News Channel 9: Consumer Reports

Best Coffeemakers

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 02:05:05 GMT

Consumer Reports figures you can save almost $350 a year by brewing coffee at home instead of buying it to go. Consumer Reports tested 34 coffeemakers.

New tests were devised to measure brewing temperature. To get a good cup of coffee, brewing temperature should be between 195° F and 205° F. Many coffeemakers—even those costing more than $100—didn't reach a high enough temperature to extract the best from the beans and therefore avoid a weak or bitter brew.

One of the most convenient models that reaches an excellent brew temperature is the Michael Graves 12-cup coffeemaker, available at Target. At $40, it's rated a Consumer Reports Best Buy. It's also programmable. That feature allows the coffeemaker to start brewing in the morning before you wake up, so that you have coffee when you get up.

Single-serving pod machines let you simply drop in a sealed packet of coffee with no grinding, no scooping, and no mess. But Consumer Reports found the coffee pricey—25 to 50 cents per pod. That's four times as much per cup as drip-coffee, using supermarket brands.

Instead, Consumer Reports recommends the Melitta Take2, which cost $25 and quickly brewed a superb cup of coffee.

Whichever coffeemaker you choose, Consumer Reports says to consider trading the usual paper filter for a permanent metal one, which usually costs between $5 and $10. It can pay for itself in as little as a year.

Consumer Reports has no commercial relationship with any advertiser or sponsor appearing on this Web site.

Best Meat Thermometers

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 22:11:00 GMT

If you're cooking this holiday season, a good meat thermometer can come in very handy. That's the only tool that's going to be able to tell you when your meat and poultry are completely cooked.

Consumer Reports tested 11 meat thermometers for accuracy and for how well they respond to temperature changes. There were thermometers you insert and read immediately, and others that you leave in food as it cooks.

Today's meat thermometers have gotten fancy. Many have wired probes that connect to digital displays. Some actually speak to you. The Weber is a wireless probe that lets you check the food's temperature from 300 feet away, using a remote unit you can clip to your belt. But, unfortunately, the thermometer didn't perform as well overall as others that were tested.

Some thermometers let you track temperatures on two different meats at the same time, which is great for a big holiday meal. One of the top-rated thermometers, the Polder THM-360 that costs $30, offers that feature. It's one you leave in while cooking. If you want to save some money, consider the $16 Taylor Weekend Warrior digital thermometer. It's one you insert in order to get the temperature reading.

When it comes to thermometers, Consumer Reports says a thermometer for your refrigerator can be handy, too. It can help you make sure your food is being kept cool enough. Food refrigerators should be set to 37° F. Testers found that the digital Taylor Commercial 1448, which goes for about $10, was extremely accurate.

Consumer Reports has no commercial relationship with any advertiser or sponsor appearing on this Web site.

Copyright © 2004-2008 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc.

Quiet Hair Dryers

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 22:10:00 GMT

A hair dryer is an everyday essential you probably don't give much thought to. At the salon, you're almost always guaranteed a great blow out. But it's not such a sure thing at home. Consumer Reports ShopSmart magazine put 10 hair dryers to the test, including top-selling Conair, to see whether there were big differences in performance. The hair dryers cost anywhere from $20 all the way up to $200. In a temperature- and humidity-controlled room, testers dip samples of human hair in warm water then they dry as usual with each of the blow dryers. In addition, Consumer Reports had 10 panelists take the dryers home and try them out. All the blowers dried at about the same speed. And although dryers tout things like “pure ceramic technology” and “tourmaline ionic,” those features didn't seem to affect the drying rate. But there were big differences in how noisy the blowers are. Turns out the lowest-rated dryer, the Conair Ionic Cord Keeper, is as loud as some lawnmowers. Ouch! In the end, the quietest dryer is also the top-rated one. It's the Chi Pro-dryer GF-1505. At $135 it's a splurge, but panelists really liked it. Panelists said it was lightweight and dried hair quickly, and one even said it made her hair extremely shiny. But if a fabulous haircut is what you want to splurge on, ShopSmart says consider the Revlon Ionic Ceramic Pro Stylist RV484. At just $20 dollars, it's a bargain. It's got a great feature that the more expensive brands actually lack—separate heat and speed settings so that you can control temperature and air flow. You'll see that hair dryers have all different wattages. But Consumer Reports' tests show the number of watts is no indication of how well a dryer dries. Blowers with lower wattage did just as well as those with higher. Consumer Reports has no commercial relationship with any advertiser or sponsor appearing on this Web site. Copyright © 2004-2008 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc.

