Consumer

Consumer Reports offers advice on holiday tipping
[Dec. 3, 2007] The traditional list of holiday tip recipients is growing and gratuity amounts are increasing according to a recent survey in Consumer Reports December 2007 issue. Who was the most likely to receive a holiday tip last season? Sixty-two percent of respondents who gave tips in Consumer Reports’ survey reported that they tipped their child-care provider. Housekeepers/cleaners (61%) and child’s teachers (59%) were also among the most likely to receive some form of holiday bonus from respondents.

Consumer Reports eight tips for savvy holiday shopping
[Nov. 30, 2007] Savvy shoppers need look no further than the December issue of Consumer Reports for tips to survive the holiday season. CR’s special shopping report dispels shopping myths; warns against shopping landmines like bank gift cards; provides tips for navigating devil-in-the-detail shopping tasks such as returns, rebates, and shipping; and recommends that consumers avoid wasting money on extended warranties.

Consumer Reports finds widespread problems with counterfeit goods
[Nov. 27, 2007] Consumer Reports’ latest investigation of counterfeit goods found that today’s fakes are not just the usual knockoffs like bogus Prada handbags: Some surprising counterfeits include phony golf balls, oil filters, and diabetic strips that give erratic readings.

Consumer Reports Top 5 Cyber Monday myths
[Nov. 26, 2007] If you didn't get your fill of shopping this weekend, you've still got today, Cyber Monday, to hunt for bargains. Actually, you've got a few weeks, though it is worth checking out some of the deals being touted today. Before clicking that "Buy" button, however, be sure to review Consumer Reports Top 5 Cyber Monday myths:

Consumer Reports poll: Black Friday saves the 2007 holoday shopping season
[Nov. 21, 2007] The 2007 holiday shopping season is off to a slow start but, according to the most recent Consumer Reports Holiday Poll released today, it will take off on Black Friday. Nearly a quarter (24%) of consumers plan to hit the stores on Black Friday—up four percent from the 20 percent that shopped on the day in 2006. According to the poll, only 38 percent of consumers have started their holiday shopping this year, compared with 43 percent who had begun this time last year.

Consumer Reports survey finds that hagglers scored better prices
[Nov. 16, 2007] A national study by Consumer Reports reveals that haggling over the cost of goods and services is not only alive and well, but can be successful in many cases. More than 90 percent of shoppers who tried to negotiate a better deal on goods and services including furniture, electronics and appliances, floor and demonstration models, and medical bills got one, according to a new survey conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center.

Consumer Reports takes on gift cards
[Nov. 13, 2007] Consumer Reports unveiled its latest public education campaign, warning holiday shoppers of the pitfalls associated with the ubiquitous gift card. Consumer Reports' public education campaign kicks off on Tuesday, November 13th with a full-page ad in the New York Times advising shoppers that unredeemed gift cards can be easy money for retailers and lost money for consumers. TowerGroup estimates that nearly $8 billion was lost last year due to unredeemed value, expiration or loss of gift cards.

Shopsmart shoe poll finds women own an average of 19 pairs of shoes
[Nov. 12, 2007] How many shoes are in your closet? According to a new poll conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center for ShopSmart magazine, the average American woman has 19 pairs of shoes. But she only wears four pairs regularly and one quarter of the average woman’s shoes have only been worn once!

Is green really green
[Nov. 12, 2007] About a fifth of your personal contribution to global warming comes from your home but not all so-called green home goods are worth the money, or are even particularly green. In the October/November issue of ShopSmart magazine, the preeminent shopping magazine from the publishers of Consumer Reports, pros weigh in on eco-friendly items to see what is worth buying, what to skip and how to save money.

Inside Shopsmart's October/November 2007 issue
[Nov. 12, 2007] ShopSmart is available on newsstands now. From the publishers of Consumer Reports, ShopSmart helps buyers make smart purchasing decisions on items they need every day.

Consumer Reports finds that holiday consumers shopping later and spending less
[Oct. 31, 2007] ‘Tis the season to give, but that’s not the case for all Americans this holiday season. According to a new Consumer Reports Holiday Shopping Poll, nearly one-quarter (23%) of respondents anticipate they will spend less than last year.

Consumer Reports warns shoppers could lose money when using debit instead of no-fee credit cards
[Sep. 18, 2007] Debit cards are rapidly becoming the dominant form of payment for consumers with spending topping $1 trillion for the first time in 2006—but many consumers might not realize they are standing to lose money when using debit.

Consumer Reports rates five largest Visa and Mastercard issuers mediocre in latest credit card ratings
[Sep. 15, 2007] The nation’s five largest MasterCard and Visa issuers — JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Citibank, Capital One, and HSBC, which control about 80 percent of the market — earned so-so scores in Consumer Reports’ latest ratings of credit cards.

Consumer Reports poll: 89 percent of Americans want to restrict the use of Social Security numbers
[Sep. 6, 2007] As Congress and federal regulators consider proposals aimed at reducing the risk of identity theft, a national poll by the Consumer Reports National Research Center reveals that an overwhelming majority of Americans want lawmakers to restrict the use and availability of Social Security numbers by businesses and government agencies.