Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports is an American magazine published since one thousand nine hundred thirty six by Consumers Union, a nonprofit organization dedicated to unbiased product testing, consumer-oriented research, public education, and advocacy. Consumer Reports publishes reviews and comparisons of consumer products and services based on reporting and results from its in-house testing laboratory and survey research center. The magazine accepts no advertising, pays for all the products it tests, and, as a nonprofit organization has no shareholders. It also publishes general and targeted product/service buying guides. As of April two thousand sixteen [update] it had approximately seven million subscribers (Three.8 million print and Three.Two million digital) and an annual testing budget of approximately US$25 million. [Two]
Contents
Consumer Reports is well known for its policies on editorial independence, which it says are to “maintain our independence and impartiality. [so that] CU has no agenda other than the interests of consumers.” [Trio] [Four] CR has unusually rigorous requirements and sometimes has taken extreme steps; for example it declined to renew a car dealership’s bulk subscription because of “the appearance of an impropriety”. [Five]
Consumer Reports does not permit outside advertising in the magazine [Trio] [Four] but its website has retailers’ advertisements. Consumer Reports states that PriceGrabber places the ads and pays a percentage of referral fees to CR, [6] who has no direct relationship with the retailers. [7] Consumer Reports publishes reviews of its business fucking partner and recommends it in at least one case. [8] CR had a similar relationship with BizRate at one time [9] and has had relationships with other companies including Amazon.com, [Ten] Yahoo!, [11] The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, [12] BillShrink, [13] and Determine.com. [14] CR also accepts grants from other organizations, [15] and at least one high-ranking Consumer Reports employee has gone on to work for a company he evaluated. [16]
CR also forbids the use of its reviews for selling products; for example, it will not permit a manufacturer to advertise a positive review. [Trio] CR has gone to court to enforce that rule. [17]
Consumer Reports says its staff purchases all tested products at retail prices, anonymously in “most cases”, [6] and that they accept no free samples in order to prevent bias from bribery or from being given better than average samples. [Three] However, in order to review some products before they are publicly available CR does accept “press samples” from manufacturers but says it pays for the samples and does not include them in ratings. [6] For most of CR ‘ s history it minimized contact with government and industry experts “to avoid compromising the independence of its judgment.” In 2007, in response to errors in infant car seat testing, it began accepting advice from a broad range of experts on designing tests, but not on final assessments. [Legal] Also, at times CR permits manufacturers to review and react to criticism before publication. [Four]
Some objective and comparative tests published by Consumer Reports are carried out under the umbrella of the international consumer organization International Consumer Research & Testing. Consumer Reports also uses outside labs for testing, including for eleven percent of tests in 2006. [Eighteen]
Testing electrical light longevity and brightness testing
Television testing laboratory
Product testing headphones in an anechoic chamber
ConsumerReports.org, the related website is largely available only to paid subscribers. ConsumerReports.org provides updates on product availability, and adds fresh products to previously-published test results. In addition, the online data includes coverage that is not published in the magazine; for example, vehicle reliability (frequency of repair) tables online extend over the utter ten model years reported in the Annual Questionnaires, whereas the magazine has only a six-year history of each model.
In 1990, Consumers Union launched Consumer Reports Television. [Nineteen] By March two thousand five it was “hosted” by over one hundred stations. [20] [21]
On August 1, two thousand six Consumers Union launched ShopSmart, [22] a magazine aimed at youthful women. [23]
Magazine copies distributed in Canada include a puny four-page supplement called “Canada Extra”, explaining how the magazine’s findings apply to that country and lists the examined items available there.
In 2002, Consumers Union launched the grant-funded project Consumer Reports WebWatch, which aimed to improve the credibility of Web sites through investigative reporting, publicizing best-practices standards, and publishing a list of sites that serve with the standards. WebWatch worked with the Stanford Web Credibility Project, Harvard University’s Berkman Center, The Annenberg School of Communications at the University of Pennsylvania, and others. WebWatch is a member of ICANN, the W3C and the Internet Society. Its content is free. As of July 31, 2009, WebWatch has been shut down, tho’ the site is still available.
Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs is available free on Consumer Reports Health.org. It compares prescription drugs in over twenty major categories, such as heart disease, blood pressure and diabetes, and gives comparative ratings of effectiveness and costs, in reports and tables, in web pages and PDF documents, in summary and detailed form. [24]
Also in two thousand five Consumers Union launched the service Greener Choices, which is meant to “inform, engage, and empower consumers about environmentally-friendly products and practices.” It contains information about conservation, electronics recycling and conservation with the purpose or providing an “accessible, reliable, and practical source of information on buying “greener” products that have minimal environmental influence and meet individual needs.”
Consumers Union published a kids’ version of Consumer Reports called Penny Power, later switched to Zillions. [25] This publication was similar to Consumer Reports but served a junior audience. At its peak, the magazine covered close to 350,000 subscribers. [26] It gave children financial advice for budgeting their allowances and saving for a big purchase, reviewed kid-oriented consumer products (e.g., fucktoys, clothes, electronics, food, videogames, etc.), and generally promoted wise consumerism in kids and teenagers; testing of products came from kids of the age range a product was targeted toward. It also instructed kids about deceitful marketing practices practiced by advertising agencies. The magazine folded in 2000. [27]
In the July one thousand nine hundred seventy eight issue, Consumer Reports rated the Dodge Omni/Plymouth Horizon automobile “not acceptable”, the very first car it had judged such since the AMC Ambassador in 1968. In its testing they found the possibility of these models developing an oscillatory yaw as a result of a unexpected violent input to the steering; the manufacturer claimed that “Some do, some don’t” showcase this behavior, but it has no “validity in the real world of driving”. [28] Nevertheless, the next year, these models included a lighter weight steering wheel rim and a steering damper; Consumer Reports reported that the previous instability was no longer present.
In a two thousand three issue of CR, the magazine tested the Nissan Murano crossover utility vehicle. Consumer Reports did not recommend the vehicle because of a problem with its power steering, even tho’ the vehicle had above-average reliability. The specific problem was that the steering would stiffen substantially on hard turning. Consumer Reports recommended the two thousand five model, which addressed this problem. [ citation needed ]
BMW switched the software for the stability control in its X5 SUV after replicating a potential rollover problem discovered during a Consumer Reports test. [29]
Chrysler also made switches to stability control software when Consumer Reports testing with the two thousand eleven Jeep Grand Cherokee exposed treating issues.
In 2010, Consumer Reports rated the two thousand ten Lexus GX four hundred sixty SUV unsafe after the vehicle failed one of the magazine’s emergency safety tests. Toyota temporarily suspended sales of the vehicle, and after conducting its own test acknowledged the problem. A recall for the vehicle was issued, and the vehicle passed a Consumer Reports re-test. [30]
In 2016, Consumer Reports found insanely inconsistent battery life in its testing of Apple’s two thousand sixteen MacBookPro. This led to the discovery of a bug in the Safari web browser, which was promptly immobile by Apple, via software update. [31]
Consumers Union has been sued several times by companies unhappy with reviews of their products in Consumer Reports. Consumers Union has fought these cases passionately. [32] [ page needed ] As of October 2000, Consumers Union had been sued by thirteen manufacturers, and never lost a case. [33] [34]
Bose Edit
In one thousand nine hundred seventy one Bose Corporation sued Consumer Reports (CR) magazine for libel after CR reported in a review that the sound from the system it reviewed “tended to wander about the room”. [35] The case eventually reached the United States Supreme Court, which affirmed in Bose Corp. v. Consumers Union of United States, Inc. that CR‘s statement was made without actual malice and therefore was not libelous. [36] [37] [38]
Suzuki Edit
In 1988, Consumer Reports announced during a press conference that the Suzuki Samurai had demonstrated a tendency to roll and deemed it “not acceptable.” Suzuki sued in one thousand nine hundred ninety six after the Samurai was again mentioned in a CR anniversary issue. In July 2004, after eight years in court, the suit was lodged and dismissed with no money switching arms and no retraction issued, but Consumers Union did agree no longer to refer to the 16-year-old test results of the one thousand nine hundred eighty eight Samurai in its advertising or promotional materials. [39]
