- Listen to the entire program<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/p>\n
![\"People's](\"\/home\/graphics\/PM_logo_small.JPG\")
<\/em>While pundits and economists worry about Wall Street\u2019s well-being, Americans worry about losing their jobs, paying their bills and the health of the planet. The capitalist marketplace promotes the exploitation of people and natural resources as cheap fixes. But you don\u2019t have to abandon your values to save a buck. Welcome to the People\u2019s Marketplace. <\/em><\/p>\nHas your cable company extended your service contract without telling you and asked for hundreds of dollars to cancel it? Or maybe you agreed to pay a one-time fee of $12.99 for an online credit check only to find that the company was charging $12.99 a month to your credit card – and they wont refund your money. Don\u2019t lose your hard earned dollars to deceptive business practices. Get wise to the many consumer advocacy organizations created to help you.<\/p>\n
If you are engaged in a current battle with a company, use the Better Business Bureau, online at bbb.org\/us<\/a>. The Better Business Bureau is a neutral entity that, among other things, resolves disputes between consumers and businesses. Speaking from personal experience a company is much more likely to play nice when the BBB is involved than when you are begging for mercy from a customer service agent. This is because companies want to maintain a positive reputation with the Bureau for acting in good-faith with consumers. You can file a complaint online through the Bureau\u2019s website – the quickest option, or contact the Bureau in your area. Once you file, the Bureau sends your complaint to the business with a deadline for a response. Each side has a couple chances to agree or refute, and in the end, hopefully, you, the consumer, will see your demands met. The whole process only takes a few weeks. Filing complaints also helps all consumers. Companies feel the pressure when complaints for the same shady practice pile up. Also visit the Better Business Bureau\u2019s website to research the past complaints against companies and charities before give them your cash.<\/p>\n
There are many more great consumer advocacy organizations that exist to protect you and your wallet. Check out the National Consumer Law Center, at www.nclc.org<\/a>. In their legal resource section you\u2019ll find lots of helpful links, referrals, and items, including printable brochures on topics including \u201ceight things to think about before you take a new credit card\u201d, and \u201cchoosing a money wire-transfer company\u201d. If you need a consumer lawyer, go to the National Association of Consumer Advocates at www.naca.net<\/a> or to lawhelp.org<\/a>
. If you or a loved one is in a nursing home in California check out California Advocates for Nursing Home Care at : www.canhr.org<\/a>. This is only a small sampling of the help that you\u2019ll find once you start looking. And finally, get involved with consumer advocate campaigns whenever you can. The easiest way is to complain \u2013 consumer groups need to collect sob stories that they use when they appear before Congress or in court to advocate for better protections. Go to Consumer Watchdog\u2019s complaint form at Consumer Watchdog.org\/Complaints<\/a> and turn your rant into a reason for consumer justice. <\/p>\nSo, when it comes to battling with businesses arm yourself with the knowledge and support of consumer advocates. Together, we can take back the economy.<\/p>\n
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