Being a savvy consumer takes a little extra work, but you’ll get big payoffs in the long run. In this video, Chris Bjorklund, Consumer Advocate, and Joy Lanzaro, Director of Mediation & Compliance, walk you through 10 steps you can take to ensure your transactions go smoothly. When you’re done, check out our Problem Resolution & Mediation Hub to learn more about consumer affairs. Lastly, remember, Diamond Certified Preferred Consumers are backed by a Double Diamond Certified Performance Guarantee when they use Diamond Certified companies (enroll here, it’s free!).

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Since the recent California wildfires, many of us have been reassessing our relationships to our possessions. Since my home was safe, my immediate response was to find useful items to donate to the fire victims. In fact, many Sonoma County donation sites were overwhelmed with people’s generosity and had to turn away used clothing and furniture. They requested cash donations instead or things like toaster ovens, hot plates and electric teapots for those living in temporary housing.

The stories about what evacuees took with them and what they left behind made many of us think about which of our belongings have value and meaning and which don’t. Read more

Throughout most of the year, Bay Area residents enjoy exceptionally pleasant weather, exemplified by mild temperatures and plenty of sunshine. The problem is, in this characteristically comfy climate, it’s easy to forget about preparing for when the weather isn’t so nice. Take winter road safety, which many Northern California drivers neglect to prepare for due to the relatively brief rainy season. However, with the slick roads and diminished visibility winter weather often brings, it’s necessary to address this crucial concern. To help you do this, we’ve created the following checklist of areas to assess on your vehicle. Read more

It’s been a little over three months since we launched our new-and-improved website, and we’re thrilled with the response. The new site is both easy to navigate and filled with the information consumers need to make informed decisions. If you haven’t checked it out yet, here’s your chance. Below is a guide to some of the main pages on the new site. Take a look and let us know what you think!

The Diamond Certified Company Report

Diamond Certified Company Reports have everything you need to choose with confidence. Each report gives you the most accurate ratings and Deep Info available, Read more

Help us celebrate our new website by taking our 1-minute video tour at diamondcertified.info. To show our appreciation, we’ll mail your family a FREE 2018 Diamond Certified Home Service Calendar and donate in your name to your local fire district. But don’t delay—we have a limited supply of calendars and they’re going fast.

Here’s some of what you’ll find inside the 2018 Diamond Certified Home Service Calendar:

• Monthly home, health and auto checklists that feature important tasks you need to take care of throughout the year
• Helpful tips and insider knowledge from Diamond Certified Expert Contributors
• Important days for Bay Area consumers to remember,

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When my husband and I had children in the last half of the 20th century, baby-proofing our home consisted of getting a gate to block the stairway, covering all the electrical outlets, and adding safety clips to kitchen and bathroom cupboards so curious toddlers couldn’t open them. Now that our son and daughter-in-law have an almost one-year-old, I’m learning about how much more can be done to prevent accidents and make a home safer. What once took an hour or two is now a major project for young couples. Read more

From gutters and gardens to oil changes and tire rotations, it can be challenging to keep up with the annual maintenance for your home and car. And let’s not forget that the Bay Area is a unique place where seasonal maintenance looks a little different. Where else in the country do you have heavy fog one month and wildfire risk the next? That’s why we’ve created the 2018 Diamond Certified Home Service Calendar. It’s designed to help Bay Area residents organize and execute all their maintenance tasks throughout the year, and it also features numerous helpful tips and insider knowledge from Diamond Certified Expert Contributors. Read more