The theme of this portion of our guide is product reviews, ratings, and information.
Websites featuring product reviews, with or without a rating system, and those allowing consumers to offer their opinions, evaluations, analyses, appraisals, suggestions, or information about products or services.
Consumer product reviews are opinions customers write about a company's products and services for others to read. The information on these websites can balance the advertisements or false claims of companies that manufacture or provide products or services. Customer reviews may present an unbiased, sometimes more accurate, product quality indicator. If nothing else, they present a consumer perspective that can be valuable to others considering buying the same product or engaging the same service.
Other topics that would be appropriate for this part of our guide include websites offering consumer tips, buyers' guides, and price comparisons.
Websites offering consumer tips might take the form of an online discussion forum highlighting a specific product or service, those provided by a specific company, or a wide range of commodities. It might also be a static website to which consumers contribute suggestions or other information.
Generally, these sites are consumer-to-consumer websites owned by individuals or organizations who don't represent the manufacturer of the product or service company. However, forums set up by a company to allow for consumer feedback, assistance, and conversation between consumers may also be listed here. Nevertheless, this is not a suitable place for company advertising or product manuals.
Buyers' guides provide information to people considering the purchase of a product or service so that they can make an informed decision. These guides usually include features, benefits, pros, cons, comparisons, testimonials, and answers to frequently asked questions about the product or service. They may also provide tips, advice, and recommendations as to the best choice based on the potential consumer's needs, preferences, budget, and goals. These would be appropriate for this portion of our guide, although company advertising would not.
Product and price comparison sites could be listed here, as they can help a consumer choose between similar options. An example might be a website that compares the features, benefits, disadvantages, and costs of different brands and models of electric razors and gives ratings, reviews, and suggestions as to which is best or the most affordable.
However, many of these websites are set up for no purpose other than for affiliate link clicks. While affiliate links do not disqualify a site from being listed here, the site will be evaluated to ensure that it adds value to our web guide. Otherwise, it's just affiliate advertising.
Professional organizations like Consumer Reports may also be listed here. Through its website and flagship magazine, Consumer Reports tests and analyses products and services, publishing its reviews and comparisons of consumer products and services based on reporting and results from its in-house testing laboratory and survey research facility. CR accepts no advertising, purchases the products it tests, and has no shareholders.
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ASR reviews security providers, grades each company through its proprietary Identity Protection and Home Security Rating Systems, and incorporates a feedback system to provide genuine customer reviews and ratings of each provider. Identity theft and VPN protection are defined, and the top companies are rated and ranked according to their ratings, with a link to each website. Specifications, a summary, and other details are provided. A blog offers additional information on security topics.
https://www.allsecurityreviews.com/
American Customer Satisfaction Index
The American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) is an economic indicator that provides information on consumer satisfaction. The website provides ACSI scores and commentaries as well as on ACSI's offered services that includes a strategic business benchmarking and improvement tool, proprietary research program, corporate subscription program and data modeling services. The website also provides news and media resources and offers reports on methodology behind the Index and ACSI results analyses.
https://www.theacsi.org/
Australian Consumers' Association
Commonly known as CHOICE, the not-for-profit Australian consumer advocacy organization is similar to the Consumers Union in the United States. Founded in 1959, it is an independent, member-based organization that provides up-to-date information across various consumer issues, allowing individuals to make informed consumer decisions. CHOICE tests and rates multiple products and services and publishes "CHOICE Magazine." Product reviews, campaigns, and membership information are provided.
https://www.choice.com.au/
Clark Brian Howard is a consumer expert and host of The Clark Howard Show podcast. The website offers advice on how to save money, spend less, and avoid getting cheated. Articles, podcasts, videos, streaming television, and deals on money, investments, credit cards, travel, insurance, retirement, health, and others are included. Its Consumer Action Center is a free resource for advice on money and consumer issues. A consumer discussion board is also available.
https://clark.com/
With offices in San Francisco, Washington D.C., and Los Angeles, the non-profit consumer education and advocacy center was formed in 1971 to help consumers assert their rights in the marketplace and advance pro-consumer change, mainly through multilingual education, outreach, and advocacy services. The organization focuses on consumer credit issues, such as credit cards, banking, finance, money management, and pricing. Another action area is health, housing, scams, fraud, and privacy.
https://www.consumer-action.org/
Known initially as Consumers Union, CR is a US-based non-profit consumer organization that conducts independent product testing, investigative journalism, consumer-oriented research, public education, and consumer advocacy. However, it is best known for its flagship magazine, "Consumer Reports." Its findings are also published on its website, which includes its membership options, which provide access to digital or digital and a printed copy of the magazine. Archives are available.
