Press Room
Contact Information
Jamie Lettis
Public Relations Director
(202) 454-3006
[email protected]
About Consumers' Checkbook/Center for the Study of Services
Consumers' Checkbook is published by the Center for the Study of Services, an independent nonprofit consumer organization founded in 1974. For 50 years we have been an innovator in providing information to help consumers make smarter choices.
Consumers' Checkbook's mission is to provide comprehensive information to help people save time, money, and avoid hassles. We also provide ratings on the quality and prices of local services in seven metro areas: Washington D.C., Boston, Chicago, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Philadelphia, San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, and Seattle-Puget Sound regions.
Unlike other ratings organizations, information shared by Checkbook is free of bias—we carry no advertising and accept no referral fees from the companies and professionals we evaluate. Checkbook is supported entirely by subscription payments and donations from individual consumers, and by fees for our survey and information services.
Checkbook has invented many consumer information products and systems and has won various awards, including the National Press Club's First Place Award for Excellence in Consumer Journalism, the Esther Peterson Consumer Service Award, the National Quality Forum's Consumers and Patients Quality Award, and the Robert Wood Johnson's Plan Choice Challenge. Visit HealthPlanRatings.org to read more about Checkbook's work developing health insurance plan comparison tools for state exchange websites.
Consumers' Checkbook's experts are available for interviews. Please contact Jamie Lettis, public relations director, to schedule. She can be reached at 202.454.3006 or [email protected].
Nonprofit, independent ratings of local service providers on quality & price since 1974. We accept no advertising.
Checkbook in the News
Outlet mall bargains: Fact or fiction?
July 06, 2026 | NBC Atlanta
Expert warns consumers should look twice at that extended warranty offer
July 03, 2026 | ABC Boston
J. Crew Factory and other outlets are often selling worse-quality goods than main stores
July 03, 2026 | The Philadelphia Inquirer
Twin Cities Consumers’ Checkbook looked into what you can expect, and this is what we found.
July 03, 2026 | The Minnesota Star Tribune
Outlet store goods may differ from retail versions, study finds
July 02, 2026 | FOX Bay Area
Three things you should always double-check when booking a rental car
July 01, 2026 | NBC Chicago
Mending clothes makes a comeback as a way to save money — and the planet
June 11, 2026 | The Washington Post
When to have a broken appliance repaired, try to fix it yourself, or buy a new one?
June 11, 2026 | WTOP-FM
Fake rental listings targeting summer travelers on Airbnb, VRBO
June 08, 2026 | ABC Cincinnati
Less than a month until Tax Day; How to prepare and file taxes for free
March 16, 2026 | WTOP-FM
Thinking about joining a gym? Expert says try this first
January 13, 2026 | ABC Washington
A bad mover can cost you thousands. Here’s how to spot one.
October 29, 2025 | The Washington Post
Action News Troubleshooters help woman recover money from home warranty company
October 21, 2025 | 6ABC Philadelphia
Which consumer websites are the best for finding discounts and avoiding scams?
October 20, 2025 | KOMO News Seattle
Why paying out-of-pocket for prescriptions might be cheaper than your insurance copay
October 16, 2025 | WTOP
Delta Air Lines' weird rule is leaving Americans stranded overseas
October 13, 2025 | Yahoo
How to save money and avoid headaches when buying new windows
October 09, 2025 | The Washington Post
CBS Philadelphia helps resolve New Jersey woman's travel insurance issue after months of effort
October 06, 2025 | CBS 3 Philadelphia
When it comes to electrical work, find a Twin Cities pro to do the job
October 04, 2025 | Minnesota Star Tribune
Need electrical work done? You’ll want to go pro
October 03, 2025 | The Philadelphia Inquirer