Consumer Stuff

Consumer Reports is online: http://www.consumerreports.org/main/home.jsp but use it in the library. The subscription online is a bad deal. Also try Epinions.com: http://www.epinions.com/, reviews at Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/, and Judy's Book.com: http://www.judysbook.com/

Computer equipment: http://www.pricewatch.com/, http://www.pcworld.com/

Other stuff: http://www.pricegrabber.com/

Digital Cameras: http://www.steves-digicams.com/
Camera, accessory and printer reviews, buyer's guide, links to manufacturers

Find an auto mechanic: http://www.cartalk.com/

Home repairs - Homeowners club: http://www.homeownersclub.org/
$45 a year; they will arrange for listed contractors to call you; contractor bids through the club and you accept through the club and pay through the club. Club deals with problems for you. Also Angie's List: http://www.angieslist.com/

Checkbook magazine, published by the Center for the Study of Services: http://www.checkbook.org/

Cosmetics - Make Up Alley: http://makeupalley.com/, Paula's Choice: http://www.paulaschoice.com/, Cosmedics Cop: http://www.cosmeticscop.com/

Environmentally sound products and services - Treehugger.com: http://treehugger.com/

Rate energy efficiency of household appliances, cars, lighting fixtures and other products - American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy: http://aceee.org/Consumer/consumer.htm

Restaurants - bad! Dead to Us: http://www.deadtous.com/
Good, Zagats.com: http://www.zagats.com/, and http://www.citysearch.com/

Vacations, hotels - TripAdvisor.com: http://www.tripadvisor.com/

Problems? Consult the Attorney General's office (Washington State): http://www.atg.wa.gov/, and the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce: http://www.seattlechamber.com/


Surely there comes a time when counting the cost and paying the price aren't things to think about any more. All that matters is value - the ultimate value of what one does. - James Hilton