Consumer Information
Know Before You Buy
Finding brand comparisons of a product or what agency to complain to if you have a problem can be elusive at times.To help you find information on products, the Main Library has a small collection of print consumer materials, including Consumer Reports magazine. Copies are available for use in the library and also for check out. North & South Community Libraries also carry this magazine. It is also available online, full-text (except for current month) from EBSCOHost Masterfile Premier (access with your library barcode and PIN from outside the library). The resources listed below can help with consumer questions and complaints. The Automobiles. section of this site can help with your search for a new or used vehicle.
Highlights
Use Guidestar's free database to check whether a charity meets standards of transparency and financial soundness. The profile for a qualifying charity displays a widget that allows simple and secure online donations.
Resources @ La Crosse Public Library
ConsumerReports.org Check Consumer Reports for advice before buying appliances, electronics and more. Funded by and available to city of La Crosse residents.
EBSCOHOST Masterfile Premier Full-text for nearly 1750 publications, some as far back as 1975. Great resource for consumer information in a wide variety of magazines. (Funded by the state of Wisconsin and available to Wisconsin residents.)
Other Resources
Consumer Search Collects the best product reviews from a variety of sources, analyzes their picks and recommends what to buy.
Federal Trade Commission FTC is a federal agency that protects consumers. Consumer complaints can be filed online.
Recalls.gov Online resource for recalls of consumer products, autos, boats, food, medicine and much more.
United States Consumer Product Safety Commission This government agency is responsible for protecting the public against unreasonable risks that cause injury or death from thousands of consumer products under its jurisdiction.
Wisconsin Consumer Protection Wisconsin state agency responsible for helping consumers protect themselves from unfair and deceptive practices, illegal telemarketers, dangerous products, incorrect checkout scanners and gas pumps and questionable food.
Wisconsin Do Not Call Registry The place to register telephone numbers to help stop telemarketing calls in the state of Wisconsin.
