www.checkbook.org Open in urlscan Pro
104.20.63.177  Public Scan

Form analysis
2 forms found in the DOM

Name: searchForm — /search/doSearch

<form id="searchForm" name="searchForm" action="/search/doSearch">
  <label for="search" class="sr-only">Services Search</label>
  <input class="form-control ui-autocomplete-input" name="search" id="search" placeholder="I'm looking for..." type="text" maxlength="60" autocomplete="off">
  <button type="submit" class="search--button" href="#"><i class="fas fa-search"></i><span class="sr-only">Search</span></button>
</form>

POST

<form role="form" id="SigninFormA73487A2-BA0E-CEAE-1E3D66F9639AFC2C" class="loginForm" method="post" novalidate="novalidate">
  <input name="sourcePath" type="hidden" value="">
  <input name="sourceScript" type="hidden" value="/v2/index.cfm">
  <button type="button" class="close signInClose" aria-label="Close" data-dismiss="modal"><span aria-hidden="true">ⓧ</span></button>
  <fieldset>
    <h2>Sign in</h2>
    <hr>
    <div class="alert alert-danger loginError" style="display:none;">
      <p></p>
    </div>
    <div class="form-group">
      <label for="username">Username</label>
      <input type="text" class="form-control username" name="username" id="username" placeholder="Enter username..." required="">
    </div>
    <div class="form-group">
      <label for="password">Password</label>
      <input type="password" class="form-control password" name="password" id="password" placeholder="Password..." required="">
    </div>
    <div class="checkbox">
      <label><input type="checkbox" name="rememberMe" id="rememberMe" value="true" checked="checked"> Stay signed in</label>
      <div class="pull-right" style="margin-top:4px;"><a href="/about/help">Sign-in problems?</a></div>
    </div>
    <div class="text-right">
      <button type="submit" class="btn btn-primary signInButton " data-loading-text="Signing in..." autocomplete="off">Sign in</button>
    </div>
    <hr class="subscribe">
    <h3 class="text-center" style="width:100%">Don't have an account? <a href="/subscribe">Join</a></h3>
    <input type="hidden" name="cf" value="main:main.default">
  </fieldset>
</form>

Text Content

Sign in | Subscribe | Donate
Services We Rate Services we rate   Auto Services Healthcare Providers Home
Services Financial Services Pet Care Stores National
 * Top Services
 * Auto Services
 * Healthcare Providers
 * Home Services
 * Financial Services
 * Personal Services
 * Pet Care
 * Stores
 * All Services

AUTO SERVICES

 * Auto Body Shops
 * Auto Insurance
 * Auto Repair Shops
 * CarBargains
 * Tire Stores
 * Used Cars Often Sold with Dangerous Defects

HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS

 * Acupuncturists
 * Dentists
 * Doctors
 * Hearing Centers
 * Medical Tests & Procedures: Reducing Unnecessary Care
 * Opticians, Optometrists, & Buying Eyewear

HOME CARE

 * Appliance Repair
 * Basement Waterproofers
 * Carpet & Rug Cleaners
 * Contractors: Remodelers & General
 * Electricians
 * Exterminators
 * Heating & Air-Conditioning Contractors
 * Home Security
 * Painters
 * Plumbers
 * Roofers
 * Saving Energy at Home
 * Tree Care Services
 * Window Installers & Repair

FINANCIAL

 * 30 Tricks Sellers Use to Make You Pay Up
 * 65 Things You (Probably) Shouldn't Pay For
 * Buy Now, Pay Later Spending Traps
 * Credit Cards Provide Strong Protections for Consumers
 * Getting Rid of Your Unwanted Stuff
 * Identity and Cyber Theft: How to Protect Yourself

PERSONAL SERVICES

 * Cell Phone Services
 * Drycleaners
 * Florists
 * Gyms & Fitness Centers
 * Housecleaners
 * Movers