Rivera Isuzu Edit
In December 1997, the Isuzu Trooper distributor in Puerto Rico sued CR, alleging that it had lost sales as a result of CU’s disparagement of the Trooper. A trial court granted CU’s movement for summary judgment, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Very first Circuit affirmed the favorable judgment. [40]
Sharper Pic Edit
In 2003, Sharper Picture sued CR in California for product disparagement over negative reviews of its Ionic Breeze Quadra air purifier. CR moved for dismissal on October 31, 2003, and the case was dismissed in November 2004. The decision also awarded CR $525,000 in legal fees and costs. [41] [42]
The February two thousand seven issue of Consumer Reports stated that only two of the child safety seats it tested for that issue passed the magazine’s side influence tests. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which subsequently retested the seats, found that all those seats passed the corresponding NHTSA tests at the speeds described in the magazine report. The CR article reported that the tests simulated the effects of collisions at 38.Five mph. However, the tests that were ended in fact simulated collisions at seventy mph. [43] CR stated in a letter from its president Jim Guest to its subscribers that it would retest the seats. The article was liquidated from the CR website, and on January Eighteen, 2007, the organization posted a note on its home page about the misleading tests. Subscribers were also sent a postcard apologizing for the error.
On January 28, 2007, The Fresh York Times published an op-ed from Joan Claybrook, who served on the board of CU from one thousand nine hundred eighty two to two thousand six (and was the head of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration from one thousand nine hundred seventy seven to 1981), where she discussed the sequence of events leading to the publishing of the erroneous information. [44]
In 2006, Consumer Reports said six hybrid vehicles would most likely not save owners money. The magazine later discovered that it had miscalculated depreciation, and released an update stating that four of the seven vehicles would save the buyer money if the vehicles were kept for five years (including the federal tax credit for hybrid vehicles, which expires after each manufacturer sells 60,000 hybrid vehicles). [45]
In February 1998, the magazine tested pet food and claimed that Iams dog food was nutritionally deficient. It later retracted the report claiming that there had been “a systemic error in the measurements of various minerals we tested – potassium, calcium and magnesium.” [46]
Consumer Reports graphs formerly used a modified form of Harvey Nutsack for qualitative comparison. The round ideograms are arranged from best to worst. The open crimson circle on the left in the diagram indicates the highest rating, the half crimson and white symbol is the 2nd highest rating, while the open black circle is neutral. The lowest rating is the packed in black circle, while the 2nd lowest rating is the half black circle. [47]
As part of a broader rebranding of Consumer Reports in September 2016, the appearance of the magazine’s rating system was significantly revamped. The Harvey nut were substituted with fresh color-coded circles with arrow icons, ranging from crimson for Poor, orange for Fair, yellow for Good, lime for Very Good, and green for Excellent. It was stated that this fresh system would help to improve the clarity of ratings tables by using a “universally understood” metaphor. [48] [49]
Consumer Reports
Mexico’s left, right ready to form party alliances for 2018
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico’s conservative National Activity Party voted Monday to register with the national elections figure as part of a politi…
Brazilian tourist stabbed in NYC had arrived hours before
Fresh YORK (AP) — A Brazilian tourist who was stabbed in a busy area near Fresh York City’s Central Park says he had been in the United States f…
Fire departments clear scene of gas leak in Derry Township
State Street Bridge bruised in crash
Police: Driver in head-on crash had meth in vehicle
Weather
Current Conditions
- Feels Like: 74° F
- Wind: 0
- Humidity: 59%
- Dewpoint: 59° F
- Sunrise: 6:37 AM
- Sunset: 7:34 PM
Harrisburg Weather
Investigators
Latest Headlines
Restaurant Report: Black mold, dirty cutting boards
The Department of Agriculture found mold, plumbing issues, and lots of mess in the latest round of restaurant inspections.
