One of, if not the most effective ways to communicate on a global basis is with social media, online networking, targeted website content, and advertising with a strong user interaction and networking focus. All across the world homes are purchased, taxes are paid, legal services are used, insurance is bought, and financial planning is provided in one way or another. To create a non-affiliated online educational and referral networking resource that holds it's membership to an accountability standard beyond a business license, and it's content and resources accountable to transparency benefits communities and the world. If we simply look at the economic condition of the world right now, all the different nations who have been affected by the sub-prime mortgage controversy, then misdirected investment planning compounding the economic slowdowns effect on society, it is possible that some real transparency and third party resources may have helped consumers make more informed decisions and possibly hold the service providers more accountable to their sales practices. Our website provides a high level of functionality and technology for the community to grow and expand rapidly, consumers have responded with a resounding vote of approval in the early stages and we are confident that it will grow exponentially with the help of communities like Changemakers.
I'm not sure I follow you on how the utilization of "social media" would have helped stem the current economic mayhem we find ourselves in. Were not the majority of those “purchases” of purported “risk free” investments what caused the mortgage down fall? Basically lies handed the public by many who were never held accountable for their actions and deceit?
From the standpoint of "social media" or any other media, the reality within the financial services industry is that it doesn't pay to give all the answers in the slick marketing flyers, it pays to get consumers in the office for a consultation. So, when there is a lack of full disclosure at the onset of the communications it would make sense that at some level the same methods would be used to get to the closing table. The principal behind Consumer IQ is that without an ability or desire to open accounts, we can focus on delivering a fully disclosed and non-affiliated education in a no-pressure environment. Our use of technology, www.consumeriq.net, social media, and other resources provide a reach that is far greater than local referral groups or handing out business cards. Our objective isn't to act as a regulatory agency, we won't recommend any one product over another, and we don't make comparisons between one service company over another. The objective is to provide unbiased and non-affiliated educational materials and tools for willing consumers to digest, distribute these materials in a mass scale, and ultimately to find and certify specialists who choose to take a more educational approach in their business practice and give them a platform to connect with those consumers who are in need of their expertise.
The consumer resources we wish to provide with the grant money would create a very viable and sustainable marketplace for consumers to interact with each other in a way that helps not only promote education, but consumer activism. From the discussions we have seen develop over the last several weeks it has become clear that the consumer programs and resources that can be developed and provided with the assistance of a network of networks can really get viral with the appropriate amounts of technologies and safeguards to the accountability. Being non-affiliated allows more opportunities to bring up these financial issues and discuss them in a no-pressure environment, ultimately allowing for open and honest discussions about how services are provided and why such a huge disconnect has emerged due to the clear conflicts created from mixing sales volume with accountable business practices. Our resources can make a difference on a global level and the help of this competition can make this a reality. Thanks.
Your idea of Consumer IQ really is perfect timing with the shape that our economy is in today. I really do think this is a website people all over the world can benefit from. I can picture the Consumer IQ website in all languages, and being used as a source to find financial service specialists that are honest.
The notion of using the internet to hold financial serives providers accountable is timely and needed. The union of this project and the ascendency of social media creates a unique opportunity for consumers. Armed with better information and an enhanced level of transparency, this project is a harbenger of future directions. I am not aware of any independent organization working for consumers in this area. While I am very familiar with accountability in the public sector, I think this approach has implications for many different sectors - finance, education, government service, consumer service, and commerce in general. I am very interested in the concept of intersecting communities, driven by different interests, but dedicated to common goals, and their potential to change the behavior of market sturctures.
I think this is a great idea. I think that with the state the economy is in, consumers are starting to see the importance of being prepared financially. I believe that a lot of what holds consumers back from taking those necessary steps is quite simply ignorance.If you take down those barriers you are giving consumers the opportunity to make well-educated decisions. It boils down to having a skilled representative available to provide them the information and tools they need to be successful financially.
I have to thank Consumer IQ for pursuing a change in the way the public seeks out financial services. Education, to me, is the biggest value of this company: if people know about Consumer IQ, come to the site and spend some time learning, financial services as a whole will change for the better. The method that pays now is to tell the consumer "trust me because I know more than you about this"; this will change, if consumers are simply more informed about finance. It will become "trust me because I can give you good advice". This would be more of a conversation, and consumers will feel less vulnerable because of the knowledge provided by Consumer IQ. The beauty of this is that financial service providers will naturally have to re-tailor their pitches to a more informed audience - this is entirely different from how the market operates now!