PET CARE

 * Dog Groomers
 * Kennels
 * Pet Insurance
 * Pet Sitters/House Sitters
 * Veterinarians

STORES

 * Appliance Stores
 * Bike Shops
 * Carpet Stores & Installers
 * Computer Stores
 * Furniture Stores
 * Garden Centers
 * Grocery Stores & Delivery

RATINGS & ADVICE

 * Auto Body Shops
 * Auto Detailers
 * Auto Glass Repair
 * Auto Insurance
 * Auto Repair Shops
 * Rental Car Insurance: Should You Buy It?
 * Tire Pressure Advice
 * Tire Stores
 * Used Cars Often Sold with Dangerous Defects

BUYING A NEW CAR

 * Car Buying Strategies
 * CarBargains
 * Don't Buy a Vehicle Service Contract
 * LeaseWise
 * See all Auto Services

POPULAR

 * Acupuncturists
 * Aging In Place
 * Assisted Living
 * Dentists
 * Doctors
 * Hearing Centers
 * Medical Alert Devices
 * Medical Tests & Procedures: Reducing Unnecessary Care
 * Nursing Homes
 * Opticians, Optometrists, & Buying Eyewear

DOCTORS

 * Doctor Board Certification: Is Yours Certified? Does It Matter?
 * Doctors
 * Surgeon Ratings

DENTISTS

 * Dentists

MORE RATINGS & ADVICE

 * Emergency Rooms
 * Laser Eye Surgery
 * Medical Research: Doing Your Own
 * Over-the-Counter Drug Prices
 * Personal Trainers
 * See all Healthcare Providers

POPULAR

 * Appliance Repair
 * Carpet & Rug Cleaners
 * Contractors: Remodelers & General
 * Electricians
 * Exterminators
 * Flooring Suppliers & Installers
 * Handyman Services
 * Heating & Air-Conditioning Contractors
 * Housecleaners
 * Painters
 * Plumbers
 * Roofers
 * Tree Care Services
 * Window Installers & Repair

MORE RATINGS & ADVICE

 * Architects
 * Basement Waterproofers
 * Cabinet Suppliers
 * Carpenters
 * Carpet Stores & Installers
 * Concrete Contractors
 * Countertop Suppliers
 * Door Installers
 * Duct Cleaners
 * Fence Builders
 * Floor Refinishers
 * Garage Door Installers
 * Gutter Cleaners
 * Home Inspectors

 * Home Warranties
 * Insulation Contractors
 * Landscape Designers
 * Landscapers
 * Lawn Care Services
 * Locksmiths
 * Masons
 * Power Wash Services
 * Tile Installers
 * Window Washers
 * See all Home Services

POPULAR

 * 65 Things You (Probably) Shouldn't Pay For
 * Auto Insurance
 * Buy Now, Pay Later Spending Traps
 * Credit Cards Provide Strong Protections for Consumers
 * Estate Planning Tasks & Tips
 * Getting Rid of Your Unwanted Stuff
 * Home Warranties
 * Identity and Cyber Theft: How to Protect Yourself
 * Sale Prices: At Many Stores, the Sale Price Isn't Special
 * Shopping Online: Our Top Tips for Saving Money

MORE RATINGS & ADVICE

 * Budgeting Websites
 * Cashback Shopping Portals
 * Complaining: How to Get Results
 * Credit Cards: Selecting the Best
 * Extended Product Warranties
 * Financial Advisors
 * Financial Documents: Why to Keep a Paper Trail
 * Free Perks You Didn't Know You Have
 * Happy Returns & Gift Card Tips
 * Homeowners Insurance
 * Identity Theft: Are Your Investment and Retirement Accounts Protected?
 * Life Insurance
 * Password Safety
 * Payment Apps: Avoiding Trouble and Scams