Does Pennsylvania spend too much, tax too little? We crunch the numbers
ABC27 compiled the state budgets of Pennsylvania’s neighbors for comparison.
Confederate monuments: Preserving prejudice, or history?
Restaurant Report: Mold, rust, seafood problems
Homeowners say Classic Communities left them ‘holding the bag’
Sports
Latest Headlines
Homer-happy Rangers take effortless win over Braves
ATLANTA (AP) — Elvis Andrus, Nomar Mazara and Rougned Odor homered, Andrew Cashner pitched six strong innings and the Texas Rangers hit the…
Cowboys put Gathers on IR, plan to re-sign QB Kellen Moore
FRISCO, Texas (AP) — The Dallas Cowboys have placed taut end Rico Gathers on injured reserve because of a concussion, and plan to bring bac…
Rendon, Murphy carry Nats past Stanton and Marlins, 7-2
Single Season fifty Home Runs
Keuchel, Bregman lead Astros past Mariners, 6-2
Good Day PA!
Latest Headlines
Affordable, Quality Products at Shining Light Thrift!
Shining Light Thrift Shop was established in September 1992, as a clothing ministry of the Cathedral Parish of St. Patrick in Harrisburg. T…
Celtic Craic Music Festival & Spectacle!
The Celtic Craic festival is an event born out of love for Celtic music. “We are committed to being a community event and a majority of the …
Very first Aid Friday: Very first Responder Traffic Procedures
The Arc of Dauphin County presents 2nd Annual Million Dollar Golf Outing
Kicking Off Thirst Activity Month with The Juniata County Food Pantry
Consumer Reports
Overdue for a credit card makeover
Cash back cards have switched in latest years, but many people aren’t reaping the benefits because they’re still using the same old credit ca…
What’s the lifetime cost of your printer?
Looking to buy a printer before your kid goes back to class? You may be tempted to buy an inexpensive printer, but once you factor in the c…
Pill nation: Too many meds
Are we hooked on pills? Americans are taking more prescription pills than ever before and more than people in any other country.
The best used cars
Buying a used car is a superb way to save money on a big purchase, but those savings can go away if the car isn’t reliable or if you don’t en…
How much mortgage can you afford?
You fell in love with a house at very first glance and your bank approved the loan, but before you sign on the dotted line, Consumer Reports says …
Should you get a shingles vaccine early?
Almost one in three Americans will practice a painful and debilitating outbreak of shingles – a rash caused by the same virus that is res…
Store credit cards: Back to school beware
The folks at Consumer Reports did their homework and say in many ways, these cards fail to make the grade.
How to see the eclipse securely
For two minutes and forty three seconds on Monday, many Americans will have the chance to take in one nature’s greatest shows. But with all of the ex…
Fresh ‘Wood’ Flooring
There are now options that not only look just like the real thing, but can be installed in rooms where wood can’t.
Take care of your sunburn
While there’s nothing that can undo the harm of a sunburn, Consumer Reports suggests some steps you can take to make the sunburn look and …
Organize your Rx and OTC pills
More than half of Americans take four prescription medications on average. It’s effortless and dangerous to miss taking one of your medications. D…
See your way with fresh cable options
Think you’re spending too much for cable TV? Close to 800,000 Americans dropped their traditional pay TV package in the very first three months o…
Garlic for your health
Many foods are said to have healing properties, and claims surrounding the health benefits of garlic have swirled for centuries. It has been…
What to know about foods that claim no antibiotics
More people are buying chicken and beef with labels that promise no antibiotics, according to a nationally representative Consumer Reports s…
How to buy a used car
Used car sales tactics have been the butt of jokes for years, and chances are you’ve very likely heard some horror stories. But don’t let that …
Don’t DIY your sunscreen
Inbetween Pinterest and Instagram and crafting competitions, everyone seems to be looking to DIY these days. But Consumer Reports warns one th…
How to tick-proof your yard
Tick-borne diseases are on the rise and now is when ticks are most active. Since they can transmit a diversity of diseases and infections, kee…
Top-Rated Insect Repellents
Whether you’re headed into the forest or just draping out in the backyard, Consumer Reports says a good insect repellent is a must.