What sells to a uneducated client is not what sells to a user of Consumer IQ.
Nicholas,
The points you make here could not be any closer to the core mission of Consumer IQ as a company, which can be seen from our Welcome message at http://www.consumeriq.net. We have found that due to our standards of no advertising or sales pressure in the consumer areas, we have significantly lower bounce rates and higher average pageviews per visitor than other educational resources in the same category, which are some analytical details that we are proud of. To the point that you made, the consumer with knowledge is able to level the playing field, and be able to keep the emotions out of their interactions with specialists. Ultimately we all benefit. Thank you.
When venturing into new Financial waters with large purchases, it can be difficult to know who you can turn to and who you can trust. This idea takes away that doubt and intimidation. Cool!
I like the idea of consumer concept, business stuff goes over my head, but I really think there is a positive motion with this. These days with "facespace tweets" many people get there information alone from those social networks. And by allowing consumers this your idea will be most useful.
My only fear would be that if a consumer is mislead or misdirected that might be cause for one to be upset and there actions would then become negative. But then again you can't please everyone no matter how hard you try.
Cathrine,
The point you bring up about misleading or misdirected information is a great point and something that from the standpoint of Consumer IQ has been a focal point. As it relates to the content and tools that are provided to consumers there are two safeguards in place. The first is that all the materials being provided to consumers have been professionally written and secondly that all the materials have been submitted to the regulatory agencies for approvals as is possible. From the standpoint of the actual communications that may take place from the CIQ-Certified financial service specialists, we have accountability surveys that are delivered to ensure satisfaction. If the scores are consistently low, then the specialist will no longer be made available through our resource. We feel that both the content procedures as well as the ongoing accountability measures will go a long way in establishing and maintaining global credibility for our resources and ultimately provide a benefit that will draw more people to use the resource. Thanks for your insightful comments...
The media we are exposed to today is so overwhelming. Not to mention the amount of information we are fed daily is so incredible. By the time you figure out what is going on it's yesterdays news. Education is key but you have to be able to trust the source, and that is the tricky part.
Money made the old fashion way. Integrity and Working Hard I believe That's ConsumerIQ
I also believe that this is one of the ways to inspire change through media by being accountable.
Your comments are exactly right. The government has a difficult job ahead in trying to find the right mix of regulation and free market practices. Our fundamental objective is to address the concept that at some level there was a disconnect between regulation and responsible free market business practices. Part of the issue had to do with the difficulty in making sure all the regulations were followed, but the other side of the coin fell on the consumers and their total trust in specialists. We don't trust the car salesman who is offering a product that has about the least amount of risk possible, but will sit down with financial services specialists and let them control the most personal assets. These specialists control a long term destination and unlike a car, which can only break down, the outcome of these plans and services can have long term impacts on quality of life, etc. The most glaring example as you have mentioned is the number of foreclosures and bankruptcies that are being listed each day from people who trusted their mortgage and real estate specialists. They didn't do homework or didn't know where to find credible and comprehensive information that would have helped them and now are going to pay long term dues related to poor credit and maybe more. We don't claim to say that our resource would have prevented it all, but even a small sample of these individuals & families could have been helped with an open resource for education & tools that lacked the pressure to close a sale. That is the mission of Consumer IQ.
This service is one sorely needed by those of us shell-shocked by the state of today's economy. Forty-somethings are facing reality and beginning to plan for the future in an economy that is not expanding in the way to which we have become accustomed. The lessons we have learned in the past year have been harsh - and finding a trusted network of financial advisers and connecting with our same-age peers is becoming a top priority.
I think this idea is one that we, as a society has needed for a long time. We need all the financial help we can get to make sure we are not getting scammed or robbed of our limited funds. Money does not grow on trees and to have a trained professional who has been validated and confirmed, by Mr. Rappa, he is giving individuals the peace for mine they need to properly handle their funds. What can I say... great idea.
I think that this would be a great idea, instead of only recieving biased propaganda from companies, we would be able to hear the real life stories about these products and services without the corporate spin.