 * Pet Insurance
 * Price Matching: What's the Deal?
 * Timeshare Exit Companies Deserve a Time Out
 * Travel Insurance
 * Vehicle Service Contracts
 * Water & Sewer Line Warranties
 * See all Financial Services

POPULAR

 * Aging In Place
 * Cell Phone Services
 * Computer Repair
 * Drycleaners
 * Elder Villages
 * Estate Sales
 * Florists
 * Framing Shops
 * Getting Rid of Your Unwanted Stuff
 * Handyman Services
 * Housecleaners
 * Interior Designers
 * Movers

MORE RATINGS & ADVICE

 * Child Care: Tips for Saving
 * Closet Organizers
 * Clothing Rental
 * Clothing Resale Options
 * Dance Classes
 * Day Care Centers
 * Dealing with Your Digital Clutter
 * Decluttering Strategies
 * Energy Use Consultants
 * Free Perks You Didn't Know You Have
 * Funeral Homes
 * Medical Alert Devices
 * Nannies: Hiring Tips
 * Organizers

 * Photographers
 * Piano Tuners
 * Salons
 * Self Storage Facilities
 * Shoe Repair
 * Smartphone Photos Apps and Tools
 * Tailors & Dressmakers
 * Travel Agencies
 * Watch Repair Shops
 * Water-Saving Tips
 * Wedding & Bridal Shops
 * Wedding Consultants
 * See all Personal Services

RATINGS & ADVICE

 * Dog Groomers
 * Kennels
 * Pet Food Prices
 * Pet Insurance
 * Pet Sitters/House Sitters
 * Veterinarians
 * See all Pet Care

POPULAR

 * 30 Tricks Sellers Use to Make You Pay Up
 * 65 Things You (Probably) Shouldn't Pay For
 * Appliance Stores
 * Bike Shops
 * Cabinet Suppliers
 * Carpet Stores & Installers
 * Cell Phone Services
 * Flooring Suppliers & Installers
 * Furniture Stores
 * Garden Centers
 * Grocery Stores & Delivery

MORE RATINGS & ADVICE

 * Airport Parking Hack
 * Buy Now, Pay Later Spending Traps
 * Cashback Shopping Portals
 * Closet Organizers
 * Clothing Rental
 * Clothing Resale Options
 * Computer Stores
 * Countertop Suppliers
 * Credit Cards Provide Strong Protections for Consumers
 * Defective Products: Strategies to Get a Refund or Replacement
 * Diamonds Shopping Guide
 * Diaper Prices
 * eRead for Free
 * Extended Product Warranties

 * Framing Shops
 * Happy Returns & Gift Card Tips
 * Hardware Stores
 * Hearing Centers
 * Lighting Showrooms
 * Locally Grown Food Sources
 * Opticians, Optometrists, & Buying Eyewear
 * Over-the-Counter Drug Prices
 * Pet Food Prices
 * Price Matching: What's the Deal?
 * Product Recall Information
 * Restaurants Pay Steep Commissions and Fees to Order-and-Delivery Services
 * Sale Prices: At Many Stores, the Sale Price Isn't Special
 * Shopping Online: Our Top Tips for Saving Money

 * Tire Stores
 * Wedding & Bridal Shops
 * Window Treatment Stores
 * See all Stores

Services we rate
Checkbook Logo

UNBIASED REVIEWS AND UNDERCOVER PRICE RESEARCH ON LOCAL SERVICES

 * Donate
 * Sign In
 * Join
 * Services Search Search
 * My Account


65 THINGS YOU (PROBABLY) SHOULDN'T PAY FOR

We often warn about products, services, and extras that aren’t worth shelling
out for, from duct cleaning to lousy insurance plans to tire rotation. Drawing
from that advice, here's a list of 65 things that aren’t worth the coin.


JOIN TODAY FOR UNLIMITED ACCESS

Tired of getting ripped off and receiving poor service? For more than 40 years,
our nonprofit has helped thousands of consumers find high-quality, fairly priced
service providers in their communities without accepting advertising or referral
fees from the businesses rated.

