Consumer Reports articles from October 2007

Consumer Reports archives from October 2007

Have you heard? And now, the fees you hate.(unusual fees charged for products and services)
October 1, 2007... We asked. You answered. In July, I wrote about obnoxious fees we at Consumers Union hate and asked you to tell us about fees that annoy you. We heard some doozies, and we share your indignation. For example, one reader has to pay $2 a month...

Get more for less.(GPS receivers and navigation systems)(Product/service evaluation)
October 1, 2007... Prices for Global Positioning System navigators are dropping, and features such as internal batteries, touch screens, preloaded map databases, MP3 players, and spoken street names ("Turn left on Maple Street," not just "Turn left") are...

Five fanciful fruits.(exotic fruits)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... At this time of year, when summer standbys such as strawberries and watermelons can be hard to find, exotic fruits are ripe for the picking. Here are some you're increasingly likely to see in stores. 1. Buddha's hand (fingered citron)....

Save money with Tide Coldwater.(laundry detergent)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... The claim. Tide Coldwater saves you "up to $65 a year," since you can wash in cold water, not warm. The check. Our engineers crunched the numbers, using Procter & Gamble's footnoted assumptions: seven loads of laundry per week, a water heater...

What cleans 'stainless' steel.(stainless steel appliance cleaners)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... When Kristina Murray and her husband, Christopher, bought stainless-steel appli-ances for their house in Cornwall, N. Y., she thought it "looked really cool nestled under mocha-stained cabinets and black granite countertops." Now that their...

Readers rate best and worst services.(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... Chances are, you like your doctor a lot more than you like your computer tech-support person. That's one of the conclusions from our exam-ination of surveys conducted during the past three years by the Consumer Reports National Research Center,...

A cheap-chic shoe scores points.(Starbury II, athletic footwear)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... With some basketball shoes costing $200 a pair, Stephon Marbury stepped in last year to stop the insanity. Marbury, a point guard for the New York Knicks, teamed with Steve & Barry's clothing chain to create the Starbury One basketball shoe for...

HAVE SOME CALCIUM WITH YOUR CHOCOLATE.(chewable chocolate-flavored calcium supplements)(Product/service evaluation)
October 1, 2007... Apparently, more companies are agreeing with D r. Mary Poppins: A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down. Our lab tested and staff members tasted five brands of chewable chocolates with calcium carbonate (a good source of calcium that's...

Do antiperspirants leave unsightly white?(deodorants)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... The claim. Some antiperspirants say they won't leave white marks on clothes. Mitchum for Women Smart Solid Powder and Smart Solid Unscented (the men's version) claim "no white residue"; Degree Ultra Clear Pure Powder with Tri Clear claims to be...

The Bulb is in the mail.(light bulb manufacturer Sylvania's Recyclepak program for recycling fluorescent light bulbs)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... To the growing list of recyclable products, add lightbulbs. Last June, Sylvania introduced a program to encourage consumers to mail used compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs) for recycling. For $15, the company sells Recyclepak, a lined box...

Kitchen floors.(Letter to the editor)
October 1, 2007... Before recommending vinyl flooring in your August "Great Kitchens for Less" section, it's a shame you didn't look at PVC (of which vinyl flooring is made) and its effects on human health and the environment. Also,can bamboo flooring be "green"...

Preventing whiplash.(Letter to the editor)
October 1, 2007... I read with interest your August report on whiplash, especially the part "Good Positioning Is Critical." Proper body positioning is as critical as proper positioning of the equipment. A few years ago a friend was in the passenger seat of my...

Free drug samples.(Letter to the editor)
October 1, 2007... Your article on free drug samples in August's CR Health is wrong in saying that they are "gifts" to the doctor. If anything, they require more work for me and my staff as we have to keep track of these and ensure that they are not outdated. I...

Identity theft.(Letter to the editor)
October 1, 2007... In reading August's Viewpoint I was stunned that consumers have to contact the three credit bureaus and pay to freeze our credit-report information so that thieves can't get access to confidential information. Why isn't this information always...

Corrections.(Correction notice)
October 1, 2007... The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 in the September issue tows 7,500 pounds, the lowest capacity of the pickups we tested. The Dodge Ram 1500 tows 8,500 pounds. The Silverado 2500 tows 13,600 pounds.

Corrections.(Correction notice)
October 1, 2007... A 12-ounce can of Coke contains about 35 milligrams of caffeine, not the 24 mg we noted in a September UpFront item.

2 million Hasbro and Fisher-Price toys recalled.(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... Hasbro has recalled 1 million Easy-Bake ovens, asking customers to stop using them immediately and return them to the company because of the risk of burns. Hasbro issued a recall in February, offering a free retrofit kit to eliminate the...

