eric@apollo.uucp (Eric Peters) (11/17/84)
There's been a discussion going on in net.video about the integrity and reliability of *Consumer Reports* Magazine. For instance > I'm never surprised at what Consumer Reports says and feel that the > only reliable parts of a product review are the reliability figures that > are obtained from reader surveys, the prices, and the names and addresses > of the manufacturers. > > When I ask people who know a lot about bicycles about a CR bicycle review > they tell me that CU doesn't know what it is talking about. I ask car > people about car reviews, I ask stereo people about audio equipment, etc., > and everyone says that CU doesn't know what it is talking about. My experience over several years and many purchases has been quite different. I have found that CR does take a somewhat simplified view from that of a deep-end {bicyclist, auto rallyist, audiophile, etc.}. But they do point out very basic, important, and practical features of a product, that a non-deep-end purchaser might miss. Face it, most of us can't detect a small difference in the performance of a video tape, but we still might want to know whether Brand Y is going to leave crap all over our video heads. One last point: I take offense at generalizations like those in the second paragraph quoted above. Vague unnamed hoards of "people who know a lot about bicycles" are allowed to impugn a hard-working and valuable institution like Consumers' Union. Let's move the discussion to net.consumers. Eric Peters (...!decvax!wivax!apollo!eric) Apollo Computer Inc., Chelmsford, MA 01824
kfl@hoxna.UUCP (Kenton Lee) (11/17/84)
xxx As a long time subscriber to Consumer Reports, I think they are doing a great service to the average customer. True, they aren't much use to the expert or someone who has the budget of an expert, but they don't try to be. They review products for the use of the average customer. For example, I know a bit about bicycles and a bit about home computers. I would never have bought the bicycles or home computers that were recommended by Consumer Reports. As an experienced consumer, I know what extra features I will use and am willing to pay for (e.g. aluminum bicycle frames or S100 bus microcomputers). The average consumer would not need or benefit from these extra features, so Consumer Reports targets its studies on cheaper models. I think the same thing applies to their reports on cameras, cars, stereos, or washing machines. Ken Lee hoxna!kfl
bch@mcnc.UUCP (Byron Howes) (11/17/84)
I have always found Consumer Reports to be entirely reliable and, with some
qualifications, to give generally good advice.
The major qualification is that Consumer Reports ratings and research is
directed toward purchases by the *average* consumer. High end audio gear,
automobile, computing equipment, photography equipment, etc. is not really
in its bailiwick. Simply put, the objective of Consumer Reports is to
give the best advice possible for the average consumer make average purchases
for average utilization.
My approach to buying a washing machine or a refrigerator, for example, is
going to be entirely different than my approach to buying computing equipment.
All I want in a washing machine is something that will get my clothes clean,
be relatively inexpensive and be easy to maintain. I really don't care
about the fine points of washing machine technology and wouldn't have time
to absorb them if they were offered. I am sure that anyone really *into*
washing machines could tell me all manner of things that Consumer Reports
did not consider and would give me advice as to what the *best* washing
machine would be. It would also probably cost me *much* more than I wanted
to allocate to washing my clothes. All I want is something that will do
the job, the rough equivalent of the average stereo. The marginal utility
of the high-end washing machine doesn't mean anything to me. In this case,
Consumer Reports advice is entirely satisfactory.
In addition to ratings (which seems to be the only thing that people look
at) CR also gives its criteria for making the ratings and, in general,
does a function-by-function evaluation of the products it reviews. It is
quite possible to make the kind of trade-offs of that one generally makes
when buying things by reading and evaluating all of the information that
CR provides.