Join Checkbook Today or Sign In


CONSUMERS' NOTEBOOK

 * New Federal Rules Spell Out What Debt Collectors Can and Cannot Do
 * Marriott Settles Lawsuit and Agrees to Include ‘Resort Fees’ in Advertised
   Room Rates
 * Holiday Shopping Tips: Gift Yourself Less Stress and Lower Spending
 * Attention Holiday Shoppers: The Pros and Cons of Retail Credit Cards
 * Get Ready for a Weird Black Friday This Year
 * Class Action Lawsuit Filed to Stop WA Cares Program


DRAIN TRUST

How to find top plumbers.


SAVE ON CELL PHONE SERVICE

We checked pricing from 19 companies and found most consumers could save
hundreds of dollars annually by switching services.


OUR PRICE RESEARCH AND RATINGS WILL HELP YOU SAVE MONEY AND FIND TOP SERVICE
PROS.

Join Checkbook Today or Sign In


UNBIASED REVIEWS AND UNDERCOVER PRICE RESEARCH


AUTO REPAIR SHOPS


DENTISTS


DOCTORS


EXTERMINATORS


HEATING & AIR-CONDITIONING CONTRACTORS


OPTICIANS, OPTOMETRISTS, & BUYING EYEWEAR


ROOFERS


VETERINARIANS

All Services (A to Z)


WE AREN'T LOYAL TO BUSINESSES, WE'RE LOYAL TO YOU.

Easily find ratings, reviews, and advice on local service providers.

Checkbook is nonprofit, independent, and provides unbiased information.

We don't run ads or take referral fees from businesses that we rate.

Join Checkbook Today or Sign In


MORE FROM CHECKBOOK


 * BEWARE 'BUY NOW, PAY LATER' SPENDING TRAPS
   
   These offers seem like smart, responsible ways to pay. While using these
   plans can improve your cash flow, these point-of-sale loans can lure you into
   buying things you can’t afford.


 * HOW TO GET RID OF YOUR UNWANTED STUFF
   
   Decluttering strategies plus ideas for how to jettison extra belongings, from
   books to electronics to sporting goods to toys.


 * ON THE ROAD AGAIN, DESPITE DANGEROUS DEFECTS
   
   Our investigation found that used-car dealers often sell vehicles without
   addressing known life-threatening problems.


 * SAVING ENERGY AT HOME
   
   32 changes that will cut costs and help the planet.


 * HOME MAINTENANCE SCHOOL
   
   Here’s a yearlong plan on how to keep your home from falling apart.


 * HOW TO GET THE BEST PRICE ON A NEW CAR
   
   Websites like TrueCar promise low, upfront vehicle pricing. But these
   companies don’t deliver. Here’s how to force dealers to compete for your
   business.


 * VEHICLE SERVICE CONTRACTS
   
   Don't buy these plans. They are big hassles and bad deals for most drivers.


 * READ BEFORE REMODELING
   
   Your closest ally in a remodeling project is your general contractor. Hiring
   the right one can be the difference between getting what you want (within
   your budget), and disaster.


 * DO YOU NEED COVERAGE FOR WATER AND SEWER LINE REPAIRS?
   
   Warranty companies, with help from their public utility partners, pitch
   nightmare scenarios. But these programs stink.


 * DO YOUR TREES NEED TLC?
   
   Here is advice on how to tell if your trees need help, and ratings of local
   branch managers if they do.


 * BUYERS BEWARE
   
   Think you’re getting a deal? 30 tricks sellers use to make you pay up and pay
   too much.


 * ACUPUNCTURE
   
   Should you try the gift of jab? Here’s a roundup of what we do and don’t know
   about acupuncture.


 * TROUBLE WITH TIMESHARE EXIT COMPANIES
   
   We found many timeshare exit operations provide little, if any, service for
   their high fees.


