how accurate is Consumer Reports?

16 years ago

I recently posted ref. putting down a Bruce Lock and Fold engineered floor and how much I disliked it. My husband and I have decided to take it up and put in our bedroom. I think it will do fine there, but I don't like it in my living room. Anyway, I've been doing research on the "best" hardwood floors, etc and I recently looked at Consumer Reports findings. They're saying that out of the ones they tested, Bruce Dundee Plank is the best. Uh, well, where does that leave Bellawood? Is that not worthy of consideration or it simply wasn't tested? Does this mean that everything they test is subject to interpretation? If they test 5 terrible things and one is rated the "best" it really doesn't mean anything.

Anyway, I'm looking at Bellawood right now, but may change my mind about that, too. I want this new floor to go down to stay.

Thanks for letting me rant.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

boxers
16 years ago
Dundee plank is a floor that has been in the Bruce line for many years. Its been a few yrs since I worked for Bruce but I recall its a solid. There are engineered, longstrip, solids. All very different constructions using the same species of wood. I don't know about the snap lock products as we didn't have them a few yrs back. What you are pointing out is the futility of consumers to compare a product. When you see posts like Do you like Shaw hardwood? Or xyz brand it really makes no sense since there are so many variations of the same product. Bellawood is a lumber liquidator private label so I don't think CR would test something thats only available from one retailer.
oruboris
16 years ago
I think CR is pretty good, if you read the results carefully: they tend to pick based on their preception of value, so you sometimes see products passed over that score better [performance wise] but cost a bit more.

They aren't perfect, and there are folks on the appliance forum that think 'CR' is a four letter word. But they are as close to an unbiased, scientific opinion as you are going to find.