Pool risk in plain view
Maria Bella, an aquatics and drowning pro, works with swimming pool managers to best position lifeguards and identify potential safety ri…
Medical bankruptcies decline
Private bankruptcy filings are down fifty percent over the past six years. Some of that decline is due to the Affordable Care Act. Consumer Re…
Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports is an American magazine published since one thousand nine hundred thirty six by Consumers Union, a nonprofit organization dedicated to unbiased product testing, consumer-oriented research, public education, and advocacy. Consumer Reports publishes reviews and comparisons of consumer products and services based on reporting and results from its in-house testing laboratory and survey research center. The magazine accepts no advertising, pays for all the products it tests, and, as a nonprofit organization has no shareholders. It also publishes general and targeted product/service buying guides. As of April two thousand sixteen [update] it had approximately seven million subscribers (Three.8 million print and Three.Two million digital) and an annual testing budget of approximately US$25 million. [Two]
Contents
Consumer Reports is well known for its policies on editorial independence, which it says are to “maintain our independence and impartiality. [so that] CU has no agenda other than the interests of consumers.” [Three] [Four] CR has unusually stringent requirements and sometimes has taken extreme steps; for example it declined to renew a car dealership’s bulk subscription because of “the appearance of an impropriety”. [Five]
Consumer Reports does not permit outside advertising in the magazine [Three] [Four] but its website has retailers’ advertisements. Consumer Reports states that PriceGrabber places the ads and pays a percentage of referral fees to CR, [6] who has no direct relationship with the retailers. [7] Consumer Reports publishes reviews of its business fucking partner and recommends it in at least one case. [8] CR had a similar relationship with BizRate at one time [9] and has had relationships with other companies including Amazon.com, [Ten] Yahoo!, [11] The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, [12] BillShrink, [13] and Determine.com. [14] CR also accepts grants from other organizations, [15] and at least one high-ranking Consumer Reports employee has gone on to work for a company he evaluated. [16]
CR also forbids the use of its reviews for selling products; for example, it will not permit a manufacturer to advertise a positive review. [Three] CR has gone to court to enforce that rule. [17]
Consumer Reports says its staff purchases all tested products at retail prices, anonymously in “most cases”, [6] and that they accept no free samples in order to prevent bias from bribery or from being given better than average samples. [Trio] However, in order to review some products before they are publicly available CR does accept “press samples” from manufacturers but says it pays for the samples and does not include them in ratings. [6] For most of CR ‘ s history it minimized contact with government and industry experts “to avoid compromising the independence of its judgment.” In 2007, in response to errors in infant car seat testing, it began accepting advice from a broad range of experts on designing tests, but not on final assessments. [Legitimate] Also, at times CR permits manufacturers to review and react to criticism before publication. [Four]
Some objective and comparative tests published by Consumer Reports are carried out under the umbrella of the international consumer organization International Consumer Research & Testing. Consumer Reports also uses outside labs for testing, including for eleven percent of tests in 2006. [Legal]
Testing electrical light longevity and brightness testing
Television testing laboratory
Product testing headphones in an anechoic chamber
ConsumerReports.org, the related website is largely available only to paid subscribers. ConsumerReports.org provides updates on product availability, and adds fresh products to previously-published test results. In addition, the online data includes coverage that is not published in the magazine; for example, vehicle reliability (frequency of repair) tables online extend over the utter ten model years reported in the Annual Questionnaires, whereas the magazine has only a six-year history of each model.
