appliances, and hundreds of consumer products.
Viewpoints
Viewpoints gives people who enjoy reading or writing reviews a one-stop outlet for topics ranging from laptops to hotels, blenders, even hospitals and schools. Reviews are included in over 700 categories. Along with reviews, most categories include "Consumer Guides" to help evaluate products.
Article Databases
Evaluations of individual products, such as furnaces and blenders, are often printed in magazines or newspapers. The following magazine indexes allow you to search for articles on various consumer products. Simply type in the product or the model name in the search box to get a list of up-to-date periodical items. Many of the listings are in full text format and can be read directly from the screen.
General Reference Center from Gale
General Reference Center provides access to an integrated set of general interest sources with coverage from 1980 to the present: magazines, newspaper articles, children's magazines, almanacs, encyclopedias, dictionaries, reference books, and more. It contains more than 1,000 fulltext titles specifically selected for public libraries.
Skokie Public
Library's guide to this database available
Automobiles
ALLDATA Online
ALLDATA Online contains automotive diagnostic and repair information for
foreign and domestic cars and trucks. It covers models produced from
1982 to the present. Diagrams and specifications are provided for all
systems. Recall notices and estimates of repair costs are also included.
Skokie
Public Library's guide to this database available
Autobytel.com
Resources on this site include automotive information, specifications, vehicle reviews, manufacturer incentives, dealer invoice price information, and on online tool to begin the buying process for new and used vehicles.
Auto Repair Reference Center from EBSCO
Auto Repair Reference Center contains step-by-step procedures written specifically for the do-it-yourselfer, but is comprehensive enough for professional technicians. Auto Repair Reference Center contains information on most major manufacturers of domestic and imported vehicles, with repair information for most vintage makes. Coverage of approximately 25,000 vehicles starting as far back as 1954 includes more than 65,000 technical service bulletins and recalls issued by the original equipment vehicle manufacturer; wiring diagrams for easy viewing and printing; a labor time guide and estimator; and over 100,000 factory drawings and step-by-step photographs.
AutoSite
AutoSite provides pricing, comparison, repair, and maintenance information for new and used vehicles.
Cars.com
Research a new or used car, place an ad to sell your own car, or find a new or used car to buy. The site also includes car news, repair information, and much more at this site.
DriveChicago.com
Use this website to research your prospective vehicle, or to search automobile classified ads and dealer inventories.
Edmund's.com
From the publisher of Edmund's® Automobile Buyer's Guide, find price information, ratings, and reviews for new and used cars.
Kelley Blue Book
This online partner to the print version of Kelley Blue Book provides price information on new and used cars dating back to 1978.
MSN: Autos
This online guide covers all aspects of purchasing a vehicle.
NADAguides.com: Free
Vehicle Pricing & Information
Find prices for used boats, cars, trucks, motorcycles, RVs, motor homes, trailers, and snowmobiles on this website from the National Automobile Dealers Association.
National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration
Search for vehicle safety information, recall notices, and more on this United States government website.
Charities
Donors Forum of
Chicago
The mission of the Donors Forum of Chicago is to provide resources for grantmakers, non-profit organizations, and anyone interested in philanthropy. This website includes the Grantseekers Toolbox, a resource to help people find funding for organizations, programs, and special projects.
Give.org
This site from the National Charities Information Bureau and the Council of Better Business Bureaus' Foundation provides detailed reports on hundreds of charities.
GuideStar
"The National Database of Nonprofit Organizations" includes information on more than 600,000 charities and nonprofits, news on philanthropy, and resources for donors and volunteers.
Collectibles
Antiques Roadshow Online
This online companion to the popular public television program contains many subject collection guides along with appraiser and auction house directories.
AntiqueWeek Online
This website contains calendars of events around the country, classified ads, articles on collecting, and links to antique sites on the web.
Kovels Online
Kovels, a publisher of books on collectibles and antiques, makes available an online price guide for various collectibles. Registration is required.
Consumer Protection
The Better Business Bureau
This website provides consumer information, news, alerts, a directory to regional Better Business Bureaus, and more.
Better Business Bureau
of Chicago
Find Chicago and Northern Illinois company and charity reports or file a complaint about a business at this site.
Consumer Action Website
This federal government site contains various consumer guides along with information on resolving consumer problems. Valuable contact information is included for corporate consumer affairs offices, BBBs, state and local government offices, federal agencies, and more.
Consumer
Protection
From the Federal Trade Commission, this site contains consumer guides on a wide range of topics including e-commerce, identity theft, privacy, and telemarketing.
Illinois
Commerce Commission (ICC)
The Illinois Commerce Commission regulates utilities in Illinois such as electricity, natural gas, water and sewer, and telecommunications. Their website includes information for consumers about filing complaints.
National Do Not Call Registry
Register your phone number on this Federal Trade Commission site to remove your number from telemarketer's call lists.
The National Fraud
Information Center
Sponsored by the National Consumers League, this site provides information on telemarketing fraud, Internet fraud, and fraud against the elderly.
RecallWarnings
This website by Nolo Press provides recall warnings and alerts for cars, clothing, appliances, and hundreds of consumer products.
United States Consumer
Product Safety Commission
This government agency is responsible for monitoring the safety of the American marketplace. The Recalls section includes a searchable database of product recalls.
Your Access to Free Credit Reports
From the Federal Trade Commission this site provides detailed "Facts for Consumers" regarding the hows and whys of ordering free credit reports.
Credit and Money Matters
Credit InfoCenter
This website includes a collection of articles, tips, and selection aids for credit cards, loans, and bankruptcy.
Financial Ratings from Weiss
Financial Ratings from Weiss contains independent ratings of the financial stability of banks, credit unions, and insurance companies. A Medigap buyers guide recommends companies and gives prices customized to the age and place of residence of the person entering the data.
How to Obtain a Free Credit Report
Check this site from the Illinois Attorney General to see how to obtain free copies of your credit report.
Project MoneySmart
From the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, this site provides advice and guides on spending, budgeting, banks, mortgages, and credit.
Your Access to Free Credit Reports
From the Federal Trade Commission, this site provides detailed "Facts for Consumers" regarding the hows and whys of ordering free credit reports.
Insurance
Insurance Information
A.M.
Best Ratings & Analysis
Find information and ratings for over 6,000 United States and international insurance companies. Some resources on this site require free registration and user login.
Consumer Information from the Illinois Department of Insurance
This website contains consumer guides for auto, health, homeowners, and life insurance and an auto premium comparison guide.
NAIC Consumer
Information Source
Consumer Information Source provides a central location for consumers to submit insurance company complaints online or create reports on the number of complaints for individual insurance companies.
Insurance Quotes
Financial Ratings from Weiss
Financial Ratings from Weiss contains independent ratings of the financial stability of banks, credit unions, and insurance companies. A Medigap buyers guide recommends companies and gives prices customized to the age and place of residence of the person entering the data.
InsWeb
InsWeb allows you to compare insurance quotes among major insurers including auto, life, health, small business, home owners, renters, and other types of coverage.
NetQuote
NetQuote® helps consumers choose cost effective insurance policies by providing competitive insurance quotes for auto, home, renter's, life, and more.
Telephone Service Plans
Phone Scoop
This site contains user reviews and specifications for cell phones via its "Phone Finder" tool along with in-depth phone reviews, technology guides, and industry news.
phonedog.com
This comparison site provides information and rates for long distance, local, and cellular plans as well as other telecommunication services in your area.
