Consumer Reports

[d-todd]

Techs put a stock in Consumer Reports reviews, but I think you have to treat them with a lot of suspicion. Here are some thoughts about the issue...

1. They will compare two machines made by the same brand that are essentially the same, and then say that one is better than to other.
2. They give high marks to machines that you know are ones you would stay away from. For example, they loved the Calypso until the bitter end. When I read that, I lost my trust in them.
3. They will give a particular model a good rating, while the truth is that that model may be sold for only a short period of time, just like fashion, and then a new model number is produced. In fact, they might state that a particular model number is produced, but it has already been replaced with a new number by the time the issue goes to print.
4. I think that ratings might be reliable if they applied to general platforms rather than specific model numbers.

 

[phillymatt53]

I've already mentioned in another thread about Consumer Reports, and trust me, they arn't all that they claim to be.
They used to be reliable, yes.
Me, being in the electronics service business for decades, have seen with my own eyes the quality of products, and what CR had to say, or brag about them.
Which, I might add, is not reliable information.
And being in the business, I've had the chance to meet district managers of plenty of companies at my shop, and at local group meetings for servicers and sales executives.
So I've heard conversations regarding "how to win the customer". (and how to lie about the truth)

The bottom line here is this...
Reviewers used to be honest, reliable sources for products and services.
But over time, the way marketing has changed, the corruption has spread into a widespread bunch of garbage talk.
I'm not being pessimistic, I'm sharing honest info, in hopes of saving others the trouble and aggrevation that may happen to them.

Part of this is about greed, and staying in business on the part of manufacturers these days. - along with inflation and other things.
Another factor is the outsourcing of products, materials, etc.
So.... this extends to reviewers, who've been bought, through kickbacks from manufacturers, dealers, etc.

Additionally, the public has been conditioned to accept things for Face Value, not questioning anything being advertized as "terrific".
This can be seen in the websites reviews on countless products.
Think:...."your can't believe everything you hear", a sad state of affairs these days.