Remember to look at EXACT product names and model numbers, though: otherwise, its apples and oranges. And remember that they don't test every brand out there-- I ended up using a semi-transparent stain on my home that they hadn't tested...
Related Discussions
Kitchens - Consumers Reports August Issue Out
Q
Comments (23)
Mara - OK, you are obviously a big CR fan based on your posts here and on other threads. Fine I am not going to dissuade you but as you can see, lots of other folks besides me question CRr's usefullness. As to your question about results being outdated - yes, the JD Powers survey was done in Oct 2007. They do one every year. So if you are reading it in mid-2008 then it is 8 months old. Now I know you will say CR does an annual appliance review as well so whats up with my outdated comment. Did you ever look at the models CR tests and try to find them? Half are discontinued - making the specific reviews and recommendations outdated. Like I said - I know I am not going to convince you but between the two, I believe the JD Power consumer satisfaction rankings provide a far better barometer of brands to consider than CR's reviews which incorporate their own testing bias and focus on lowest costs as a prime factor in their decision making. I guess when looking for external reviews, I would rather rely on the personal experiences and feedback of large numbers of consumers than on one organization's tests
...See More
Consumer Reports on Paints
Q
Comments (19)
Realize this is a very old post however will add my two cents ... ☺. Love Behr's (& CIL/Canadian brand of paint) colour swatches far more than Benjamin Moore as they appear more accurate on the card. That said; every time I have used BM I have ended up tweaking the colour formula as to me their 'colour chips' do not read the same once applied to a sample board or wall. (Shall add, I am very good at detecting undertones.) Also as far as durability goes I can walk throughout my home and pick out what is Benjamin Moore as find it has NOT held up as well as CIL paint and that's the truth! In summary, I feel BM is over rated in more than one aspect and a $8.00 charge for their sample pots (at least here is Canada) is ridiculous. P.S.: I am not a rep or spokesperson for either Behr or CIL paints.
...See More
Consumer Reports create the perfect kitchen
Q
Comments (60)
I just got a copy of the August issue that the Oasisowner posted about and it's quite a good article. First of all, it's a 21 page article about how to "Create the Perfect Kitchen For You" - with sections focused on making a plan, defining your style, and choosing your appliances. There is a lot of detailed information and an example kitchen remodel that ended up costing $29,482. A lot of the information in the article was similar to what I've read here on GW. However, with everything that the article covers, it can't really go in depth on any one subject. So, the section on countertops is very brief. There is about a 3 sentence summary of the most used types of countertops, and a ratings table. I'm not sure what rgreen48 was quoting earlier, but here's what the article actually says about soapstone: "Soapstone $50-$100 per sq. ft installed It's not as common as granite—and it's stunning at first. It resists heat damage, and small scratches can be sanded finely, then coated with mineral oil. But it nicks, cuts and scratches easily, and some tough stains won't wash away." That is a pretty brief description and doesn't entirely jive with what I have found out about soapstone, but for a broad audience and giving a brief summary, it's pretty decent. Of course I think people should do more research than reading three sentences before picking a a countertop that they are going to live with for years. I also agree with Oasisowner that the table has some "unusual" ratings. In fine print below the table, they described how they tested the counters: They applied 20 common foods and household products, let them sit overnight before cleaning. Sliced and chopped directly on the counters with chef's knives and serrated knives. Put a pot heated to 400° Ran a weighted sanding block back and forth 25 times. Dropped blunt and pointed objects from 3.5 feet I personally would never cut directly on a countertop, but I can see how some of the other tests would be good at assessing durability.
...See More
Consumer Reports - have you used for your build?
Q
Comments (11)
They aren't very accurate, and don't do their research well. For instance, Whirlpool owns Maytag, Jennair, Kitchenaid, Inglis, etc. And supplies most of the washing machines and standard refregerators to be rebadged into Kenmore. They will rate the exact same model, with different ''name'' badges, differently. Same factory and same innards. Different ratings. Plus they have a bias against appliances that cost more than what they think is average. If two ranges have the same number of service calls, the one that is cheaper, regardless of features, will be scored higher. And they do not differentiate in service call types in their ratings model. Someone not being able to figure out how to get the right program for washing their delicates gets as much weight as catastrophic failure of the mothherboard. So again, biases against technology and higher featured appliances. Not to mention that by the time they are done with their reporting period, 90% of the models that they've tested have been discontinued. Sure there are replacement models, but those will have different components that will render the comparison to previous models moot. It's only helpful if you are searching for used appliances. And very specific models of used appliances. Ask any industry insider, from repairmen to shop owners. They'll tell you the same thing. If you want accurate advice on appliance purchases, those industry insiders are who you should actually listen to. The same is true for whatever component you are buying. Ask the folks who deal with the products day in and day out what they would buy for their own homes.
...See More
rogerv_gw
16 years ago
CR is one source of product testing and comments. What they say is generally true, but you have to read carefully to understand their criteria and what they are testing for as well as how they test.

There are many sources, including word of mouth, and one should consult as many as sources of product information and reviews as possible before buying something that will be around for a long time and/or is expensive.

That's my opinion, anyways, and I'm a long time Consumer Reports subscriber.

-Roger
arebella
16 years ago
I love Bellawood and am planning on using their Bloodwood in most of my 1st floor. Like any hardwood, they have several different grades, but I've looked at many different brands of hardwood, both site finished and pre-finished, and I always come back to theirs.
lindac
16 years ago
CR tests only those products that the manufacturer will supply to them.
I believe they are unbiased in the results of their testing....but the kicker is all the similar products that are NOT in the study.
To answer your question.
Linda C
jrdwyer
16 years ago
Sheet vinyl gets the highest flooring grade according to CR. But as many people with this product know, the glossy surface layer does scratch and wear away over time. This leaves you with a product that CANNOT be refinished (as far as I know) and generally gets tossed into the landfill and replaced with something else after 10-20 years. In other words, sheet vinyl is not a lifetime flooring product in your typical active household. Our 1997 sheet vinyl with it's semi-gloss sheen in our kitchen is showing such wear.

CR is biased against real wood products in their analysis because many of these products can and do dent. SO WHAT! Our solid red oak floors have some dents and dog scratches to the finish but can be refinished many times and are a LIFETIME product. After a year and a half, the dents and scratches are not that noticeable with the heavy R&Q grain and satin finish sheen.

This lack of analysis by CR with regards to long-term flooring durability and repair shows their ignorance.

how accurate is Consumer Reports?

Comments (6)

boxers

oruboris

Related Discussions

rogerv_gw

arebella

lindac

jrdwyer

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US