https://www.consumerreports.org/
Online since 1999, Consumer Search provides reviews and ratings of various products and services, recommending the best deals and offering tips, advice, and other consumer resources. Part of the Ask Media Group, formerly known as Ask Jeeves, its reviews are sorted into the following main categories: Home & Garden, Kitchen, Fitness & Sports, Technology, Family & Pets, and Health & Beauty. Trending articles are highlighted on the index page, and advertising opportunities are available.
https://www.consumersearch.com/
Founded in 1995 by Edgar Dworsky, a former Massachusetts Assistant Attorney General in the Consumer Protection Division, Consumer World is a public service, non-commercial resource guide that provides information on various consumer topics, such as product reviews, buying advice, consumer rights, scam alerts, and bargains. It also publishes original stories and investigations on consumer issues, such as food safety, car safety, and digital privacy. Contacts are provided.
https://www.consumerworld.org/
Presented by the United States Federal Trade Commission, the government website offers tips, guidance, and suggestions for managing your money, obtaining or selecting credit, loans, and debt, and identifying and protecting against scams and identity theft. Also included are lesson plans, worksheets, presentations, videos, and forms or information for ordering free materials, filing a complaint, signing up for the "Do Not Call Registry," and obtaining a free credit report.
https://consumer.gov/
Founded in 2016, the website ranks various products in the health, home, lifestyle, insurance, personal finance, and software industries. Its editorial process may be viewed, along with its business model. Any advertisers for whom Consumers Advocate has a pair relationship is labeled a "Partner," as part of its integrity process. Its reviews include the number of hours of research that went into it, the sources used, companies vetted, features reviewed, and featured brands.
https://www.consumersadvocate.org/
Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety
CARS is a national non-profit organization that strives to protect consumers from auto-related fraud and abuse and to prevent motor vehicle-related injuries and fatalities. CARS has led campaigns to enact consumer protection laws and offers tips for new and used car buyers in California and across the United States, including how to avoid "flood cars" and auto scams. Lemon Law information and information on recalled used cars, flood cars, CarMax, rental car safety, and other topics are provided.
https://www.carconsumers.org/
The Center for the Study of Services publishes and does business as Consumers' Checkbook. Founded in 1974, the organization has print and online publications in Boston, Chicago, Delaware Valley, Puget Sound, San Francisco, San Jose, Twin Cities, and the District of Columbia. Most of its income is derived from contract surveys for major health plans. The company reviews auto repair dealerships and services, healthcare providers, home services, financial services, pet care, and retail stores.
https://www.checkbook.org/
Affiliated with the Association of National Advertisers (ANA) Consumer Preference Service, DMAchoice offers data hygiene management and compliance tools to assist marketers and fundraisers in building consumer trust by honoring consumers' marketing preferences, such as prospect mail opt-out lists, deceased do not contact lists, telephone do not contact lists and email opt-out lists. Its learning center informs consumers of new products, services, and money-saving deals.
https://www.dmachoice.org/
A project of the International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network (ICPEN), a partnership of more than sixty-five consumer protection agencies around the world, the government site is a platform where consumers can report international scams online and learn about other steps that can be taken to combat fraud. Complaints about online shopping, credit and debt, telemarketing, jobs and making money, imposter scams, lottery scams, travel and vacations, and mobile phones may be filed.
https://www.econsumer.gov/
Entertainment Software Rating Board
The ESRB is a self-regulatory organization that assigns age and content ratings to consumer video games in the United States and Canada. The organization was established in 1994 in response to criticism of video games believed to have excessive violence or sexual content. Its ratings are similar to those used in the motion picture industry. The rating process is outlined, and a rating guide is included. Parental controls, a family gaming guide, and a mobile app are available.
https://www.esrb.org/
A gasoline price website that allows visitors to post and view recent retail gasoline prices. The website provides real-time gas information to help consumers locate the lowest price available. The website also provides a gas price historical chart to track down gasoline prices from months or years ago. The website also allows you to explore city, state, area and even national maps to search for the cheapest gas price. The website also provides a trip calculator to help you maximize your fuel.
https://www.gasbuddy.com/
The fully integrated consumer resource helps guide people through the complexities of life, legal and financial troubles, and their emotional impact on our well-being. Legal information and advice on various types of legal difficulties are included, along with the types of federal and state prisons, mental and emotional health advice, addiction and recovery, and mental. health therapy, and mental health services. Financial advice and an alphabetized glossary of terms are included.
