Lucybell33

I currently use Which? extensively as part of my research before making major purchases, e.g. cars, appliances etc, or picking banks/insurance etc.

Given we'll be largely starting from scratch when we move to California next year, is there an equivalent source of reliable, unbiased reviews? I'm not keen on relying on the Internet or Amazon, because I don't trust that all the reviews are strictly true!!

Guindalf

The direct equivalent to Which? is Consumer Reports. My FiL gives me a gift subscription every year and, while it's not always perfect, it does give the same unbiased information.

It is, however, subscription based like Which?, so the website is limited unless you pay for it.

joto

You can sometimes find copies of Consumer Reports in libraries and occasionally in the magazine section in supermarkets. As Guindalf said, it is mainly by subscription. Some in the libraries are more up to date than others though.

Lucybell33

Thank you both for replying - Consumer Reports looks like exactly what I was after!

Anian

They are a bit iffy when it comes to things like phones, but good for things like cars and vacuum cleaners.

Lucybell33

Thank you - I'm covered on the tech front, so it is more for things like cars and vacuum cleaners, especially given I'm unfamiliar with so many of the brands!

robin1234

Most public libraries will have an online subscription to Consumer Reports, so once you have your Public Library credentials, you will have access to Consumer Reports, as well as all the other subscription-based resources that the library pays for.

Lucybell33

Ooh, that's really interesting, thank you! I might sign up for a year anyway, just to get me started on ideas now and cover us in our first few months out there, when I'll be on the shopping spree of my life, yay!!!

joto

You may not find vacuums or something else you're after in the current edition, but maybe 2-3 months back. That's where looking at previous editions comes in handy.

Bob

Most libraries probably have a subscription though, so you could get access that way.

Lucybell33

I've signed up for a year's subscription, and it looks perfect - just what I was looking for. Thank you everyone!!

jamesshaffer

If you use some online retailers, you might also use SiteJabber or Yelp reviews. These sound legit and usually help me when I want to try a new service online.

Lucybell33

I don't always trust them - you tend to only get the extreme views one way or the other, plus you hear of people being paid to give good reviews. That said, I'm a sucker for Amazon reviews!

jeffreyhy

Watch out for any Yelp review praising free wheelchair rides a business might offer. You can't imagine the suffering this causes the business's employees, or the bandwidth it takes up here at BE.

Regards, JEff

Lucybell33

Don't go starting any of that kind of nonsense on my thread!!!