1. CHAPTER 22 THE INFORMED CONSUMER

2. THE CONSUMER POWER TO DECIDE TO BUY OR NOT TO BUY GOODS AND SERVICES AN INFORMED CONSUMER IS ABLE TO INCREASE STANDARD OF LIVING AS MUCH AS THEIR INCOME WILL ALLOW OBLIGATION TO SOCIETY TO BE WISE AND EFFICIENT CONSUMERS CONSUMER BEHAVIOR REFLECTS YOUR LIFE-STYLE

3. CONSUMER INFORMATION ORGANIZATIONS PRODUCT-TESTING ORGANIZATIONS-- TEST PRODUCTS AND SERVICES; UNDERWRITERS LABORATORIES (UL) PRINT PUBLISHERS--CONSUMER REPORTS, GOOD HOUSEKEEPING, PARENTS, MONEY BROADCAST ORGANIZATIONS--NEWS, REPORTERS, TALK SHOWS

4. CONSUMER INFORMATION FROM GOVERNMENT CONSUMER INFORMATION CENTER--HQ FOR CONSUMER INFORMATION UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA)--CREATE “GRADES” OFFICE OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISION NATIONAL HIGHWAY SAFETY ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

5. CONSUMER INFORMATION FROM BUSINESS ADVERTISING--OVERLOOK THE APPEAL TO BUY PRODUCT; WORD-OF-MOUTH PRODUCT LABELS--WRITTEN INFO ABOUT CONTENT OF PRODUCT CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENTS-- BOOKLETS, 800 PHONE NUMBERS, WEBSITE BUSINESS SPECIALISTS--ADVICE FROM EXPERTS; USED FOR COMPLICATED OR EXPENSIVE PRODUCTS BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU--MAINTAIN EHTICAL PRACTICES OF AREA BUSINESSES

6. EFFECTIVE CONSUMER PRACTICES LOOK AT OPPORTUNITY COSTS--VALUE OF ALTERNATIVE THAT YOU GIVE UP WHEN BUYING A PRODUCT DECIDE ON BUSINESSES TO CHOOSE FROM LOOK FOR THE QUALITY YOU WANT DETERMINE YOUR PRICE RANGE DECIDE TO PAY NOW OR LATER (LOANS) DETERMINE NEED; CAN IT BE BOUGHT LATER?

7. WEBSITES www.bbb.org www.consumeraid.org www.consumer.org www.kbb.com www.ifg-inc.com