Research Databases
- Consumer Health Complete
- This comprehensive resource for consumer-oriented health information covers all areas of health and wellness, including topics such as aging, cancer, diabetes, fitness, nutrition, and children's health. It also includes medical encyclopedias; popular reference books; full-text magazine articles and health reports; and medical images and diagrams.
- FirstSearch
- Access a wide range of subject-specific databases, including WorldCat, a catalog of books and other materials in libraries worldwide.
- Gale Legal Forms
- Thousands of Ohio-specific and national legal forms spanning a variety of common concerns (bankruptcy, divorce, employment, landlord tenant, living wills, power of attorney, taxes, etc.). Legal definition and attorney directories are also available.
- Health & Wellness Resource Center
- This database bundles together full-text content from Gale's health databases, reference text titles and hundreds of health journals, pamphlets, and newspaper articles. Recommended for consumers, students, and professionals.
- Home Improvement Reference Center
- This resource is designed to assist homeowners with do-it-yourself home repair, maintenance, and remodeling projects. Articles from magazines and reference books and step-by-step instructions for thousands of plumbing, outdoor, woodworking, electrical, and decorating projects are available. The database also offers a “toolbox,” which includes a glossary, conversion charts, and a homeowner’s journal.
- Medline
- Authoritative information on clinical medicine, dentistry, education, experimental medicine, nursing, nutrition, pathology, psychiatry, and toxicology. Created and maintained by the National Library of Medicine.
- NetWellness
- Nonprofit consumer health site that draws upon information created and evaluated by health care professionals at the University of Cincinnati, Ohio State University, and Case Western Reserve University medical centers.
- Price It! Antiques & Collectibles
- Use this resource to identify, research, and price art, antiques, and collectibles. Pricing information in the database is gathered from three reputable sources: online auctions (eBay, GoAntiques), online retail (GoAntiques, TIAS), and land-based auction houses.
General Sites
- Better Business Bureau
- Check up on a business, read consumer alerts, or find your local office.
- Consumer Action Website
- This site from the Federal Citizen Information Center provides information to be a better consumer in areas such as housing, health care, credit, car buying, insurance, TV, and travel.
- Consumer Information Center
- View for free or order low-cost government consumer guides issued by the U.S. General Services Administration.
- Consumer World
- The best directory of consumer-oriented links on the Web.
- DMA Choice
- Provides guidelines for removing yourself from a host of marketing lists.
- Federal Trade Commission - Consumer Protection
- Contains articles and advice on avoiding scams and rip-offs and offers tips on a variety of consumer topics.
- Hamilton County Helping Working Families
- Find out how to reduce medical, child care, food, energy, and prescription drug costs. Also includes jobs/hiring info and tips for avoiding foreclosure.
- Internet Crime Complaint Center
- This is an official site of the FBI and the National White Collar Crime Center (IC3), where you can send criminal or civil complaints about Internet crime, and have them officially investigated.
- National Consumer League's Fraud Center
- Report telemarketing, Internet and other kinds of fraud. Read about the most common types of fraud and learn how to protect yourself.
- Ohio Attorney General
- Allows you to file a consumer complaint online or to print the full text of consumer pamphlets on topics such as the lemon law. Victims of foreclosure fraud or predatory lending can call the Ohio Attorney General's help line at 1-877-244-6446.
- Ohio Department of Insurance
- In-depth shopper's guide on motor vehicle, life, health, long-term car, and medicare insurances, as well as information on fraud annuities, etc.
- Ohio Treasurer of State - Fraud, Theft, and Scams
- Provides tips to avoid fraud, theft, and scams.
- Plain Dealer Scam Finder
- Compiled by Sheryl Harris, the Plain Dealer's popular consumer affairs columnist, this site helps you identify, fight, and report consumer scams.
- Senior Citizen's Guide to Cincinnati
- Helps older adults and those with aging parents or family members find housing, health, financial, travel, entertainment, consumer services, and other senior-related resources in Butler, Greene, Hamilton, Montgomery, & Warren Counties in Ohio and Boone, Campbell, & Kenton Counties in Northern Kentucky.
- United States Food and Drug Administration
- Legal and consumer information on food, cosmetics, tobacco and medical products.
- Urban Legends Reference Page
- Also known as Snopes, this site tells whether or not urban legends are true.
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
- Use this website to search for recalls from among 15,000 monitored consumer products or to report unsafe products.
- U.S. News & World Report
- News, current events, and rankings of schools, hospitals and more.
- Viewpoints
- A website that lists reviews of products, services, and institutions contributed by consumers for consumers. People share their experiences by writing reviews, posting in blogs, developing how to guides, participating in discussion boards and contributing and voting on ideas.
Automobiles
- Autobytel
- Resources and advice for those interested in purchasing a new or used vehicle.
- Carfax
- Carfax provides computerized background checks on a used vehicle's history. The Vehicle History Reports are designed to identify problems and help consumers avoid buying problem cars.
