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*On this sample magazine mailing label the account number is shown in bold italics...so you would enter: 0000246813.
 
#BXBHBLF******* 5-DIGIT 10703
#CNS0000246813/3#28 DEC 08
MR. JOHN DOE
111 MAIN STREET
ANYWHERE, US

Change of Address (ConsumerReports.org Subscribers)
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Find My Account Number (Magazine/Newsletter Subscribers)
If you are a magazine subscriber, you will find your account number on your mailing label just above your name and to the left of the expiration date of your subscription. On this sample magazine mailing label (below) the account number is shown in bold italics...so you would enter: 0000246813.

#BXBHBLF******* 5-DIGIT 10703
#CNS0000246813/3#28 DEC 08
MR. JOHN DOE
111 MAIN STREET
ANYWHERE, US

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Change of E-mail address (ConsumerReports.org Subscribers)    
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#BXBHBLF******* 5-DIGIT 10703 

#CNS0000246813/3#28 DEC 12 
MR. JOHN SMITH
111 MAIN STREET 
ANYTOWN, US
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Consumer Reports
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Cancellation (ConsumerReports.org Subscribers)                               
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Cancellation (iPad Subscribers)
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Back issues of our publications are available for purchase while supplies last.  To order by mail, please send a check or money order, along with a note indicating which issue(s) you'd like to purchase, to:

Consumer Reports
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Consumer Reports on Health          $3.00 per copy
Consumer Reports Money Adviser    $5.00 per copy
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Purchase Books or Guides (Magzine/Newsletter Subscribers)
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Review My Account (Magazine/Newsletter Subscribers)
Account status provides details about your subscription account, such as your name and mailing address, e-mail address, start and expiration issues and more.  You will need your account number to access this information.  Your account number can be found on your mailing label just above your name and to the left of the expiration date of your subscription.  On this sample magazine mailing label (below) the account number is shown in bold italics...so you would enter: 0000246813.

#BXBHBLF******* 5-DIGIT 10703
#CNS0000246813/3#28 DEC 08
MR. JOHN DOE
111 MAIN STREET
ANYWHERE, US

Click the My Account link
Click the "Access Account" link under the print title   
Enter the required information and click “Continue”

Review My Account (ConsumerReports.org Subscribers)
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Is ConsumerReports.org Free for Consumer Reports magazine Subscribers?

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To help you find your account number, click here

 

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Report Suggestion/Feedback
We love to hear from our readers.  
 
We always welcome your suggestions regarding what products to report on as well as your feedback on our products and information.  Our readers’ correspondences help shape the work that we do at Consumer Reports. To share your comments/questions, you may send it to our mailing address at:

Consumer Reports
Attn: Customer Relations
101 Truman Avenue
Yonkers, NY 10703

Or, if you would like to share your comments/questions via e-mail, click here.
 
Selling It Submission   
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Consumer Reports
Attn: Selling It
101 Truman Avenue
Yonkers, NY 10703

You may also fax us your submission to 914-378-2911, Attention: Selling It or e-mail your submission to sellingit@cro.consumer.org.

Thanks for your submission!

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Gift Subscriptions (ConsumerReports.org Subscribers)
To order a gift subscription to ConsumerReports.org, simply click here.  

After clicking on the link, click on "Give a Gift" under the ConsumerReports.org heading. Simply fill out the necessary information and click "Add recipients". You can either enter more gift recipients and then click on "Add recipients" or you can click on "Proceed to Next Step" and enter in your personal information as well as your credit card information. When you have entered in your information, you can click on "Submit Order".

Gift Subscriptions (Magazine/Newsletter Subscribers)
To give a friend or family member a gift to any of our publications, feel free to call our Subscription Department at 1-800-666-5261, Monday through Friday 8:00am – 8:00pm EST and Saturday 9:30am – 6:00pm EST.  A representative will be happy to assist you.
 
If you would like to place your gift via our secure order pages, please visit the appropriate order form below.