--
Byron C. Howes
...!{decvax,akgua}!mcnc!ecsvax!bchrfg@hound.UUCP (R.GRANTGES) (11/21/84)
[] I think three things I can say about CU may be useful. 1. I think they usually try to be objective and honest. 2. If you feel about your (car,bicycle,stereo,whatever) about the same way you feel about any appliance (toaster, beater, uwave, etc.) then use CU's advice unreservedly. You can trust (almost) all of it at that level of consumer interest. If you feel much more involved with a product - or want to become more deeply involved - then read CU, but keep reading everything else you can find. 3. CU gets into trouble when it goes to its (nonresident) "consultants." These tend to be opinionated and often have an axe or two to grind. Best example that comes to me is the horrendous (to me) job that CU on the diesel rabbit. After operating one for (years?) they were unable to figure out how to solve the cold weather starting "problem." Admitting that even VW didn't seem to know how either until recently (something I also find unaccountable), this deep secret has not escaped zillions of Americans who had the genius to ask a diesel trucker how "they" did it. (Keep your glow plugs working and use a pour point depressant additive, SAE 5-XX oil will also help in really extreme conditions). CU, I guess, is honor bound to accept the views of it's consultants, no matter how stupid.
2141smh@aluxe.UUCP (henning) (11/22/84)
**** **** From the keys of Steve Henning, AT&T Bell Labs, Reading, PA aluxe!2141smh > ... the horrendous (to me) job that CU on the diesel rabbit. After years > they were unable to figure out how to solve the cold weather starting > "problem." Admitting that even VW didn't seem to know how either > until recently (something I also find unaccountable), this deep secret > has not escaped zillions of Americans who had the genius to ask a > diesel trucker how "they" did it. (Keep your glow plugs working and > use a pour point depressant). CU, I guess, is honor bound to > accept the views of it's consultants, no matter how stupid. It's amazing that zillions of Americans are smart enough to ask truckers how to start their problem cars rather than the dealer. I am one of the stupid ones that reads Consumers and uses a key to start my car summer or winter with no problems.
ron@brl-tgr.ARPA (Ron Natalie <ron>) (11/28/84)
> **** **** > From the keys of Steve Henning, AT&T Bell Labs, Reading, PA aluxe!2141smh > > > ... the horrendous (to me) job that CU on the diesel rabbit. After years > > they were unable to figure out how to solve the cold weather starting > > "problem." Admitting that even VW didn't seem to know how either > > until recently (something I also find unaccountable), this deep secret > > has not escaped zillions of Americans who had the genius to ask a > > diesel trucker how "they" did it. (Keep your glow plugs working and > > use a pour point depressant). CU, I guess, is honor bound to > > accept the views of it's consultants, no matter how stupid. > > It's amazing that zillions of Americans are smart enough to ask > truckers how to start their problem cars rather than the dealer. > > I am one of the stupid ones that reads Consumers and uses a key to > start my car summer or winter with no problems. When my father was at the Mercedes dealer, he told him that a block heater wasn't necessary and gave him the proper cold weather operating procedures. -Ron
scott@whuxp.UUCP (steve scott) (11/29/84)
As one who used to swear by Scotch's video tape, try KODAK HGX - the picture is great and the sound will blow you away compared with 3M's(Scotch's) tape. Steve Scott
pjk@hou2a.UUCP (P.KEMP) (11/29/84)
KODAK tapes are made by TDK, so the KODAK HGX is probably the same as the TDK EHG. Buy the one that works out as the least expensive. (KODAK has a "buy 3, get 1 free" offer until Dec. 31) -- Paul Kemp ihnp4!hou2a!pjk
wjm@whuxl.UUCP (MITCHELL) (11/30/84)
Consumer's Union (the publishers of Consumer Reports) is VERY concerned about
the objectivity of their reports (I mentioned some of the precautions they
take to insure objectivity in an article I posted here last week).
Therefore, they ask the following: If anyone believes that a CU report has been
influenced by any source, they ask that the accuser put the charge in writing
sign it and send it to them. Seems like a reasonable request to me.
Regards,
Bill Mitchell ({ihnp4!}lcuxc!wjm)shallman@drutx.UUCP (ShallmanJT) (11/30/84)
For those of us that are not "in-the-know", does anyone want to detail the "correct starting procedure in cold weather" for a diesel? James Shallman ATTISL Denver