The interesting point being made here is the concept that there is a certain amount of spin being distributed to consumers by the industry. This comment is very insightful and confirms our market studies that consumers are absolutely snake bitten by an industry that can only thrive on trust. With the competitive influences of cheaper online services that embrace the fundamentals, the industry at large has been forced to become more sophisticated in order to stay relevant. This ongoing fight has driven marketing campaigns and sales training programs to focus on credibility vs. accountability & disclosure, which has led to a flawed system for consumers. As an independent resource, Consumer IQ can only remain relevant by providing transparency and disclosure for consumers in a no-pressure environment. With the use of technology and media, this resource can become more widely followed and ultimately help level the playing field for those who choose to participate.
This idea seems so simple and obvious that I am amazed no one has come with something already! When you want to buy an automobile, you go online and check out sites like Kelly Blue Book and Carfax and you join or at least peruse forums about specific makes and models and their issues. Why should a consumer spend any less time and effort doing the same thing for large-scale purchases like retirement funds, insurance plans, mortgages, etc.? There is a huge and growing demand for this sort of public service-- according to commondreams.org, "nearly half of all American households participate in the stock market," and that is an increase of nearly 50% over the percentage owning stock in 1989. So the demand for assistance with financial decisions is on the rise, as is the need for educated and unbiased information-- which can now be delivered far more quickly thanks to the internet. The advantage of this project isn't simply that it enriches Americans financially-- countries such as China and India are seeing a rise in per capita income and may catch up; and underdeveloped countries benefit from the philanthropy of affluent citizens of developed countries. A rising tide lifts all boats. Kudos to the folks at ConsumerIQ for their foresight in understanding how to harness social networking media for a clearly humanitarian purpose.
It's hard to believe that we were ever able to make good financial decisions before the advent of the internet. Of course, for a long time, we could rely on financial product salespeople to be honest with us and lead us in the right direction when buying financial products and services. The world was an honest place. No more. In the current Buyer Beware environment, we need to do our own research. Fortunately the information we need is available on the internet. All we need is an MBA in Finance to understand it all and make our own decisions!!!!
That was before Consumer IQ. This website provides guidance in learning what we need to know before buying all sorts of financial products and services from health insurance to an IRA to a home mortgage. The explanations are written in layman terms, unlike the information I find on the financial products providers websites. And Consumer IQ has this educational material on EVERYTHING Financial. Makes my world better, that's for sure.
This new website has the potential to reach huge audiences and educate a huge portion of our population on a subject too often ignored by our school systems. Many of us grow up having to learn bits and pieces of financial knowledge from our friends and family, or by making financial mistakes and learning from them. I think this site could help ease that learning process as well as make recommendations of qualified, trustworthy experts in the marketplace. It's really nice that one site can offer answers to common financial questions and help the average consumer to avoid pitfalls. And only with the power of the internet and social networking can we truly harness this financial knowledge and create a place that can be a resource for financial success and independence. Good luck with the site, I think it could truly help man, many people.
I can’t praise Consumer IQ enough! The simplicity of the website with honest and non-bias information couldn’t have come at a better time. Not only do I find this site as a blessing, but my whole family from ages 18 to 78 are able to use the information provided. I personally did not understand all the language and terms being used when talking with financial advisors. You seek help in making your life better for yourself and your family, but come to find your information was twisted by someone trying to make a buck off of your misfortune. As a member of the U.S. Air Force you are given military options that only benefit you while you are serving in the military. Consumer IQ has provided me with the ability to make decisions for the present and after military life. Also, being a single mother I have to make the most of what I have to make the best future for my son. With the way our economy is these days you can’t afford to not have the knowledge to make sound decisions.
I can see your Consumer IQ website being exremely successful. It seems to be such a simple idea that i am suprised that is has not already been done. It would be so much more beneficial to be able to find an honest financial representative without all the corporate distractions and dishonesty.
I can see your Consumer IQ website being exremely successful. It seems to be such a simple idea that i am suprised that is has not already been done. It would be so much more beneficial to be able to find an honest financial representative without all the corporate distractions and dishonesty.
I can see your Consumer IQ website being exremely successful. It seems to be such a simple idea that i am suprised that is has not already been done. It would be so much more beneficial to be able to find an honest financial representative without all the corporate distractions and dishonesty.