Best New Digital Frames

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 22:09:00 GMT

Digital picture frames have been hot sellers. Maybe you're considering giving one as a holiday gift. But before you head to the store, be aware, Consumer Reports' latest tests show many are far from picture-perfect.

Consumer Reports tested almost two dozen digital frames—both seven- and eight-inch sizes. Some display short video clips, too. Prices on frames tested range from $120 to $250.

A couple of the frames have some new features. The GE, specifically, also doubles as a cordless phone. The phone can be set up to display who is calling you. But Consumer Reports says for the money, you could probably buy yourself a good quality cordless phone and a good quality digital picture frame.

A couple of the frames tested offer wireless connectivity—a real plus. But testers found that the wireless option on the e-Starling frame was too limited. You can e-mail photos from your computer or cell phone. But the frame cannot access photos directly from your computer.

The new Smartparts frame lets you print out photos. But tests found the prints are expensive … and the quality isn't the best.

Consumer Reports says with any digital frame, what's most important is how your pictures look. Many manufacturers still haven't fixed the “sideways” problem: The picture fades when you look at it from an angle.

When all the tests were done, testers found the eight-inch Westinghouse DPF-0804 digital frame offers very good picture quality. It costs $120.

There are a lot of digital frames being sold that go for less than $100. But Consumer Reports says those frames usually aren't large enough or don't have high enough resolution to adequately display photos from today's digital cameras, so you want to avoid them.

Consumer Reports has no commercial relationship with any advertiser or sponsor appearing on this Web site.

Copyright © 2004-2008 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc.

GPS Navigator For Less

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 22:06:00 GMT

Here's a bit of cheer amid the economic blues. If you're in the market for a GPS navigator, it's actually a great time to buy one. More features are being offered, and prices on many have come down. Consumer Reports National Research Center just surveyed owners and tested almost 50 to help you find a good one.

All of them plot routes to a desired destination, track your location on an onscreen map, and provide visual and spoken turn-by-turn directions. Though some make entering destinations easier than others.

Real-time traffic information is becoming more widely available. Traffic flow can be displayed as color-coded lines. The GPS survey showed high interest in traffic services. But among those who already had the service, only half said that they actually used it. And while traffic information can come in handy, it can cost you. Typically, you have to buy a subscription for traffic services costing about $60 a year. If the unit doesn't have a built-in receiver, an external one can be about $200.

If traffic isn't a priority, Consumer Reports recommends the Garmin Nuvi 200 for $150.

Consumer Reports also tested the Dash Express GPS, which provides real-time traffic information unit-to-unit. For example, if someone ahead of you on the road runs into traffic, you'll know about it. Consumer Reports says the Dash works well when there are a lot of Dash users on the road. But where there are few, the info is going to be limited.

Consumer Reports has no commercial relationship with any advertiser or sponsor appearing on this Web site.

Copyright © 2004-2008 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc.

LCD Sets For Small Spaces

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 23:14:15 GMT

More and more people are buying smaller L-C-D TVs for “smaller” spaces in their home, like the kitchen. Consumer Reports has tested 17 of the smaller sets to find a good choice for you.

You’ll see a lot of the smaller size L-C-Ds in stores and in Consumer Reports’ test labs.The smaller TVs cost a lot less than the big ones. A 52-inch set we looked at is $2,700, whereas a 26-inch set is $600.

Caroline Somera, who’s tested hundreds of sets, says a small screen doesn’t mean an inferior picture. “Many of the 32- and 26-inch sets we’ve tested can deliver excellent high-definition picture quality.”

Some of the smaller sets Consumer Reports tested are 1080p, which can display all the details in a high-definition signal. But they tend to be pricey. Unless you’re going to use the set as a computer monitor also, 1080p is not important with the smaller sets.

