Reviews & records
The archive
All case files
12 practical guides to researching a purchase before you commit. Each one ends with a checklist or table you can use straight away, and every guide is written and maintained by the Research Investigation team. Start with the topic closest to the decision in front of you, or read the reviews section first — it underpins everything else.
Reviews & records
Reviews & records
How to spot fake reviews: the warning signs
The common warning signs of fake, paid-for and incentivised reviews, what the rules say about them in the US and UK, and what to do when you find them. Open the case file →
Reviews & records
How to research a company before you do business with it
Where to check a company's registration, age, address, complaints, court cases and regulatory status before you hand over money, in the US and UK. Open the case file →
Reviews & records
How to check for product recalls before (and after) you buy
Where to check recalls for products, cars, car seats, food and medicines in the US, UK, EU and Canada, and what to do if something you own is recalled. Open the case file →Hiring & renting
Hiring & renting
How to vet a contractor before you sign anything
A step-by-step routine for vetting builders, roofers and other contractors: bids, licence and insurance checks, references, contracts, permits and payment schedules. Open the case file →
Hiring & renting
How to check a professional's licence and insurance
How to verify licences, registrations and insurance for contractors, electricians, gas engineers, agents, financial advisers and other professionals in the US and UK. Open the case file →
Hiring & renting
How to research a landlord and a rental listing
How to confirm a rental listing is real, check who owns the property, research a landlord's record and avoid deposit scams before you sign a lease. Open the case file →Shops & sellers
Shops & sellers
Is this online store legit? A step-by-step check
How to tell whether an unfamiliar online shop is real: web address, domain age, contact details, reviews off-site, return policies, payment options and scam patterns. Open the case file →
Shops & sellers
How to buy second-hand safely from private sellers
How to research private sellers on marketplaces, check items for theft and recalls, avoid overpayment and verification-code scams, meet safely and pay with protection. Open the case file →
Shops & sellers
How to check a used car's history before you buy
How to check a used car's VIN, title, recalls, theft and write-off records, mileage history and condition in the US and UK, plus private-sale and dealer tips. Open the case file →Money & fine print
Money & fine print
Warranties and return policies: read the fine print first
How return policies, manufacturer warranties, implied warranties, extended warranties and statutory rights differ, and what to check before buying in the US and UK. Open the case file →
Money & fine print