Consumer Reports articles from March 2008

Consumer Reports archives from March 2008

Have you heard? Fewer voices, fewer choices.(mass media)
March 1, 2008... In 1914 Henry Ford promised Model T buyers "any color so long as it is black." It might soon be that we can get our local news from any source as long as it's the Tribune Co. In December, the Federal Communications Commission voted along party...

9 ways to a longer life.(Trends)
March 1, 2008... Following health news can be like watching a Ping-Pong match. Caffeine is bad for you; caffeine is good. Drink alcohol; don't. Here's our antidote: nine findings backed by such strong evidence that by following them you could lengthen your...

Best fabric softeners.(Trends)
March 1, 2008... It's winter, humidity is low in much of the U.S., and you know what that means: Static cling is invading dryers across the land. Conventional wisdom advises using fabricsoftener sheets to lessen static, but we found that overall, liquids...

Is grass-fed beef better?(CLAIM CHECK)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Thanks to a new rule, a "grass fed" label on packages of beef, along with "USDA Process Verified," means that the meat came from animals that actually ate grass and had access to pastures during the growing season. We checked whether it's worth...

Mall-store challenge: best blouse, slacks, and blazer.(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Our experts took three staples of a woman's wardrobe--blazers, cotton slacks, and cotton shirts--from Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, H&M, J. Crew, and Talbot's, and did what consumers can't do before buying: They tore out seams, peeked under...

Two hybrids.(first look)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Recent tests of hybrid versions of the highly rated Toyota Highlander SUV and Nissan Altima sedan show that all hybrids aren't created equal. Toyota Highlander Hybrid. It performs much like the regular Highlander, our top-rated three-row...

Cell-phone regulation.(Your Letters)(Letter to the editor)
March 1, 2008... Your January 2008 Viewpoint column ("Wireless Carriers Lock Out Consumers") argues that more regulation and legislation are required "to encourage a truly competitive cell-phone market." The column argues that cell phones sold in the U.S. are...

Real medical costs.(Your Letters)(Letter to the editor)
March 1, 2008... I just read "On Their Own" (January 2008). I am a small-business owner, and I pay the full premiums for a healthinsurance program for all of my employees. The health-care system needs significant change to make it work better for everyone, but...

Generically speaking.(Your Letters)(Letter to the editor)
March 1, 2008... "Best Medicines for Less" (January 2008) should be expanded to include other generic drugs that are much cheaper and qualitywise might be at least equal to or better than the ones listed. Many pharmacies now have a listing of generic drugs...

Not in my living room.(Your Letters)(Letter to the editor)
March 1, 2008... Having read the Have You Heard? column ("Got an Older TV? Read This") in the January 2008 issue, I have this to say: As the "champion" of the consumer you are costing me money. The $40 coupon people will get so they can watch digital TV has to...

Not so eggs-ellent.(Your Letters)(Letter to the editor)
March 1, 2008... In Up Front ("Talk the Talk," January 2008), you report:"White hens lay white eggs; brown hens, brown." While the breed of the chicken determines the egg color, the color of the chicken is irrelevant. Our White Rocks and White Wyandottes lay...

Checking on charities.(Your Letters)(Letter to the editor)
March 1, 2008... In Up Front ("Charities," January 2008), you say: "Before giving, check with these watchdog groups to see which charities deserve your donation," but you don't say that www.charitynavigator.org and www.give.org give ratings online and at no...

Authorities investigate big rise in beef contamination.(Recalls & Safety Alerts)
March 1, 2008... After four years of decline in recalls of ground beef contaminated by the potentially deadly E. coli bacteria, the toxin has returned with a vengeance. More than 25 million pounds of beef believed to be tainted went to market in 2007, up from...

AutoZone booster cables.(AUTOMOBILES AND EQUIPMENT)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Booster cable clamps were assembled incorrectly, resulting in reverse polarity. This poses a risk of electrical shock and an explosion hazard. Products: 140,000 AutoZone Parts booster cables sold at AutoZone stores and Web site from 6/07...

American Honda lawn mowers.(OUTDOOR EQUIPMENT)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Cutting blades could rotate under power when control lever is released. Spinning blade poses serious risk of laceration. Mowers do not comply with mandatory federal safety standards. No injuries have been reported. Products: 167,000...

DeWalt cordless drills.(HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Trigger switch can overheat and pose risk of fire. Products: 346,000 DeWalt cordless drills sold at wholesale distributors and retailers from 6/06 through 12/07 for between $180 and $280. The company has had 11 reports of the drills...