Why does the Media always support the American Red Cross.....aren't there other, more direct relief funds that have less adminstrative overhead.....I want my money to help where it's needed, but the Ad Council and ARC are the only ones getting 10 bucks.....and why do standard texting messages apply? Shouldn't AT&T, Sprint, Verizon and other communication giants just allow this for free as part of their corporate social responsiblity? The are waves are not theirs...they lease them from the Federal Government.
I like the way the ConsumerIQ website is laid out and it's purpose. It's very helpful I'd like to find out these corporations are not only helping themselves and our wallets, but if social media is truly social media, then corporate and government transparency are imperative. This website has opened the door to that transparency....now its up to us to follow thru and hold goverment and corporations accountable.
In considering the concept of using consumer "stories" about their experiences and needs in the area of financial services, the power of "voice" and change become immediately apparent. By tying educational infomation and social media together, the impact on the behavior of these markets will be profoundly effected, in the United States and world-wide. The impact of the stories shared by consumers will encounage postive and timely interactions, enpower individual consumers who share their expriences, and inspire fair-minded, consumer-conscious service providers. Similarly, it will discourage poor and unprofessional behavior, isolate unfair or insensitive providers, and generally raise the level of expectation and interaction throughout these market sectors. These stories will have tremendous power for positive change.
In considering the concept of using consumer "stories" about their experiences and needs in the area of financial services, the power of "voice" and change become immediately apparent. By tying educational infomation and social media together, the impact on the behavior of these markets will be profoundly effected, in the United States and world-wide. The impact of the stories shared by consumers will encounage postive and timely interactions, enpower individual consumers who share their expriences, and inspire fair-minded, consumer-conscious service providers. Similarly, it will discourage poor and unprofessional behavior, isolate unfair or insensitive providers, and generally raise the level of expectation and interaction throughout these market sectors. These stories will have tremendous power for positive change.
Finding a service provider in the financial services, mortgage and real estate industries is one of the most gut wrenching activities that most of us can partipate in. Gut wrenching because there is rarely a trustworthy source of reference for these providers.
If Consumeriq can provide a reliable and trustworthy point of reference for the providers it will allow conusmers to make a much more informed and reliable selection that today's process that is roughly like blindly throwing a dart at an open yellow pages directory.
Comments
Please explain why your idea/project, is suited/perfect to using... 'media' ...to bring about A BETTER "WORLD"...the entire planet...? Thank you! a.
One of, if not the most effective ways to communicate on a global basis is with social media, online networking, targeted website content, and advertising with a strong user interaction and networking focus. All across the world homes are purchased, taxes are paid, legal services are used, insurance is bought, and financial planning is provided in one way or another. To create a non-affiliated online educational and referral networking resource that holds it's membership to an accountability standard beyond a business license, and it's content and resources accountable to transparency benefits communities and the world. If we simply look at the economic condition of the world right now, all the different nations who have been affected by the sub-prime mortgage controversy, then misdirected investment planning compounding the economic slowdowns effect on society, it is possible that some real transparency and third party resources may have helped consumers make more informed decisions and possibly hold the service providers more accountable to their sales practices. Our website provides a high level of functionality and technology for the community to grow and expand rapidly, consumers have responded with a resounding vote of approval in the early stages and we are confident that it will grow exponentially with the help of communities like Changemakers.
I'm not sure I follow you on how the utilization of "social media" would have helped stem the current economic mayhem we find ourselves in. Were not the majority of those “purchases” of purported “risk free” investments what caused the mortgage down fall? Basically lies handed the public by many who were never held accountable for their actions and deceit?
From the standpoint of "social media" or any other media, the reality within the financial services industry is that it doesn't pay to give all the answers in the slick marketing flyers, it pays to get consumers in the office for a consultation. So, when there is a lack of full disclosure at the onset of the communications it would make sense that at some level the same methods would be used to get to the closing table. The principal behind Consumer IQ is that without an ability or desire to open accounts, we can focus on delivering a fully disclosed and non-affiliated education in a no-pressure environment. Our use of technology, www.consumeriq.net, social media, and other resources provide a reach that is far greater than local referral groups or handing out business cards. Our objective isn't to act as a regulatory agency, we won't recommend any one product over another, and we don't make comparisons between one service company over another. The objective is to provide unbiased and non-affiliated educational materials and tools for willing consumers to digest, distribute these materials in a mass scale, and ultimately to find and certify specialists who choose to take a more educational approach in their business practice and give them a platform to connect with those consumers who are in need of their expertise.
