Consumer Reports Judges Advice and Survey Rates Brokerage Services at Major Financial Companies
January 10, 2012
Survey Finds USAA, Scottrade, and Vanguard score best amongst subscribers
Yonkers, NY – Whether you’re a seasoned investor, a newbie, or someone retesting the waters after a scary loss, financial-services companies want your business. In its latest report, Consumer Reports investigated what financial-services companies are really providing to their customers.
Consumer Reports surveyed its online subscribers about their experiences with their brokers. The organization sent staff members into brokerage offices in New York and Washington state to experience how clients seeking advice were served. And the organization asked major financial-services companies to prepare investment plans based on the profiles of five of those staff members. Two independent financial planners and their teams evaluated the appropriateness of the advice in the companies’ plans. [Read more]
Consumer Reports Banking Industry Investigation Finds More Fees May Already Be On the Way
January 9, 2012
Is it time to switch banks? Consumer Reports offers tips on what to expect.
Yonkers, NY – Consumers who say they’re furious at behemoth banks for their lending practices, fees, account requirements and various other reasons, can get ready to vent some more, says Consumer Reports latest cover story investigation. [Read more]
Consumer Reports’ tips for saving money on airfare
January 8, 2012
Yonkers, NY – Travelers are bombarded with offers, deals and price fluctuations on a day-to-day basis, so to help them navigate the maze and save money, Consumer Reports’ experts came up with some helpful tips to cut costs and lock in the best rates.
A Consumer Reports reporter found a roundtrip ticket from Philadelphia to Venice on Alitalia for $247.00 which seemed like a steal until discovering, just before booking, that taxes ballooned the price to $767.00. Hidden fees, fine print, and blackout dates can make locking in a low price as tricky as a soft landing in turbulence. [Read more]
Bicycle Helmets Recalled by Triple Eight Distribution Due to Risk of Head Injury
January 7, 2012
Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. Triple Eight Distribution recalls bicycle helmets due to risk of head injury.
It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.
Triple Eight S/M EPS Liner Helmet
Target Recalls LED Flashlight Sets Due to Fire and Burn Hazards
January 6, 2012
Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. LED flashlight sets recalled by Target due to fire and burn hazards.
It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.
LED Flashlight sets recalled due to fire and burn hazards by Target.
Honda Fit Repeats at Top of Consumer Reports Best New-Car Value List
January 5, 2012
Analysis of performance, reliability, and owner cost finds small cars and family sedans deliver the most bang for the buck
Yonkers, NY – Despite the influx of new vehicles into the small- and budget-car marketplace, the Honda Fit remains on top in Consumer Reports list of best value small cars. The Fit also reemerged as the best overall value among some 200 different vehicles that were analyzed.
“A low price doesn’t necessarily make a car a good value,” said Rik Paul, automotive editor at Consumer Reports. “A cheap vehicle can wind up costing you more money over time or can be disappointing down the road. We think real value is what you get for your money.”
The Honda Fit is tops in Consumer Reports list of best value small cars.
Consumer Reports Survey: Consumers Delaying Dental Care Due To Cost
January 4, 2012
What you can expect to pay for a dental procedure whether you’re insured or not
Yonkers, NY – The biggest reason for delaying dental care is cost, according to a new Consumer Reports survey that asked readers to describe the dental health and cosmetic treatments they received in the last 5 years. Consumer Reports subscribers tend to have better insurance coverage than Americans on average, but cost was still cited as a barrier by 43 percent of readers who delayed. The survey also reveals that only a third of readers are brushing and flossing when they should and some patients might be paying for cosmetic treatments they don’t need.
“Consumers worry about pain when it comes to the dentist, but the financial burden of yet another medical expense is the greatest concern of all. It’s worrisome that so many people are putting off dental care due to cost constraints,” said Nancy Metcalf, senior program editor, Consumer Reports.
“Because cost is an issue, consumers need to be clear about the line between dental care that is necessary and the procedures they can live without. Many dentists are trained to push for procedures, both cosmetic and non cosmetic, that will boost their bottom line,” said Metcalf. “We were struck by the finding that nearly a half of those who had had a cosmetic procedure had been prompted to do so by their dentist.”