When all the testing was done, among 26-inch sets Consumer Reports top-rated the Panasonic TC-26-LX85. It costs 600 dollars. It has a wider viewing angle than many other L-C-Ds, so it’s easy to see from the side.

Once you buy a flat-screen TV, what are the odds you’ll need repairs anytime soon? Consumer Reports says the news here is good. Its Research Center’s survey covering more than 168-thousand LCD and plasma TVs bought in the last three years shows they’ve required very few repairs.

Consumer Reports: Kids' Favorite Toys

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 23:03:00 GMT

If you ask kids what they want this holiday season, you'll probably get a lot of different answers. So Consumer Reports gathered 47 kids, ages 6 to 12, to play with two dozen toys that are supposed to be hot sellers this season.

The toys ranged from newcomers like the $30 Bakugan Battle Brawler to old standbys like the $90 Lego set. While some toys were well received, others were not The Bill Nye the Science Guy Paper Recycling Factory for $28 drew a crowd at first. But when the kids couldn't get it to work, they quickly lost interest.

So what were the kids' top toys?

FurReal Friends Biscuit was really popular with all the kids, but it costs $180.

And the Hasbro Lazer Tag 2-in-1 System for $90 was a hit, too.

For much less, the Fisher Price Color Me Gemz for $20 dazzled the girls.

The boys had fun building the $50 Hot Wheels Speed Racer Sky Jump Track and flipped for it when it was done.

If you have a wannabe-secret agent on your list, Consumer Reports testers said the Jakks Pacific EyeClops Night Vision $80 goggles were also a hit.

Consumer Reports has no commercial relationship with any advertiser or sponsor appearing on this Web site.

Copyright © 2004-2008 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc.

Best Windshield Wipers

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 22:11:00 GMT

When it comes to keeping your car in good working order, something owners often overlook are windshield wipers. And most people don't think about their windshield wipers until they really need them—in the middle of a storm. But that small, inexpensive item can be the one thing keeping you from disaster.

Consumer Reports tested 15 windshield wipers, evaluating how well they remove water after three months, six months, and nine months. Included in the tests—a newer type called a beam blade. They come as a whole blade you install, with no metal or plastic frames or any joints like conventional wipers.

Testers built a machine to simulate rain. It delivered a sequence of rain patterns from a heavy downpour to a light mist. Testers also sized up how much water was left behind, and whether there were lines, smudges, streaks, or squeaks.

The good news … tests showed that when new, those blades performed at least very good, if not excellent. But tests showed wipers deteriorate in just a few months. After three months, most of the wipers didn't clean as well. And after six months, only one scored better than good.

Testers also looked at how easy the blades are to install and remove. Most vehicles have a hook-type mounting arm, which is the easiest for removing and installing wiper blades. To remove the old wiper blade, simply release the tab and slide it off. To install the new wiper, simply do the reverse. Slide it on until it clicks.

In the end, Consumer Reports top-rated the Valeo 600 series. Depending on the size you need, they cost anywhere from $9 to $15.

Consumer Reports says wipers wear so gradually that people often miss the fact they've deteriorated. Ideally, you want to change your blades every 6 to 12 months. And check for the size you'll need before going to the store. You can find that information in the owner's manual.

Consumer Reports has no commercial relationship with any advertiser or sponsor appearing on this Web site.

Copyright © 2004-2008 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc.

TV Digital Converter Boxes

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 22:10:00 GMT

People who have an older analog TV will need a converter box when television goes all-digital next February, unless they want to sign up for cable or satellite. Consumer Reports has tested two dozen converter boxes, costing from around $50 to about $80. But they'll cost you less if you get a $40 coupon from the government.

The tests found that all the boxes produced picture quality ranging from acceptable to outstanding. One of the best boxes is the Tivax STB-T9, which costs just $10 with the government coupon.

But even though it's one of the best converter boxes tested, be aware a number of factors can affect performance, including where you live, the local terrain, the number of stations that are broadcasting in your area, signal strength, and the type of antenna that you're using.

Digital converter boxes all come with the same basic features, including a remote control. But some boxes also have buttons on the unit itself so that you can operate them in case you lose the remote. Some also provide a comprehensive program guide with details about upcoming shows. And you might want to look for one that lets you adjust the closed captioning to make it bigger and easier to read.

