THESE DATA WERE COLLECTED TO ASSIST IN THE CULTIVATION OF A FREE MARKET WHERE AWARE CONSUMERS HAVE THE OPTION TO CHOOSE QUALITY PRODUCTS AT FAIR PRICES AND TO THEREBY THWART RIPOFF PRACTICES. INFORMATION WAS OBTAINED LARGELY FROM TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS WITH PERSONS RESPONDING TO A CLASSIFIED AD INVITING PERSONS TO SHARE IN CONFIDENCE RIPOFF METHODS USED BY THEMSELVES OR OTHERS IN THEIR OCCUPATIONAL ACTIVITIES. THE BOOK IS ORGANIZED ACCORDING TO OCCUPATIONAL GROUPINGS, WITH QUOTES AND DESCRIPTIONS FROM RESPONDENTS IN EACH OF THE OCCUPATIONS AND INFORMATION ABOUT RIPOFF ACTIVITIES GERMAINE TO PARTICULAR PROFESSIONS. THE GENERAL OCCUPATIONAL CATEGORIES INCLUDED ARE ADVERTISING, MARKETING, PUBLIC RELATIONS, AUTO MANUFACTURING AND SERVICE, AUTO OPERATION, AUTO SALES, CONSTRUCTION, CROOKS, SUCH AS CON ARTISTS, DOOR AND PHONE SELLING, HOMES, EDUCATION, AND TRAINING. FURTHER GROUPINGS CONCERN ELECTRONICS, ENTERTAINMENT AND RECREATION, FOOD AND BEVERAGE, GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC SERVICE, HEALTH CARE, INSTITUTIONAL HEALTH CARE, INSURANCE, LETTERS AND THE MEDIA, PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, RETAIL SALES, AND SERVICE BUSINESSES, WAREHOUSING AND SHIPPING, AND THE RESTAURANT BUSINESS. A MISCELLANEOUS CATEGORY DEALS WITH THE STOREFRONT MINISTRY, PARALEGALS, FUND RAISERS, ACCOUNTANTS, AND PSYCHICS. (RCB)