1.   Automakers misjudged the American consumer when they stopped making convertibles.

2.   American consumers are accustomed to hunting out bargains.

3.   Although the dual chairmen and headquarters give the deal an international flavor, its greatest effect on American consumers is expected to be felt in the local phone business.

4.   Although criminal defense lawyers have questioned the fairness of the amnesty program, no one doubts that the global price-fixing collusions already exposed have affected every American consumer.

5.   Although free trade will indeed benefit American consumers in the long run, the effect on America will be far smaller than the effect on its puny neighbor.

6.   American consumers are buying far fewer televisions this year than manufacturers had expected, because of fears that those sets may soon be obsolete.

7.   American consumers are showing less satisfaction with the goods and services they buy, according to a survey released today.

8.   American consumers continued to flock to car dealerships in February despite the economic slowdown, producing another unexpectedly strong month for auto sales.

9.   American consumers have a beauty queen complex about apples.

10.   American consumers have so far remained relatively optimistic as the economy has slowed, and there were concerns that they would pull back, further slowing the economy.