Consumer Reports says be aware, converter boxes don't work with an old-fashioned rabbit ear antenna. You need an antenna that receives both UHF and VHF signals.

To get the government's $40 coupon for a digital converter box, call 888-388-2009 or go online to www.dtv2009.gov.

CLICK HERE to find Consumer Reports' complete test results on converter boxes.

Consumer Reports has no commercial relationship with any advertiser or sponsor appearing on this Web site.

Copyright © 2004-2008 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc.

Risky Gift Cards

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 22:10:00 GMT

Gift cards might seem like the perfect holiday present. But Consumer Reports, which has had reservations about gift cards in the past, says recent bankruptcies have made gift cards an even poorer choice this year. For example, Sharper Image, which has filed for bankruptcy, is no longer accepting its gift cards.

Consumer Reports says companies rarely put aside money to pay off gift cards in case their business fails. Card holders then have to stand in line in bankruptcy court behind lots of other creditors.

You obviously don't want to buy a gift card from a business in trouble. But you can't always tell. Sharper Image was selling gift cards right up until it filed for bankruptcy, according to Brian Riley, director of bank-card research for the Tower Group, a research and advisory firm for the financial-services industry. Holders of a Sharper Image gift card can get a 25 percent discount at Brookstone stores. But Brookstone says the offer is limited and applies only to merchandise purchased in stores, not to anything bought online.

Even with financially healthy retailers, gift cards don't make a great gift says Consumer Reports. Its survey has shown about 25 percent of gift cards go unused each year. And they can carry fees and expiration dates. So you're better off giving cash. And if you've got a gift card, spend it—all of it—right away so that you don't get stuck with a worthless card.

Consumer Reports has no commercial relationship with any advertiser or sponsor appearing on this Web site.

Copyright © 2004-2008 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc.

Easy Electric Wine Openers

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 22:10:00 GMT

In restaurants, the wine server makes opening a bottle look so graceful. But there are plenty of us who wind up just pushing the cork in.

Now Consumer Reports has tested electric corkscrews. You simply put the corkscrew on the bottle and push a button to remove the cork. Push the button again and the cork is released. To test those newfangled devices, Consumer Reports opened almost 100 bottles with both real corks and synthetic ones.

The testers found that the electric opener from One Touch was noisy and bit a slower than the others. But the $20 ones from Oster and Emerson worked well. They take just a few seconds to remove the cork. Both have a rechargeable battery and they come with a foil cutter. Consumer Reports says they're good for anybody, especially anyone with limited hand strength or who has trouble using a regular corkscrew.

If you don't like the thought of getting one more electric gizmo, Consumer Reports' tests found a couple of good manual ones. They're continuous turning corkscrews from Oxo and Screwpull. They're easy to use and, at $20, they're comparably priced to the recommended electric ones.

Consumer Reports has no commercial relationship with any advertiser or sponsor appearing on this Web site.

Copyright © 2004-2008 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc.

Holiday Tipping

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 22:10:00 GMT

Despite tight-money woes, Americans are unlikely to cut back on holiday tipping, according to a nationally representative survey by the Consumer Reports National Research Center. We asked almost 1,900 U.S. residents what they gave last holiday season, when the economy was already unraveling, and found few differences from a year earlier.

House cleaners got the biggest gratuities, $50 on average, followed by child-care providers, with an average tip of $38. In the 12 other categories we list, the average was between $15 and $25, roughly in line with earlier findings.

Strategies for giving

Author Anna Post, the etiquette legend Emily Post's great-great-granddaughter and a spokeswoman for the Emily Post Institute, says how much and whom you tip depend on variables such as the quality and frequency of the service as well as the length and strength of your relationship. "It is easier to jump first to the people you see face-to-face," Post says, "but try to think of the people who do things all year long that you may not see."

If your budget is tight, consider allocating tips this way:

Cash

Give cash or a check to people you think need it most. In many cases, one week's pay or the cost of one session (such as a guitar lesson) is appropriate. Avoid bank-issued gift cards, which might expire or have fees. Even retail cards can be useless if the store goes bankrupt.

