Research and Reference Resources

Consumer Information

Autos & Other

Consumer Information: Automobiles

AutoZone - http://www.autozone.com

Buying a New Car: Decide What You Can Afford, Want and Need ---http://www.bbb.org/ALERTS/article.asp?ID=433

Cnet Car Tech - http://direct-cnet.com.com/Car_technology/2001-10863_7-0.html?tag=cnetfd.dir

Consumer Guide Auto Guide - http://www.consumerguide.com

Edmund's Automobile Buyer's Guides - http://www.edmunds.com

Kelley Blue Book - http://www.kbb.com
Pricing information for new and used, cars, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles, snowmobiles, and personal watercrafts.

N.A.D.A. Guides - http://www.nadaguides.com
Pricing information for new and used cars, trucks, SUVs, and many other vehicles, including motorcycles, boats, RVs, and more.

National Sex Offender Registry - http://wisconsindoc.familywatchdog.us/
The State of Wisconsin Sex Offender Registry in partnership with Family Watchdog, with information about FDA Drug and Product recalls as well.

Fuel Economy Guide - http://www.fueleconomy.gov
Find gas mileage, prices, emissions, and general car safety ratings.

MadisonGasPrices (Real Time Prices)--http://www.madisongasprices.com/index.aspx

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety - http://www.hwysafety.org

Safercar.gov (National Highway Traffic Safety Adm.) -- http://www.safercar.gov
Provides crash test results, fuel econonomy guide, regulations & standards, and traffic safety information. Of special interest is NHTSA's Safe Driving Information and the Tire Ratings guide.

Wisconsin Department of Transportation - http://www.dot.state.wi.us
General information about transportation in Wisconsin, including road construction and Wisconsin transportation data. Drivers and Vehicles section includes driver's license information (in English and Spanish), online plate renewals, and personalized plate information.

Consumer Information: Other

Angie's List --http://www.angieslist.com/AngiesList/default.asp

Better Business Bureau - http://www.bbb.org/
See also The Better Business Bureau Serving Wisconsin - http://www.wisconsin.bbb.org/index.html

Consumer.gov --http://www.consumer.gov/index.htm
A one-stop source for consumer information available from the federal government.

The Consumer Insurance Guide - http://www.insure.com

Consumer Product Safety Commission - http://www.cpsc.gov
Read news about consumer safety, the latest product recalls, and report an unsafe product on-line.

Consumer Reports - http://www.consumerreports.org
Provides some free information from the popular publication. Full-text access to Consumer Reports from May 1, 1990-present is available for free through EBSCOhost with a three month delay on full text.

ConsumerReview - http://www.consumerreview.com

Consumer Search - http://www.consumersearch.com

Consumer World - http://www.consumerworld.org

Energy Savers: A Consumer Guide to Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy - http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/
Consumer fact sheets, tips, and criteria to look for when choosing products for your home, including appliances, lighting, making home improvements, landscaping, and new windows. Offered by the U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency and Renewaqble Energy Division.

Federal Citizen Information Center --http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/
Formerly the Consumer Information Center, request free or low cost publications produced by federal agencies including the Consumer Information Catalog.

Free Credit Reports - http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/edcams/credit/ycr_free_reports.htm
Additional details: "Getting free credit reports will require some effort"

Household Products Database - http://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov
What's under your kitchen sink, in your garage, in your bathroom, and on the shelves in your laundry room? Find out what's in these products and what are the potential health effects, and other safety and handling information.

Identity Theft Resource Center - http://www.idtheftcenter.org/index.shtml
Information about what identity theft is and how to prevent it, from the Identity Theft Resource Center in San Diego, CA.

Recalls.gov - http://www.recalls.gov
Combined resources of six federal agencies to create a one-stop center for federal government recalls. Includes the ability to receive electronic newsletters and updates from individual agencies.

Specialized Reviews:
Consumer information on buying or renting a home or apartment

Sperling's Best Places - http://www.bestplaces.net/default.aspx
Compare over 3,000 U.S. cities in housing, costs of living, crime, education, economy, health and climate. Choose any two cities and see them displayed side-by-side.

Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection - http://datcp.state.wi.us/index.jsp
Find information on alerts, recalls, consumer standards, tips on how to protect yourself against scams or poor service, or file a complaint against a Wisconsin business.

Wisconsin's No-Call List - https://nocall.wisconsin.gov/web/home.asp (see also National Do Not Call Registry)

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