Credibility of Consumer Reports?

[Vlad D Impeller]

Re: Credibility of Consumer Reports?

I don't need no stinkin reports, if harbor freight don't sell it I don't need it.

I've never tried washing garments in a parts washer.

 

[RicMic]

Re: Credibility of Consumer Reports?

I've found most of their tests on items that I am familiar with to be that way. But I guess a little info on an item is better than none, just have to use your best judgement.

Unfortunately some people read CR and assume they are getting hard info and not the reviewers opinion. There is an old statment about "figures don't lie, but liars figure". I am NOT saying that anyone at CR intentionally lies in their reports, I am saying that anyone can test products to get any result they want if they have a bias and most human beings are biased, even if they refuse to admit it. I know two people that LIVED on CR, neither one want anything to do with it anymore after getting horrible experiences with the top rated products. I have worked in R&D facilities and testing labs and in marketing and I can say, to believe that all the reviewers that have ever worked at CR are honest, competent and unbiased is very hard to swallow.

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: Credibility of Consumer Reports?

Well, then Buzz, your father has too high of expectations of CR just like some people do for the products they test.

Not everybody is going to like item model number 123XYZ. The guy is paid to test the items, he compared them and found that one to be the best at it's job. No way can anyone have one product that everyone who owns it will love or be happy with. That's a level of perfection that will never be reached.

I don't blame CR for that, I blame your dad.

 

[Unforcefull Force]

Re: Credibility of Consumer Reports?

NOT CREDITABLE AT ALL!!!

** MY OPINION ** What ever manufacture pays them the most money is how they determine what the "best product" is.

I have seen NUMEROUS times a product get the BEST title and it end up being a flop.

-Mark

 

[Thad]

Re: Credibility of Consumer Reports?

I have never seen a CR. Is it online, or is it a magazine, or both?:redface:
I HAVE heard about consumer reports, just never paid any attention to it.
Are they the ones that do the crash tests?

I have done what waterinthefuel does. Go online and look up reviews. But when it all comes down to it in the end, we buy what we like. Based on looks and function rather than reliability and cost. If it is the right color, size, style, what have you...they are probably going to get my money.

I am not naive by a long shot, but I have never really put much thought into comparing things based on this or that, just which one I like better.

I take that back, I narrowed down my boat choices based on the engine package it had, then I went with the style and size I liked

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: Credibility of Consumer Reports?

I bought a chevy 01 Chevy silverado CR rated low and unreliable. My X wife bought a 02 Dodge Durango CR rated High. [both brand new] I use my truck to Deer hunt, pull boats and snowmobiles work the heck out of it.. My x drove hers 15 miles of freeway every day to work and back. i have had to replace 1 daytime running light to date, thats it. Her Durango was back to the dealer 7 TIMES the first year she owned it for this that and whatever. Last i heard she just paid $1800.00 after she brought it back to the dealer cuz it was running hot. Draw your on conclusions on CRs reliability

 

[JB]

Re: Credibility of Consumer Reports?

I don't remember any Dodge truck being rated above junk by CR.

 

[Tig]

Re: Credibility of Consumer Reports?

If anyone doubts the power of consumer reviews, go to Amazon dot com and check out the reviews for "The Mountain Three Wolf Moon Short Sleeve Tee" Without those reviews you would never know how good this shirt really is.
I will get me one of those shirts based solely on the reviews.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Credibility of Consumer Reports?

Consumer reports...Well i do agree they serve a purpose. In todays world we badly need all of the support we can get...far to many company's are taking or making damm poor business decisons..

But i would not use them as a bench mark of any kind...I have over the years seen them make halarious mistakes and recomendations...from electronics to auto etc etc..

 

[arcadiainc]

Re: Credibility of Consumer Reports?

At 5'10" and 190 pounds, I consider myself to be a little larger than the average man. I just wish Consumer Reports would take size into consideration when reviewing automobiles. Many autos they give a high rating to I find getting in and out to be uncomfortable to the point that I would not buy it. What good is a trouble free vehicle if one cannot get in the thing? We have a Ford Taurus. At 5'2" my wife likes it very much. I do not like driving it because exit and entrance is a pain. On household products, electronics, paints etc. they do well enough. On vehicles I buy what I can comfortably use.

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: Credibility of Consumer Reports?

I don't remember any Dodge truck being rated above junk by CR.

Yea, I have to call this BS too. Dodge has NEVER done well with CR.

 

[Bigprairie1]

Re: Credibility of Consumer Reports?

I trust blogs....especially bias ones that I have to look for that support my preconceived views and opinions.
The last thing I would want to introduce into my choices, decisions and my line of thinking is a lot of facts based on results and emperical data.
BP