- Edmunds
- Online version of the popular print publication provides information on new and used cars. Includes prices, ratings, road tests on new cars, and information on incentives, rebates and leases.
- FuelEconomy
- This website sponsored by the U.S. EPA allows you to compare and contrast the fuel economy of automobiles. It gives estimated fuel costs per year of models dating back to 1985.
- Gas Buddy
- Put in your zip code and find the cheapest gasoline available.
- The Gold Book
- Online price guide for classic and collectible cars.
- Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
- Crash test information and safety ratings.
- IntelliChoice Online Car Ratings
- Consumer information and ratings for cars. Includes information on pricing, ownership costs, specifications, safety, standard features and available options.
- Kelley Blue Book
- Gives pricing for new and used cars, motorcycles, watercraft, and snowmobiles. Includes a payment calculator and new car reviews.
- NADA Guidebooks
- Gives low, average, and high retail values of used boats, RVs, motorycles, snowmobiles, ATVs, collectible and special interest cars, and used cars. Dates of coverage vary.
- National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA)
- Provides free retail price values for used cars, motorcycles, boats, and RV's back to 1989. Offers news, legislation, consumer articles, and dealerships near you.
- Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles
- Advice for consumers buying cars and title information.
- U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Safety and recall information.
- Yahoo! Autos
- A good site for finding the basic specification of a vehicle you may be interested in purchasing.
Foreclosure & Refinancing
- ACORN, the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now
- Provides one-on-one mortgage loan counseling, first-time homebuyer classes, and helps clients obtain affordable mortgages through a lending partnership. They also engage in research, and political and social action.
- Facing The Mortgage Crisis
- CET, WVXU, and the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County have created a portal of resources for people who are facing—or think they may face—foreclosure. Includes a documents checklist for foreclosure assistance, local resources for homeowners, an online forum, and phone numbers of local agencies.
- Federal Trade Commission - Foreclosure Facts for Consumers
- Provides information about foreclosure rescue scams and how to report foreclosure fraud. Offers advice for those having trouble making their mortgage payments.
- Hope For Homeowners
- Program by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development that refinances mortgages for borrowers who are having difficulty making their payments, but can afford a new loan insured by HUD's Federal Housing Administration (FHA).
- Hope Now
- A government-organized group of counselors, investors, and lenders offering resources and assistance. Non-profit, HUD-approved credit counselors are available.
- Internal Revenue Service - Home Foreclosure
- Provides a Q&A on home foreclosure and debt cancellation.
- Making Homes Affordable
- Homeowners can follow a questionnaire to figure out whether or not they are eligible for a refinanced of modified loan. Provides a list of HUD-approved counselors.
- Ohio Attorney General
- Allows you to file a consumer complaint online or to print the full text of consumer pamphlets on topics such as the lemon law. Victims of foreclosure fraud or predatory lending can call the Ohio Attorney General's help line at 1-877-244-6446.
- Ohio Housing Finance Agency
- Provides information and resources to help avoid foreclosure.
- Ohio Save the Dream Program
- Explains the foreclosure process and how to proceed if you are having problems. Also provides links to free legal assistance.
- Ohio State Bar Association
- Ohio residents facing foreclosure who need free legal help can call the Ohio State Bar Association at 1-800-282-6556.
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
- Provides HUD-approved housing counseling agencies in Ohio and information on avoiding foreclosure.
Health
- Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs
- Recommends and discusses medicines based on prices and effectiveness.
- ConsumerLab.com
- Consumers and healthcare professionals can find the results of independent tests of health-related products here.
- Healthgrades.com · Health Care Ratings
- Site offering Health Care Report Cards, ratings of hospitals and physicians on procedures and diagnosis at over 5000 U.S. hospitals.
- National Library of Medicine
- The National Library of Medicine provides free access to Medline, which contains over 11 million article references to more than 4300 biomedical journals, and to MedlinePlus, which is composed of carefully selected web resources on over 400 health topics for consumers and professionals.
- Self-Help Group Sourcebook Online
- Directory of every type of national, international, model and online self-help support group.
- Tox Town
- Interactive guide to toxic chemicals and environmental health issues in everyday locations. Some resources are available in Spanish.
Home Improvement
- Answers @ Ace
- Use Ace's Interactive Project Library to access detailed guides for a wide range of home repair/improvement projects.
- Do It Yourself
- Information sources and service providers for do-it-yourselfers.
- HGTV
- Provides tips and articles on decorating, home improvement, landscaping, crafts, organizing, kitchens, bathrooms, and much more.
- Home Improvement Encyclopedia
- This website, maintained by Better Homes & Gardens, contains lots of information about home repair and improvement, and it includes a cost calculator to estimate expense.
- Home Improvement Ideas and Inspiration
- Provides articles on home improvement and remodeling ideas and advice.
