Consumerpedia

Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) financing continues to grow in popularity. These short-term loans, which are typically 6 weeks and usually interest-free, appeal to consumers who want flexible payments and no credit card debt.

Consumer advocates warn that BNPL services make it too easy for people to purchase items they can’t afford, which can result in late fees and costly bank charges. Personal finance experts worry about the growing numb...

A bad hotel room can ruin your vacation or business trip, so you need to be careful when making your reservations. Hotel websites and online booking sites have great photos andglowing descriptions, but what you see isn't always what you get.

In this episode, tips for booking a room so you don't end up having a nightmarish experience. Plus, what to do if you wind up staying at the Bates Motel.

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Criminals in the U.S. and around the globe are weaponizing artificial intelligence to create scams that are more convincing and more harmful than ever. As AI technology advances, it’s becoming difficult or nearly impossible for the average consumer to tell what’s real from what’s fake.

AI is being used to create bogus celebrity endorsements, fake images, and even write books by non-existent authors. The technology is so easy to use ...

Shady contractors are going door-to-door pitching “free” solar energy systems that will eliminate costly electric bills. Most of these fraudsters do shoddy work; some take the money and run. By using high-pressure sales tactics, they get homeowners to sign high-interest contracts that leave them with massive debt.

In this episode: The tricks door-to-door con artists use to sell high-priced solar systems, the facts about solar incen...

Travel is always a hassle, but this year, it comes with some added twists. There's growing uncertainty about the economy, and concerns about being an American tourist in a foreign country. Will you be welcome?

In this episode: What to expect when booking flights, hotel rooms, or vacation rentals; how to spot travel scams that can ruin your vacation and cost you a bundle; and tips on how to be a respectful and responsible tourist...

Americans are drowning in stuff: clothing, electronics, toys and games, collectibles, and appliances.

Some of us have so much that they need to rent storage units to hold it. Why do so many have the need to buy, buy, buy?

In this episode, author Emily Mester shares personal stories from her new book American Bulk: Essays on Excess about her father’s obsession with shopping and her own tendency to overbuy. Plus, she reveals the tricks...

Whether it's a complimentary dessert, an unexpected upgrade to a better hotel room, or you find a $20 bill in your coat pocket, we all like freebies.

The staff at Checkbook sifted through member benefits for credit cards, warehouse clubs, health plans, and AAA. We discovered dozens of perks that are often overlooked. If you don't know about them, you may be missing out on significant savings.

Read Checkbook's full...

Whether you’re planning to buy a new or used vehicle, beprepared for sticker shock. According to Kelley Blue Book, the average new car sold for $48,600 in February. The average used car buyer paid $25,100.  With so much money on the line, you really need to do your homework before driving off with a new set of wheels.

In this episode: The 10 top picks and the latest reliabilityratings from Consumer Reports, advice for anyone consid...

When you have a pest problem, your first move may be to grab the phone and call an exterminator. That makes sense if you have termites or bedbugs, but if it’s some ants or cockroaches in the kitchen or maybe a few mice in the garage, you may be able to do it yourself.

In this episode: DIY solutions for some of the most common household pest problems and what to look for if you hire a pest control company.

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An increasing number of important decisions about yourlife are now made by computer algorithms and artificial intelligence. They do more than suggest movies or music you might like—they're making lending decisions for banks and screening job applicants for employers.

Consumer advocates acknowledge the benefits of AI, but they're also concerned about the potential harm. They want lawmakers and regulators to put guardrails in ...

Americans are piling on credit card debt at an alarming pace, and the unprecedented interest rates on these unpaid balances can be as much as 30% to 35%. No wonder it seems impossible to get out from under it.

But with hard work and proper guidance, you can do it. In this episode: Meet two people who were drowning in credit card debt and got their finances back in order. Also, a certified nonprofit credit counselor explains how debt...

Whether it’s a few long-stem roses or a beautiful bouquet, it’s hard to go wrong with flowers. Sometimes you can find what you want at the supermarket. For special occasions, you might want to visit a florist.

In this episode: Where to find the lowest prices on flowers, how to choose a good florist, and the best way to send flowers out of town. Plus, tips on how to keep those flowers looking fresher for longer.

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Clothing rental has always been a way to dress for less when attending weddings, proms, or other formal events. But the rental market has zoomed beyond tuxes and gowns and turned into an easy way to keep your wardrobe fresh without spending much money.

In this episode, we'll share tips on navigating the clothing rental world, including when and how to use fashion-for-hire sites. Plus, what's the environmental impact of renting rath...

Amazon is convenient, but America's second-largest retailer —and most dominant online merchant—too often steers customers toward items it gets paid extra to promote. Our researchers looked for 50 products on Amazon; half of what the retailer showed them were paid promos.

In this episode: What's the deal with all these ads? Can you trust Amazon to show you the best products and prices? And is there a way to get rid of these paid pro...

Great reviews are good for business, so some dishonest companies post fake reviews to boost their ratings. It’s a growing problem. This flood of deceptive reviews makes it challenging to get objective information about the products or services you plan to buy.  

 In this episode: The ways companies can game the system, a new FTC rule designed to clean-up the marketplace, and ways you can spot potentially bogus reviews and testimoni...

We've come up with a fun way to celebrate our 75th episode: An old-fashioned radio quiz show, featuring the morning anchors at KIRO Newsradio in Seattle. Dave Ross and Colleen O'Brien are old friends, who have Herb as a regular guest each week, so we had a lot of fun doing this.

Play along with Dave and Colleen as they try to come up with the right answers. You might also want to play the online version of Checkbook's College of Kn...

No one really likes passwords. Even the best ones are no match for today’s international crime rings. So, the push is on, led by Microsoft, Apple, and Google, to get you to switch from passwords to passkeys.

In this episode: What passkeys are and how they work, why they are better than passwords, and how you switch to them on your online accounts.

Additional Resources & Consumerpedia Episodes:

Why It’s Time to Ditch Passwords a...

The hectic holiday shopping season is underway, and for many, that will put a strain on the family budget. Checkbook wants to make this stressful time a little easier.

Our annual holiday helper is packed with timely advice: Super shoppers share tips about how they find the best prices and avoid fake sales. Plus, how to avoid gift card scams, stop porch pirates, and spot bogus online shipping notices. Also, the pros and cons of buy ...

The process has changed for anyone looking to hire a real estate agent; new rules took effect in August that are designed to bring transparency and competition to the marketplace. Consumer advocates hope agents will be more willing to negotiate their commissions, but the new process and unfamiliar paperwork could create confusion for a while.

In this episode: A look at the new rules and what they will mean to both buyers and seller...