Small gifts

For others, consider giving soaps, a candle, or baked goods. Unless you know the person well, try something unlikely to offend or cause allergic reactions. If you regularly tip a service provider such as a barber, a small gift or card is a good way to say thanks.

Be aware that mail carriers aren't allowed to take cash or gift cards that can be exchanged for cash, the Postal Service says. (They can accept noncash gifts or gift cards worth $20 or less.) And school districts might frown on cash gifts to teachers.

Other ideas

If your budget is very tight, handwrite a note of thanks. "Something is always nicer than nothing," Post says.

Click Here For Our Survey Of Holiday Tipping:

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/money/shopping/shopping-tips/holiday-tipping/survey-results/holiday-tipping-survey-results.htm

Electronic Savings That Pay Off

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 22:11:00 GMT

This holiday season, people are expected to scale back on what they're spending on gifts, including electronics. An industry survey shows people are planning to spend $200 less. But Consumer Reports might be able to help you get just what you want and save $200.

Consumer Reports' annual survey on buying electronics found that those who shopped online were more satisfied than those who purchased items in stores, even if they were buying a big-screen TV. Many sites now offer free shipping. So you won't have to worry about delivery charges from a walk-in store or trying to get that TV or other bulky item into your car.

Another way to save on electronic equipment is to buy "used." You have a couple options: Refurbished items are ones that have been returned and restored to as-new condition. Open-box items only have cosmetic scratches or dents. WarehouseDeals.com is Amazon's used site. It offers deep discounts, and you can return an item if it's defective or damaged.

Consumer Reports says you want to avoid pricey extras when shopping for electronics. That includes premium video cables for your TV and an ultra-high-speed memory card for your point-and-shoot camera. Those add-ons do not show enough improvement in performance to be worth the extra money.

One more way to save—don't be afraid to bargain. A survey of Consumer Reports' readers who haggled for electronics items found it could pay off. In the best cases, they netted savings of $50 or more.

Consumer Reports has no commercial relationship with any advertiser or sponsor appearing on this Web site.

Copyright © 2004-2008 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc.

Online Tools to Snag Savings

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 22:11:00 GMT

Buying gifts online lets you comparison shop 24/7. But some holiday shoppers prefer retail stores, where they can see and feel the merchandise. Consumer Reports Money Adviser hit the Web sites of the 100 largest retailers to find the best high-tech shopping tools for any bargain hunter.

E-mail sale alerts bring the bargains to your In box. Simply sign up at your favorite store's Web site and they'll send you messages about sales and special offers. You might also get exclusive discounts and coupons available only to customers on the e-mail list.

If you're really on the move, cell-phone sale alerts can arrive via text messages directly to your cell phone. But you might want to limit the number of alerts you sign up for or you can easily get overloaded with messages. If you prefer, let your fingers do the walking for retailer Web site specials. One site, iStorez.com, lets you link to a directory of hundreds of retailers, which connects to each store's specials.

If you're slightly more tech savvy, you can use browser plug-ins. Just go to PriceAdvance.com and download the application for your browser. Then when you shop online at participating retailers, prices at competing stores will pop up automatically. For example, Consumer Reports recently found a Canon Rebel camera for $819 at Walmart.com. Then the PriceAdvance window popped up and showed the same camera for $160 less at Amazon.com.

The browser applications are a simple way to compare prices on the same product, but Consumer Reports found that PriceAdvance information was not always up to date. So you need to click through to each retailer's Web site to make sure you get accurate price comparisons.

Consumer Reports has no commercial relationship with any advertiser or sponsor appearing on this Web site.

Copyright © 2004-2008 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc.

Survey: Nearly half say they won’t get flu shot

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 04:13:45 GMT

Syracuse, New York (WSYR-TV) - Doctors say getting a flu shot is the best way to prevent getting the flu. A new survey from Consumer Reports, however, finds only 52 percent of Americans have been vaccinated or plan to get the shot.

Out of those not getting the flu shot:

-Two-thirds claim they think it's better to build up a natural immunity;

- Almost half claim they don't need it, because they never get sick;

- Almost as many say they know someone who got sick after getting the shot in the past;

- About a quarter say they think the flu shot is ineffective.

