Consumerpedia
Podcast
From auto repair shops to doctors to plumbers to vets, you can count on Checkbook to help you find the best service—and avoid the worst. Our podcast features advice from experts that empowers consumers to save money and make smarter choices.
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May 30, 2024
Host: Herb Weisbaum /
Guest(s): Alex Knizek, Manager of Auto Testing and Insights at Consumer Reports; Steven Elek, Senior Automotive Data Analyst at Consumer Reports
Americans bought a record 1.2 million electric vehicles last year, and EV sales continued to grow in the first quarter of 2024, although at a slightly slower pace than anticipated.
Buyers have more choices than ever: More than 40 electric cars, trucks, and SUVs from both U.S. and foreign manufacturers. Battery range has improved, and some lower-priced models are now available.
In this episode, how to decide which non-conventional vehicle might be right for you. Do EVs live up to their range promises? Consumer Reports creates a special test to find out. Plus, why are electric vehicles less reliable than conventional cars?
Additional Resources:
From Checkbook:
Consumerpedia Episode 63: The Car Show 2024
Crash Course on Auto Insurance
From Consumer Reports:
CR’s Real-World EV Range Tests Show Which Models Beat EPA Estimates
Electric Vehicles Are Less Reliable Than Conventional Cars
Support our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/consumerpedia/support
May 16, 2024
Host: Herb Weisbaum /
Guest(s): Mike Quincy - Consumer Reports auto tester and writer; Keith Barry - Consumer Reports veteran auto reporter
The car market has nearly recovered from the pandemic. Dealers have good supply of both new and used vehicles, and that’s pushing down prices: The average new-car buyer paid $47,000 in March, according to Kelley Blue Book. That’s a two-year low, but still nearly 16% higher than in March 2021. With more cars on the lot, some dealers and manufacturers are offering bigger incentives.
In this episode, the latest new-vehicle reliability ratings from Consumer Reports, the right way to take a test drive, and how to get the best deal on that new car. Plus, should you use a buying service to simplify the process?
Additional Resources:
From Checkbook:
Crash Course on Auto Insurance
From Consumer Reports:
CR’s Best Cars of the Year: 10 Top Picks of 2024
Who Makes the Most Reliable New Cars?
Four of the Five Least Expensive Car Brands to Maintain Are American
7 Questions to Ask Before You Buy a Car
Support our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/consumerpedia/support
May 2, 2024
Host: Herb Weisbaum /
Guest(s): Haley Berg - Lead Economist at Hopper.com; Christopher Elliott - Travel Expert, author of the “On Travel” column
It’s going to be a busy summer for travel, especially for those headed abroad. It’s late in the booking season, but some deals may still be available.
In this episode, we’ll look at what you can expect to pay for airfare, hotel rooms, and rental cars. Plus, tips from travel experts Haley Berg of Hopper.com and Christopher Elliott of the “On Travel” column on how to deal with crowds and other peak-season hassles.
Other Consumerpedia travel episodes:
17 – Travel Tips: How to Find the Best Deals on Airfare
41 – Hotel Intel: Finding the Best Rates
60 – How to Avoid a Big Cell Phone Bill When Traveling Abroad
Additional Resource:
Elliott Advocacy is a nonprofit consumer advocacy organization that empowers consumers to solve their problems and helps those who can’t.
Support our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/consumerpedia/support
April 18, 2024
Host: Herb Weisbaum /
Guest(s): Eva Velasquez - President and CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center; James Lee - Chief Operating Officer at the Identity Theft Resource Center
Data breaches are now an annoyingly normal part of life: You change your stolen passwords, cancel your compromised credit cards. But it can be a significantly more serious problem when hackers get your medical data. Last year, about 1 in 3 Americans had their medical records breached, according to the federal government.
In this episode, we’ll look at how hackers are getting their hands on this highly sensitive personal information, what they’re able to do with it, and how you can protect yourself.
