Consumer

Consumer Reports’ latest vacuum report doesn’t include Hoover among its list of recommended uprights
[Feb. 24, 2011] For the first time in years, Consumer Reports’ latest vacuum report doesn’t include Hoover among its list of Recommended uprights. Hoover still tops Consumer Reports’ Ratings overall, and its canister models still make top picks; the Hoover Platinum canister, $365, was named a CR Best Buy and delivered superb carpet cleaning and excellent cleaning on bare floors and pet hair. But while Consumer Reports’ surveys found only two brands that were more reliable than Hoover among canister vacuums, there were many more-reliable brands among uprights.

Consumer Union writes AT&T, Verizon, FCC about changes in wireless plans, presses companies to step up effort to notify consumers
[Feb. 1, 2011] Consumers Union, the nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports, today wrote the chief executives of AT&T and Verizon and the head of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regarding the companies’ recent changes to their wireless plans and the need to alert consumers. AT&T has made extensive changes to its text messaging plans and upgrade discount program, while Verizon has ended its upgrade discount program.

Five unexpected ways to save more money in 2011
[Jan. 25, 2011] Some 55 percent of Consumer Reports readers said they were likely to include saving more money on their list of New Year’s resolutions. To help you save more money, the experts at Consumer Reports Money Adviser’s January issue offers the following tips:

Consumer Reports finds more products are getting smaller
[Jan. 10, 2011] Does it seem like some products don’t last as long as they used to? From toothpaste to tuna fish, hot dogs to hand soap, companies have been shaving ounces and inches from packages for years. ConsumerReports’ latest investigation, featured in the February issue of Consumer Reports and online at ConsumerReports.org, found that more and more products are getting downsized.

Consumer Reports lists five steps to happy returns
[Dec. 28, 2010] Socks again? As consumers scramble to purchase gifts this holiday season, shoppers also need to keep in mind that nearly 20 percent of Americans plan to return at least one holiday gift, according to a Consumer Reports Holiday Shopping Poll conducted last year.

Consumer Reports offers Black Friday tips for savings & sanity
[Nov. 26, 2010] With Black Friday taking place today, Tod Marks, Consumer Reports’ senior editor and resident shopping expert, is sharing strategies that can help shoppers get some great deals and perhaps even save them a trip to the store on one of the most hectic shopping days of the year.

Consumer Reports recommends best bikes for riders on a budget
[Jul. 4, 2010] Summer is a great time to get out of the gym and hit the road-especially on a bike. Consumer Reports latest tests of bicycles found six Recommended models aimed at casual and fitness riders. And although a higher price means better components and lighter materials, consumers can still get a nice ride at a good price.

Love it or hate it, your hair can make you feel sexy one day and frumpy the next
[May 2, 2010] Love it or hate it, your hair can make you feel sexy one day and frumpy the next. According to a new survey featured in the May 2010 issue of ShopSmart, from the publisher of Consumer Reports, many of us try to spend our way to better tresses, snapping up expensive collections of shampoos and styling products and shelling out for haircuts and other salon services. The average woman spends about $195 a year on haircuts and $260 on color alone.

Job market improves, but consumers face sharp rise in economic difficulties
[May 2, 2010] Despite an improved employment picture, consumers faced increased economic difficulties in their lives, according to the Consumer Reports index for April. The Consumer Reports Employment Index stands at 50.4 for April, reflective of net job creation in the prior 30 days. This was the first movement of the Employment Index into positive territory since May ‘09. In the past 30 days, more Americans have started a new job (5%) versus losing their job (4.3%). The 5% reporting starting a new job is up from 3.5% the prior month, but behind the recent high point in September 2009 (6.2%).

How to become a price-matching maven
[Apr. 17, 2010] Many stores promise to match competitors' prices, and in today’s ultra-competitive retail marketplace, price-matching and price-adjustment policies can help you get the best deal. But price-matching policies can vary significantly store to store and online, too. The April issue of Consumer Reports Money Adviser says you can save money, but you've got to know the rules.

Consumer Reports finds 10 recommended water filters that can replace bottled water
[Apr. 7, 2010] There’s good news for consumers when it comes to clean drinking water: Water filter manufacturers are producing products that remove impurities, not just improve taste and appearance. Plus filters that cost as little as $30 can provide cleaner, better-tasting water, according to Consumer Reports latest water filter tests.

ShopSmart names planet- and budget-friendly products that really work
[Apr. 6, 2010] Do you avoid green products because of high prices and poor performance? According to a new report in the April 2010 issue of ShopSmart recent tests show significant improvements in green products, in some cases making them more efficient and cost effective than conventional ones. The ‘Shop Green & Save’ feature shares test findings in more than a dozen categories including fridges and cookware, cleaners and toilets.

Consumer Reports Index: Slow job creation stalling economic recovery
[Mar. 21, 2010] Slow job creation continues to drag on the economy, according to the Consumer Reports Index for March. This month’s findings show that, although the tide of job losses has been stemmed, the level of job creation needed to fuel a consumer recovery has not developed.

Consumer Reports finds that prices of washers down by as much as 33 percent
[Jan. 15, 2010] 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.