CR Backs Off Disputed Test Results

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Dad subscribed since I was knee high and I had a subscription for decades as well but I don't anymore and just buy it occasionally off the rack when they're testing something I'm interested in. I don't like the format anymore either. They've forgone the testing information to fill the mag with more and more stuff on finances, retirement and insurance, wines, health care, etc. that while interesting isn't what I want the magazine for. I just want to read about appliances mainly and cars.
 
I always felt CU was in error on their nixing of suds savers on washers, which on every washing machine test report in the 50's and 60's they told readers to avoid. I know many people who used suds savers for years and loved them. Also when CR rates a Wizard Citation washer over a GE, Kenmore, Whirlpool, etc, you KNOW they dont know what they are talking about.........
 
So I am not the only one mad at them...

Abc I used to read old Consumer Reports at a community college library I went to. I was probably the only one who did and even washer reports from the 70s were a lot more detailed and interesting and it seemed that they actually examined and tested the machines, now they just rate them and don't say much. They did that with other appliances too. Now they test wine and beer, which they would NEVER have dreamed of testing years ago. When they did an article about social issues it was usually about something that concerned "less rich" people.

Oh, and if you need to know more about how CR has changed, just look at the "Guess The Test" segment at the back. In the pictures of tests from years ago they test stuff like rubber mattresses, peanuts, smoke detectors, men's underwear - no Viking ranges there.

Sudsmaster, you must not have seen Consumer Reports lately. A few months ago they tested a Lotus. Before Christmas they did tests on Cadillac big SUVs and 3000 dollar digital TVs. You are right if talking about old Consumer Reports, but now they must think all of their subscribers are rich - maybe they are, because I am no longer one of them.
 
Actually, I am a current subscriber to CR - have been for the last 10 years. Yes, they might test SUV's and sports cars, but they still downgrade passenger cars for having motors that you can actually hear and feel. "Sounds rough" is their favorite way of putting it when you can hear good honest intake noise. Ironically, a lot of car owners spend a lot of money to hear the sound of power.
 
But don't you find that there isn't much detail in the articles anymore? Also, it seems like lately they promote overconsumption with the big cars, big TVs, Viking ranges, that I wonder who is selecting the products they test - people with big money? Another example of this is that they recommend 2300 dollar treadmills. Why not tell people to spend 50 dollars on a good pair of sneakers and walk outside? Treadmills are so boooooring.

I also notice that there are almost no reports on food products anymore. OK, maybe this tells people I like to eat but I found it useful to find out what foods tasted best to save me from something that didn't taste good.
 
I also am a current subscriber of Consumer Reports and have been for nearly 40 years. However, much that has been mentioned in this thread, is sadly true. I do find the magazine informative, but it has fallen into the statistics and metrics traps that also plague businesses. Hard facts and data on a matrix do not always tell the whole story, and I miss the more editorial and personal style with which they used to write. The old style gave me a much clearer picture of what it would be like to own a certain product.
 
~Consumer Reports is forcing subscriptions because everyone

I too, let my CR magazine subscription laps and I just buy the issues that I want.

You may find it interesting that the only way you can subscribe to the online CR service is w/ a credit card or debit card and only w/ the renewing feature where they charge you every year whether you want them to or not. There is no way to use a check or money order. Apparently their new policy is NO CARD = NO SUBSCRIPTION and you must allow them to charge your card automatically each year. I called them to let them know that I did not wish to have my card charged automatically every year. I would renew each year if I chose to.

Well, they were quick to tell me that I could stop the entire subscription and forfeit the rest of it (I’ve paid for a year which expires in May) or I could allow them to charge my card each year; it was entirely up to me (Gee thanks). When I asked how I could stop the subscription I was told to call before May when my card was to be charged and from the day I called on; I would no longer be able to log in on line. When I protested they told me that I had already agreed to this when I clicked “I AGREE” and subscribed on line. I’ll be sure to read the 10 pages of writing before I click “I AGREE” the next time.

Beware, it seems like CR is anticipating people not renewing their subscriptions on line and doing something about it. I’m sure it will only be a matter of time before they do the same with their magazine if they haven’t already.
 
I haven't noticed a major change in the way CR does it reviews in the past decade. Before that, I usually just bought the yearly summary books, which were mostly of value in describing what to look for in a product type.

I have read most of the vintage CR washer reviews in the library here, and they are excellent. However, at the time they reviewed maybe three or four washers at a time. Nowadays, the available models number in the scores. How can they continue doing a folksy narrative type of review for so many more machines?

Even with its various flaws, I look forward to every CR issue that comes in the mail. There's always something worthwhile reading in it. I may not agree with the performance reviews, but you can't have everything.
 
Jeff, been there done that with CR online subscription a couple years ago. I had two weeks left on the subscription and couldn't find a way to remove my ccard info (the card had expired anyway, I should have left it). I don't recall exactly what happened, if I selected a "cancel subscription" function on the site or if I e-mailed them. In any case, I immediately lost the remaining two weeks access. It's a rip-off. The IDIOTS keep sending postal solicitations to subscribe. I get a perverse internal pleasure from ripping them to pieces in the trash, LOL.
 
