Chatham Journal: Living

Consumer Reports finds that packaged salad can contain high levels of bacteria

Sun, 13 Feb 2010 06:58:00 GMT

Consumer Reports’ latest tests of packaged leafy greens found bacteria that are common indicators of poor sanitation and fecal contamination, in some cases, at rather high levels. Consumers Union also issued a report urging the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to set safety standards for greens. FDA food safety legislation pending in the Senate, and passed last summer by the House of Representatives, would require the FDA to create just such safety standards.

What your car is telling you when it whines, creaks, or squeals

Tue, 08 Feb 2010 11:20:00 GMT

When your car thumps, pings, and hisses it’s hard to tell if you should take your car to the mechanic or not, so Consumer Reports has identified what noises drivers should turn down the radio for.

Consumer Reports finds that diet entrées serve up better taste, small portions

Mon, 31 Jan 2010 14:19:00 GMT

From the labs at Consumer Reports, some dinner recommendations that aren’t quite fine dining but can help dieters control their portions and lose weight. In the February issue, 14 out of 24 microwaveable meals earn a “Very Good” rating for taste, a marked improvement since the last time prepared meals were tested in 2004. But Consumer Reports Health notes that many entrées have so few calories that diners may need to round out their meals with a few side dishes.

Cadillac CTS tops Consumer Reports tests of luxury sedans but reliability remains an issue

Mon, 31 Jan 2010 14:20:00 GMT

The Cadillac CTS posted an “Excellent” overall score and outpointed competitors from Acura, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and Lincoln in Consumer Reports’ testing of five luxury sedans for the February 2010 issue.

Consumer Reports finds that fiber-optic providers are leading choices for Internet, TV, and telephone service

Fri, 21 Jan 2010 06:52:00 GMT

Fiber-optic service providers for Internet, TV and phone services scored tops overall in Consumer Reports latest survey of telecom services. Verizon FiOS and AT&T U-verse, whose networks are fiber-optic based, received top scores for Internet and TV service and were among the better phone providers. Results of Consumer Reports survey of some 69,000 reader experiences with telecom services are featured in the magazine’s February issue.

Consumer Reports finds that prices of washers down by as much as 33 percent

Sat, 15 Jan 2010 12:07:00 GMT

Consumer Reports latest tests on washers reveal price drops of as much as 33 percent compared with a year ago. And along with the federally funded rebates of up to $250 for qualifying models, consumers are seeing more energy- and water-efficient models that save money in the long run. The full report, which includes dryer ratings, appears in the February issue of Consumer Reports and online at www.ConsumerReports.org.

Latest tests of treadmills and ellipticals by Consumer Reports yield 14 top machines

Sat, 15 Jan 2010 03:52:00 GMT

After putting 48 machines to the test, Consumer Reports Health lists 14 recommended treadmills and ellipticals for a home workout, including five Best Buy choices which combine performance and value. The report is part of “Get Fit In 2010,” a do-it-yourself Web guide at www.ConsumerReportsHealth.org.

Toyota tops while Chevrolet, Ford, and Subaru rise in Consumer Reports car brand perception survey

Wed, 12 Jan 2010 19:31:00 GMT

Despite one of the most turbulent years ever in the automotive market, Chevrolet, Ford, and Subaru have benefited from a dramatic increase in overall brand perception among car owners, according to Consumer Reports 2010 Car Brand Perception Survey.

Consumer Reports finds packaged products that are full of air

Wed, 22 Dec 2009 22:36:00 GMT

Did you ever wonder why some packaged products in the grocery store have so much empty space in them? Consumer Reports’ recent investigation turned up several products with packages that are as much as half empty. Those include One A Day Men’s 50 + Advantage vitamins, where the plastic 50-tablet bottle looks about 40 percent empty, and Lay’s Potato chip bags that are half-filled.

Consumer Reports finds that new cell phone models adapting to reflect users’ lifestyles

Wed, 22 Dec 2009 03:08:00 GMT

Consumer Reports latest tests of 69 cell phones found that models are evolving to offer more sophisticated capabilities to meet consumers’ more diverse needs and lifestyles. According to a recent Consumer Reports National Research Center survey of more than 13,500 online subscribers, the desire for advanced features was the main reason consumers bought a new phone.

Consumer Reports identifies six holiday shopping gotchas to avoid

Tue, 21 Dec 2009 04:21:00 GMT

With budgets tightening this year and credit tight for many consumers, shoppers have probably tried to keep holiday shopping under control. But even the most carefully built holiday budget can crumble if you fall for the tricks grinchy companies use to get you to spend more.

Consumer Reports finds that cell-phone service providers among lower-rated services

Tue, 21 Dec 2009 04:21:00 GMT

Consumer Reports most recent annual cell-phone service survey of more than 50,000 readers found that only 54 percent of respondents were completely or very satisfied with their cell-phone service. Despite “smarter phones,” more flexible plans, and faster wireless networks, cell service continues to be among the lower-rated of all the services that Consumer Reports evaluates.

Consumer Reports' Tightwad Tod shares key dates for getting gifts on time

Tue, 21 Dec 2009 04:20:00 GMT

With the winter holidays looming, retailers and delivery services are urging consumers to act fairly soon if they want their packages to arrive in time for Hannukah (Dec. 11) and Christmas (Dec. 25). To give you a heads up, we scoured the deadlines of dozens of retailers, then checked FedEx, the U.S. Postal Service, and UPS for their schedules, too.

Walmart serves up a week of early savings with "Black Friday" prices

Thu, 18 Nov 2009 00:04:00 GMT

Focused on bringing families tremendous savings this holiday season on entertainment for all ages, Walmart today announced that starting Saturday, Nov. 21, Walmart stores will introduce savings resembling the day-after-Thanksgiving prices on select toys and entertainment, one week early. Special items include popular dolls and activity toys, a 26-inch Vizio HDTV, and gaming packages from Guitar Hero, Band Hero and DJ Hero with a $40 Walmart Gift Card.

Consumer Reports poll finds that fewer people tipped during 2008 Holidays than in previous year

Tue, 02 Nov 2009 23:26:00 GMT

Americans have become more choosy about whom and how much to tip at the holidays, according to a phone survey conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center. How much to tip and whom to give it to has always been a tricky decision, one that may get harder in these tough economic times. During the 2008 holidays fewer people than in the previous year tipped their newspaper carrier, barber, mail carrier, hairdresser, manicurist, and garbage collector.