The consumer resources we wish to provide with the grant money would create a very viable and sustainable marketplace for consumers to interact with each other in a way that helps not only promote education, but consumer activism. From the discussions we have seen develop over the last several weeks it has become clear that the consumer programs and resources that can be developed and provided with the assistance of a network of networks can really get viral with the appropriate amounts of technologies and safeguards to the accountability. Being non-affiliated allows more opportunities to bring up these financial issues and discuss them in a no-pressure environment, ultimately allowing for open and honest discussions about how services are provided and why such a huge disconnect has emerged due to the clear conflicts created from mixing sales volume with accountable business practices. Our resources can make a difference on a global level and the help of this competition can make this a reality. Thanks.
Your idea of Consumer IQ really is perfect timing with the shape that our economy is in today. I really do think this is a website people all over the world can benefit from. I can picture the Consumer IQ website in all languages, and being used as a source to find financial service specialists that are honest.
The notion of using the internet to hold financial serives providers accountable is timely and needed. The union of this project and the ascendency of social media creates a unique opportunity for consumers. Armed with better information and an enhanced level of transparency, this project is a harbenger of future directions. I am not aware of any independent organization working for consumers in this area. While I am very familiar with accountability in the public sector, I think this approach has implications for many different sectors - finance, education, government service, consumer service, and commerce in general. I am very interested in the concept of intersecting communities, driven by different interests, but dedicated to common goals, and their potential to change the behavior of market sturctures.
I think this is a great idea. I think that with the state the economy is in, consumers are starting to see the importance of being prepared financially. I believe that a lot of what holds consumers back from taking those necessary steps is quite simply ignorance.If you take down those barriers you are giving consumers the opportunity to make well-educated decisions. It boils down to having a skilled representative available to provide them the information and tools they need to be successful financially.
I have to thank Consumer IQ for pursuing a change in the way the public seeks out financial services. Education, to me, is the biggest value of this company: if people know about Consumer IQ, come to the site and spend some time learning, financial services as a whole will change for the better. The method that pays now is to tell the consumer "trust me because I know more than you about this"; this will change, if consumers are simply more informed about finance. It will become "trust me because I can give you good advice". This would be more of a conversation, and consumers will feel less vulnerable because of the knowledge provided by Consumer IQ. The beauty of this is that financial service providers will naturally have to re-tailor their pitches to a more informed audience - this is entirely different from how the market operates now!
What sells to a uneducated client is not what sells to a user of Consumer IQ.
Nicholas,
The points you make here could not be any closer to the core mission of Consumer IQ as a company, which can be seen from our Welcome message at http://www.consumeriq.net. We have found that due to our standards of no advertising or sales pressure in the consumer areas, we have significantly lower bounce rates and higher average pageviews per visitor than other educational resources in the same category, which are some analytical details that we are proud of. To the point that you made, the consumer with knowledge is able to level the playing field, and be able to keep the emotions out of their interactions with specialists. Ultimately we all benefit. Thank you.
When venturing into new Financial waters with large purchases, it can be difficult to know who you can turn to and who you can trust. This idea takes away that doubt and intimidation. Cool!
I like the idea of consumer concept, business stuff goes over my head, but I really think there is a positive motion with this. These days with "facespace tweets" many people get there information alone from those social networks. And by allowing consumers this your idea will be most useful.
My only fear would be that if a consumer is mislead or misdirected that might be cause for one to be upset and there actions would then become negative. But then again you can't please everyone no matter how hard you try.
I say this can be postive in the long run.
Cathrine,
The point you bring up about misleading or misdirected information is a great point and something that from the standpoint of Consumer IQ has been a focal point. As it relates to the content and tools that are provided to consumers there are two safeguards in place. The first is that all the materials being provided to consumers have been professionally written and secondly that all the materials have been submitted to the regulatory agencies for approvals as is possible. From the standpoint of the actual communications that may take place from the CIQ-Certified financial service specialists, we have accountability surveys that are delivered to ensure satisfaction. If the scores are consistently low, then the specialist will no longer be made available through our resource. We feel that both the content procedures as well as the ongoing accountability measures will go a long way in establishing and maintaining global credibility for our resources and ultimately provide a benefit that will draw more people to use the resource. Thanks for your insightful comments...