In 1990, Consumers Union launched Consumer Reports Television. [Nineteen] By March two thousand five it was “hosted” by over one hundred stations. [20] [21]
On August 1, two thousand six Consumers Union launched ShopSmart, [22] a magazine aimed at youthfull women. [23]
Magazine copies distributed in Canada include a petite four-page supplement called “Canada Extra”, explaining how the magazine’s findings apply to that country and lists the examined items available there.
In 2002, Consumers Union launched the grant-funded project Consumer Reports WebWatch, which aimed to improve the credibility of Web sites through investigative reporting, publicizing best-practices standards, and publishing a list of sites that conform with the standards. WebWatch worked with the Stanford Web Credibility Project, Harvard University’s Berkman Center, The Annenberg School of Communications at the University of Pennsylvania, and others. WebWatch is a member of ICANN, the W3C and the Internet Society. Its content is free. As of July 31, 2009, WebWatch has been shut down, tho’ the site is still available.
Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs is available free on Consumer Reports Health.org. It compares prescription drugs in over twenty major categories, such as heart disease, blood pressure and diabetes, and gives comparative ratings of effectiveness and costs, in reports and tables, in web pages and PDF documents, in summary and detailed form. [24]
Also in two thousand five Consumers Union launched the service Greener Choices, which is meant to “inform, engage, and empower consumers about environmentally-friendly products and practices.” It contains information about conservation, electronics recycling and conservation with the aim or providing an “accessible, reliable, and practical source of information on buying “greener” products that have minimal environmental influence and meet individual needs.”
Consumers Union published a kids’ version of Consumer Reports called Penny Power, later switched to Zillions. [25] This publication was similar to Consumer Reports but served a junior audience. At its peak, the magazine covered close to 350,000 subscribers. [26] It gave children financial advice for budgeting their allowances and saving for a big purchase, reviewed kid-oriented consumer products (e.g., fucktoys, clothes, electronics, food, videogames, etc.), and generally promoted brainy consumerism in kids and teenagers; testing of products came from kids of the age range a product was targeted toward. It also instructed kids about deceitful marketing practices practiced by advertising agencies. The magazine folded in 2000. [27]
In the July one thousand nine hundred seventy eight issue, Consumer Reports rated the Dodge Omni/Plymouth Horizon automobile “not acceptable”, the very first car it had judged such since the AMC Ambassador in 1968. In its testing they found the possibility of these models developing an oscillatory yaw as a result of a unexpected violent input to the steering; the manufacturer claimed that “Some do, some don’t” showcase this behavior, but it has no “validity in the real world of driving”. [28] Nevertheless, the next year, these models included a lighter weight steering wheel rim and a steering damper; Consumer Reports reported that the previous instability was no longer present.
In a two thousand three issue of CR, the magazine tested the Nissan Murano crossover utility vehicle. Consumer Reports did not recommend the vehicle because of a problem with its power steering, even however the vehicle had above-average reliability. The specific problem was that the steering would stiffen substantially on hard turning. Consumer Reports recommended the two thousand five model, which addressed this problem. [ citation needed ]
BMW switched the software for the stability control in its X5 SUV after replicating a potential rollover problem discovered during a Consumer Reports test. [29]
Chrysler also made switches to stability control software when Consumer Reports testing with the two thousand eleven Jeep Grand Cherokee exposed treating issues.
