Consumer Reports
Best quick stuffings
For many people, Thanksgiving dinner isn’t complete without stuffing. But it also isn’t complete without the pressure of cooking a huge meal, to say nothing of entertaining Aunt Mavis and Uncle Arnold. As a result, making stuffing from scratch may be a stretch.
Buying a leaf blower? Put power before pizzazz
Tired of raking? Consumer Reports recently found gas leaf blowers that vacuum with the flick of a switch, plus a new electric that frees you from a cord. But its tests of 29 models show that the best choices put power before pizzazz.
B&H Photo, REI AND ZAPPOS among highest-rated online retailers
Overall, shoppers are satisfied with online shopping — but some sites do a better job than others when it comes to value, customer service and more. In Consumer Reports’ new survey about online shopping satisfaction, B&H Photo, REI and Zappos were among the higher-rated sites; florists including 1-800-Flowers.com and FTD, along with ticket retailer Ticketmaster, [...]
How to avoid high-tech scams
It’s easier than ever to get burned these days. Fraud and identity-theft complaints tracked by the Federal Trade Commission topped 1.2 million last year, up 19 percent from 2010 and a whopping 800 percent since 2000, according to Consumer Reports. And the fraud artists are using new channels and technology that didn’t exist 15 years [...]
Some extra-virgin olive oils don’t make the grade
Many “extra-virgin” olive oils — including big names such as Bertolli, Crisco, Fillipo Berio and Mazola — don’t taste good enough to merit that description, according to Consumer Reports.
Let’s talk (sliced) turkey
Consumer Reports’ tasters recently tried 18 packaged turkey slices, and although none would beat meat sliced off the bone, some are worthy alternatives if you want to save a little money or skip a deli line.
Tricky ad claims that companies use to hook you
Whether it’s a newspaper ad for a giant blowout sale or a TV pitch promising to save you hundreds on car insurance, some advertisers have a way of stretching the truth to get you to open your wallet. ShopSmart, the shopping magazine published by Consumer Reports, recently highlighted tricky ad claims that companies frequently make [...]
Unemployed Americans likelier to suffer sleep problems
In addition to searching for full-time work, some unemployed Americans may also be looking for a good night’s rest. According to a survey of Consumer Reports’ readers, unemployed respondents were more likely to say they had trouble falling and staying asleep than those with jobs — 69 percent to 59 percent respectively.
Top gadgets of summer
The latest handheld devices are thinner, lighter and more powerful than those of even a year or two ago, according to Consumer Reports. Despite those advances, prices continue to drop, with more $100 smartphones and $250 tablets on the market, to mention just two examples.
Scion IQ not such a wise choice
Consumer Reports’ recent tests of the tiny Scion iQ found it to be slow, uncomfortable and noisy, among other drawbacks. With a road test score of 29, it joins the ranks of the lowest-scoring cars CR has tested in recent years.
