Consumer

Consumer Reports shares advice on what to know before hitting the stores on Black Friday
[Nov. 26, 2008] With Black Friday just days away, Tod Marks, Consumer Reports’ shopping expert and author of the Tightwad Tod blog, is sharing some advice that can help shoppers get a better deal or even save them a trip to the store on one of the most hectic shopping days of the year.

ShopSmart reveals seven web sites that can save you thousands
[Nov. 25, 2008] The Web is supposed to make shopping simple. Click, click, click and before you know it, that sweater, bag, or box of T-bones is at your doorstep. When it works, it’s like magic but, when it doesn’t, you can end up surfing endlessly. The November 2008 issue of ShopSmart reveals seven online shopping sites that will help you save thousands and find the real deals fast.

Poll finds that 29% of women will switch pet food to save, 68% willing to change OTC meds
[Nov. 23, 2008] According to a new poll featured in the November 2008 issue of ShopSmart, from the publisher of Consumer Reports, women are willing to switch brands of over-the-counter medications (68%), milk (67%) and eggs (67%) to save money, but only 29 percent say they would change their brand of pet food.

Consumer Reports tipping survey offers advice for giving gratuities this holiday season
[Nov. 18, 2008] How much to tip and whom to tip has always been a tricky decision, one that may get harder in these tough economic times. But the December issue of Consumer Reports offers help.

U.S. Postal Service delivers on Consumer Reports next-day mail challenge
[Nov. 18, 2008] As shoppers gear up for this holiday season one thing is for certain: No one wants to dish out more cash to ship gifts to family and friends. In a recent study, Consumer Reports found that although all three shippers delivered next-day as promised, the U.S. Postal Service prices were as much as 281 percent cheaper than FedEx and UPS.

Consumer Reports finds most consumers satisfied with online clothing shopping
[Nov. 17, 2008] L.L. Bean, Zappos, and Lands’ End were among the top rated e-tailers in Consumer Reports’ survey of more than 25,000 subscribers of their online clothes shopping experiences at 39 online stores.

Consumer Reports finds that 76% plan to cut back on holiday spending
[Nov. 17, 2008] ‘Tis the season’ to tighten the belt on holiday spending for many Americans this year. Over three-quarters (76%) of Americans plan to cut back on spending on traditional holiday expenses such as gifts, travel, entertaining, decorations, charitable giving, holiday cards, and tipping, according to a new Consumer Reports Holiday Shopping Poll.

Consumer Reports features 25 ways to save energy and money
[Nov. 12, 2008] Consumers are far from powerless when it comes to saving money on energy. Smart choices can help save roughly $2,000 a year. A recent Consumer Reports’ poll revealed that 61 percent of homeowners hold themselves accountable for reducing their home energy consumption and so the October issue of Consumer Reports features 25 tips to help consumers start saving now

Consumer Reports names 12 best and 3 of the worst credit cards
[Oct. 6, 2008] Consumer Reports analyzed hundreds of credit cards and named a dozen that are worthy of consumers’ consideration—and three to stay away from.

Consumer Reports test reveals superstar digital cameras
[Jul. 23, 2008] Consumer Reports’ latest tests of digital cameras show an overlap in performance between point-and-shoots and SLRs. The report, featured in the July issue, reveals that some point-and-shoots excelled at producing much less grainy images in low light conditions—traditionally an SLR strength—while a few SLRs faltered. Many of the new point-and-shoots responded fairly quickly when their shutters were pressed, though none have the near instantaneous response of SLRs.

Consumer Reports offers six tips for consumers to cut spending by $500 per month
[Jul. 2, 2008] The Consumer Reports Money Lab uncovered hidden savings in everyday spending that could save consumers up to $500 per month. Using the strategies outlined in CR, consumers can trim their spending while gas and food prices continue to rise.

Consumer Reports finds that many rewards programs are not worth the effort
[Jun. 23, 2008] In tight economic times, savvy consumers may look to rewards programs for relief when buying essentials, but Consumer Reports’ July issue finds reaping real savings can be tough, and even the more generous programs have limits on how much consumers can earn.

Consumer Reports names great everyday products
[May 15, 2008] Before that next trip to the supermarket, check out Consumer Reports’ May issue which highlights great household staples available at the local grocery store or online. These top-performing supermarket products were all judged excellent or very good in CR’s tests. The report also features ten tips to help consumers save at the supermarket.

Consumer Reports rates two concentrated Tide detergents tops
[Apr. 8, 2008] Two Tide Ultra Concentrated detergents —Tide 2X Ultra Concentrated with Color Clean Bleach Alternative HE at 25 cents per load (liquid, for front-loading washers) and Tide 2X Ultra Concentrated with a Touch of Downy at 27 cents per load (liquid, for top-loading washers) topped CR’s latest ratings of 34 laundry detergents.