Consumer Reports gifts, click here
ShopSmart gifts, click here
Consumer Reports on Health, click here
Consumer Reports Money Adviser gifts, click here
 
 
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If your gift recipient has not received, or accidentally deleted their gift announcement, you can  resend the gift announcement by following these instructions:

1.    Click on the "My account" link at the top of our homepage.
2.    Enter your username and password and click  “log in”
3.    Scroll down and under the "My online gift subscriptions" heading, click on the "Resend gift announcement to….." link
4.    Select the recipient you would like to resend the gift announcement by checking the box next to “send e-mail”.  If necessary, edit the gift recipient e-mail address.
5.    Click "Update info" to resend the gift announcement.

You may want to advise your recipients that they should also check their SPAM of Junk mail folder.

Verify Gift Redemption
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1.    Click on the "My Account" link on the ConsumerReports.org homepage.
2.    Enter your username and password and click “log in”
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If your gift has not been redeemed and you'd like to resend your gift announcement, please click here for instructions on how to do that.  
 
Redeem a Gift Subscription
To redeem a gift subscription that you were given simply click the link provided in the e-mail you received or click here and enter in your Gift Redemption Number.

Cost of iPad subscription 
Access to the iPad edition is currently available to current Consumer Reports paid magazine subscribers at no additional charge.

Single issues are available for $4.99; subscriptions are available at the monthly rate of $2.99/month or annually for $24.99 (12 issues). These subscriptions are billed through iTunes.

Issues in our iPad app are not included with your ConsumerReports.org subscription. You can sign in with your ConsumerReports.org username and password, but you will not be able to access iPad content unless you also have a current magazine subscription or purchase an in-app subscription.

If you have both a magazine subscription and a ConsumerReports.org subscription, you can use your existing credentials in the iPad app. However, you will be prompted for your magazine account number during registration.

Access iPad App 
Launch the Consumer Reports Magazine app on your iPad, tap on the button that says "Tap Here for Access”  and follow the instructions for setting up your account. You will need your Username and Password or your Account Number and zip code in order to validate your access.

If you need assistance after you have downloaded the application, please contact our Customer Relations Department directly at 1-855-824-3506 Monday - Friday 8:00am - 8:00pm EST and Saturday, 9:30am to 6:00pm EST. A representative will gladly assist you.
 
iPad Content
The digital edition contains all of the content in the print edition, plus iPad-only features such as videos and slide shows.
 
Account Number (iPad Subscribers)
If you subscribed through our website, you were required to create a username and a password. You can use these credentials to validate your iPad edition access, no account number required, for up to 30 days after subscribing.

If you would like to know your account number so that you can access your iPad issues, please contact our Subscription Department. They can be contacted at 1-800-666-5261 from 8:00am to 8:00pm EST Monday to Friday and 9:30am to 6:00pm on Saturday. A representative will gladly assist you.
 
Access iPad app from other devices
The Magazine iPad app is designed only for the iPad and a larger screen.  Unfortunately, you cannot access the app on any other device, including, but not limited to, Android devices, iPods, iPhones etc.
 
Memory for each issue
An issue of Consumer Reports can be anywhere from 200-350MB. If you choose to store your issues in Apple's iCloud service, they will not take up any space on your device but will still be available for you to view whenever you want, provided you have an internet connection. Simply download the issue again at no additional cost.
 
New Issue Availability
When a new issue becomes available, you will receive a notification on your iPad. If you are a current magazine or iTunes subscriber, you can download it immediately to your Library.
 
Back Issue Availability
You will have access to the issues in your current print subscription term dating back to when we first started distributing issues on the iPad (March 2011 issue of Consumer Reports). If your print subscription started after the March 2011 Issue you will be able to purchase single back issues through your library on iTunes at the full single copy price.
 
Download Problem
We recommend using a stable Wi-Fi connection whenever you download an issue. If the download times out or fails, you may be required to start it again. You can restart the download by tapping on the icon of the issue you want in your library.
 
Restore Previous Purchases
If you have deleted an issue that you have previously downloaded, you can tap on the deleted issue to download it again.  Additionally, you may receive a pop up screen asking you if you want to restore your previously downloaded issues.
Magazine Frequency and Delivery (Magazine/Newsletter Subscribers)
 
Consumer Reports®, Consumer Reports on Health® and Consumer Reports Money Adviser® are published 12 times a year.  ShopSmart;) is published 10 times a year.

For subscriptions, your first issue should arrive within 4 to 6 weeks after receipt of your order.  In conjunction to your issues, if your subscription offer included a free gift, the shipment of these free gifts will also arrive in the same time frame.  

