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March 7, 2024

58 – Misleading Marketing That Gets You to Buy Now and Pay More

Host: Herb Weisbaum
Kevin Brasler - Checkbook's Executive Editor
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You can save a ton of money by comparison shopping.

Checkbook’s surveys consistently find huge price differences—sometimes more than twice as much—from company to company for the exact same product or service. And businesses can get away with this because they know most customers won’t bother to shop around.

Sometimes consumers don’t compare prices because they’re in a rush or they don’t want to scour the internet for the best deal. But we often find buyers don’t compare prices because they’ve been duped into thinking they already have.

In this episode, some of the common manipulative marketing techniques sellers use to convince you to pay up and pay too much.

Read Checkbook’s full report on the 30 Tricks Sellers Use to Manipulate You.

Support our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/consumerpedia/support

Related Episodes

April 9, 2026

106 – Avoid a Vacation Rental Nightmare

Host: Herb Weisbaum
Kevin Brasler - Executive Editor at Checkbook.org

A recent Checkbook investigation found widespread problems with vacation rentals, including fake listings and stolen deposits. Even worse, many victims get little or no help from Booking.com or Vrbo to recover their lost money.

In this episode: We share results of our investigation and provide tips on how to protect yourself when booking a vacation rental. One key: Your best move to avoid losing money to scams or bad actors is to book with a credit card.

Read our full report about vacation rental scams at Checkbook.org.

Not a Checkbook member? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for a free 30-day trial to access all of our unbiased ratings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

February 26, 2026

103 – Shady Home Improvement Financing

Host: Herb Weisbaum
Kevin Brasler - Checkbook's Executive Editor

A new furnace or air conditioner costs thousands of dollars. Many homeowners don’t have that much cash on hand, which can create a financial crisis. A loan may be an option, or the contractor may offer financing, usually through a third-party lender. But beware: A recent Consumers’ Checkbook investigation found that many contractors use these emergencies to push bad financing plans on their stressed-out customers.

In this episode, Checkbook’s Executive Editor Kevin Brasler explains how some homeowners are being tricked into leasing their HVAC equipment when they thought they were buying it.

More from Checkbook: Home Improvement Financing: Watch Out for Shady Deals

Related Consumerpedia Episodes:

#30 – HVAC: Finding Good Contractors & Choosing New Equipment

#44 – Should You Repair or Replace a Broken Appliance?

#87 – Don’t Get Burned by Solar Scammers

Not a Checkbook member? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for a free 30-day trial to access all of our unbiased ratings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

January 29, 2026

101 – Dealing with Debt #2

Host: Herb Weisbaum
Bruce McClary - National Foundation for Credit Counseling; Kathy Steinberg - The Harris Poll; Jeanine Kosinski - paid off $35,000 in credit card debt; Tiana Moore - paid of $21,000 in credit card debt

Americans are struggling to pay their bills and falling behind on their loan payments, fueling widespread financial stress, anxiety, and despair. Recent surveys show many feel they’ll never get ahead—and some have stopped worrying about debt altogether.

In this episode, we break down those survey results and share practical tips for regaining control of your finances. You’ll also meet two consumers who’d accumulated enormous credit card debt, realized they needed help with debt, and, with hard work and proper guidance, are now debt-free.

Additional Resources:

To find a nonprofit credit counseling agency, visit the ⁠National Foundation for Credit Counseling⁠ or call 800-388-2227.

Related Consumerpedia Episode:

25 – Dealing with Debt⁠

Not a Checkbook member? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for a free 30-day trial to access all of our unbiased ratings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

January 15, 2026

100 – Checkbook’s College of Consumer Knowledge #2

Host: Herb Weisbaum
Lisa Dent - Afternoon Host, WGN Radio; Steve Bertrand - News Anchor (retired), WGN Radio

To celebrate our 100th episode, we’ve asked two veteran Chicago broadcasters to take Checkbook’s College of Consumer Knowledge quiz. Lisa Dent is the popular afternoon host at WGN Radio. Steve Bertrand, her longtime news anchor, came out of retirement to challenge her. Play along with our celebrity contestants to test your consumer IQ. The questions are difficult!

You might also want to play the online version of Checkbook’s College of Knowledge. Topics include auto, food, and your money.

Not a Checkbook member? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for a free 30-day trial to access all of our unbiased ratings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

December 18, 2025

99 – How Marketers Target & Sometimes Trick Kids

Host: Herb Weisbaum
Bonnie Patten - Executive Director, Truth in Advertising (TINA.ORG); Dona Fraser - Senior Vice President, BBB National Programs

America’s children have enormous spending power. Most have cash or access to their parents’ credit cards—and plenty of influence over what the family buys through their “pester power.” Marketers know this, which is why they spend billions of dollars a year targeting minors.

Advertising can easily exploit a child’s limited ability to distinguish between entertainment and selling. AI and digital animation make it easier than ever for advertisers to cross the line. The growth of online marketing to children raises serious concerns about privacy and data collection.

In this episode, what’s being done to protect our children from the pervasive and persuasive marketing? What are the rules regarding marketing to minors, and is anyone enforcing them?  And most importantly, how parents can talk to their kids about advertising.

Additional Resources:

Children’s Advertising Review Unit (CARU)

BBB National Programs – Children’s Initiatives

TINA.org: Monetizing Minors

More from Checkbook:

Unsafe Toys: How to Spot the Hidden Risks That Could Harm Your Child

Are Your Kids’ Smart Toys Spying on Them?

Buying Toys on Overseas Websites Can Be Risky

Related Consumerpedia Episode: 20 – Whatever Happened to Truth in Advertising?

Not a Checkbook member? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for a free 30-day trial to access all of our unbiased ratings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

December 4, 2025

98 – The Benefits of Shopping Locally

Host: Herb Weisbaum
Stacey Price - Founder, Shop Made Brands; Jenn Barger - Checkbook's Director of Content

The “Shop Local” movement encourages consumers to buy goods and services from independent, locally owned businesses rather than national chains or online giants. It’s both an economic strategy and a social campaign aimed at strengthening your own community’s businesses, fostering regional identity, and promoting sustainability.

In this episode: The challenge of shopping locally, ways to spend more in your community, and whether it costs more to avoid the big chain stores.

Find out more about Stacey Price at Shop Made in DC.

Related Consumerpedia episodes:

#96: Checkbook’s Holiday Shopping Tips 2025

#92: Thrift Store Shopping Advice

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