Like it or not, we're all consumers. So we might as well be good consumers, with some control over what we buy, how we're treated, and how we respond when what we buy has problems. These links should help.

Web Links Outside the Napa Valley

General Information

California Consumer Health Scope - Help in choosing a California HMO

Consumer Protection Publications - Full text of over 150 publications from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission

Consumer Information Center - U.S. General Services Agency. Full-text government publications online.

Consumer Product Safety Commission

Consumer World - Over 1200 over the most useful consumer resources on the Internet

Green Seal - Products given award for causing less harm to the environment than other similar products.

Nolo Press Self-Help Law Center - Great resources for do-it-yourself law. Find out your legal rights!

Sustainable Business Network - "Information and resources for both consumers and corporations that wish to create a sustainable society through responsible business practices."

Cars

AutoSite - "Timely facts, interactive tools, and expert resources [for] choosing, purchasing, maintaining, accessorizing, repairing, or selling an autombile. Dedicated to creating smarter shoppers who buy the right vehicle for their needs, negotiate a fair price, and get the most out of their vehicles."
California Department of Motor Vehicles - Online information and forms

CARveat Emptor - Tricks of the Great American Car Deal
Car Talk - Click and Clack from National Public Radio
Edmund's Automobile Buyer's Guides - Prices for new and used cars and trucks, buyer's advice, safety information

Kelley Blue Book - Used car values, new car prices

Credit Cards

CardTrak - "Evaluates the latest bank credit card surveys including low rate cards, no-fee cards, gold cards, secured cards, rebate cards, affinity cards, credit union cards and other charge cards."

Phones, Mail & Email

Problems

Characteristics of Telemarketing Fraud Schemes - U.S. Postal Inspection Service

Junkbusters - "Learn how to control Telemarketing Calls, Junk Mail, Junk Email and Protect your Privacy."

National Fraud Information Center - Operated by the non-profit National Consumers League