Starbucks coffee mugs.(HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Plastic handle can detach from body of mug when filled with hot liquids, posing risk of burns. Products: 167,000 Starbucks Fusion coffee mugs with "Starbucks Coffee" stamp sold at Starbucks from 2/07 through 11/07 for about $11. Mugs are...

First Years reclining feeding seats.(CHILDREN'S PRODUCTS)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Restraining straps can pull out of the waist strap slots and young children could fall out. Products: 100,000 First Years Newborn-to-Toddler reclining feeding seats sold at retailers from 11/06 through 10/07 for about $30. Seat includes a...

Our independence matters to you.
March 1, 2008... Did you know that CONSUMER REPORTS accepts no paid advertising? In fact, unlike our competitors, CONSUMER REPORTS accepts no free samples of the products it reviews, no free trips, no free lodging, no freebies at all. We insist on testing the...

Made in the USA? The truth behind the labels.
March 1, 2008... Whether motivated to "buy American" by patriotism or by recent safety and health alerts about goods made abroad, readers have let us know that they're concerned about the birthplace of the products they choose. But locating that homeland isn't...

Six prescriptions for change: Our survey shows what Americans demand of health reform.(HEALTH CARE)(Survey)
March 1, 2008... Americans have lost confidence in the U.S. healthcare system and yearn for reforms that will free them from worry about losing coverage if their circumstances change or if they fall ill. Our new national survey plumbs people's opinions...

TV stars: more new HDTVs shine in our tests.(SPECIAL SECTION)(Buyers guide)
March 1, 2008... INSIDE RATINGS of 101 LCD, plasma, and rear-projection TVs Plus, p.22 reliable brands TOP cable, satellite, and phone-company TV-service providers p.28 WHAT TO DO if your TV breaks p.31 ...

High-def TV service: more channels, more competition.(SPECIAL SECTION)
March 1, 2008... Has the lack of high-definition programming been standing between you and a new HDTV? Then you'll have to find another reason not to buy. Many TV-service providers say they'll be offering 100 to 150 HD channels by the end of this year, up from...

What if your TV breaks? More than 93,000 TV owners tell you what to expect.(SPECIAL SECTION)
March 1, 2008... No matter what type of television you own, the chances are you won't experience any problems during the set's first few years of service. Repair rates have been very low for LCD and plasma sets, according to a 2007 survey of more than...

Are you set for all-digital TV?(SPECIAL SECTION)
March 1, 2008... TV as we know it will change significantly in the U.S. next year. Most stations now broadcast analog and digital signals, but a new law requires them to transmit only digitally as of Feb. 17, 2009, shutting down the analog systems they've used...

How to use the Canada Extra section.(canada extra)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Every month, Canada Extra provides Canadian pricing and availability information about products tested for that issue. The Ratings in this section are based on this month's reports, but they narrow your choices to the products that are sold in...

Dishwashers.(canada extra)
March 1, 2008... Report: page 41; Ratings: page 42 Thirty-seven of the 47 tested models are available, including all 5 of the Quick Pick models. [TABLE OMITTED]

Vacuums.(canada extra)(Statistical table)
March 1, 2008... Report: page 36; Ratings: pages 38-39 Seventeen of the 37 tested upright vacuums and 19 of the 24 canister vacuums are available, including 6 of the 9 Quick Pick models. [TABLE OMITTED]

Plasma tvs.(canada extra)(Statistical table)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Report: page 18; Ratings: page 23 Six of the 7 tested 58-inch and larger models, 12 of the 15 50-inch models, and all 7 of the 42-inch models are available, including 13 of the 16 Quick Pick models. [TABLE OMITTED]

lcd tvs.(canada extra)(Statistical table)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Report: page 18; Ratings: pages 24-25 Eight of the 10 tested 52-inch and larger models, 9 of the 13 46- to 47-inch models, 10 of the 16 40- to 42-inch models, 4 of the 9 37-inch models, and 6 of the 10 32-inch models are available,...

rear-projection tvs.(canada extra)(Statistical table)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Report: page 18; Ratings: page 26 Two of 6 tested the 60-inch and larger models, 3 of the 7 50- to 58-inch models, and the 37-inch model are available, including 3 of the 9 Quick Pick models. [TABLE OMITTED]

Sedans.(canada extra)(Buyers guide)
March 1, 2008... Report: page 50; Ratings: page 51 All 6 tested 4- and 6-cylinder sedans are available in Canada. MAKE & MODEL PRICE RANGE ACCELERATION (SEC.) 0-50 0-100 KM/H 80-100 500 ...

Contact info.(canada extra)(Directory)
March 1, 2008... How to reach manufacturers in Canada. Aerus 800-668-0763 www.aerusonline.com Bissell 800-263-2535 www.bissell.ca Bosch 800-554-9043 www.boschappliances.ca Dirt Devil 800-321-1134 www.dirtdevil.com ...

Canada Extra on the Web.(canada extra)
March 1, 2008... Canada Extra information can be found on ConsumerReports.org[R], our Web site, along with the current issue of the magazine and more. The address is www.ConsumerReports.org. Once there, click on the "Canada Extra" link on the opening screen....

Interior paints; A stirring at the top.(Buyers guide)
March 1, 2008... It had been a Behr market since 2003, with the Home Depot brand occupying every top spot but one in our Ratings categories of interior paints. But in our latest tests, paints from Benjamin Moore, Kilz, and Valspar edged into first place. ...

Vacuums: when smaller isn't better.(Buyers guide)
March 1, 2008... Got a cramped closet? Some of the latest vacuums fold for compact storage, while others cram upright and canister features into one machine. But our tests show that several brands should pay more attention to cleaning. New uprights that...

Dishwashers: don't get steamed.(Buyers guide)
March 1, 2008... Steam cleaning and targeted spray jets are some of the new options manufacturers have added to help scour away dirt. But our tests found that sparkling dishes can be yours for just $350 without those options. In fact, none of our Quick...

Your mortgage it rarely pays to prepay: our Money Lab examined whether it's more profitable to invest a spare $100 a month in a mortgage or the stock market.(CR Money)
March 1, 2008... Few Americans may burn their paid-off mortgages anymore, but many of us get a warm feeling thinking about the day that the biggest financial obligation of our lives will finally be behind us. While paying your mortgage is definitely a good...

Spring checklist spot problems early.(CR Home)
March 1, 2008... Winter can take its toll on a house. And when the weather turns foul, many homeowners tend to stay indoors and defer maintenance. To help you protect your most valuable asset, here are some potential problems and how to fix them: DIRTY AIR...

Dirty duct cleaners.(SCAM ALERT)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... You get a flyer in the mail from a company offering to clean your home's air ducts for just $99. When the rep arrives, he tries to sell you on other services, such as carpet cleaning or mold remediation. If you don't bite, he gives your ducts a...

Cholesterol drugs Lipitor battles generics.(CR Health)
March 1, 2008... Did you know there's no generic form of Lipitor?" asks an online advertisement for the cholesterol-lowering drug. Lipitor (atorvastatin) is the world's top-selling prescription drug. The Web ad is part of a campaign that also includes TV and...

American dream: Cadillac gives its German rivals a wake-up call.(Product/service evaluation)
March 1, 2008... BMW and Mercedes-Benz have long been considered by many to set the standard in the sport-sedan category. But this month a newly redesigned Cadillac outscored cars from both of the German automakers, earning high marks for agility, powertrain,...

Catching up: the Chevrolet Malibu is on the heels of the best family sedans.(CR AUTO TEXT EXTRA)(Product/service evaluation)
March 1, 2008... The redesigned Malibu now ranks among the best family sedans, just below the Nissan Altima, Honda Accord, and Toyota Camry. It nearly matches the Accord's handling agility and the Camry's quiet interior. But its fuel economy isn't the best in...

Contact info.(Directory)
March 1, 2008... PHONE NUMBERS & WEB SITES A cumulative listing of manufacturer phone numbers and Web addresses is available free in browsable form at our Web site, at www.ConsumerReports.org. DISHWASHERS Asko: 800-898-1879; www.askousa.com. Bosch:...

Good luck complaining about your bank.(View point)
March 1, 2008... Elizabeth and Alan Green of San Diego thought the 2.99 percent interest rate on a new credit card sounded great, so they transferred the balance from an older credit card. They knew they'd have to pay a balance-transfer fee of 3 percent. But...

Puff and Fluff.(then & now)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... In our January 1960 report on fabric softeners, we noted that "in this era of 'miracle' products which rarely perform miracles, and too often don't perform at all, it is encouraging to test a chemical product described as a 'new miracle' and...