And -- believe it or not -- five percent actually said they'd rather get sick than go to work!

Doctor John Santa headed up the study -- he says those are all poor excuses based on common misconceptions.

CLICK HERE to read the full Consumer Reports survey.

Radon Test Kits

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 22:10:00 GMT

After smoking, the leading cause of lung cancer in the United States is radon—an invisible, radioactive gas. It's released by the decay of uranium and radium in the soil and rock beneath homes all over America. At least one of every 15 homes in the U.S has radon levels high enough that it could cause cancer in the long-term. Radon is associated with about 21,000 lung cancer deaths a year. There are no symptoms and once you're overexposed, there's no treatment. So the best option is to test if you have radon and if you do, take steps to eliminate it.

Consumer Reports checked out do-it-yourself radon test kits to see whether it's worth using one in your home. There were short-term kits that run for 3 to 4 days; long-term kits that run for 90 days; and a digital readout meter, which can be used either short or long term.

Consumer Reports' tests found in general that the short-term kits weren't as accurate as the long-term kits. And radon can vary from day-to-day - so the best option is to use a long-term kit.

The highest rated long-term kit is the Accustar Alpha Track Test Kit. It retails for $28 and is a Consumer Reports Best Buy.

If you really need quick results, like if you want to check out a house that you plan on buying, the RTCA Charcoal Canister was the only short-term kit Consumer Reports rated very good. It costs $20.

Once you've run most of the kits, you have to send them to a lab for analysis. For further assessment, you can also call a radon professional. State radon bureaus will have a list of certified professionals.

Consumer Reports has no commercial relationship with any advertiser or sponsor appearing on this Web site.

Copyright © 2004-2008 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc.

Wine for the Holidays

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 22:10:00 GMT

Chardonnay

This best-selling wine is diversifying. It was once synonymous with wine that’s woody and buttery. Yet many of the ones in this roundup are crisper, fruitier chardonnays.

We tested 27 wines and recommend seven for their combination of quality and price. Except as noted, all are very good and from the 2006 vintage. Three hail from California, three from Chile, and one each from Australia and Washington state. All prices are recommended retail; you might see the wines selling for less.

Consider what you’ll be eating with the wine. Powerful wood-and-butter chardonnays typically pair well only with rich foods, such as fettuccine alfredo or salmon in a cream sauce. Fruitier chards tend to be more versatile; good pairings include grilled fish and seafood, cheeses, and spicy Thai food.

Pinot Noir

If there’s one wine that might pair well with all the dishes on your holiday table, it’s pinot noir. At its best, this medium-bodied red is subtle, typically dry, and at least moderately complex.

With flavors that can include raspberry, strawberry, red cherry, and spicy notes, pinot noir is a classic pairing with roast beef, turkey and grilled salmon. It also suits other broiled, roasted, or grilled meats, fish, and poultry, along with other savory, rich herbed foods, including roasted vegetables.

Poll: 76 percent to cut back on holiday shopping

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 01:41:34 GMT

Syracuse, New York (WSYR-TV) - A Consumer Reports poll released Thursday night reveals that a majority of Americans plan to scale back on holiday shopping this year.

CLICK HERE to read the full Consumer Reports poll; and CLICK HERE to read Consumer Reports' "Tightwad Tod" blog.

When you do go holiday shopping, there are a few websites than can help you find the best deals. Visit http://www.blackfriday.info and http://www.bfads.net to see what sales stores are offering in hopes of bringing in more holiday shoppers.

CONSUMER REPORTS: 76 PERCENT OF CONSUMERS PLAN TO CUT BACK ON HOLIDAY SPENDING

12 Million Americans Still Carry Debt from Last Year’s Holiday Shopping;

New Tightwad Tod Blog Offers Advice on How to Get More for Your Money

YONKERS, NY – ‘Tis the season’ to tighten the belt on holiday spending for many Americans this year. Over three-quarters (76%) of Americans plan to cut back on spending on traditional holiday expenses such as gifts, travel, entertaining, decorations, charitable giving, holiday cards, and tipping, according to a new Consumer Reports Holiday Shopping Poll. Full results of the poll are available at www.ConsumerReports.org.

