Consumers’ Checkbook

Consumers' Checkbook/The Center for the Study of Services is an independent, nonprofit consumer organization founded in 1974 with the help of funding from the U.S. Office of Consumer Affairs.

Our purpose is to provide consumers information to help them get high quality services and products at the best possible prices. We are supported entirely by subscription payments and donations from individual consumers who subscribe to our magazines, and by fees for our survey and information services and books. We do not accept donations from businesses and our publications carry no advertising.

We publish Consumers' CHECKBOOK magazine in seven local versions: in the Boston, Chicago, Delaware Valley, Puget Sound, San Francisco/Oakland/San Jose, Twin Cities, and Washington, DC, areas. CHECKBOOK evaluates the quality and prices of local service firms and stores, such as auto repair shops, plumbers, dentists, banks, and insurance companies. CHECKBOOK has won the National Press Club's prestigious First Place Award for Excellence in Consumer Journalism.

The Center provides various kinds of help to consumers who want to buy or lease a new car. Check out our CarBargains and LeaseWise services which help consumers get great deals from new car dealers by making them bid competitively for your business. Another of our publications, CarDeals, is a bi-weekly newsletter detailing auto rebates and incentives offered by car manufacturers.

In addition, the Center is busy in the health care arena, publishing national guides, including Guide to Health Plans for Federal Employees, Guide to Top Doctors, and Consumers' Guide to Hospitals. These guides are available in book form and online.