Eisboch wrote:
"Reginald P. Smithers III" wrote in message
...


Consumer Reports often totally miss the mark with their "Best Buy"
category, often endorsing a product that really should be at the bottom of
the list for a number of reasons. If a mfg'er has a QC problem, and CR
samples a well built product, it can get a very high rating, even though
it is not representative of the average product . Other times, they
identify product features that are not really important to the average
user, skewing the results of their test. I think both mags do a decent
job, but I have never had the confidence in CR results to pay for their
magazine or purchase a report online.


I don't read Consumer Reports either, but I am curious as to why you have no
confidence if you don't buy it or purchase reports online. How else do you
read it to form your opinion?

Eisboch


Richard (or is it Dick),

There are many "Best Buy" winners in categories that I am very familiar
with, that I, and anyone in the business would consider the bottom of
the barrel. I have asked other "experts" or those familiar with other
product categories if they have seen similar results, and 100% of those
I have "surveyed" have agreed they have seen similar problems with their
reviews. It doesn't mean all of their evaluations are off, it just
means they are off enough, that you really can not have a confidence
level in their ratings.

I would be interested if others in rec.boats have seen similar problems
with their ratings. I am not talking about reading a review, buying the
product based upon the review, and being completely happy with the
product you purchased. I am talking about a product category in which
you have detailed experience in either sales, marketing, manufacturing
and/or service. Do you find their ratings to accurately reflect the
real world? Have you found any of their "Best Buy" to actually be the
"Dog" of the category?

I don't believe they have sold their soul for a Best Buy rating, I just
think for many reasons, they often totally miss the mark.
--
Reggie

That's my story and I am sticking to it!