Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

The U.S. Office of Consumer Affairs wishes to express its
gratitude to the members of the focus group which provided many
ideas and suggestions for this edition of the Handbook.

Mr. John Barker
National Consumers League

Dr. Elizabeth Brabble
School of Business
Howard University

Mr. Emmitt Carlton
National Association of Attorneys General

Mr. Hoyte Decker
U.S. Department of Transportation

Ms. Anna Flores
National Association of Consumer Agency Administrators

Ms. Susan Giesberg
President, National Association of Consumer Agency Administrators
Mr. George Idelson
Consumer Affairs Letter

Ms. Denise Kelleher
Head of Reference
Arlington County (VA) Libraries

Ms. Nellie Miller
Montgomery County (MD) Office of Consumer Affairs

Ms. Jean Otte
Corporate Vice President
National Car Rental

Ms. Shirley Rooker
Call for Action

Ms. Diane VanLonkhuyzen
Food Safety and Inspection Service
U.S. Department of Agriculture

Ms. Dianne Ward
Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc.

Ms. Gilda Warnick
D.C. Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs

Using this Handbook

The Consumer's Resource Handbook is divided into two sections.
Part I, "Buying Smart," lists tips on getting the most for your
money, handling your own complaint and writing a complaint
letter. Part I also provides tips on several consumer issues,
including protecting personal privacy and preventing credit card
fraud.

Part II of the Handbook, which is updated every two years by the
U.S. Office of Consumer Affairs (USOCA), lists offices you can
contact for help with consumer problems or questions. This section
includes "National Consumer Organizations," "Corporate Consumer
Contacts," "Car Manufacturers," "Better Business
Bureaus," "Trade Association and Other Dispute Resolution
Programs," "State, County and City Government Consumer Offices,"
"Selected Federal Agencies," and "Military Commissary and
Exchange Contacts." Check the "Table of Contents" for a complete
list of the offices in this part of the book.

There is a subject "index" at the back of the Handbook to help you
locate information about specific topics.

What's in the Handbook

National Consumer Organizations

There are a number of national organizations whose missions are
defined as consumer assistance, protection and/or advocacy.
Several of these organizations assist consumers directly; others
are interested in hearing from consumers about problems and
concerns; most, though not all, develop educational materials for
consumers. Addresses, telephone numbers and descriptions of more
than 30 of these organizations are listed in the National
Consumer Organizations" section of this Handbook, beginning on page
56.

Corporate Consumer Contacts

Many companies have consumer affairs or customer relations
departments to answer questions or help resolve consumer
complaints.

The addresses and telephone numbers of more than 550 companies are
listed in the "Corporate Consumer Contacts" section of this
Handbook, beginning on page 29. If you write to the company, you
may use the sample letter on page 8 as a guide for your own letter.