If it has been longer than 6 weeks, you can contact our Subscription Department at 1-800-666-5261.  For delivery outside of the United States, please allow 6 to 9 weeks for service to begin.

Subscribe (Magazine/Newsletter Subscriptions)
Thank you for choosing to subscribe to our products. 
 
To subscribe to Consumer Reports®  Magazine, click here
To subscribe to ShopSmart;) Magazine, click here
To subscribe to Consumer Reports on Health®, click here
To subscribe to Consumer Reports Money Adviser®, click here
 
Subscribe (ConsumerReports.org Subscriptions)
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All subscriptions to ConsumerReports.org® are auto-renewing. We continue to provide access to our website service until you cancel your subscription. You do not need do anything to receive uninterrupted access and enjoy the benefits of subscribing online.

Monthly Subscribers will be reminded of their subscription every 30 days, as the monthly charge appears on their credit card.

Annual Subscribers will receive an e-mail reminder approximately 30 days before their subscription automatically renews. Upon receiving this e-mail, a subscriber can cancel their subscription at any time right on our website before it renews through the My Account link located at the top of any page on our site.
 
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Donate
We sincerely appreciate your generosity in giving to the Consumer Reports Foundation. It is through the support of our donors that we are able to continue our work of improving the marketplace for consumers.
 
You may make a donation to the Consumer Reports Foundation online by utilizing our secure server. Please click here for our Donate homepage.
 
You may also send a check to the following address:
 
Consumer Reports
Development Department
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Thank you again for your support of our mission.
 
Contact Us (Magazine/Newsletter Subscribers)
If your question is not answered within our 'Answers' section, or if you need to contact us for any reason, please include your name and address exactly as it appears on your magazine label or invoice in your correspondence.

Please send to:

Consumer Reports, Customer Service
PO Box 2109
Harlan, IA 51593-0298

Or, you may call our Subscription Department at 1-800-666-5261 Monday through Friday 8:00am - 8:00pm EST, and Saturday 9:30am - 6:00pm EST.

You may also send us an e-mail

Contact Us (ConsumerReports.org Subscribers)
If your question is not answered within our 'Answers' section, or if you need to contact us for any reason, please include your name and address in your correspondence.

Please send to:

Consumer Reports, Customer Service
PO Box 2109
Harlan, IA 51593-0298

Or, you may call our Subscription Department at 1-800-333-0663 Monday through Friday 8:00am - 8:00pm EST, and Saturday 9:30am - 6:00pm EST.

You may also send us an e-mail

Consumer Reports Ask Our Experts/Letter to Editor
To send your letter to the editor by mail, you can send it to:
 
Consumers Union
Attn: Customer Relations
101 Truman Avenue
Yonkers, NY 10703
 
Or, to send your letter to the editor via e-mail, simply click here
 
ShopSmart Ask Our Experts
To send your letter to ShopSmart "Ask Our Experts" by mail, you can send it to:
 
Consumers Union
Attn: Customer Relations
101 Truman Avenue
Yonkers, NY 10703
 
Or, to send your letter to ShopSmart "Ask Our Experts" via e-mail, simply click here
 
Consumer Reports on Health On Your Mind
To send your letter to "On Your Mind" by mail, you can send it to:
 
Consumers Union
Attn: Customer Relations
101 Truman Avenue
Yonkers, NY 10703
 
Or, to send your letter to "On Your Mind" via e-mail, simply click here
 
Consumer Reports Money Adviser Ask the Adviser
To send your letter to "Ask the Adviser" by mail, you can send it to:
 
Consumers Union
Attn: Customer Relations
101 Truman Avenue
Yonkers, NY 10703
 
Or, to send your letter to "Ask the Adviser" via e-mail, simply click here
 
Share an Experience
We love to hear from our readers concerning what experiences they have encountered with a product or service. Our readers’ feedback helps shape the work that we do here at Consume Reports.

If you would like to share your experience with us, you may send it to our mailing address at:

Consumer Reports
Attn: Customer Relations
101 Truman Avenue
Yonkers, NY 10703

Or, if you would like to share your experience via e-mail, please click here.
 