Support our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/consumerpedia/support
April 4, 2024
Host: Herb Weisbaum /
Guest(s): Kevin Brasler - Checkbook's Executive Editor; Dani Dredger - Checkbook Senior Manager of Digital Marketing
Travel outside the U.S. and you’ll need to make sure your cell phone works wherever you’re headed. With a little advance planning, you can also lower the cost of using your phone on that trip—in some cases, by $100 a line a week or more.
In this episode, what the major phone companies charge to use their roaming services when you’re in a foreign country, and how to pay less by switching to a local wireless carrier at your destination. Plus, the pros and cons of turning off your cell service and relying on Wi-Fi.
Read Checkbook’s full report on how to save money while using a phone internationally.
Support our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/consumerpedia/support
March 21, 2024
Host: Herb Weisbaum /
Guest(s): Abha Bhattarai - Washington Post Reporter; Edgar Dworsky - Publisher, ConsumerWorld.org; Jamie Lettis - Checkbook Associate Editor
Feeding the family has never been more expensive. Supermarket prices have been going up for four years now, running well ahead of the overall inflation rate. And while increases are slowing, no one expects the cost of food to drop back to where it was before the pandemic.
In this episode, why everything is so pricey, the tricks food manufacturers use to disguise their price hikes—shrinkflation and skimpflation—and how to get the most for your money when you go to the supermarket.
Read Checkbook’s full report on grocery stores and delivery services.
Support our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/consumerpedia/support
March 7, 2024
Host: Herb Weisbaum /
Guest(s): Kevin Brasler - Checkbook's Executive Editor
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
February 22, 2024
Host: Herb Weisbaum /
Guest(s): Jon Picoult - Founder of Watermark Consulting and author of "From Impressed to Obsessed"; Forrest Morgeson - Associate Professor of Marketing at Michigan State University, Director of Research Emeritus at the American Customer Satisfaction Index
Are you frustrated with the way companies treat you? If so, you’re not alone: Surveys find that many consumers are fed up with long waits on the phone, customer service agents who can’t solve their problems, unintelligible billing statements, poorly designed websites, and inexperienced or indifferent sales staff.
In this episode: Why do so many companies see customer service as a costly problem, rather than a way to retain their customers? Why is it so difficult, if not impossible, to resolve issues via phone? Is there anything you can do to get your problems solved after the sale?
Support our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/consumerpedia/support
February 8, 2024
Host: Herb Weisbaum /
Guest(s): Kevin Brasler - Checkbook's Executive Editor
Most drivers find a policy, pay the premium, and never think about it again. Big mistake! Checkbook shoppers find huge price differences from company to company. Most drivers will save $500 to $1,000 a year by shopping around and switching if they find a better deal.
In this episode: Which insurance companies have the best prices? Which ones provide the best customer service? Do price comparison websites work? Plus, why do many insurance companies use credit scores to set their rates?
Read Checkbook’s full report on auto insurance.
Support our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/consumerpedia/support
January 25, 2024
Host: Herb Weisbaum /
Guest(s): Nathan Proctor - Senior Director of the Right to Repair campaign at U.S. PIRG; Elizabeth Chamberlain - Director of Sustainability at iFixit
Manufacturers often make it difficult or impossible to fix their products when they break, or even take them to an independent repair shop of your choosing. Consumer advocates say these repair restrictions limit competition, drive up the cost of repairs, and add to the growing problem of e-waste.
In this episode, a look at the broken repair system and what’s being done to fix it. Plus, make your voice heard as part of the petition to the Federal Trade Commission by clicking here to sign.
Support our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/consumerpedia/support
Meet The Host
Herb Weisbaum
Herb Weisbaum is one of America’s top consumer experts. He’s been protecting people across the country for more than 40 years.
Herb is a contributing editor at Checkbook.org, and publisher of ConsumerMan.com.
During his distinguished career, Herb has covered the consumer beat for NBC News Digital, NBC’s TODAY Show and CBS News.
A five-time Emmy-award winner, Herb’s dedication to protecting consumers has been honored by the Consumer Federation of America, the National Consumers League, United Press International, and the Society of Professional Journalists.
Herb is a graduate of the Newhouse School at Syracuse University.