Canned meat and pet food may cause botulism.(canned pet food recalls by Castleberry's Food Co.)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... Castleberry's Food Company has expanded a recall that originally affected only 10 types of canned goods to include 92 different products. The company's hot dog chili sauce and canned meats, as well as four varieties of Natural Balance pet food,...

36,000 readers tell which to hold and which to fold.(credit cards)
October 1, 2007... Credit cards might look pretty much alike, but our new survey shows vast differences in how pleased people are with their plastic. And we're not just talking about interest rates, which vary widely from one card to another. [ILLUSTRATION...

Which way to pay Credit, debit, check,or cash.(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... Use a credit card for most large purchases, especially if you usually pay off your balance each month. Credit cards offer greater protection than other forms of payment. If your number falls into the wrong hands, you're liable for only the...

Save $50 with a phone call.(renegotiating credit card debts)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... One call to your credit-card company could higher your credit score will be. In our win you a lower interest rate or get you out survey, readers who called their card of a penalty fee. issuers to negotiate a lower interest rate So before...

How to pick the right card.(credit cards)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... If you pay off your card each month, look for one with no annual fee. The interest rate will be of less concern. If you often run a balance, make getting a low interest rate your top priority. The first three issuers in our Ratings would...

How the brands measure up.(sugar substitutes)(Product/service evaluation)
October 1, 2007... Most nonsugar sweeteners will taste fine in your tea or lemonade. But use some of them for baking a cake, and you could have a real flop. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] These are the findings of our tests of 13 lower-calorie and no-calorie...

Aspartame & Saccharin: debate continues.(possible health effects of sugar substitutes)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... Ever since the government first approved aspartame for use in 1981, debate has raged about its possible risks. Contrary to Internet reports, health authorities say there's no credible evidence that aspartame causes seizures, lupus, multiple...

New for 2008: fuel economy & versatility are driving forces.(automobiles, sport-utility vehicles, and minivans)(Product/service evaluation)
October 1, 2007... As the fall new-model season kicks into gear, you'll see a wide range of new and redesigned vehicles hitting the road. These include revamped versions of such popular mainstays as the Chevrolet Malibu, Honda Accord, and Dodge Grand Caravan, as...

Make your car last 200,000 miles: it's easy and can save you thousands in the long run.(automotive maintenance)
October 1, 2007... If you think you're staying ahead of the game by trading in your car every three to five years, here's a secret: Many of today's cars last for 200,000 miles or more with few if any major repairs, if properly cared for. And holding on to a car...

The ultimate green machine: more fuel-cell vehicles are hitting the road, but it's still an uphill climb.
October 1, 2007... Fuel-cell cars are the Holy Grail of green-car technology. They emit only water from the tailpipe, produce their own electricity for power, and run on hydrogen, the most abundant element in the universe. And as concern grows over gasoline...

Save hundreds on energy costs.
October 1, 2007... You want to save money as well as do your part to combat global warming. But what's the best way to get started? This special section includes the results from our testing and advice from our experts on the products and programs that work and...

What's your carbon footprint and how can you reduce it?(energy conservation tips)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... Your carbon footprint is a measure of how much greenhouse gas your lifestyle lets loose into the air. Total greenhouse gas emissions are represented as units of carbon dioxide. The average American is responsible for 20 tons of carbon dioxide...

New twists in savings.(compact fluorescent light bulbs)(Product/service evaluation)
October 1, 2007... Swapping compact fluorescent bulbs for incandescent bulbs is one of the simplest ways to save money and energy. Lower prices and better performance have eliminated many of the common complaints about CFLs. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Though...

What to do if a CFL breaks or smokes.(compact fluorescent light bulbs)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... CFLs contain small amounts of mercury, a neurotoxin. If a bulb breaks, follow these instructions from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: * Open the windows and leave the room for at least 15 minutes. * For hard floors, don't...

Some make saving easier.(programmable thermostats)(Product/service evaluation)
October 1, 2007... Programmable thermostats can help save energy by automatically raising or lowering temperatures at night and when you're away. But confusing controls on some can make it easy to burn more energy than you bargained for. [ILLUSTRATION...

Add comfort with ease.(electric space heaters)(Product/service evaluation)
October 1, 2007... Sales of space heaters are sizzling as millions of homeowners buy into the promise of lower-cost heating in an era of soaring utility bills. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Our tests of the latest electric heaters show that they provide...