 * BEST BETS FOR BUYING SECONDHAND STUFF
   
   Our team went secondhand shopping for everything from electronics to
   armchairs and saved a bundle. A bonus: buying used stuff helps the
   environment. Here’s what you should (and shouldn’t) consider buying used.


 * FINDING AN AUTO BODY SHOP THAT WILL DO A BANG-UP JOB
   
   Collision-avoidance auto technology doesn’t change one vital factor: Humans
   still get behind the wheel, so accidents still happen. Fortunately, our
   ratings have you covered.


 * APPLIANCE REPAIR: GET YOUR FIX
   
   Your fridge or washer goes on the fritz, you need help fast. Our ratings
   evaluate local fixers for quality and price.


 * HOW TO PROTECT YOUR COMPUTERS & DEVICES
   
   15 steps to take to keep your digital devices safe.


 * GUARD YOUR ONLINE PRIVACY
   
   These tips from experts are easy and effective.


 * SHOCKINGLY GOOD ELECTRICIANS
   
   Need to install a new light fixture or do some other wiring around your home?
   Pull the plug on DIY electrical work—our ratings will help you find a pro.


 * MANY MEDICAL ALERT DEVICES DELAY EMERGENCY RESPONSE
   
   We hit the panic button—290 times—to test the value of medical alert devices,
   and many of them came up short. Here’s what we found, and what we recommend
   if you’re interested in buying one.


 * WHAT TO DO ABOUT DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS
   
   You bought something that broke, or that never worked right. Here are
   strategies for how to get a refund, free repair, or replacement.


 * SURVIVING THE CRASH
   
   Ratings of computer repair shops, plus advice on keeping your devices safe.


 * PLANNING A HOME SECURITY SYSTEM
   
   Because most burglars enter homes by simply opening unlocked doors or
   windows—or pushing and kicking locked ones until they open—even the most
   basic protective measures will improve your security.


 * MANAGING YOUR MESS
   
   How to find a great housecleaner.


 * LIFE INSURANCE FOR LESS
   
   Shop around to save thousands of dollars.


 * PRIMER TIME
   
   How to paint your house or hire someone to do it for you.


 * FREE PERKS YOU DON'T KNOW YOU HAVE
   
   We sifted through member benefits that come with credit cards, warehouse
   clubs, health insurance plans, and more, they discovered dozens of free,
   often little-known perks.


 * HEAR HERE
   
   Where to shop for the right hearing aid.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


FEATURED RESOURCES

 * FEHB Health Plan Ratings
 * Guide to FEDVIP Dental and Vision Plans
 * CarBargains


CONSUMERPEDIA PODCAST

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


IN THE PRESS



SUPPORT

 * Contact Us
 * Help
 * About Us
 * Terms of Use

SITE

 * Ratings (A-Z)
 * Subscription
 * Press Room
 * Donate
 * Rate a Business
 * RSS
   

OUR PRODUCTS

   
 * Checkbook
 * CarBargains
 * LeaseWise
 * Guide to FEHB Plans
 * Gift Subscription
 * Health Plan Comparison Tools
 * Consumerpedia Podcast

AREAS WE SERVE

 * Boston area
 * Chicago area
 * Delaware Valley area
 * Puget Sound area
 * San Francisco Bay Area
 * Twin Cities area
 * Washington, DC area

Facebook Twitter Linkedin Youtube Instagram Podcast
 * JOIN
 * or
 * DONATE

Copyright © Center for the Study of Services. All Rights Reserved.

ⓧ


SIGN IN

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Username
Password
Stay signed in
Sign-in problems?
Sign in

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


DON'T HAVE AN ACCOUNT? JOIN

 * Select Your Region:
 * Boston area
 * Chicago area
 * Delaware Valley area
 * Puget Sound area
 * San Francisco Bay Area
 * Twin Cities area
 * Washington, DC area
 * National

Close


Loading