The web lets people share their shopping experiences on and off line. Unfortunately, the Net is haunted by marketers who are extremely adept at overpowering the system with their manufactured mechanisms.
A large number of sites allow user ratings and actively encourage people to write consumer reports on products. Sadly, these sites are easily manipulated. A marketer need simply drop faked reviews of competitors while praising their company.
It is possible for a scam reporting site to, itself, be a scam. The savvy consumer must be ware of both praise and panning. This page lists consumer report style sites that appear interesting.
Ripoff Report (ripoffreport.com) This site lists complaints against online merchants.
Complaints Board (www.complaintsboard.com) Site includes complaints about online companies.
BBBOnline (www.bbb.org) The Better Business Bureau acredits online businesses. Consumers can issue complaints about companies which are often resolved. The reporting on businesses tend to be weak.
Consumer Reports (www.consumerreports.org) Consumer Reports is a magazine by the Consumer Union with independent product reviews. ConsumerReports.org is a subscription web site with reviews and articles about consumer protection.