Consumer Reports Holiday Shopping Poll also found that some consumers will be starting the holiday season with leftover holiday debt. Six percent of Americans—some 12 million consumers—are still carrying debt from last winter’s holiday season.

Among the holiday spending cutbacks, 59 percent said they will be giving fewer gifts, and nearly half (49%) will be cutting their travel plans.

Who is most likely to be left off the holiday gift list? Among consumers scaling back on gifts, most (84%) were willing to cut back on buying for themselves. But the family pooch may still get a treat or two. Only 23 percent of respondents plan to cut back on gifts for their pets this season—far fewer than those willing to cut back on buying for friends and families (40%), service providers (30%) or co-workers (29%).

Release of Consumer Reports’ Holiday Shopping Poll coincides with the launch of the “Tightwad Tod” Blog on www.ConsumerReports.org/TightwadTod. For shoppers looking for great ways to save this holiday season, Consumer Reports’ Tightwad, Tod Marks is the guy. Every day, Tod will blog on the news that affects the pocketbook, great buys for the holidays and those offers that sound too good to be true.

“Being a tightwad doesn’t mean you’re a cheapskate — it just means you spend your money wisely, and have more to spend on the things you really want this holiday season,” said Tod Marks, senior project editor, Consumer Reports and “Tightwad Tod” blogger.

The Consumer Reports Holiday Shopping Poll also finds:

Shopping Season 2008: Off to a slow start
• Similar to the 2007 holiday shopping season, 2008 is expected to get off to a slow start. Only 29 percent of consumers have started their shopping. Only about half (45%) of consumers anticipate they will be done buying gifts by the second week in December. Approximately 24 percent say they will push their holiday shopping right up to December 24th. About 5 percent of consumers don’t plan to complete their shopping until after the holidays.

No humbug for the holidays: Consumers remain optimistic
• Despite all the budgeting and cutbacks, consumers remain optimistic that their holiday will be as enjoyable as in year’s past. The majority (88%) expect their holidays to be at least as happy as last year, including 28 percentage points who expect to be even happier than last year.

Making a list and checking it twice: Holiday Budgets
• If you want to control your spending over the holidays, consider making a budget before you begin to shop. You won’t be alone; this year 59 percent of consumers plan to make a budget—an increase of more than 17 percent from the year before.

• Making a budget is the easy part, sticking to it proves harder for many shoppers. Of the 39 percent of consumers who made a budget last year, only 45 percent stayed on it while, nearly as many (44%) went over budget last year. Only about 3 percent went way over budget.

• This holiday season may see an increase in the usage of cash. Twenty-one percent plan to use cash moreover half plan to rely less on credit cards (51%). The change is especially evident in young people ages 18-34—who have tended to favor credit in the past. Is it always better to give than receive? Not if it’s socks!

• The number one gift consumers are planning to buy for the 2008 holiday season is clothing (69%). But, that was the category of gifts received in 2007 that triggered the most disappointment among recipients (39%). Forty-Seven percent of men said they were disappointed to receive various types of clothing for the 2006 holidays including the most hated socks.

• The number two gift consumers are planning to give for 2008 is gift cards (66%), followed by toys (62%), cash (61%), electronics (47%), jewelry (40%), pet toys (31%) and small appliances (24%). Toys seem to be making a comeback this season after last years recalls when only 49% of consumers had planned to purchase toys.

• Consumers planning to give electronic gifts on a whole have declined from last season from 53 to 47 percent this year, despite the fact that it remains the most wanted gift for both men (26%) and women (14%). Women also were equally interested in gift cards (14%), followed by jewelry (13%), and money (12 %).

• Gift-givers may still want to opt for electronic gifts; Consumer Reports poll found that it’s the gift people would most like to receive (20%). Mp3 players or iPods (18%) remain strong at the top of the most wanted electronics, and video games, which fell back last season, are back on top (18%).

• Among those who plan to give money or cash as a gift this year, nearly one-quarter (23%) plan to give it less frequently than they did last year.