The media we are exposed to today is so overwhelming. Not to mention the amount of information we are fed daily is so incredible. By the time you figure out what is going on it's yesterdays news. Education is key but you have to be able to trust the source, and that is the tricky part.
Money made the old fashion way. Integrity and Working Hard I believe That's ConsumerIQ
I also believe that this is one of the ways to inspire change through media by being accountable.
Your comments are exactly right. The government has a difficult job ahead in trying to find the right mix of regulation and free market practices. Our fundamental objective is to address the concept that at some level there was a disconnect between regulation and responsible free market business practices. Part of the issue had to do with the difficulty in making sure all the regulations were followed, but the other side of the coin fell on the consumers and their total trust in specialists. We don't trust the car salesman who is offering a product that has about the least amount of risk possible, but will sit down with financial services specialists and let them control the most personal assets. These specialists control a long term destination and unlike a car, which can only break down, the outcome of these plans and services can have long term impacts on quality of life, etc. The most glaring example as you have mentioned is the number of foreclosures and bankruptcies that are being listed each day from people who trusted their mortgage and real estate specialists. They didn't do homework or didn't know where to find credible and comprehensive information that would have helped them and now are going to pay long term dues related to poor credit and maybe more. We don't claim to say that our resource would have prevented it all, but even a small sample of these individuals & families could have been helped with an open resource for education & tools that lacked the pressure to close a sale. That is the mission of Consumer IQ.
This service is one sorely needed by those of us shell-shocked by the state of today's economy. Forty-somethings are facing reality and beginning to plan for the future in an economy that is not expanding in the way to which we have become accustomed. The lessons we have learned in the past year have been harsh - and finding a trusted network of financial advisers and connecting with our same-age peers is becoming a top priority.
I think this idea is one that we, as a society has needed for a long time. We need all the financial help we can get to make sure we are not getting scammed or robbed of our limited funds. Money does not grow on trees and to have a trained professional who has been validated and confirmed, by Mr. Rappa, he is giving individuals the peace for mine they need to properly handle their funds. What can I say... great idea.
I think that this would be a great idea, instead of only recieving biased propaganda from companies, we would be able to hear the real life stories about these products and services without the corporate spin.
The interesting point being made here is the concept that there is a certain amount of spin being distributed to consumers by the industry. This comment is very insightful and confirms our market studies that consumers are absolutely snake bitten by an industry that can only thrive on trust. With the competitive influences of cheaper online services that embrace the fundamentals, the industry at large has been forced to become more sophisticated in order to stay relevant. This ongoing fight has driven marketing campaigns and sales training programs to focus on credibility vs. accountability & disclosure, which has led to a flawed system for consumers. As an independent resource, Consumer IQ can only remain relevant by providing transparency and disclosure for consumers in a no-pressure environment. With the use of technology and media, this resource can become more widely followed and ultimately help level the playing field for those who choose to participate.
This idea seems so simple and obvious that I am amazed no one has come with something already! When you want to buy an automobile, you go online and check out sites like Kelly Blue Book and Carfax and you join or at least peruse forums about specific makes and models and their issues. Why should a consumer spend any less time and effort doing the same thing for large-scale purchases like retirement funds, insurance plans, mortgages, etc.? There is a huge and growing demand for this sort of public service-- according to commondreams.org, "nearly half of all American households participate in the stock market," and that is an increase of nearly 50% over the percentage owning stock in 1989. So the demand for assistance with financial decisions is on the rise, as is the need for educated and unbiased information-- which can now be delivered far more quickly thanks to the internet. The advantage of this project isn't simply that it enriches Americans financially-- countries such as China and India are seeing a rise in per capita income and may catch up; and underdeveloped countries benefit from the philanthropy of affluent citizens of developed countries. A rising tide lifts all boats. Kudos to the folks at ConsumerIQ for their foresight in understanding how to harness social networking media for a clearly humanitarian purpose.
It's hard to believe that we were ever able to make good financial decisions before the advent of the internet. Of course, for a long time, we could rely on financial product salespeople to be honest with us and lead us in the right direction when buying financial products and services. The world was an honest place. No more. In the current Buyer Beware environment, we need to do our own research. Fortunately the information we need is available on the internet. All we need is an MBA in Finance to understand it all and make our own decisions!!!!
