Consumer Information
- A Bell Tolls (Long Distance Phone Rate Comparison)
- Better Business Bureau
- CardTrak Online
- Center on Budget & Policy Priorities
- Consumer Action Website (Federal Citizen Information Center)
- Consumer Alerts, Consumer Laws, Publications (Michigan Attorney General's Office)
- Consumer Complaint Directory (Michigan Consumer Protection Division)
- Consumer Guides & Protection for Citizens
- Consumer Information Catalog
- Consumer Price Index (AADL's Table for Detroit and U. S.)
- Consumer Price Index (U.S.)
- Consumer Product Safety Commission
- Consumer Protection (Federal Trade Commission)
- Consumerist:Shoppers Bite Back
- ConsumerSearch (Product Reviews and Reports)
- Credit Bureaus (How to Contact)
- Credit Reports (How to Obtain Free Credit Reports Online)
- GetHuman 500 Database (Getting to a Human on 800 Numbers)
- GovBenefits.Gov
- Health care legislation information
- Household Products Database: Health & Safety Information (NIH)
- Identity Theft
- Insurance News Network (Your Guide to Auto, Home, and Life Insurance)
- How Products are Made
- How-To Videos, Articles, and More
- National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators
- National Fraud Information Center
- National Safety Council
- Opt-Out (Stop Junk Mail, Junk Telephone Calls, Junk On-line)
- Recalls.gov: Your Online Resource for Recalls
- Rights and Duties of Tenants (City of Ann Arbor) (pdf)
- Ripoff Report (By Consumers, For Consumers)
- Safecar
- Secretary of State
Smoke Alarms Save Lives!
by Beth Manuel
The American Red Cross Michigan Region is conducting free smoke alarm installations & inspections. If you have alarms that are over 10 years old, don't work, or need an alarm on every floor of your home, contact the Red Cross for a 20 minute home visit! The Red Cross can provide up to 3 new smoke alarms at no cost. Washtenaw, Lenawee & Monroe residents call (734) 971-5300 ext. 229. Wayne, Oakland, Macomb & St. Clair residents call (313) 576-4112. You can also sign up on line right here.
Michigan Libraries for Life!
by iralax
On Monday, October 16, Michigan Libraries for Life! will be onsite at the Downtown AADL 10:00am to 2:00pm.
Since 2010, libraries across Michigan have participated in this simple and effective campaign to educate patrons about organ, tissue, and eye donation and to encourage them to join the Michigan Organ Donor Registry. This effort was originally spearheaded by the University of Michigan’s Taubman Health Sciences Library but has expanded to include public, academic, special, and hospital libraries across the state. This collaborative effort has inspired nearly 3,500 people to sign up as donors!
More than 95% of Americans support organ, tissue and eye donation. In Michigan, only 59% of adults have joined the state’s donor registry. That discrepancy is largely due to state residents not knowing how to join the donor registry, or having unanswered questions about donation. Michigan Libraries for Life helps to address that informational need.
We are excited to bring this life-saving event back in 2017! If you have questions, please contact us at MichLib4Life@umich.edu to receive more information. You can also find Michigan Libraries for Life on Facebook! www.facebook.com/ML4Life
Consumer Reports Online
by lucroe
Consumer Reports database is now available to search online at the library or wherever you have access to the Internet, you just login to your online account. You can read reviews and ratings on products, cars, and various services as well as articles from current and past magazine issues (starting in 2012, located at the bottom of the page). So when you are in the market to buy a new washing machine, for example, just type that term in the search box at the top of the page and press enter. You will get ratings, recommendations, a buying guide, and a comparison of the top rated products.
Kit Homes of Ann Arbor: a Historical Tour
Thursday June 8, 2017: 6:30pm to
8:30pm
Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room
Cooking 101: How to Buy on a Budget
Wednesday January 11, 2017: 7:00pm to
8:30pm
Downtown Library: Secret Lab
Cooperatives – What is a Co-op? Building Resilient Communities
Monday January 11, 2016: 7:00pm to
8:30pm
Downtown Library: 4th Floor Meeting Room
Community Support and Treatment Services Town Hall April 14
by monkk
Join Community Support and Treatment Services for a presentation and open discussion on potential changes to your Community Living Support services (staffing in your home) on April 14, 2015 from 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm at the United Way Building. This meeting is open to consumers and their families. No pre-registration is necessary. For additional questions, please contact customer service at 1-877-779-9707.
34 Million and Counting
by Debbie G.
That's the estimate on the number of vehicles currently involved in recalls in the U.S. Now there's a quick tool to determine if your car or motorcycle needs a second look: Safercar.gov, a web site launched this week by NHSTA, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Using the VIN# of your vehicle, the search tool looks for safety recalls that are incomplete on a vehicle, safety recalls conducted over the past 15 calendar years and safety recalls conducted by major light auto automakers, including motorcycle manufacturers. Very recent recalls may not be in the system yet and not every make and model is covered but it's a fairly comprehensive database with a straightforward interface.
Habitat for Humanity's Refrigerator Replacement Program!
by Beth Manuel
Here's good news for residents of single family homes in Washtenaw County who may qualify for Habitat for Humanity’s Refrigerator Replacement Program. This opportunity has been extended through June 15, 2014! In partnership with DTE, through this program, qualified applicants can receive a new, EnergyStar Frigidaire refrigerator at no cost, delivered to their home. For more information about how to enroll online, look here.
To date, H4H has helped 830 individuals and families cut their utility bills with new, energy efficient refrigerators. They would love to help 800 more!