Is it safe to order prescriptions online? Yes, says Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona, but you have to take serious precautions.

Consumers should know the source of their prescriptions to make sure what they are buying is safe. Medicines may be fake, have dangerous ingredients or may not have been checked for safety and effectiveness, or may be labeled, stored, or shipped incorrectly.

There are some red flags to watch for:

• Prices that are too good to be true.
• You can buy the drugs without a prescription.
• The pharmacy company has drugs that are not FDA approved.
• They will ship prescription drugs worldwide.
• Drugs are being shipped from a foreign country.
• Pharmacy is not licensed by a state board of pharmacy in the United States.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), only three percent of online pharmacies reviewed by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy are in compliance with U.S. pharmacy laws and practice standards.

Before buying prescription medicine online peruse the FDA’s website at www.fda.gov/drugs/resourcesforyou. Also, make sure the pharmacy you are contemplating using does the following:

• Requires a valid prescription.
• Provides a physical address in U.S.
• Is licensed by the state board of pharmacy in your state and where the pharmacy is operating.
• Has a state-licensed pharmacist to answer your questions.

It is good to shop prices, just do it with caution. Don’t forget to make sure your insurance company will approve payment to the pharmacy you choose

Car advertising may focus on style, speed and brand, but it’s the initial price and costs of operating a vehicle that are the key interests for people car shopping, according to the results of a recent poll taken by the Better Business Bureau.

Price was the leading factor, with 29 percent of survey respondents picking it as their primary consideration. This was followed by gas mileage, stated by 17 percent, and costs of service and warranty, cited by another 12 percent. These economic factors totaled 58 percent of the concerns survey respondents had when looking for a new vehicle.

“Buying a vehicle is a major purchase an individual or family can make, so it is reassuring that economic considerations are primary for buyers,” said Kim States, BBB of Southern Arizona president. “Other factors, like looks and performance may be influences, but our poll shows it is dollar concerns that outweigh other factors.”

While the features of a new car were picked by 19 percent of the respondents as a consideration, they were outweighed by the cost issues by a three-to-one margin.  Also taking a backseat in car buying considerations were online ratings of dealers, selected by 9 percent as important; previous dealer relationship, 8 percent; and picking the same brand as a previous car, 6 percent.

Visit BBB’s website for more consumer tips at www.bbb.org

With hundreds of auto insurance companies writing policies offering a variety of coverage options, shopping for a policy has become such a confusing ordeal that many people don’t bother to comparison shop, ending up paying more than they need for premiums.

Driving expensive high-performance cars, getting stopped for moving violations, putting a lot of miles on your car each year, and having a young driver at home can run up your insurance costs sharply. But how big a premium you pay also depends on the levels of coverage you buy, so consider your choices carefully.

There are discounts available to auto owners that could help shave dollars off your premium. In most instances, you’ll have to inquire about the rate reductions for which you may qualify; agents don’t always volunteer this information. To help you save money on your premium, Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona suggests you consider the following:

• Combine policies with one carrier. Most owners with two or more cars will know that it makes sense to insure all their vehicles under one policy. But you can also get a multi-vehicle discount if you insure a trailer or recreational vehicle on the same policy as your car. Also, many auto insurers will reduce your car premium if you buy other coverage from them, such as, homeowners’ and life insurance. But don’t switch carriers unless the rates for the other policies are competitive.
• Buy a car that costs less to insure. Expensive high-performance cars are fun to drive, but they’re costly to repair and the premiums can run two to three times higher than less expensive cars.
• Equip your new car with safety gear. An approved alarm system or other devices that deter thefts can get you a savings of five to ten percent. Air bags for both driver and passenger can reduce injury, and costly medical bills in an accident, and may qualify you for a discount.
• Maintain a good driving record. No claims or traffic tickets for 36 months may qualify you for a reduced premium. Drivers over the age of 50 with a clean driving record may also claim a rate reduction.
• Use public transit or a carpool to get to work. Drivers who hold their driving below 7,500 miles a year generally qualify for a discount, and lessening or eliminating your use of a car to commute can trim your premium.
• Having a teenage driver in your home with a good academic record, can qualify you for a discount. Also if your child attends a college that is more than 100 miles from home and doesn’t take a car along, that may qualify you for a discount. If you own more than one vehicle ( and your insurance company allows it), add the teenager to your policy as the occasional driver of your least expensive car – and make sure he or she drives that car only.

For more consumer tips and news you can trust visit www.tucson.bbb.org.