That was before Consumer IQ. This website provides guidance in learning what we need to know before buying all sorts of financial products and services from health insurance to an IRA to a home mortgage. The explanations are written in layman terms, unlike the information I find on the financial products providers websites. And Consumer IQ has this educational material on EVERYTHING Financial. Makes my world better, that's for sure.
This new website has the potential to reach huge audiences and educate a huge portion of our population on a subject too often ignored by our school systems. Many of us grow up having to learn bits and pieces of financial knowledge from our friends and family, or by making financial mistakes and learning from them. I think this site could help ease that learning process as well as make recommendations of qualified, trustworthy experts in the marketplace. It's really nice that one site can offer answers to common financial questions and help the average consumer to avoid pitfalls. And only with the power of the internet and social networking can we truly harness this financial knowledge and create a place that can be a resource for financial success and independence. Good luck with the site, I think it could truly help man, many people.
I can’t praise Consumer IQ enough! The simplicity of the website with honest and non-bias information couldn’t have come at a better time. Not only do I find this site as a blessing, but my whole family from ages 18 to 78 are able to use the information provided. I personally did not understand all the language and terms being used when talking with financial advisors. You seek help in making your life better for yourself and your family, but come to find your information was twisted by someone trying to make a buck off of your misfortune. As a member of the U.S. Air Force you are given military options that only benefit you while you are serving in the military. Consumer IQ has provided me with the ability to make decisions for the present and after military life. Also, being a single mother I have to make the most of what I have to make the best future for my son. With the way our economy is these days you can’t afford to not have the knowledge to make sound decisions.
I can see your Consumer IQ website being exremely successful. It seems to be such a simple idea that i am suprised that is has not already been done. It would be so much more beneficial to be able to find an honest financial representative without all the corporate distractions and dishonesty.
I can see your Consumer IQ website being exremely successful. It seems to be such a simple idea that i am suprised that is has not already been done. It would be so much more beneficial to be able to find an honest financial representative without all the corporate distractions and dishonesty.
I can see your Consumer IQ website being exremely successful. It seems to be such a simple idea that i am suprised that is has not already been done. It would be so much more beneficial to be able to find an honest financial representative without all the corporate distractions and dishonesty.
Why does the Media always support the American Red Cross.....aren't there other, more direct relief funds that have less adminstrative overhead.....I want my money to help where it's needed, but the Ad Council and ARC are the only ones getting 10 bucks.....and why do standard texting messages apply? Shouldn't AT&T, Sprint, Verizon and other communication giants just allow this for free as part of their corporate social responsiblity? The are waves are not theirs...they lease them from the Federal Government.
I like the way the ConsumerIQ website is laid out and it's purpose. It's very helpful I'd like to find out these corporations are not only helping themselves and our wallets, but if social media is truly social media, then corporate and government transparency are imperative. This website has opened the door to that transparency....now its up to us to follow thru and hold goverment and corporations accountable.
In considering the concept of using consumer "stories" about their experiences and needs in the area of financial services, the power of "voice" and change become immediately apparent. By tying educational infomation and social media together, the impact on the behavior of these markets will be profoundly effected, in the United States and world-wide. The impact of the stories shared by consumers will encounage postive and timely interactions, enpower individual consumers who share their expriences, and inspire fair-minded, consumer-conscious service providers. Similarly, it will discourage poor and unprofessional behavior, isolate unfair or insensitive providers, and generally raise the level of expectation and interaction throughout these market sectors. These stories will have tremendous power for positive change.
In considering the concept of using consumer "stories" about their experiences and needs in the area of financial services, the power of "voice" and change become immediately apparent. By tying educational infomation and social media together, the impact on the behavior of these markets will be profoundly effected, in the United States and world-wide. The impact of the stories shared by consumers will encounage postive and timely interactions, enpower individual consumers who share their expriences, and inspire fair-minded, consumer-conscious service providers. Similarly, it will discourage poor and unprofessional behavior, isolate unfair or insensitive providers, and generally raise the level of expectation and interaction throughout these market sectors. These stories will have tremendous power for positive change.
Finding a service provider in the financial services, mortgage and real estate industries is one of the most gut wrenching activities that most of us can partipate in. Gut wrenching because there is rarely a trustworthy source of reference for these providers.
If Consumeriq can provide a reliable and trustworthy point of reference for the providers it will allow conusmers to make a much more informed and reliable selection that today's process that is roughly like blindly throwing a dart at an open yellow pages directory.
Post new comment