In 2010, Consumer Reports rated the two thousand ten Lexus GX four hundred sixty SUV unsafe after the vehicle failed one of the magazine’s emergency safety tests. Toyota temporarily suspended sales of the vehicle, and after conducting its own test acknowledged the problem. A recall for the vehicle was issued, and the vehicle passed a Consumer Reports re-test. [30]
In 2016, Consumer Reports found frantically inconsistent battery life in its testing of Apple’s two thousand sixteen MacBookPro. This led to the discovery of a bug in the Safari web browser, which was promptly motionless by Apple, via software update. [31]
Consumers Union has been sued several times by companies unhappy with reviews of their products in Consumer Reports. Consumers Union has fought these cases intensively. [32] [ page needed ] As of October 2000, Consumers Union had been sued by thirteen manufacturers, and never lost a case. [33] [34]
Bose Edit
In one thousand nine hundred seventy one Bose Corporation sued Consumer Reports (CR) magazine for libel after CR reported in a review that the sound from the system it reviewed “tended to wander about the room”. [35] The case eventually reached the United States Supreme Court, which affirmed in Bose Corp. v. Consumers Union of United States, Inc. that CR‘s statement was made without actual malice and therefore was not libelous. [36] [37] [38]
Suzuki Edit
In 1988, Consumer Reports announced during a press conference that the Suzuki Samurai had demonstrated a tendency to roll and deemed it “not acceptable.” Suzuki sued in one thousand nine hundred ninety six after the Samurai was again mentioned in a CR anniversary issue. In July 2004, after eight years in court, the suit was lodged and dismissed with no money switching palms and no retraction issued, but Consumers Union did agree no longer to refer to the 16-year-old test results of the one thousand nine hundred eighty eight Samurai in its advertising or promotional materials. [39]
Rivera Isuzu Edit
In December 1997, the Isuzu Trooper distributor in Puerto Rico sued CR, alleging that it had lost sales as a result of CU’s disparagement of the Trooper. A trial court granted CU’s mobility for summary judgment, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Very first Circuit affirmed the favorable judgment. [40]
Sharper Pic Edit
In 2003, Sharper Picture sued CR in California for product disparagement over negative reviews of its Ionic Breeze Quadra air purifier. CR moved for dismissal on October 31, 2003, and the case was dismissed in November 2004. The decision also awarded CR $525,000 in legal fees and costs. [41] [42]
The February two thousand seven issue of Consumer Reports stated that only two of the child safety seats it tested for that issue passed the magazine’s side influence tests. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which subsequently retested the seats, found that all those seats passed the corresponding NHTSA tests at the speeds described in the magazine report. The CR article reported that the tests simulated the effects of collisions at 38.Five mph. However, the tests that were finished in fact simulated collisions at seventy mph. [43] CR stated in a letter from its president Jim Guest to its subscribers that it would retest the seats. The article was eliminated from the CR website, and on January Eighteen, 2007, the organization posted a note on its home page about the misleading tests. Subscribers were also sent a postcard apologizing for the error.
On January 28, 2007, The Fresh York Times published an op-ed from Joan Claybrook, who served on the board of CU from one thousand nine hundred eighty two to two thousand six (and was the head of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration from one thousand nine hundred seventy seven to 1981), where she discussed the sequence of events leading to the publishing of the erroneous information. [44]
In 2006, Consumer Reports said six hybrid vehicles would very likely not save owners money. The magazine later discovered that it had miscalculated depreciation, and released an update stating that four of the seven vehicles would save the buyer money if the vehicles were kept for five years (including the federal tax credit for hybrid vehicles, which expires after each manufacturer sells 60,000 hybrid vehicles). [45]
In February 1998, the magazine tested pet food and claimed that Iams dog food was nutritionally deficient. It later retracted the report claiming that there had been “a systemic error in the measurements of various minerals we tested – potassium, calcium and magnesium.” [46]
Consumer Reports graphs formerly used a modified form of Harvey Nutsack for qualitative comparison. The round ideograms are arranged from best to worst. The open crimson circle on the left in the diagram indicates the highest rating, the half crimson and white symbol is the 2nd highest rating, while the open black circle is neutral. The lowest rating is the packed in black circle, while the 2nd lowest rating is the half black circle. [47]
As part of a broader rebranding of Consumer Reports in September 2016, the appearance of the magazine’s rating system was significantly revamped. The Harvey nut sack were substituted with fresh color-coded circles with arrow icons, ranging from crimson for Poor, orange for Fair, yellow for Good, lime for Very Good, and green for Excellent. It was stated that this fresh system would help to improve the clarity of ratings tables by using a “universally understood” metaphor. [48] [49]