Propane & kerosene heaters can pose risks.(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... Propane- and kerosene-fueled heaters are prodigious heat producers. But because of their open flames, the risk of carbon-monoxide poisoning, and the hazard associated with handling the fuel, it's best not to use them indoors, except in areas...

Windows: clear choices.(replacement windows for energy conservation)(Product/service evaluation)
October 1, 2007... "Stop throwing money out your old windows," warn some manufacturers' commercials. While new windows can reduce your energy bill, don't expect to recoup your investment anytime soon. New windows can save you between 10 and 25 percent per...

The great unwashed?(Andersen 400 Series and Andersen 200 Series, windows)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... The claim. You might not be able to see it, but Andersen's 400 Series windows have a sunlight-activated, titanium-dioxide coating that the manufacturer says "reduces water spots up to 99 percent." It also promises "easier cleaning" of its...

How to find an expert installer.(window installation)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... Good windows installed badly won't deliver the look, comfort, or savings you expect. So in addition to getting multiple bids and detailed contracts, here are some specific tips on choosing a window pro: Seek certification. Many major...

Vacuums: cleaning vs. allergy claims.(vacuum cleaners)(Product/service evaluation)
October 1, 2007... Vacuum marketers are pushing allergen relief along with the usual cleaning as claims move beyond carpets and floors. But our tests show that those promises mean less than they suggest. Some uprights, including the Bissell Healthy Home, the...

Household glues: no adhesive does it all.(Product/service evaluation)
October 1, 2007... Glue makers have enlisted snarling rhinos, glaring gorillas, and sumo wrestlers to tout their promises of "incredible strength," "truly all-purpose," and "Glues whatever. Bonds forever." But those claims didn't stick in our lab tests. ...

Cordless phones: making new connections.(cordless telephones)(Product/service evaluation)
October 1, 2007... Adapting to the way today's consumers communicate, some new cordless phones can easily coexist with home networks and place calls via cellphone service or the Internet. A growing number of phones avoid the 2.4-gigahertz band used by most...

Social security: when to start collecting.
October 1, 2007... It's the one financial question virtually all Americans will eventually face: When should you begin to collect your Social Security benefits? If you are eligible for benefits, you can start collecting as soon as you're 62. But there's a...

HPV vaccine beyond the hype.(Gardasil)(Product/service evaluation)
October 1, 2007... "I want to be one less, one less," sing the giggling girls jumping rope in TV ads for Gardasil. The promise is that the vaccine will make a woman "one less" victim by protecting her against the four dangerous strains of human papillomavirus...

Study links Viagra to infertility.(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... Sildenafil (Viagra) treats erectile dysfunction, but a small study published in May suggests that the drug might impair male fertility. Semen samples from 57 men were exposed to the same concentrations of sildenafil present in the blood 30...

Car seats update.(child safety seats)(Product/service evaluation)
October 1, 2007... In our new tests of infant car seats, all performed adequately in simulated head-on crashes at 30 mph, the government standard. But we found differences in how easy the seats are to use and how securely they fit in a variety of...

Features that count: to help make your car seat easy to use and fit securely, look for these attributes.(child safety seats)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... Five-point harness. More secure than a three-point harness. Almost all infant car seats now include this. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "Push-on"-style LATCH connectors. Easier to use than hooks, especially when the vehicle's LATCH anchors...

Small wonders: Hyundai improves the compact Elantra, and the Mazdaspeed3 is the best sporty car.(economy automobiles)(Product/service evaluation)
October 1, 2007... As a class, small, economical cars have a bad reputation. While fuel efficient and low-priced, they're often seen as anemic cars with poor driving characteristics, cramped interiors, few safety features, and inadequate crash protection. But...

Sporty cars: big fun in tiny packages.(automobiles Mazdaspeed3, Mini Cooper, Saturn Sky)(Product/service evaluation)
October 1, 2007... Mazdaspeed3 * Mini Cooper * Saturn Sky Of the three sporty cars we tested this month, we especially enjoyed driving the nimble and quick Mazdaspeed3 and Mini Cooper S. Both the Mini and the Saturn Sky Redline compromise practicality in...

You deserve safer imported goods.
October 1, 2007... Deadly pet food, lead-tainted toys, toxic shrimp.With headlines warning about an onslaught of hazardous imports, it's no surprise that consumers are wary of products from overseas. In a nationally representative sample of people polled by...

Come to our annual meeting and tours.(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... Visit our labs and meet our experts on Saturday, Oct. 20, during our annual meeting at our National Testing and Research Center, 101 Truman Ave., Yonkers, NY. The meeting begins at 10 a.m. If you'll be coming for a tour only, please arrive no...