OK, here I go:

1) Yes, yes, yes, I miss the more indepth ratings system (especially for washers, of course) of the past. I would applaud a ratings list that listed exact spin speeds in rpms, the exact number of gallons of water each machine used, etc.

2) I am an online subscriber and did realize you'd have to keep track of when your year is up and cancel at that time. I don't plan to cancel. I log on regularly, especially when it comes time to buy a small or large appliance. I've canceled magazine subscriptions and not received a rebate for the undelivered issues. CR is certainly not out of step with most other subscription services in that regard, heinous as the practice might be.

3) I still think their tests give you a better idea of what to expect from an appliance's performance than will a showroom salesperson or manufacturer's advertising. You want real confusion? Go to the other leading laundry website and read the wildly conflicting posts about almost any brand/model washer you care to name.

4) They test many models of many, many different items, from bed sheets to automobiles. At some point, you're bound to disagree with their test results. For any number of reasons (availability, aversion to certain brands, cost factors) I rarely buy an item at the top of their ratings. Most of my Frigidaire appliances, for example, fall midpack in the ratings. But at least I get an idea of what to expect----what the general performance strengths and weaknesses will be. I bought the bottom-scraping Frigidaire TL'er and so far, everything CR said about it has proved to be true. It's a low-capacity water hog that doesn't clean large heavily-soiled loads well. I knew the machine wouldn't be my daily driver; I just wanted the old-school, slow-stroke, tub indexing tranny. Therefore, I'm not disappointed with it. Were I a parent of several laundry-producing offspring and the Frigi TL'er was my only machine, I'd probably be quite disappointed with it.

5) Are the reliability ratings scientific? Of course not. But neither is running a machine for 500 hours. The true test is how the machine holds up after several years of use, something quite different than how it will handle running for 500 hours when it's new.

CR isn't perfect, nor do I always agree with every one of their test results. But my new top-rated Kenmore vac is a dream and the top-rated SA8 detergent is the best I've used. Would I have known to make those particular choices without seeing CR's test results? Probably not.
 
The Products Tested By Consumer Reports

Obviously, "Consumer Reports" has stirred up passion among both supporters and critics. That's good. And even we CR supporters have some gripes, some of which have been posted above and I won't try to reinvent the wheel since my fellow posters have done a good job for me. But allow this long-time CR subscriber (and Consumers Union member) to make a few observations:
1. CR does indeed poll its subscribers to find out what products should be tested. Being that CR's demographics generally lean toward upper middle class and educated readers, it's no surprise that the more popular "status symbols" such as expensive sports cars and some high-end luxury items are tested. But CR still offers a fair amount of low-priced items in its tests; I use both Great Value dishwasher detergent and Costco's Kirkland Signature laundry detergent (both CR Best Buys). My Roper washer/dryer, GE above-range microwave, Frigidare gas range with self-cleaning oven and Whirlpool fridge were chosen with help from CR; so was my Sony Wega flat-screen TV.
2. However, I don't blindly choose everything CR recommends. The magazine rates the Saturn Ion among the worst subcompacts, but I have been very happy with my 2004 Ion 2; it rides and handles very well, has plenty of room for my long legs and has given me little trouble. My Saturn dealer is a model of competence and respect--one reason I traded my 2000 SL1 for the Ion when I got a good deal from rebates/trade-in/low financing offers.
3. As for the infamous reliability ratings, I look at several sources (including CR) when it comes to a product's potential longevity. I find that for the most part, CR is spot-on; my Roper w/d pair have served me for nearly a decade without a single repair. But the reliability rankings only predict the CHANCE of something going wrong; there will always be problems with mass-produced products. And yes, there may be some bias. But I find my odds are better with CR.
4. Like many of you, I miss the very long articles about each product (and I don't subscribe to the website, no matter how many cards I get for a special offer for CR magazine subscribers). On the other hand, the lag time between product introductions and test results is much shorter than ever before, a tribute to the staff and its larger quarters (which were completed in the early 1990's).
5. Yes, CR made a major mistake with the infant seat tests (and maybe third party testing is not the way to go if the results aren't carefully checked). But consider the fact that Consumers Union has had a very stellar reputation for accuracy, quality and reliability in product testing during its 71 year history. That accounts for a lot, and I commend the staff for staying true to its mission. I am confident CU and Consumer Reports will come through this debacle stronger than before, with lessons learned. Time will tell.
 
I know what you mean NeptuneBob. I recently purchased a new Whirlpool dishwasher and too the advice of CR. So far so good. I just wish they would do more instead of less. Gary
 
They rated at least one child seat from the test set of 12 ok.

It was later revealed the crash tests were done at 70mph.

Hey, what's the seat that passed? That's the one to buy!
 

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