CR and Ojectivity

[toggleswitch]

=> And also, stop the unneccesary reports!

Well actually, sometimes there are situations when the flavor and size availability....of the chocolates... is very important.

Epinions- now that is a hoot when you see what people base their opinions on....

 

[roto204]

Interesting you'd say that, rinso...

I too wondered about the Maytag versus 1-18 thing. Granted, I love my 1-18, but I did have the A608 beside it for a while, and while I found the Maytag to be a quiet, competent (and insanely reliable) machine, I think the 1-18 kicked its butt and sent it home crying on capacity. The PowerFin was smooth and the capacity was good, but it fell far short of the Frigidaire.

The Frigidaire ate it in the ratings for water usage, but since it washed far more clothes in a single cycle, you'd think things would end up on a more even keel.

I too am unimpressed by CR's current ratings, especially with appliances. It seems like each article these days is basically "well, just about anything washes fine, but here's what we found" and then you get a lot of babbling about ergonomics. I miss the days of the day-glo orange washcloth test, and all their intensive study of turnover versus capacity. At least that seemed to be a worthwhile study with meaningful results.

 

[washoholic]

I subscribe to Consumer Reports Magazine & online service. You have to look at the “tests behind the tests” to figure out what they’re testing and how (it’s called “guide to our ratings” in the latest issues). Then make your own call since they seldom test things they way people use them. An example is how they test cotton swatches in the washing machine ratings rather than real clothes (towels, jeans, or dress clothes). Then they only test the “normal cycle” which we all know varies drastically from machine to machine (Kenmore “normal” is a cycle w/ more of a medium agitation/tumble and a medium-high spin, Maytag “normal” is the most aggressive agitation/tumble and the highest and longest spin). It’s like comparing apples to oranges.

People who don’t subscribe to CR often pick-up the magazine and buy based on the ratings chart, but actually if you read the article, CR usually doesn’t recommend the products that top their ratings charts. For example, the Kenmore Calypso has been at the top of the ratings chart since it came out (#1 every year except this year it’s #2), but CR did not recommend the Calypso when it first came out because of no reliability data and now CR doesn’t recommend it due to poor reliability data and complaints from consumers that the Calypso wrinkles clothes and causes a lot of lint and pilling on clothes. Bosch dishwashers are always at the top of the ratings chart too, but CR never recommends them either.

I think CR needs to rethink the way they do their testing. Maybe if they tested washing clothes in their washing machine tests they would recommend the washing machines that their ratings charts listed as #1.

I like Consumer Reports, but nothing is perfect.

Jeff

 

[DADoES]

CR should state this

Disclaimer:

"These machines wash as in our ratings when used the way we used them. Your results may vary depending on individual laundry conditions and usage practices."

 

[rinso]

In CU's defense when testing appliances, it was much simpler when each brand had only two or three model lines. Then, their articles gave in-depth experiences with the machines. My partner and I were looking over the last dishwasher test this morning, (over Bloody Marys) and it really was difficult to figure out what would best meet our needs from the insanely numerous models each brand offered. To make matters worse, different models or versions of models, are offered at different outlets. Our aging Whirlpool has served us well, but lately has developed prostate and incontinence issues, and it's time to euthanize it or maybe save it for members of this site, 30 years hence.

 

[tolivac]

I gave in

I sent my check and renewal papers into CU yesterday-wanted to try to get their fall vacuum issue.

 

[frigilux]

I have to go on record in defense of CR. I've been a subscriber for 15 years, and while I miss the more indepth ratings charts of the past (washer charts listing machines' rinsing and spin-dry capabilities and exactly how many gallons of water were used per cycle), I don't think they're very biased in their final judgments.

I bought my car by their recommendation and I still have it 11 years later. It's a '94 Geo Prizm (which is actually a twin of the Toyota Corolla). It has 184,000 miles on it and has only had brake pads, belts and a starter motor replaced. Still has the original clutch and exhaust system, etc. I drive the thing all over the country at 80 mph and it's been a great little car that gets nearly 40 mpg on the highway. I wouldn't have considered it had I not read about it in CR. While US cars have certainly improved since then, it's the Toyotas and Hondas which remain very reliable for the long haul. In many instances, Chrysler/GM/Ford cars are reliable for the first couple of years; then the honeymoon's over. Why is that? Some of Toyota's most reliable cars are made in the US. Why can't the US Big Three get the same results? And why does the Corolla blast similar US cars (Chevy's new little Cavalier replacement the Cobalt and the Ford Focus, for instance) out of the water in terms of MPG?

I rarely care about what's at the top of their lists; I go by the overall score of the product. For instance, my dishwasher is in the bottom half of the last dishwasher testing, but the overall score for it is still very good.

No testing system is perfect, but given the choice between being advised by advertising-driven mags like Consumer Digest and Consumer Reports, I'll take CR every time.

 

[mulls]

Lots of miles

Toyota and Honda make a really good product but they are overpriced for what you get-here is my reasoning.I am one of the biggest program car buyers in the country.The units I buy are rentals from 6 to 12 months old with 5 to 20k miles. To give one example,a dealership I buy for can sell you a Pontiac Grand Prix with the supercharged 3800,leather,moonroof,wheels,power drivers seat,etc-$2000 cheaper than a stripped down 4 cyl Camry.I am not employed by any of the dealerships I buy for-I am in independent contractor,and as such must supply my own vehicle,maintain it,and put fuel in it.Comfort,dependability,economy are my priorities and I drive a Buick.My current one has 186k on it,and I just spent $1000 on tires and a major service and will put at least 300k on it with no repair more major than an alternator or water pump.It is powered by the same engine and trans as the Grand Prix I mentioned above.Domestic drivers are notorious for being lousy at proper maintenance,while import owners are just the opposite.
GM makes the best domestics,followed by Ford then Chrysler-this does not come from reading any mags,but real world knowledge.
Thanks for letting me ramble!
Tom

 

[washoholic]

Consumer Reports- no advertising

Consumer Reports claims to have no outside advertising, but they sure do have a lot of in-house advertising. It seems like every 10 pages has an advertisement for their “how to get the best deal on used cars,” or “how to make your money work smarter.” Then there’s those inserts that fall out on the floor while you’re flipping the pages where they want you to re-new the magazine. And finally there’s the inserts that they want you to tear out and give the magazine as a gift to your friends, and when you carefully tear the insert out; the magazine binding is damaged and falling apart. I like Consumer Reports; I just wish they would leave that stuff out, because I keep the magazines forever and would like them to stay in good condition.

 

[Hometechdoc]

Consumer Reports and epinions

I have three points here

First, I agree with most of what you guys have said about confusions about what "you" know and what "is" reported. I read Consumer Reports religuously and often don't agree with the results.

On occassion we have attempted to duplicate the results in the lab with the machines that we have available. When it is all said and done, the quantative results are pretty consistent.

Second, when you read advertisement, specification shetts, and consumer information, keep in mind, you ARE NOT typical consumers! Your product knowledge far exceeds that of the typical consumer

Third, be very careful with epinions and other unregulated sites, like this one. I have had more than one student employed to either monitor or contribute to the site. Many companies routinely infiltrate and post. Keeping up the buzz or difusing a potential problem. Always be aware of information copetency.

 

[frigilux]

Gee, have I mentioned how wonderful Electrolux-made appliances are? (I keed, I keed...)