This handbook was designed to help persons avoid consumer problems, handle their own complaints if they occur, and guide them to additional sources of help if necessary. The book can also be helpful to complaint handlers when they attempt to direct consumers to the appropriate source of assistance. The guide contains three general sections. The introductory section explains how to use the handbook, how to get the most for the money being spent, how to avoid future problems, how to handle complaints, and how to write a complaint letter. In the second section, sources of help, with names, addresses, and telephone numbers, are listed. These sources include industry consumer programs, better business bureaus, media programs, state and local consumer offices, licensing boards, Federal agencies, small claims courts, legal aid services, private lawyers, private and voluntary consumer groups, and consumer credit counseling services. The third section of the guide, which makes up the bulk of the document, is a consumer assistance directory. Some of the sources that it provides include corporate consumer contacts, automobile manufacturers' corporate contacts, trade associations, consumer protection offices, state regulatory agencies, selected Federal agencies, Federal information centers, and services for handicapped persons. The book is indexed and has a detailed table of contents. (KC)