CTV Winnipeg | ConsumerWATCH - Product Reviews, Consumer Alerts

Before you get going on your holiday purchases, you may want to rethink how you browse and shop this year.

Canada's housing market has been on a terrific run, helped by low interest rates, pushing home values up and tempting downsizing baby boomers looking to add to their nest egg into cashing out.

A recent study done by Consumer Reports tested 11 popular brands like American Tourister, Samsonite and TravelPro. All were laser-measured and it turned out nine of them were larger than the tag claimed.

Two new studies for the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety claim using hands-free technology while driving may not be that safe after all.

Mazda says it is recalling 4.9 million older vehicles worldwide because ignition switches could overheat and catch fire.

General Motors is telling owners of some SUVs not to use their windshield wipers because an electrical short could cause the wiper motor to catch fire.

Credit counsellor Pamela George has seen clients get into trouble for want of $500 and been forced to resort to a payday loan to treat a sick pet. Without even a small emergency fund, George says, an unexpected expense can spur "a dangerous downward spiral."