Does anyone subscribe to this magazine and how does it compare in the real world are they usually Petty accurate on there reporting?
just wondering thinking of subscribing.
just wondering thinking of subscribing.
Consumer Reports?
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It depends on what reporting you're referring to. Their vehicle reliability info (one of their mainstays) has lost credibility in recent years as the reporting methodologies and stats have become more well-known.
Like anything else in life, you should consult multiple sources and be an informed consumer. CR can certainly be one of the sources, but it shouldn't be the only one.
Like anything else in life, you should consult multiple sources and be an informed consumer. CR can certainly be one of the sources, but it shouldn't be the only one.
My MIL has it and they've gotten crazy over the last 20 years.
The magazine seems to be scrambling to prove its relevance.
They strike me as being awfully demanding of their subscribers: buy this, don't buy that.
The marketplace has gotten weird as well; if they review a Samsung 1234AB from Sears and they sell a cosmetically different 1234ZY at Walmart, it's hard to find what WM suggests. With Black Fridays and steep discounts, one would be very lucky to find a CR "red dot" product.
The magazine seems to be scrambling to prove its relevance.
They strike me as being awfully demanding of their subscribers: buy this, don't buy that.
The marketplace has gotten weird as well; if they review a Samsung 1234AB from Sears and they sell a cosmetically different 1234ZY at Walmart, it's hard to find what WM suggests. With Black Fridays and steep discounts, one would be very lucky to find a CR "red dot" product.
No not for vehicles just other stuff in general. I was reading a free sample booklet and it was talking about house hold batteries, laundry detergent, refrigerators, etc, not vehicles.
We get them at the library. My son subscribes to the on-line version.
I find them very helpful. My experience is they are accurate, fair, and responsible on the items I have purchased that they have reviewed.
They make a lot of enemies of those that make poorly rated products and those that own poorly rated products. They just hammered my 2012 Camry for failing to pass some new angle-front-impact test. Because of that, should I retaliate? I think not.
I find them very helpful. My experience is they are accurate, fair, and responsible on the items I have purchased that they have reviewed.
They make a lot of enemies of those that make poorly rated products and those that own poorly rated products. They just hammered my 2012 Camry for failing to pass some new angle-front-impact test. Because of that, should I retaliate? I think not.
I enjoy both the print and online subscriptions. It was particularly helpful when our son was on the way a couple of years ago, they have lots of reviews and guides for baby products. They also have a consumer advocacy arm that fights for things such as more stringent food safety standards.
I like them, reviews seem fair to me.
I look at CR consider what they say, but, I always check other sources before I decide on anything. I dont let CR or anyone else decide for me. (Well, maybe except for my wife1). That I cant control! LOL
Originally Posted By: DoiInthanon
They make a lot of enemies of those that make poorly rated products...
I remember their Suzuki Samurai debacle. They demonstrated clearly how easy it was to roll one, so Suzuki sued them. It took quite a while, but Suzuki lost. Score one for the consumer.
They make a lot of enemies of those that make poorly rated products...
I remember their Suzuki Samurai debacle. They demonstrated clearly how easy it was to roll one, so Suzuki sued them. It took quite a while, but Suzuki lost. Score one for the consumer.
Originally Posted By: dparm
It depends on what reporting you're referring to. Their vehicle reliability info (one of their mainstays) has lost credibility in recent years as the reporting methodologies and stats have become more well-known..
Meh,
I don't think it really lost credibility. The people who complain about it were probably always CR haters.
No reliability rating system is perfect. I see lots of flaws in all the other ones.
It depends on what reporting you're referring to. Their vehicle reliability info (one of their mainstays) has lost credibility in recent years as the reporting methodologies and stats have become more well-known..
Meh,
I don't think it really lost credibility. The people who complain about it were probably always CR haters.
No reliability rating system is perfect. I see lots of flaws in all the other ones.
IMO when it comes to cars, if you are on the internet already then you probably know quite a bit--you can wade through reviews, come to a forum like this, etc. CR probably won't tell you too much extra, but it won't hurt to see what they say.
OTOH try to find a website let alone three dedicated to fridges, or mixers, or washer machines!
It's just one more tool to look at when buying something. Not sure I'd subcribe, I think I'd rather renew my library card and read it there.
OTOH try to find a website let alone three dedicated to fridges, or mixers, or washer machines!
It's just one more tool to look at when buying something. Not sure I'd subcribe, I think I'd rather renew my library card and read it there.
Right i know there's other means of information but was just curious about what others think about CR.
I'm a big fan
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Never have been a fan of Consumer Reports. They are supposed to be unbiased. I think they are. IMO.
They were kinda a novelty rag back in the day, now with the internet?? Who needs them?
