From: bobrankin@ULSTER.NET
Reply-To: TOURBUS-Request@LISTSERV.AOL.COM
To: TOURBUS@LISTSERV.AOL.COM
Subject: TOURBUS - 21 Dec 1998 - Consumer Reports
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TODAY'S TOURBUS TOPIC: Consumer Reports Online
TODAY'S TOURBUS STOP: http://www.consumerreports.com
Welcome to another ride on the Internet Tourbus. In today's issue,
we'll visit Consumer Reports Online for some consumer advice, ratings
and recommendations. You probably recognize the Consumer Reports
name, because they've been publishing the results of their independent
testing of consumer products and services for 60 years. Now they're
online, and even more useful to the buying public.
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The promise of Consumer Reports (both online and off) is objective,
unbiased information in a non-commercial environment. The Consumer
Reports website is packed with tons of valuable information that will
help you shop wisely, make informed choices about products and save
money too.
But let me state up front that not everything is free of charge on
this site. Some parts of this site are available only through the
purchase of a subscription. You might wonder why they don't sell
advertising on their website and make access free, but there's a good
reason they can't do that.
Consumer Reports is nonprofit. They have no connections with any
manufacturer and they buy everything they test on the open market
anonymously. Their no-commercialization policy ensures they are not
influenced by commercial interests in any way. That's why certain
areas of the site require a fee, but don't worry - no gremlins will
jump out and grab your credit card while your browse around. The
fee-based areas are well- marked and you can't enter without
completing a subscription form.
SO WHAT CAN I GET FOR FREE?
Forunately, lots! In the free area you'll find valuable information
and advice about products and services, how to shop for them, safety
issues and the latest consumer news.
The vertical navigation bar on the left of the screen connects you to
the nine categories of reports: Cars & Trucks, Appliances,
Electronics, House & Home, Home Office, Money, Health & Food, Personal
and Leisure. When you click on any one of these categories, you'll
arrive at a screen where you can find some reports that are available
for free.
On any product category page, there are two more choices on the left
navigation bar: Manufacturer Locator and Recalls. Both of these are
free too.
MANUFACTURER LOCATOR connects you with a list of major consumer
product manufacturers, their telephone numbers, and websites.
RECALLS gives you free access to Consumer Reports' 5-year listing of
product recalls. You can browse by category or search the whole
section to see if a product you own has been recalled. I poked around
to see if any of the 1999 cars had recalls, and found two. If you own
a `99 Subaru Legacy, watch out because the oil filter could crack and
catch on fire. The `99 Mazda Miata was also listed for a stalling
problem.
Also in the free section is a fascinating gallery of vintage
product-testing photographs from their 61-year archives. Check out
the photo of the car record player, and others for an interesting
retrospective on the last 6 decades years of consumer products.
And don't miss the Consumer Reports Guide to a Hassle-Free Holiday!
You'll find last-minute.jpgt delivery info and many holiday shopping
tips.
WHAT DO I HAVE TO PAY FOR?
The site subscriber area gives you access to ratings, test results,
and recommendations on hundreds of products and services from Consumer
Reports magazine. Site subscribers can participate in Message Boards
with other subscribers, or you can take part in special events such as
online discussions with Consumer Reports technical experts.
Subscribers can also find the current issue of the Consumer Reports
magazine online.
You can join for $2.95 a month, or pay $24 for a year's subscription.
Subscribers to the print edition of Consumer Reports magazine get a $5
discount. I was hoping to find that print subscribers would get free
access to the website, but that's not the case.
CONSUMER REPORTS WANTS YOU!
Consumer Reports wants your input for an upcoming column in their
magazine. If you spend much time online, answer some questions about
your Web browser use and experiences. I for one would love to see a
Consumer Reports review of Netscape and Explorer. It might be
refreshing to get a user point of view without all the technobabble
you find in computer magazines.
Visit the Consumer Reports website at
Consumer Reports - http://www.consumerreports.com
That's all for now, see you next time! --Bob Rankin
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