Here's a Columbus Day special for you: The Minnesota State Fair is long gone, but one vendor, Angie's List, is continuing its State Fair Special through the end of the year. It's a 50 percent savings over regular subscription rates, said Cheryl Reed, director of communications at Angie's List.

You can subscribe for one year for $9.99, two years for $15.99 and three years for $20.97 and never have to wonder where to start looking when you need someone to service an auto transmission, for example. Use discount code FAIR50 to get the discount online or at 1-888-888-5478.

The subscription supported website containing consumers reviews of thousands local businesses is a substitute for a shoutout on social media asking, Anyone know of a good plumber?"

Angie's List subscribers evaluate local service from air duct cleaning to zipper repair. It's most helpful when at least a dozen consumers have rated a company. Fewer than a dozen reviews isn't an adequate sampling. But read the reviews instead of just looking at the letter grade. I have found that the individual reviews provide more helpful information, especially any criticism.

One downside of Angie's List is a lack of useful information on price. To have a consumer evaluate price when he or she may have only contacted one service provider is not helpful in most cases. I have found Twin Cities Consumers' Checkbook more helpful in that regard, but they don't evaluate nearly as many categories of service providers. You can subscribe to Checkbook or view copies free in most public libraries.