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If you have an active subscription and you know your username and password, but cannot login to ConsumerReports.org ®, below we've listed possible reasons below, as well as suggestions for what to do:

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JAVASCRIPT: JavaScript is used to validate forms, text boxes, detect browser types, create cookies and to add functionality to online products. ConsumerReports.org users should verify that JavaScript and the related applets are enabled.

Internet Explorer 7.0 or Better
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For more information on Windows XP firewalls, and how they can be disabled, please visit the following URL:
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For all other firewalls please refer to the Help feature on your firewall software.

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COOKIES: You are not accepting the "cookie" that is sent during Login. By accepting the cookie, your Username and Password are kept intact throughout your ConsumerReports.org session so that you are not repeatedly asked to enter them. To find out how to have your browser automatically accept the "cookie", use your browser's HELP feature, or contact the manufacturer of your browser directly for guidance (by phone or online). You will also need to allow session and persistent cookies for our site.
 
To allow session and persistent cookies:
 
For Internet Explorer users:
1. Open a new browser and go to Tools - Internet Options
2. Click on the Privacy tab and click on the Advanced button.
3. Click on the box "Override automatic cookie handling".
4. Click on the box "Always allow session cookies" and press OK.
 
Previously stored cookies can also interfere with your login. (Very Important: Please note that if you delete all your cookies, this will delete all usernames and passwords you have saved for other websites. Therefore, next time you visit a site that you used to automatically login, you will have to enter your username and password).
Deleting cookies (Windows PC):

If you use Internet Explorer:
1. Go to the C: drive
2. Click on "Documents and Settings"
3. Click on "User" folder
4. Click on "Cookies" folder. Then, selectively pick the cookies you want to delete.

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If none of the above reasons/suggestions have solved your problem, and you'd like to verify that you do indeed have an active subscription, please either (1) call our Subscription Department directly at: 1-800-333-0663, Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. ET, and Saturday, 9:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. ET., or (2) send us an e-mail describing your problem, and be sure to include your website Username.
 
 
Unable to Login to New or Used Car Price Reports
To log in to your New or Used Car Price Reports simply follow these instructions:

1. Click on My Account.

2. Enter your Username and Password and click Login. Please keep in mind that Passwords are case sensitive. If you forgot your Username, please click here. If you forgot your Password, please click here.

3. New or Used Car Price Reports that you have previously ordered will appear under the My Online Products section. Simply click the “View Report” link next to the vehicle you are interested in researching.

If you continue to have problems accessing your reports, please call our Auto Price Customer Service Department toll-free at 1-800-880-4874.  A representative will gladly assist you.
 
Access Car Price Reports
New Car Price Reports - please click here and enter your Username and Password in the box that's located in the right side of the page. Once you are signed in, click on “My Reports”

Used Car Price Reports - please click here and enter your Username and Password in the box that's located in the right side of the page. Once you are signed in, click on “My Reports”

New or Used Car Price Report
You may order a Consumer Reports® Car Price Report by telephone, or online for quicker delivery.

The cost for a New Car Price Report is $14, and each additional New Car Price Report ordered at the same time is available at a cost of only $12

Consumer Reports Used Car Price Reports are at a cost of $12.

Please have the following information handy when you are ready to order:

•    Year, make, model and trim of the vehicle
•    Your credit card. We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express.

TO ORDER ONLINE:

To order online, click here and choose online delivery. Reports delivered online are available immediately after ordering, and are reviewable for 30 days.

TO ORDER BY TELEPHONE:

To order by telephone, please call our New & Used Car Price Service at 1-800-888-8275.

Subscribe to Cars Best Deals Plus
ConsumerReports.org subscribers have access to our exclusive safety, reliability and performance ratings, as well as our expert reviews, advanced selection tool, and recently enhanced car comparison tool. But for those who want more information, Consumer Reports offers a subscriber upgrade called Cars Best Deals Plus®, which gives enhanced access to:

•    Unlimited new and used car price reports
•    Consumer Reports Bottom Line Price, which includes rebates, incentives and holdbacks to help you negotiate the best deal.
•    A “Dealer Willingness to Negotiate” indicator based on deals recently negotiated in your area.
•    Detailed lists of frequently reported reliability trouble spots based on over 1.2 million vehicles in our latest subscriber survey. Find out how specific vehicles and trims fare in 17 common problem areas ranging from engine, transmission, and brakes to power equipment and electrical system.
•    Detailed owner satisfaction information based on our annual survey covering specific vehicle aspects: drive, style, features, cost, comfort, value, and size. Find out which features owners like and dislike about their vehicles and which cars they will buy again.

