20 Questions: Empowering Consumers

Question One • Question: “I’m interested in giving to a variety of

causes. How can I be sure a charity is reputable?”

• Resource:• Charity Navigator • http://www.charitynavigator.org/

Question Two • Question:• “I have been very displeased with the

management company of my apartment complex. I’ve called and called, but nothing seems to work. What next?”

• Resource: • Department of Housing and Urban Development,

Renter’s Rights by State• http://www.hud.gov/renting/tenantrights.cfm

Question Three• Question: • “Well, I tried everything I know to do with the

apartment management company, and now I want to complain in some meaningful way. What can I do?”

• Resource: • Better Business Bureau• http://www.bbb.org/• Consumer Action Handbook• http://www.consumeraction.gov/

Question Four • Question: • “Strange things have been happening to me

lately. I think someone might have stolen my identity. What steps do I need to take?”

• Resource: • Federal Trade Commission, Identify Theft

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft//• Privacy Rights Clearinghouse• http://www.privacyrights.org/index.htm

Question Five• Question: • “Another parent told me she was suspicious of a pair of shoes

her kids are wearing—they have a loose bow. She thinks they may have been recalled! How can I find out of this is the case?”

• Resource: • Consumer Products Safety Commission, Recalls• http://www.cpsc.gov/• http://www.recalls.gov/

• Auto Recalls: http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/recalls/recallsearch.cfm

Question Six • Question: • “Freeee Credit Reeeport.com. I see those ads every

day. I’d like to see my reports, but there are so many options. Which is the most reliable/trustworthy?”

• Resource: • Annual Credit Report• https://www.annualcreditreport.com• More info about credit reports-• http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre34.shtm

•

Question Seven• Question:• “Now that I know my credit is in good

shape, I want to apply for a new, low interest card with some benefits. Where can I find the best cards?”

• Resource:• Card Ratings• http://www.cardratings.com/

Question Eight • Question:• “I’m interested in buying the fancy Google phone.

Is it any good? How does it stack up against the Iphone?

• Resource:• CNET, ZDNET• http://www.cnet.com• http://www.zdnet.com

Question Nine • Question:• “I have some beautiful antiques that simply must

be appraised. How can I find a reputable appraiser in my area?”

• Resource: • International Society of Appraisers Directory • http://www.isa-appraisers.org/ISA_form.html

• Or American Society of Appraisers (ASA), and the Appraisers Association of America (AAA)

Question Ten • Question:• “The phone is a constant source of frustration in my

life. What will help me with managing my calls?”

• Resource:• Get Human:• http://www.gethuman.com/• National Do Not Call Registry: • https://www.donotcall.gov/• Who Called Us? • http://whocalled.us/lookup/

Question 11 • Question:• “There are lots of great consumer health

resources for people, but fewer for pets! Can you help me find a good site with information about pet care, pet products, and other services?”

• Resource: • American Animal Hospital Association, Healthy

Pet• http://www.healthypet.com

Question 12• Question: “I’ve still got an old brick phone from the

90’s lying around. Where can I recycle it?” • Resource: • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “e-

cycling”• http://www.epa.gov/waste/conserve/

materials/ecycling/index.htm

Question 13• Question:• “I was reading an article on purchasing new

cars that suggested I find out the invoice price.• “What does this mean? Where can I find that?”

• Resource:• edmunds.com, Pricing System

•

Question 14• Question: • “Before I know what hit me, it will be time

to send my kids to college. Where can I find more information about college savings plans available in my state?”

• Resource: • College Savings Plans Network• http://www.collegesavings.org

Question 15• Question: • “I have little to no understanding of the

investment landscape. At my new job, I have the option of investing in a 401k. I need help understanding how it works!”

• Resource: • The Investor’s Clearing House, Investor Education• http://investoreducation.org/

Question 16• Question: • “I am trying to save some money on legal fees.

Are there resources online where I can get forms?”

• Resource: • Findlaw• http://www.findlaw.com• Nolo• http://www.nolo.com

Question 17• Question: • “I need to find good information about the

effectiveness of dietary and herbal supplements—can you help?”

• Resource: • Office of Dietary Supplements • http://dietary-supplements.info.nih.gov/

• General consumer health information-Medline Plus: • http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/

Question 18 • Question: • “I just had the best experience buying

sportswear at a Jockey outlet store. I really want to send my compliments to the parent company. How would I do that?”

• Resource: • Planet Feedback• http://www.planetfeedback.com/

Question 19• Question: • “New technology is so expensive. Is

there a place where I can find good deals?”

• Resource: • Woot!• http://www.woot.com

Question 20 • Question: • “I was just in this online class where I learned about a lot of

resources for consumers, but I know there have to be a lot more. Where can I find more info?”

• Resource:• Consumer Action• http://www.consumeraction.gov• Clark Howard• http://clarkhoward.com/• Internet Public Library, Consumer Issues and Services• http://www.ipl.org/IPLBrowse/GetSubject?

vid=13&cid=1&tid=6615&parent=6607• http://www.consumerworld.org/

Thank You for Attending!Questions?Questions?• Professional

Development• 1.800.999.8558

– Ext. 4916• Web: lyrasis.org

•Email: russell.palmer@lyrasis.org