- Home Time
- Step-by-step instructions for all sorts of projects and repairs. Offers how-to articles and videos.
- Household Products Database
- Information on the potential health effects of more than 2,000 ingredients contained in over 5,000 common household products.
- How to Clean Anything
- Cleaning hints for in and around the house. Use the "Find a Professional" service for cleaning disasters.
- Natural Handyman
- Read many articles on home repair topics, including asbestos and lead, on this easy-to-use website.
- SAMS Technical Publishing
- Catalog of purchaseable home electronics repairs manuals - includes PhotoFacts.
Real Estate
- Assisted Living On-line.com
- An online directory allows users to find facilities in their specific area. Listings include brief descriptions and contact information.
- Homebuyer's Fair
- Advice for buying a home and relocating, including articles and interactive calculators.
- Ohio Council for Home Care & Hospice
- Provides consumer advocacy and information for home care and hospice in Ohio. Includes informational guides and links to related topics.
- Ohio Rental Housing Locator
- Directory of affordable, accessible rental housing in Ohio. Includes apartments with special features for the elderly and people with disabilities.
- A Place For Mom
- A national elder care referral service that provides comprehensive resources for senior housing and elder care options to seniors and families in need. Provides information about Alzheimer's care, assisted living, home care, nursing homes, residential care homes, and retirement centers.
- Realtor Home Search
- Official site by the National Association of realtors. Allows searching by community, size of home and other features.
- Rent Net
- Apartment listings across the U.S. Also lists storage services and temporary furnished suites.
- SeniorSites
- A comprehensive web source for non-profit housing and services for seniors. Search for housing by zip code, facility name, or desired amenities.
- Southwestern Ohio Association of Adult Day Services
- Adult Day Services serves clients with physical, mental or emotional impairments needing supervision, increased social opportunities, assistance with personal care or other daily living activities. SOAADS has 27 center members in Butler, Clinton, Hamilton, and Warren counties in Ohio and Campbell and Kenton counties in Kentucky.
- U.S. Postal Service - Change of Address
- The official change of address form from the US Post Office.
- Visiting Nurses Association of America
- Supports, promotes, and advances the nation's network of Visiting Nurse Agencies who provide cost-effective and compassionate home healthcare to the elderly and individuals with disabilities. Services include advocacy, education, and collaboration with other service providers.
Shopping
- CNET
- CNET has paid technicians who review products and help with online tech support. They specialize in computer and other hi tech products like cell phones, televisions and games.
- Consumer Reports
- Provides product ratings, information, and articles for non-subscribers. More detailed rating articles and interactive features are available for subscribers of the site.
- Consumer Search
- ConsumerSearch is a publishing company owned by the New York Times. They try to pinpoint the top-rated products, by scanning commercial review sources, which include computer magazines, CNet, and other published sources. The reviews are rated for credibility, expertise of the reviewer, and the methodology of testing (i.e. did they take the product apart and test it)? It’s not as useful for price comparisons.
- Coupon Cabin
- Coupon Cabin has free coupon downloads, and you can look for deals by store or by product. Coupons can be emailed to you from this site every Monday.
- Deal Catcher
- Deal Catcher offers printable coupons and a link to a price comparison site.
- Fat Wallet
- Fat Wallet lists cash back and coupon offers from hundreds of stores. The cash back offers are rebates that require registration so funds can be deposited to your Fat Wallet account. The site also has an extensive user forum for comments on deals, products, service, etc.
- Overstock.com
- Overstock.com contracts with name brand merchants to sell their excess inventory at a discount. It seems to help if you find out the manufacturer's suggested retail price first, to see if it’s a good deal or not. Includes customer reviews.
- Price Grabber
- Price Grabber lets you compare prices on a wide variety of products, but also has consumer reviews of the vendors and products, and links to professional reviews of the product.
- Priceline.com
- Purchase hotel reservations, airline tickets, etc. by naming your price.
- Retail Me Not
- Retail Me Not has the secret codes from various retailers that you can enter for discounts. You can search by product or by retailer.
- Safe Shopping
- An informational site created by the American Bar Association to help Internet users become more informed about shopping online.
- Shopzilla
- Shopzilla lets you compare prices at online stores, and evaluate those stores on factors like fast delivery and customer support. This site covers a very wide range of products. Consumer product reviews are very short with occassional links connecting to professional reviews.
Utilities
- Energy Star
- Get the latest on energy-saving products for home or business, from the EPA and the U.S. Dept. of Energy.
- HEAP Hotline for Ohio
- Home Energy Assistance Program forms and information are here. You can also call their toll-free number, 1-800-282-0880.
- Ohio Consumer's Counsel
- Provides utility-related information and helps Ohioans resolve problems with their utility companies, including representing consumer interests in legal cases.
- Public Utilities Commission of Ohio
- Compare electric and natural gas utility rates or get advice on buying phone service.
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