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Shopping
 Websites presented in alphabetical order Avoid Gift Card Pitfalls 
 Consumer advice regarding gift cards, which are "convenient and popular, but ... are often loaded with fees, expiration dates, and other hassles." Includes an overview of gift cards, gift card "gotchas" such as maintenance fees and expiration dates, and tips for givers and receivers of gift cards. From the website for Consumer Reports magazine. http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/money/shopping/shopping-tips/gift-card-pitfalls-12-07/overview/gift-card-pitfalls-ov.htm Topics: Consumer Research & Advocacy, Holidays & Observances Last updated Nov 29, 2007 BizRate Shopping Search
Independent directory of quality shopping sites. Provides the top retail sites for overall customer satisfaction in the categories of apparel, books, computers, electronics, department stores, food and drink, games and toys, gifts, health and beauty, hobbies and collectibles, home and garden, music and videos, and sports and fitness. Requires the participating stores to agree to a Bizrate link on their sites. http://www.bizrate.com/ Topics: Business, Business Last updated May 7, 2004 Buy Nothing Day (BND)
Site for this protest against consumerism that takes place on the day after Thanksgiving. Provides suggestions for somewhat controversial BND activities such as a credit card cut-up or zombie walk in shopping malls. Also includes downloadable posters and public service announcements (which MTV declined to air). From Adbusters, an organization that wants "to advance the new social activist movement." http://www.adbusters.org/campaigns/bnd Topics: Consumer Research & Advocacy, Holidays & Observances Last updated Jul 13, 2008 Buying, Giving, and Using Gift Cards
Consumer tips for buying and using gift cards, such as asking about expiration dates and fees, giving the original purchase receipt to the recipient in case the card is lost or stolen, and checking about purchase exceptions. Includes contacts for problems and complaints about gift cards. Also available in Spanish. From the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt010.shtm Topics: Consumer Research & Advocacy, Holidays & Observances Last updated Nov 20, 2009 Catalog Choice
This is "a free service that lets you decline paper catalogs you no longer wish to receive." Register and select catalogs to opt out of receiving, rather than sending or calling individual merchants. Includes a place to report merchants who do not honor mailing list removal services, a FAQ and privacy statement, quick facts about the impact of paper catalogs, a blog, and information for merchants. A project of the Ecology Center. http://www.catalogchoice.org/ Topics: Consumer Research & Advocacy Last updated Jan 7, 2008 Co-op America
The Green Pages Online lists thousands of socially and environmentally responsible products and services. Also has an extensive personal finance section for tips, suggested readings, and links on topics from mutual funds to bartering. Find information on the anti-sweatshop movement, a list of ongoing boycotts of companies and products, and tips for forest-friendly living. Companies, too, can find "advice, resources and contacts to help turn social responsibility into business success." http://www.coopamerica.org/ Topics: Activism, Consumer Research & Advocacy, Environment, Ethics, Labor Last updated Jun 3, 2006 Co-op America: Boycotts
Collection of resources on economic boycotts, "powerful tools for raising awareness about the impact of corporate practices on workers, communities, and the Earth." Features a boycott organizers guide, a guide to researching corporations, and links to green business and responsible shopping guides. From Co-op America, a nonprofit focusing on economic strategies for solving social and environmental problems. http://www.coopamerica.org/programs/boycotts/ Topics: Consumer Research & Advocacy Last updated Feb 27, 2008 Consumer Reports Blogs: Tightwad Tod
In this blog feature, launched in October 2008 in response to the U.S. economic downturn, a longtime Consumer Reports researcher and writer will be "posting on the news that affects your pocketbook, sniffing around for great buys, challenging offers that sound too good to be true, and heaping shame on the scams and ripoff artists that abound out there." Part of the Consumer Reports Money blog. http://blogs.consumerreports.org/money/tightwad_tod/ Topics: Consumer Research & Advocacy Last updated Nov 18, 2008 Consumer World
The most comprehensive directory of consumer products and information on the Web. Not annotated. Over 2000 resources: check an airfare, find an ATM machine, file a consumer complaint with a state agency, read hundreds of consumer booklets, find a low rate credit card or mortgage, look up the wholesale price of a car, locate a Better Business Bureau, find a toll-free number, contact a company's customer service department, comparison shop for bargains, check stock quotes or CD rates, or read a movie review. Created by Edgar Dworsky, noted consumer advocate. http://www.consumerworld.org/ Topics: Consumer Research & Advocacy, Finance Last updated Jun 15, 2003 ConsumerSearch
This resource reviews products, analyzes other reviews, and provides top-rated products listings. Their reviewers include "former writers for Consumer Reports, PC Magazine, and The New York Times; a Wall Street research analyst; and talent from dozens of major magazines and newspapers." Product categories include electronics, sports, office, kitchen, health, automotive, and garden. http://www.consumersearch.com/ Topics: Business, Business, Consumer Research & Advocacy Last updated Dec 15, 2004 A Cooperative Food-Buying Club Primer
This article describes tips for establishing a food-buying club. If "you are looking for more vegetarian, whole food options in your community or better prices on healthy foods, a cooperative consumer food-buying club could be your answer. These groups (also known as preorder co-ops or buying clubs) consist of a group of people pooling their financial resources in order to purchase bulk foods at wholesale prices." From VegFamily, "the magazine for vegan family living." http://www.vegfamily.com/articles/coop-food-buying.htm Topics: Consumer Research & Advocacy Last updated Mar 19, 2008 Design of Desire
Website for a documentary "about buying and selling. About why we buy, how designers and marketers influence what we buy, and how individuals are using market ideas, tricks, and tools to market themselves." Features audio and transcript of the program, a "spendthrift-tightwad" survey, photo tour of retail design and photos of the American shopping experience, and feature articles about consumer behavior and marketing. From American RadioWorks. http://americanradioworks.publicradio.org/features/design/ Topics: Consumer Research & Advocacy, Industries Last updated Nov 29, 2007 Epinions
A well-designed consumer site that provides unedited opinions and reviews from user members about a broad range of products, services, and travel destinations. Links to professional reviews and buying guides are also available in many categories. Users can rate member reviews for usefulness, and reviewers for "trustworthiness." http://www.epinions.com/ Topics: Business, Business, Consumer Research & Advocacy, Society & Social Science Last updated Jun 15, 2003 Evolution of the Shopping Center
An illustrated timeline on the development of shopping centers in the United States. Features information about the antecedents of shopping centers, the creation of department stores, and the impact of automobiles. Includes links to related sites. From a history professor at the University of San Diego. http://history.sandiego.edu/gen/soc/shoppingcenter.html Topics: Business, Consumer Research & Advocacy, Industries Last updated Oct 12, 2004 GoodGuide
This site, in beta as of November 2008, is a "source of information on the health, environmental, and social impacts of the products in your home." It provides information about ingredients and the manufacturer's social, political, and environmental policies as well as general information about how products are made and corporate policies. Search or browse thousands of products in areas such as baby care, toys, hair care, household cleaners, and perfumes. http://goodguide.com Topics: Consumer Research & Advocacy Last updated Dec 11, 2008 Grocery Savings and Coupon Zone
"Resources for helping you save on food. Find information on double coupons, grocery store contact links and contact information, tips on saving on groceries, free menu lists, and shopping lists and other valuable information for saving on groceries." Also includes discussions about how grocery stores get you to spend more, starting a small coupon exchange club, and the pros and cons of grocery store loyalty programs. From About.com. http://couponing.about.com/od/groceryzone/Grocery_Savings_and_Coupon_Zone.htm Topics: Consumer Research & Advocacy, Finance Last updated Aug 8, 2007 HealthyToys.org: The Consumer Action Guide to Toxic Chemicals in Toys
Test results released in December 2007 for toxic chemicals in "over 1,200 toys and children's products." Search by product name, or browse by brand or toy type. Listings include general information (such as country of manufacture), and levels of lead, cadmium, chlorine/PVC, arsenic, and mercury. Also includes a FAQ, background on the chemicals, and a place to submit suggestions for other toys to be tested. From the Ecology Center (Michigan), with the Washington Toxics Coalition. http://www.healthytoys.org Topics: Consumer Research & Advocacy, Hobbies, Pollutants & Toxic Substances, Public Health & Safety Last updated Nov 11, 2008 Holiday Retail
Collection of news stories related to the current winter holiday retail season. Topics include toys made in China, toy safety, holiday price cuts, sales figures, and other retailer and consumer actions. (Note: Video clips may take a long time to load.) From MSNBC. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15714138/ Topics: Consumer Research & Advocacy, Holidays & Observances Last updated Nov 21, 2007 Holiday Watch
This site features information and statistics about trends in holiday shopping back to 1999. Topics include "hot" gifts, busiest shopping days, data on tracking holiday sales figures, and winter holiday season sales as a percentage of total sales for general merchandise, apparel, furniture, and furnishings. The "Fun Facts" section provides information about Santa Claus at the mall and mall holiday decorations. From the International Council of Shopping Centers. http://holiday.icsc.org Topics: Business, Christmas, Holidays & Observances Last updated Nov 30, 2004 How Pawnshops Work
This feature provides an explanation of the workings of pawnshops, which lend small amounts of money in exchange for collateral, and buy and sell used merchandise. It includes an example of a pawnshop transaction, an example of how a pawnshop is regulated in one state, details about paperwork and interest rates, description of what types of bargains might be found in a pawnshop, and related material. From HowStuffWorks. http://money.howstuffworks.com/pawnshop.htm Topics: Consumer Research & Advocacy, Money Last updated Dec 2, 2008 Jewelry Guides and Information
Collection of Federal Trade Commission (FTC) documents related to the jewelry industry. Includes a consumer guide to buying jewelry, consumer alerts, Federal Register notices, FTC advisory opinions, and other documents related to jewelry, gemstones, precious metals, and pewter. The "Jewelry Guides" section explains the proper use of industry terms such as "blue white" diamond and "cultured pearl," items that cannot be misrepresented (such as silver and gold content), misleading illustrations, and related items. http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/jewelryjump.shtm Topics: Consumer Research & Advocacy, Fashion Last updated Jun 6, 2007 The Magnificent, the Merry and the Mundane: The Display Windows of Eaton's Department Store
This exhibit explores department store display windows, which "have been central to Canadian retailing since Timothy Eaton built Canada's first super-size department store in the 1880s." Topics include the history of Eaton's (founded as T. Eaton Company by Timothy Eaton), displays inspired by royalty, Christmas windows, and other window display trends through the history of the store. From the Archives of Ontario. http://www.archives.gov.on.ca/english/exhibits/eatons-windows/ Topics: Consumer Research & Advocacy, Holidays & Observances, Industries Last updated Nov 7, 2008 Measuring the Economic Impact of Wal-Mart on the U.S. Economy
This study, released in November 2005, provides an analysis of "the national and region impact of the nation's largest retailer on the U.S. economy ... [on] the national, city, and county level." The study focuses on Wal-Mart in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington area of Texas. Includes a summary and the full report. Also includes links to related articles, some of which come to differing conclusions. From Global Insight, a financial forecasting company. http://www.globalinsight.com/MultiClientStudy/MultiClientStudyDetail2438.htm Topics: Business, Economics Last updated Dec 14, 2005 National Retail Federation: Annual Holiday Sales Information
Information about retail shopping activity in the U.S. during the winter holiday season. Information before and after the holidays variously includes spending projections, shopping on the Friday and Monday after Thanksgiving ("Black Friday" and "Cyber Monday"), online shopping, and consumer surveys. Also includes a report with "recent and historical data on holiday trends, including sales data, holiday hiring, and shoplifting." From a trade association whose membership "comprises all retail formats." http://www.nrf.com/modules.php?name=News&id=615 Topics: Christmas, Holidays & Observances, Holidays and Observances Individually Last updated Nov 10, 2008 Recycled Tissue and Toilet Paper Guide
Printable, pocket-sized guide to toilet paper and bathroom tissues that have partial or total recycled content and are bleached without toxic chlorine compounds. "Recycled tissue products help protect ancient forests, clean water, and wildlife habitats." Greenpeace "also recommends using reusable cloth hankies instead of facial tissues as using handkerchiefs further reduces our impact on ancient forests." From Greenpeace. http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/campaigns/forests/tissueguide Topics: Consumer Research & Advocacy, Environment Last updated Mar 2, 2009 Responsible Shopper
"Discover the good, the bad and the ugly behind the products you buy everyday." The database covers hundreds of companies that can be compared within industries; "Investigate Industries" describes issues common to about a dozen industries. Each record provides the parent company, issues criticized and praised for (e.g., ethics, animal testing, charitable giving, diversity, executive compensation), response from the company (if any), and forms to use to contact the company. From Co-op America. http://www.coopamerica.org/programs/responsibleshopper/ Topics: Consumer Research & Advocacy, Environment Last updated Jun 30, 2008 The Secrets of Mystery Shopping Revealed
Consumer alert about mystery shopping, the use of an anonymous shopper to evaluate the quality of service in a store, and scams associated with the solicitation of mystery shoppers. Provides facts about becoming a legitimate mystery shopper for a legitimate company (which does not cost anything), and under what circumstances consumers should be skeptical of mystery shopping promoters. From the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt151.shtm Topics: Consumer Research & Advocacy, Jobs & Work Last updated Feb 17, 2009 Shopping Mall and Shopping Center Studies
This website features "an introduction to shopping malls as subjects for historical, social, and cultural studies of the United States." Provides history of shopping centers, profiles of the largest malls in the U.S. and world, shopping mall terminology (such as anchor stores, factory outlet, and "mall rat"), literature with shopping mall settings, and related material. From the American Studies department at Eastern Connecticut State University. http://nutmeg.easternct.edu/~pocock/Malls.htm Topics: Consumer Research & Advocacy, Industries Last updated Mar 19, 2009 Shopping Morocco's Souks
Tips for what to shop for and how to bargain at bazaars in Morocco. Includes brief descriptions of carpets, leather goods, traditional dress, and Moroccan pharmacies. Tips for souk shoppers include exchanging money only at banks, carrying sufficient cash, watching for pickpockets, and negotiating prices. From TravelLady Magazine. http://www.travellady.com/articles/article-shoppingmorocco.html Topics: Consumer Research & Advocacy, Travel, Travel Sites by Continent Last updated Apr 23, 2008 Snopes.com: Secret Shopper Scams
Discussion of employment fraud in the form of secret shopper job postings. Describes how "reshipper" and "cashier's check" cons have been reworked into secret shopper pitches, as well as the traditional secret shopper con, in which individuals are defrauded in the "value of their payments for goods (training materials) or services (certificates or listing in databases of available secret shoppers)." Also provides tips for avoiding secret shopper scams. From Snopes.com. http://www.snopes.com/fraud/employment/shopper.asp Topics: Consumer Research & Advocacy, Corruption & Fraud, Jobs & Work Last updated Feb 27, 2008 Souk Secrets
In this 2006 article "the sheikh of chic, Majed al-Sabah, ... reveals his favorite stops at bazaars from Cairo to Kuwait City, and points beyond." Includes brief descriptions of bazaars (with items to look for) in Cairo, Damascus, Istanbul, Kuwait City, Marrakesh, Manama, and Tehran. From Travel and Leisure magazine. http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/souk-secrets Topics: Consumer Research & Advocacy, Travel Last updated Apr 22, 2008 Supermarket Characteristics and Operating Costs in Low-Income Areas
"Whether the poor pay more for food than other income groups is an important question in food price policy research." This December 2004 report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) examines whether "stores serving low-income shoppers differ in important ways from stores that receive less of their revenues from Food Stamp redemptions," concluding that "if the poor do pay more, factors other than operating costs are likely to be the reason." http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/aer839/ Topics: Consumer Research & Advocacy Last updated Jan 11, 2005 Supermarket Guru
This site features the latest food and health trend news from food marketing columnist and radio and TV reporter Phil Lempert. Provides daily updates and weekly features on new product hits and misses, current and archived columns, "stolen" restaurant recipes, weight loss diaries, resources for food industry professionals, and related food and diet information. Registration (free) required to use some site features. http://supermarketguru.com Topics: Business, Consumer Research & Advocacy, Food & Cooking, Industries, Nutrition & Food Safety Last updated May 11, 2005 Tools & Power Equipment: Leaf Blowers
This 2007 Consumer Reports overview of leaf blowers notes that the "best handheld electric blowers have long beaten their gasoline-fueled competitors with comparable power and less weight and noise." While the specific ratings and reviews are only available to Consumer Reports subscribers, the site's free section include the top model, a rake vs. leaf blower video, and sections on how to choose a leaf blower and leaf blower types. From the website for Consumer Reports. http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/home-garden/tools-power-equipment/leaf-blowers/index.htm Topics: Consumer Research & Advocacy Last updated Sep 22, 2009 Top 5ive Tips for Black Friday Shopping
Five shopping tips for taking advantage of special bargains on "Black Friday," the day after Thanksgiving. Tips include creating a game plan (budgeting and visiting order of stores), foregoing sleep, using the Internet, comparing prices, and avoiding identity theft. Includes links to sites with Black Friday advertising. From AOL Money and Finance. http://money.aol.com/top5/general/black-friday-shopping-tips Topics: Consumer Research & Advocacy, Holidays & Observances Last updated Nov 4, 2008 Whatever Happened to Green Stamps?
A brief history of S&H (Sperry and Hutchinson) green stamps and their reincarnation as electronic "greenpoints." From The Straight Dope site. http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/1940/whatever-happened-to-green-stamps Topics: Consumer Research & Advocacy Last updated Dec 2, 2008 With DirectBuy, It Will Cost You a Lot to Save
This September 2007 article describes the operation of a nationwide buying club that promises members discounts on goods after paying membership fees. Topics include amount of membership fees, prices of items, handling fees, and return policies. The article concludes that "the lack of price transparency makes it hard to evaluate whether you'll save by joining DirectBuy." From a blog from Consumers Reports. http://blogs.consumerreports.org/home/2007/09/with-directbu-1.html Topics: Consumer Research & Advocacy Last updated Mar 19, 2008 |
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