Jeff
They were kinda a novelty rag back in the day, now with the internet?? Who needs them?
Jeff
One thing I like about their vehicle reviews is that they buy them off a lot, and keep them a long time. Their auto reviews seem in line with other sources.
When shopping for a new washer, discovered the Kenmores they rated very good were getting lousy reviews on Sears' own website.
My favorite type of article is the brand name/store label comparisons. It is interesting to see how many generics can beat or match brand names in taste tests. And who would have guessed Walmart toilet paper is some of the best available? At a great price to boot. Costco (Kirkland) household products routinely rate well for value.
Best of all, manufacturers can't help a review with a giant ad buy, because there are no ads. Sure, they can make a mistake, but at least they will admit it and fix it if need be.
When shopping for a new washer, discovered the Kenmores they rated very good were getting lousy reviews on Sears' own website.
My favorite type of article is the brand name/store label comparisons. It is interesting to see how many generics can beat or match brand names in taste tests. And who would have guessed Walmart toilet paper is some of the best available? At a great price to boot. Costco (Kirkland) household products routinely rate well for value.
Best of all, manufacturers can't help a review with a giant ad buy, because there are no ads. Sure, they can make a mistake, but at least they will admit it and fix it if need be.
Originally Posted By: dparm
It depends on what reporting you're referring to. Their vehicle reliability info (one of their mainstays) has lost credibility in recent years as the reporting methodologies and stats have become more well-known.
Like anything else in life, you should consult multiple sources and be an informed consumer. CR can certainly be one of the sources, but it shouldn't be the only one.
This. Also, check your local library to see if they carry it. No need to subscribe if you can find it there.
It depends on what reporting you're referring to. Their vehicle reliability info (one of their mainstays) has lost credibility in recent years as the reporting methodologies and stats have become more well-known.
Like anything else in life, you should consult multiple sources and be an informed consumer. CR can certainly be one of the sources, but it shouldn't be the only one.
This. Also, check your local library to see if they carry it. No need to subscribe if you can find it there.
I like CR and consider it very credible. I've purchased many products based on their recommendations and have never regretted it.
I get CR from the library.
For those with no other information, CR is very useful.
Their car tests and reliability ratings are as objective and as accurate as those found anywhere else.
CR really has no axe to grind with any product and CU buys the products tested. They aren't free press cars as used by the car rags, nor are they getting comped on laundry pairs, cases of wine or sets of tires.
CR accepts no advertising.
This matters unless you believe that marketers routinely place ads with media outlets that pan their products
Check the ads in any car rag and then check what they've published.
CR is one more source of information in considering what to purchase and you at least know that you aren't reading the words of some product shill, which you can never know with internet sources.
I would consider CR pretty reliable overall.
For those with no other information, CR is very useful.
Their car tests and reliability ratings are as objective and as accurate as those found anywhere else.
CR really has no axe to grind with any product and CU buys the products tested. They aren't free press cars as used by the car rags, nor are they getting comped on laundry pairs, cases of wine or sets of tires.
CR accepts no advertising.
This matters unless you believe that marketers routinely place ads with media outlets that pan their products
Check the ads in any car rag and then check what they've published.
CR is one more source of information in considering what to purchase and you at least know that you aren't reading the words of some product shill, which you can never know with internet sources.
I would consider CR pretty reliable overall.
I'm a long term subscriber. They seem to have generally sound methodology and appear unbiased.
I remember when GMs were reported as being the most reliable vehicles (the full size models - Camaro, Firebird and Cadillac not so much). And they were - at that time.
For most purchases they quickly summarize what to look for and by looking for the top rated models (of pretty much anything) you can become a smarter shopper. Not everything has worked out - their recommended toasters have been both expensive and fairly short lived - but that's a pretty minor criticism.
I'm driving 2 of their higher rated cars (2000 BMW 528i and 2007 Honda Accord) and I'm pretty happy. They are good cars.
Ecotourist
I remember when GMs were reported as being the most reliable vehicles (the full size models - Camaro, Firebird and Cadillac not so much). And they were - at that time.
For most purchases they quickly summarize what to look for and by looking for the top rated models (of pretty much anything) you can become a smarter shopper. Not everything has worked out - their recommended toasters have been both expensive and fairly short lived - but that's a pretty minor criticism.
I'm driving 2 of their higher rated cars (2000 BMW 528i and 2007 Honda Accord) and I'm pretty happy. They are good cars.
Ecotourist
The only real source of Auto reliability ratings that I know of that seems to have a statical bases. So much better than asking a couple of neighbors or local car dealer. I also follow the information on house-hold goods and appliance. A good inexpensive reference in my opinion. Ed
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