The Diamond Certified Consumer Report E-Newsletter

<img src="https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/dcr-apis/wp_contents/uploads/DCR-ADMIN/Screenshot%202026-05-06%20at%2011.57.48%E2%80%AFAM.png" alt="undefined" style="height: auto;width: auto"/> I delete most e-newsletters without even opening them, and I bet you do, too. Most of them don’t have anything I can really use. However, there is one that I look forward to every month: the Diamond Certified Consumer Report e-newsletter, which is written by consumer advocate Chris Bjorklund. It’s one of the benefits that came with my free <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/membership/" target="_self">Diamond Certified Preferred Membership</a>, and it has become something I rely on. Meet the Savvy Consumer Chris Bjorklund is more than a newsletter writer with a catchy nickname. She spent decades as a consumer reporter for KGO Radio and worked as an investigator for the Consumer Fraud Unit of the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office, so when she writes about consumer issues, she’s not just repeating things she saw online—she really knows this stuff. Chris is known to <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/" target="_self">Diamond Certified Resource</a> readers as “The Savvy Consumer,” and that title fits perfectly. Every issue she writes feels less like a newsletter and more like advice from a well-connected friend who knows exactly what Bay Area consumers are up against. What’s Actually in It? Each edition of the Diamond Certified Consumer Report covers a mix of topics that I’ve found useful as a homeowner. One month, Chris might walk through a financial fraud scheme (like the Apple Support scam where victims were coached to withdraw cash) and explain how to protect yourself. Another month, she might dig into something like shrinkflation—the trend of food companies shrinking package sizes instead of raising prices. Beyond Chris’ main piece, each e-newsletter includes a “More From the Savvy Consumer” section with shorter tips, like home maintenance reminders and product safety updates. There are also real customer reviews of Diamond Certified companies, expert articles from local professionals and a running list of companies that have recently earned Diamond Certified. How Do You Use It? I keep a few Diamond Certified Consumer Report editions bookmarked. When I was evaluating contractors for a recent remodeling project, I pulled up some of Chris’ past advice on getting written estimates and comparing bids. It helped me ask better questions before I signed anything. I also share her fraud-related articles with family members. Scams (especially those targeting older Americans) are relentless and sophisticated, so having a credible, no-nonsense source to forward can be more useful than trying to explain it myself. A Monthly Pep Talk The Diamond Certified Consumer Report is just one aspect of my Diamond Certified Preferred Membership, which also includes access to a Double <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/performance-guarantee/" target="_self">Diamond Certified Performance Guarantee</a>, an exclusive hotline, the <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/MembershipSignup/" target="_self">annual printed directory</a> and more…all of which is completely free.