Buying Guide 2008 (Consumer Reports Buying Guide) [Paperback]

The Editors of Consumer Reports (Author)

Book Description

Series: Consumer Reports Buying Guide | Publication Date: November 13, 2007

If you are in the market for just about anything, from a new coffeemaker to a new computer to a new car – The Consumer Reports Buying Guide 2008  is your one-stop portable reference source for making intelligent, money saving purchases for all home buying needs. Consumer Reports has done the homework for you by testing hundreds of brand-name products to come up with the Best Buys for 2008, along with the best buying advice on the market. If you have asked yourself -- “Is this the right product for me?   Will I get my money’s worth in this product?   Which brand is the best for me?”  -- let Consumer Reports expert buying advice and Ratings steer you in the right direction.
 
Consumer Reports Buying Guide 2008 tells you what manufacturers can’t tell you – based on a full year’s worth of Consumer Reports testing.  This compact reference guide contains over 900 brand-name product ratings along with invaluable information on what products are available, important features, latest trends and expert advice on:
 
Home office equipment

Digital cameras and camcorders

Home entertainment

Cellular Phones

Home and yard products

Gas grills

Air conditioners

Kitchen appliances

Bath and Laundry products

Vacuum cleaners and washing machines

Cars, minivans, pickups and SUV’s

…And so much more! 

From refrigerators to home theater systems, mattresses to microwave ovens, Consumer Reports Buying Guide 2008 will make you a  smarter shopper, and will ultimately pay off in valuable product knowledge, time saved, and perhaps money saved too!

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Consumer Reports is located in Yonkers, NY and for more than 70 years has tested and reported on products of every form, size and shape, including consumer electronics, autos, appliances, baby products, and health and financial services.  Consumer Reports is trusted for its expert unbiased testing and reporting, and for the fact that it does not take advertising and is beholden to no commercial interest.

Product Details

• Paperback: 360 pages
• Publisher: Consumer Reports (November 13, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 193352412X
• ISBN-13: 978-1933524122
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,102,035 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars As always, a welcome publication each year, November 29, 2007

By 

Steven A. Peterson (Hershey, PA (Born in Kewanee, IL)) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Buying Guide 2008 (Consumer Reports Buying Guide) (Paperback)

This is another of those annual publications that is always rewarding to latch on to. Part of the book reads as "greatest hits of Consumer Reports."

The first part provides the reader with advice about what to look for in products, although not rating individual products (that comes later). For instance, on page 83, a discussion of what to look for in gas grills begins. Among the features to look for, according to CR: nature of the grates, what you want in carts, exterior shelves, interior warming racks, number of burners, whether or not you would want a side burner, and so on. Good guidelines to look at when viewing a grill. Later, this volume actually rates gas grills (pages 249 and afterwards). They rate midsized models, large models, small models, and portable ones. Thus, between the advice early on and the ratings later on, the consumer has a chance at making an educated purchase.

Always special is the long section on autos--evaluation of new cars, rating of used cars (including which ones to look for and which ones to avoid [e.g., 2000-2002 Pontiac Bonnevilles]), a listing of the reliability of each make, and so on. When going out to buy a car, I normally take my Buying Guide with me and use it to help frame the quest for a new (or used) vehicle.

The final segment of the book includes a listing of product recalls, web sites and phone numbers of manufacturers, an index (covering the prior 4 years) of different products evaluated in Consumer Reports, and the issue, year, and pages that they appeared.

All in all, a satisfying volume that keeps consumers up-to-date.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars saved me hundreds on a vacuum cleaner, October 10, 2008

By 

V. Martindale - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Buying Guide 2008 (Consumer Reports Buying Guide) (Paperback)

I'm so glad I bought this before spending $450 on a vacuum that sounded good. I got one for $70 that does everything the expensive one does, and is lighter weight. It doesn't look as stylish, but I wasn't going to leave it out anyway. If you are buying anything in the book, chances are you will make back the price of the book with one purchase.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, March 23, 2009

By 

J. Cook (Paulding, OH) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Buying Guide 2008 (Consumer Reports Buying Guide) (Paperback)

We bought a house in 2008. I used this book all the time when we were lookng for a new TV, cordless drill, computer, grill, etc. I really appreciate the info they have on products and brands.