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November 8, 2005
Consumer Resources in the Reference Department
Making a purchase or looking for a service provider? Be an informed consumer! Consumer Reports is just the beginning; the library subscribes to Consumers Digest and many other sources that evaluate and rate products of all kinds.
Chicago Consumers Checkbook rates services in the city and suburbs such as appliance repair, veterinarians, bike shops, dentists, and roofers, accompanied by articles about how to select the providers.
Better Buys for Business evaluates office equipment such as copiers, scanners, and printers, with specification and price charts for comparison. Each issue covers a category, such as The Color Copier Guide.
Here are a few of the Web sites we search for product ratings and consumer information.
ConsumerSearch
Summarizes and cites published reviews of consumer products of all kinds.
Epinions
Customers who actually use the products review cars, movies, goods for the home, electronics, office supplies, and much more.
Consumers' Directory of Certified Efficiency Ratings for Heating and Water Heating Equipment If you plan to replace your furnace or hot water heater, this is the place to compare brands.
GreenerChoices.org
Save money and the planet at the same time. Consumer Reports provides free ratings of appliances, electronics, cars, and other products according to energy efficiency, toxicity, and other factors that affect our environment.
eco-labels.org
How meaningful are labels like organic and free-range, and how valid are the claims? Find out at this site from Consumer Reports magazine.
Consumer Guides and Protection
A-to-Z list of sites helpful to consumers from FirstGov.gov, the U.S. government’s Web site.
The reference librarians are always happy to show you how to search or to search for you. Please visit, call, or email us for consumer or any other kind of information. We’re here to help!
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Posted by hinsdalereference at November 8, 2005 3:27 PM