Some examples of treatments that might not be necessary include teeth whitening, amalgam filling replacement, unnecessary restorations, precautionary removal of wisdom teeth, x-rays, and temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) surgery.
The Cost Barrier
Seventeen percent of respondents who had a dental procedure for health reasons said they had delayed it, notes the report. That’s a much lower percentage than in nationally representative surveys. Even readers with insurance put off a treatment they needed; 23 percent did so because insurance wouldn’t cover the procedure, and 24 percent because they had already used up the maximum that their insurance plan would cover for the year. According to Metcalf, there are several ways consumers can keep costs down or get by without insurance:
- Shop around and bargain. Look up typical insurance paid rates in your area at FairHealthConsumer.org and HealthCareBlueBook.com, then ask providers to accept that amount, or less, as a cash payment.
- Consider Free and low-cost clinics and health centers. Some community health centers offer dental care with fees based on the ability to pay. Consumers should call their local health department to find one nearby. But they should expect to encounter waiting lists in some locations.
- Look into dental and dental-hygienist schools. Consumers who are willing to be treated by supervised students can avail themselves of schools that offer free or discontinued care to the public. A list of schools is available at www.ada.org/267.aspx.
- Investigate dental discount plans. For an annual membership fee of around $50.00 to $100.00, one can get access to a network of dentists who have agreed to discounted rates. But Consumer Reports recommends that consumers watch out for pricey add-ons and extra procedures they don’t need.
The report notes that having dental insurance is better than not having it, especially if an individual’s insurance is job based. But don’t expect free or nearly-free care. Consumer Reports’ survey found that of the 71 percent of respondents who had dental insurance, 90 percent received some sort of coverage. But only 46 percent said it covered more than half of the cost.
Here’s what subscribers with and without insurance paid for some common dental procedures. The costs are based on average out-of-pocket payments.
| Procedure | Insured (average cost) | Uninsured (average cost) |
| Filling | $141.00 | $288.00 |
| Filling repair | $149.00 | $265.00 |
| Extraction | $317.00 | $501.00 |
| Crown | $563.00 | $1,018.00 |
| Root canal | $593.00 | $1,201.00 |
| Gum treatment | $598.00 | $972.00 |
| Bridge | $1,479.00 | $2,698.00 |
| Implant | $2,825.00 | $3,938.00 |
| Source: Consumer Reports National Research Center | ||
The report is available in the February issue of Consumer Reports and online at www.ConsumerReports.org.
About Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports is the world’s largest independent product-testing organization. Using its more than 50 labs, auto test center, and survey research center, the nonprofit rates thousands of products and services annually. Founded in 1936, Consumer Reports has over 8 million subscribers to its magazine, website and other publications. Its advocacy division, Consumers Union, works for health reform, food and product safety, financial reform, and other consumer issues in Washington, D.C., the states, and in the marketplace.
Bugaboo Car Seat Adapter Recalled Due to Fall Hazard
January 2, 2012
Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. Car seat adapter recalled by Bugaboo Americas due to fall hazard.
It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product. [Read more]
Target Recalls Circo Childrens’ Travel Cases Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard
January 1, 2012
Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. Childrens’ Travel Cases recalled by Target due to lead paint violation.
It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product. [Read more]
Coors Outscores Bud in Consumer Reports’ Taste Tests of Beer
December 30, 2011
Beers from Trader Joe’s and Walgreens stand up to name-brand competition
Yonkers, NY – Looking to enjoy the last weeks of football season with the perfect brew? Coors regular topped Consumer Reports’ recent taste test of beers, blowing away nine brews including Budweiser and Bud Light. Name Tag and Big Flats — store brands from Trader Joe’s and Walgreens respectively — beat out top-sellers Corona Extra and Budweiser.
To determine the best brews, the experts at Consumer Reports conducted blind taste tests of ten lagers — eight top-selling regular and light beers plus two store brands. [Read more]
