Wow, Mojavean, that's really interesting about the founder of CR and its schism with CU. Or maybe schism isn't the right word, they were perhaps more sequential. Anyway, the reaction to the communist and union threat is really interesting. I, too, chewed on CU a bit in their recent "survey". I have done so in the past, though, and heard nary a thing. I know many, many who have criticized them in this way over the years. I think I even read an interview with the director responding to this sort of criticism a few years back. ("We can't release our findings because that would jeopardize our objectivity"... blah blah blah - nonsense. I suspect they won't release their findings to minimize that which specific companies can complain about, but of I course I don't really know). It really is a crying shame for CU not to morph into more open accountability. I should think the take-home lesson of wikileaks and this whole modern internet era is that more transparency is vital. If it hasn't happened already, sites like GW will leach CU's support as people take stock of their bomb-purchases and find other ways to supplant the "research" provided by CU. Trouble is, the aggregate summation of information provided by CU is unique, and the right, really the only way to provide useful information. I am really valuing GW, but at the end of the day, these are all just individual anecdotes, provided by strangers with varying degrees of reliability and their own often-unacknowledged sets of filters and biases. It's always been something of a transcendental and frankly, political question the degree to which one values anecdotes. But I should think this internet era ought to be pushing at least one forum (e.g., CU) to more thorough and open accountability, not less (which would be the inherent realm of a anecdote-site such as this). But it's always frustrating trying to tell another how to run their business! From salesmen who could actually *make* the sale if only they ever smiled, just once, to mega-testing firms that instill presumed filters onto their analysis without disclosing their makeup. I suppose there might be more hope of tilting at this windmill than at some others, in deference to their inherent or at least stated 'democracy' (I think they give a nod to such theory, do they not?). But I think, truthfully Mojavean, it is a lost cause. CU knows full well their value would be enhanced by open reporting, and they have consciously chosen, long ago, not to do so. They have variously defended the decision over the years, but I am unaware of them ever wavering. I think nothing short of a flat-out full stakeholder's revolt will force any such change of policy. I hope I'm wrong and if you'd like to direct this particular footsoldier, lemme know how. I'll sign whatever you suggest or write an individual letter if you think it worthwhile. Feel free to contact me offlist if you'd like to strategize. :)

When I started designing our house and planning our kitchen, I wasted my money on the online subscription to CR. I quickly found that they didn't have any info on the brands and models I was interested in. I started researching on-line and found GW (specifically the appliance forum) and it has been, by far, more help than any other resource. We got a survey once from CR...I felt the questions they asked did not allow for the whole story to be told about an appliance. For instance, we had to repeatedly replace parts on our just-out-of-warranty, reasonably high-rated and not-cheap Maytag fridge, paying exorbitant shipping prices in addition to the price of the parts. The survey only asked about repairs requiring a service call...Which we didn't do. Their testing is too limited in scope and length of time. I like to hear from people who use an appliance in a real kitchen, under usual family conditions, and over time. That's where GW excells...with a chance for happy and unhappy owners to share their experiences. Have to say, though, that if they're recommending the 500 Series of Bosch dw, I agree. We have 2 (but Integra rather than Evolution), and both of them do a great job.

This is CR's ranking. CU Recommended Hoover Dual V Steam Vac All Terrain w/ Spin Scrub F7452-900 see here $270 CU Recommended Hoover Steam Vac w/Spin Scrub F5914-900 see here $170 CU Best Buy Hoover Platinum Collection Carpet Cleaner F8100-900 see here $400 CU Best Buy Bissell ProHeat 2X Healthy Home 66Q4 see here $300 CU Recommended Bissell ProHeat 2X9200 see here $250 CU Recommended Bissell ProHeat 25A3 see here $150 CU Best Buy Hoover Steam Vac w/Power Brush FH50010 see here $90 CU Best Buy Bissell QuickSteamer 1770 see here $80 Rental carpet-cleaning machines overall score CU Best Buy Rug Doctor Mighty Pro * see here $30

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.