https://gottrouble.org/
Founded in 1968, J.D. Power is a data analytics, software, and consumer intelligence company headquartered in Troy, Michigan, with additional offices elsewhere. Its business model is to emphasize data and analytics and software products and to use industry benchmarking studies to evaluate consumer interactions and trends across the automotive, financial services, healthcare, home, insurance, technology, media and telecom, travel and hospitality, senior living, and utility industries.
https://www.jdpower.com/
Journal of Research for Consumers
JRC provides information to individuals, enabling them to better understand their roles as consumers, and encouraging them to use their skills for the direct benefit of consumers. It includes general consumer information, academic articles on consumer issues, and articles by consumers on consumer topics. Its editorial board is introduced, a telephone number and email address are provided, and its submission policies, formats, and other instructions are included.
https://www.jrconsumers.com/
Founded in 1998 by the parents of a 16-month-old child who died when a portable crib collapsed around his neck, KID works to reform the juvenile product system to keep dangerous products from reaching the marketplace. Information on how an individual can prevent further incidents, injuries, and deaths is given, including the steps KID has taken for children's product safety. Other resources include a guide to the Consumer Product Safety Commission and information on product registration.
https://kidsindanger.org/
Featuring consumer reviews and guides covering finance, insurance, and home service companies, including company reviews, how-to articles, and tips on using financial tools and services to save money. Founded in 2000, the site consists of consumer reviews written and submitted by actual consumers rather than marketing professionals or content providers. Included are guides and reviews on credit cards, loans, debt, and similar topics. Reviews may be submitted through a submission form.
https://mythreecents.com/
Created in 2006 as a place for consumers to share their purchase experiences and for companies that need help to improve their reputations and customer service processes. Today, the company has more than a hundred employees. Among its services is to provide an opportunity for consumers to express their views and opinions, a means of reaching out to the customer service of a particular company, and to provide helpful articles on consumer rights, scam alerts, class actions, and other topics.
https://www.pissedconsumer.com/
The membership site is an online source of information on mid- to high-end home theater remote controls, offering reviews, specifications, programming guides, and user-to-user forums. Also included are BD and DVD movie reviews, operating tips, and other information on working with remote controls, including an archive of downloadable files and original remote manuals. Registering for a free account allows for participation in member-only areas, such as its forum, user reviews, and contests.
https://www.remotecentral.com/
The UK-based product review site has been online since 1999, providing a venue for users to review nearly any product or service they choose. It includes a range of consumer guides and reviews sorted into categories such as Electronics, Entertainment, Home & Garden, Home Appliances, Life & Style, Money, Motoring, Sport, and Travel, as well as websites (gaming and gambling, money and finance, news and reference, online communities, and shops). Consumer and business logins are available.
https://www.reviewcentre.com/
Individuals who have had a car stolen may report the theft here, registering the vehicle in its database, thus activating its nationwide neighborhood watch for stolen vehicles. Members receive information about the stolen car via email alerts and push notifications so that they can watch for it. When spotted, they can call the police and alert the site, being rewarded when the car is recovered. Law enforcement officials can also register to receive alerts. A search feature is included.
http://www.stolencarreports.com/
Maintained by the Canadian Toy Testing Council (CTTC), a non-profit, voluntary, registered charitable organization that tests toys for safety and quality. Formed in 1952, the CTTC conducts a year-round toy testing program with the help of volunteer families. It also publishes the "Toy Report," which features the best toys of the year based on testing results. Its testing techniques, automated testing component, and software testing are featured, and safety tips are included.
http://toy-testing.org
Utility Consumers' Action Network
UCAN is a non-profit organization founded in 1983 to monitor utility and energy issues in San Diego County, California. The organization also advocates for lower rates, provides consumer education, resolves individual complaints, and intervenes in regulatory proceedings before the California Public Utilities Commission. Its energy, climate action, water, and telecommunications advocacy efforts are reported, its staff is introduced, and contacts are provided.
https://www.ucan.org/
This UK-based consumer advice website allows consumers to protect themselves against unscrupulous suppliers, be better informed about dodgy trade practices, and take action to resolve consumer situations. Funded through advertising and its approved trader scheme, the site's content may apply only to England, Northern Ireland, and Wales, as Scotland has a slightly different legal system. Also included is an online discussion forum where registered members can discuss topics amongst themselves.
https://whatconsumer.co.uk/
