AN EDUCATED CONSUMER IS A CONSUMER WHO IS AWARE OF AVAILABLE ALTERNATIVES BEFORE MAKING A PURCHASE. MARKETPLACE DECEPTIONS ARE DISCUSSED TO POINT OUT TO CONSUMERS THE DISHONEST PRACTICES THEY MAY FACE. THESE INCLUDE HARDCORE FRAUD SCHEMES INVOLVING MAIL ORDER COURSES AND LAND SALES, AS WELL AS HOME IMPROVEMENT FRAUDS. RETAIL STORES SOMETIMES USE BAIT AND SWITCH TACTICS AND DECEPTIVE PRICING. CONSUMERS ARE WARNED TO HAVE APPLIANCES REPAIRED ONLY AT AUTHORIZED REPAIR SERVICES AND TO READ ALL APPLIANCE WARRANTIES. CONSUMERS WHO HAVE BEEN VICTIMIZED SHOULD CONTACT THEIR LOCAL OR STATE CONSUMER PROTECTION AGENCY IF THEY DO NOT OBTAIN SATISFACTION FROM THE MERCHANT OR MANUFACTURER. ANOTHER ALTERNATIVE IS TO GO TO SMALL CLAIMS COURT. INTERVIEWS WITH SEVERAL OFFICIALS INVOLVED IN CONSUMER AFFAIRS POINT OUT THAT CONSUMERS' LACK OF EDUCATION CAUSES MOST PROBLEMS, SINCE PEOPLE WHO ARE ARMED WITH KNOWLEDGE AND THE ABILITY TO ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS CANNOT BE EASILY TRICKED OR FOOLED. RECOMMENDATIONS TO CONSUMERS INCLUDE THE ADMONITION THAT IT IS BETTER TO INVESTIGATE BEFORE INVESTING. THE INTERVIEWS DISCUSS AUTO THEFTS AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES TO CONTACT FOR PEOPLE WHO DO NOT SPEAK OR CANNOT UNDERSTAND ENGLISH. NO CONTRACTS OR MAJOR PURCHASES SHOULD BE MADE BY SUCH PEOPLE BEFORE THEY UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY ARE SIGNING OR BUYING. THE DISCUSSION GUIDE INCLUDES FOUR REFERENCES.