• Does that gift look familiar? Re-gifting is on the rise. Nearly one-third of respondents (31%) admitted to re-gifting a present last year. This is up from 25 percent in 2006. The most likely suspects are still women (38 %). Only 24% of men admitted to ever regifting, which is about the same as last year.

The gift that keeps on taking: Gift Cards
• Gift cards continue to be a popular choice among shoppers, 66 percent of respondents plan on buying gift cards, up from 62 percent in 2007. Gift cards are second only to clothing (69%) for the 2008 holiday season.

• For the 2007 holidays, 62 percent of respondents received a gift card, which is up 6 percentage points from the previous year. Nearly a year later, 25 percent of the gift card recipients have not used one or more of these cards. Among consumers with unredeemed cards from last season, 57% have 2 or more.

• The gift card is a gift that keeps on taking 58 percent of consumers spend more than the amount of the card when they go to redeem the gift.

• Time continues to be the most common reason gift cards have not been redeemed. Well over half (54%) of consumers indicate not having the time was the reason for unused cards. This was followed by they forgot about it (38%) and can’t find anything they want (35%).

Consumer Reports Holiday Shopping Poll Methodology
The Consumer Reports National Research Center conducted a telephone survey of a nationally representative probability sample of telephone households. 1,001 interviews were completed among adults aged 18+. Interviewing took place over October 16-19, 2008. The margin of error is +/- 3% points at a 95% confidence level.

Long Lasting AA Batteries

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 22:02:00 GMT

People spend almost a billion dollars a year on AA batteries. But do you know which ones last the longest? And is it worth it to pay more for rechargeable batteries? Consumer Reports just tested 17 of those batteries to find which last the longest.

The tests were done using digital cameras. Testers turned on the camera, zoomed in, zoomed out, and zoomed in again. Then they turned on the flash and took five pictures in a row, waiting 30 seconds in between each shot. They did this over and over until the battery went dead.

Consumer Reports says if you have a device that you use a lot, or that uses a lot of power, like a digital camera, you might want to spend more money on lithium batteries or rechargeable batteries. They cost a lot more than regular batteries, but you'll end up saving more in the long run.

The top-rated rechargeable battery is the Duracell 2650. A pack of four cost $15, plus about $15 for the recharger.

Alkaline batteries, which cost less, are a good choice for flashlights and remotes, and items you don't use that often.

But Rayovac's batteries come up short on its advertising claims. In Consumer Reports' tests, six other AA batteries lasted longer, including the least expensive—Kirkland Signature batteries sold at Costco. They cost just 20 cents a battery. But you do have to purchase them in packs of 48.

Consumer Reports says it's important to recycle batteries, which contain toxic elements. You can find out about recycling programs for rechargeable batteries at the nonprofit Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation, at www.rbrc.org.

Consumer Reports has no commercial relationship with any advertiser or sponsor appearing on this Web site.

Copyright © 2004-2008 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc.

Best Sites for Clothes Shopping

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 22:12:00 GMT

Americans spent almost $23 billion shopping for clothing online last year. Whether they spend that much this year remains to be seen. But a just-released Consumer Reports survey shows people like buying clothes online.

Eighty-five percent of those surveyed were very or completely satisfied with their online shopping experience. The survey, which covered 39 clothing sites, found only 7 percent of the respondents complained about how the clothes fit.

The best sites offer features that can help you find something you really like, including size guides, customer reviews, and zoom views that let you look at details up close. Particularly helpful is the Lands' End "My Virtual Model" section. It actually lets you create a model with your own height, weight, and body type—even your hairstyle.

But one problem that seemed to be persistent in one out of four purchases is shipping costs. They weren't revealed until the customer was ready to check out. There were also some gripes about the high cost of shipping, especially for J. Jill, Victoria's Secret, and QVC.

But Consumer Reports survey shows several sites were standouts for clothes shopping, including L.L.Bean, Lands' End, and Zappos—noted for its no-charge return policy.

Consumer Reports says another advantage to online shopping is you can get up-to-the-minute sale information. And you can also sign up for e-mail alerts from your favorite sites to hear about exclusive online specials.

Consumer Reports has no commercial relationship with any advertiser or sponsor appearing on this Web site.

Copyright © 2004-2008 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc.