Consumer

Return to Internet Links Directory

Please Note: These pages contain links to non-library sponsored remote services and information. The Palatine Public Library District is not responsible for the content, reliability or availability of these services.

Cars

Charities

General Information

Greener Living

Home

Money

Unwanted Solicitation

Research Databases

Cars

Edmund's Automobile Buyer's Guide

FuelEconomy.gov

Find and compare cars' gas mileage (MPG), greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution ratings and safety information for new and used cars and trucks.

Gas Price Watch

This site will give you the stations with the lowest gas prices by zip code.

Kelley Blue Book of Auto Values

Motor Trend Magazine

NADA Appraisal Guides

National Lemon Law Center

Vehicles & Equipment: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Highly informative site featuring testing results for vehicle safety and NCAP crash test results. Also-databases with recall information, technical service bulletins, consumer complaints and a guide on preventing injury.

Charities

Charity Navigator

 A database of ratings of over 2500 charities in the U.S.

Donors Forum of Chicago 

A database listing grants in the Chicagoland area.

Give.org 

Better Business Bureau site that collects information about nonprofit organizations.

Guidestar 

Database on nonprofit organizations.

General Information

Better Business Bureau

This site includes a national database of complaint on companies, lists of BBB's in the US and Canada, and links about charities.

Better Business Bureau - Chicago

This site provides information on businesses in Chicago and the Northern Illinois region.

CNET

 Technology reviews and price comparisons, as well as news, tips, tutorials, and free downloads

Consumer Price Index

Consumer Reports Online

Free access to safety alerts, product recalls, a manufacturer locator and 2 years of articles from Consumer Reports.

ConsumerSearch

Product reviews and reports. This site helps consumers find answers about what products are top-rated.

CostHelper.com

Average costs and shopping tips for hundreds of topics. 

Department of Professional Regulation 

This site allows you to determine if anyone who is licensed by the state of Illinois has been disciplined.

Dr. Toy:  The Best Advice on Children's Products

Epinions.com

Unbiased reviews of products from everyday people who use them.

Federal Citizen Information Center 

Browse the numerous catalogs for consumer tips that will save you all kinds of cash.  This site provides full text versions of over 200 of the best Federal publications as well as links to Consumer News.

Federal Trade Commission

Federal Trade Commission: Consumer Protection

This database has information about avoiding scams and rip-offs as well as tips on other consumer topics.

Federal Trade Commission: Your National Resource for ID Theft

FirstGov for Consumers 

Resource for consumer information form the federal government.

FoodSafety.gov

Up-to-date information on food safety from the Department of Health and Human Services and the US Department of Agriculture.

Government Complaint Center

A guide to where to file various kinds of complaints.

Hearing Aids: How to Choose the Right One

A useful article on selecting hearing aids. From the Mayo Clinic web site.  

Identity Theft Resource Center

The Identity Theft Resource Center is a nonprofit program that provides consumer and victim support. Included on this site: scam alerts, assistance on lost/stolen wallets, victim issues, victim impact studies, and identity theft in the workplace.

Insurance Information Institute

Advice, news, and information about several types of insurance.

Insure U

From the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, this site provides consumer insurance information for those considering or buying insurance.

Recalls.gov 

This database of defective products consolidates information from 6 government agencies.

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

This site provides safety tips and information on product recalls.

Greener Living

Chicago Wilderness

An organization dedicated to the preservation and enjoyment of green spaces in and around Chicago.

Earth911.com

Recycling information categorized by material. Includes links to local recycling centers.

EarthHour.org

A global action intended to bring awareness to global warming. Turn off you lights at 8.30 p.m. Saturday March 28.

EERE: A Consumer's Guide to Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

From the U.S. Department of Energy, tips for saving energy while at home, at work, in your community, and while driving.

GoodGuide

Information on the health, environmental, and social impacts of the products in your home.

Local Harvest

A nationwide directory of farmers’ markets, small family farms, and organic food sources. Visitors to the site can find local farms, markets, Community Supported Agriculture programs, and food-related events searching by zip code or state, or by using the interactive map. 

The National Academies presents: What You Need to Know About Energy

The National Academies, advisers to the nation on science, engineering, and medicine, provide the facts about energy.

NRDC: Green Living

How-to guides from the Natural Resources Defense Council.

ResponsibleTravel.com

Find environmentally friendly vacation ideas and accommodations.

Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County

Find information on recycling, drop-off centers, and more.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

YellowPagesGoesGreen.org

A movement to eliminate the unsolicited delivery of phone directory books.

Home

Appliance411.com

Efficient Windows

Home Energy Saver

Household Products Database

This National Library of Medicine site identifies health and safety information on household products.

RepairClinic.com 

Use this site to troubleshoot and maintain your appliances.

Selecting a Home Heating System

A useful guide from the U.S. Department of Energy.

Money

Annual Credit Report

This site allows you to request a free credit report once every 12 months from each of the nationwide consumer credit reporting companies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

Bankrate.com

Find the best rates on consumer loans, credit cards and certificates.

The Beehive: How to Make and Save Money

Find advice on saving, spending wisely, credit counseling, child support, and more.

CardRatings.com

Sponsored by U.S. Citizens for Fair Credit Card Terms, this site evaluates credit information for consumers.

Federal Reserve Board 

Consumer information from the Federal Reserve Board.  Covers credit & credit cards, home mortgages, vehicle leasing and banking.

What's a Dollar Worth?

Calculate the change in the value of a dollar from 1913 to the present.

Unwanted Solicitation

Catalog Choice

Eliminate unwanted catalogs you receive in the mail.

DMAchoice

An online tool developed by the Direct Marketing Association to help you manage your mail.

Federal Trade Commission - SPAM

This site sponsored by the Federal Trade Commission offers tips on how to reduce the amount of unwanted e-mail and has information about deceptive e-mail.

Opt-Out, Get Off Lists 

Stop junk mail, e-mail, and unsolicited telephone calls with forms and information from this site sponsored by the Center for Democracy and Technology.

OptOutPrescreen.com

The official Consumer Credit Reporting Industry website to accept and process requests from consumers to Opt-In or Opt-Out of firm offers of credit or insurance.

National Do Not Call Registry

Research Databases

Palatine Public Library subscribes to a number of Web-based services (databases) which are available to users of the Library. Some are available from home and some are for use in the Library only. Resources available from home will require Palatine Public Library cardholders to type in their Library bar code number.

Available from home for Palatine Library Cardholders.

Available to use inside the library.

Consumers' Checkbook

A nonprofit consumer information and service resource.  This database helps consumers in the Chicago area find high-quality products and reasonably-priced services.

Consumer Reports

Find ratings and recommendations on a variety of products.
from Ebsco Research Databases