Resource Spotlight: Consumer Reports
December 11, 2020 - It’s the holiday season, Christmas is right around the corner, and I’ll be honest…I don’t have gifts chosen for all my family members. There is still plenty of time, right? The problem I have is that I get stuck reading reviews of things I’m thinking of getting my family members. Before I know it I’m down the rabbit hole. Hours go by and I haven’t decided upon anything. There are so many conflicting and unhelpful reviews that it can make choosing a gift very difficult.
So, I want to highlight a Library resource that can help you this holiday season: Consumer Reports. Many of you are already familiar with Consumer Reports, but did you know you can gain access to its online reviews for free with your Library card? It’s true! Just go to the online resources page on our website, find ‘Consumer Reports’ from our list of databases, and click ‘Go.’
Link to the library’s online resources page
What is Consumer Reports? According to their website:
“Consumer Reports works to create a fair and just marketplace for all. As a mission-driven, independent, nonprofit member organization, CR empowers and informs consumers, incentivizes corporations to act responsibly, and helps policymakers prioritize the rights and interests of consumers in order to shape a truly consumer-driven marketplace.”
Learn more about the organization, including how they test and their leadership structure, at the ‘About Us’ section of their website.
I find Consumer Reports helpful for reliable information on a wide variety of products, especially big purchases like electronics and kitchen equipment. However they also review many smaller products including sunscreen, humidifiers, and headphones. Also their website is very user friendly. In each product review they have an overview, a ratings & reliability section, recommended products, and a buying overview. So lots more information than just product reviews.
All this is to say that Consumer Reports is a very helpful resource when making purchasing decisions. It cuts through some of the unhelpful, meandering reviews that are so ubiquitous on the internet. Also, Consumer Reports is very transparent about the organization and its review methodology. Keep this Library resource in mind when doing your holiday gift buying this year.
Okay, now I’m going to see if I can find the time to ship my Dad a top-rated toothbrush. Wish me luck!