Armed with this in-depth information you'll have all that you need to select the right car and get the best deal when you walk into the dealership.

Upgrade your existing subscription or subscribe to Consumer Reports Cars Best Deals Plus

Access Cars Best Deals Plus
To access pricing information, simply follow the steps below:

1.    Sign in to ConsumerReports.org with your username and password
2.    Click the “Cars” tab
3.    Select the “Make” and “Model” of the vehicle you wish to price
4.    Click the “Price It” button or click the “Price & Costs” tab
5.    Here you can view the MSRP price, Invoice Price, Consumer Reports Bottom Line Price. You can also see the full price report, or select the Build & Price option.

For additional assistance, please do not hesitate to contact our Auto Price Customer Service Department directly at 1-800-880-4874. A representative will assist you.


Return to Frequently Asked Questions
 
New Car Price Reports---frequency of updates
Auto manufacturers and dealers do not have standard times when they change prices. Because of this, Consumer Reports® closely monitors the auto industry to reflect the most current price changes. At any time during the model year, the prices on your report will reflect recent price updates.
 
Deductions on Used Car Price Reports
Deductions are features that, if missing, will reduce the value of your vehicle. If your vehicle is not equipped with these features, to obtain a more accurate value, you need to subtract the prices for these missing features under "total deductions."
 

Difference between New Car Price Reports & Cars Best Deals Plus
A Consumer Reports® New Car Price Report contains dealer invoice price, MSRP, Consumer Reports Bottom Line, invoice & MSRP for factory installed options, and other pricing information for a single automobile.

Consumer Reports® Cars Best Deals Plus subscribers have access to UNLIMITED detailed pricing, full test track reports, and later this year, new and expanded research tools as well as vehicle ratings, review, reliability information and more.

Cars Best Deals Plus makes it quick & easy to narrow your choices and get essential facts on any model. This type of subscription is to be used in conjunction with a preexisting subscription to ConsumerReports.org®.

If you should have any questions, or would like to place an order, please contact our Auto Price Customer Service Department directly at 800-880-4874. A representative will assist you.

What is Cars Best Deals Plus

Cars Best Deals Plus is a new, auto-renewing ConsumerReports.org subscription that integrates information that currently exists in the New and Used Car Buying Kits together with the Cars information on ConsumerReports.org.

Cars Best Deals Plus gives unlimited access to New & Used Car Pricing information as well as detailed reliability information, auto aftermarket services, repair advisors and includes comprehensive, expert road test reports.

To subscribe to Cars Best Deals Plus, you can call 1-866-746-6780 to speak to a representative or you can click here.

Return to Frequently Asked Questions

Auto Price Services/Cars Best Deals Plus
We are happy to assist you with your subscription to Cars Best Deals Plus. This type of subscription is to be used in conjunction with your preexisting subscription to ConsumerReports.org®.

For assistance, please do not hesitate to contact our Auto Price Customer Service Department directly at 1-800-880-4874. A representative will assist you.  

Return to Frequently Asked Questions

Can't Compare Multiple Vehicles
If you are using IE9, you will be able to use the compare feature if you switch to "Compatibility View"
 
The following link will explain how to use compatibility view:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/How-to-use-Compatibility-View-in-Internet-Explorer-9

Consumer Rebates and Frequency of Updates
Consumer Rebates are a cash rebate given directly to you, the vehicle purchaser, by the manufacturer. We continually update our price reports to reflect new consumer-rebate information as we receive it.
 
Username & Password Needed to Order Price Reports
Yes, during the order process, you will be required to create a Username and Password.  Consumer Reports New and Used Car Price Service Reports are accessible for a period of 30 days.  Click here to login and access your New and Used Car Price Reports.
 
What is a New Car Price Report
Consumer Reports® New Car Price Reports provide unbiased advice and prices when buying or leasing a new car.  
 
Each New Car Price Report includes:
 
The Average Price Paid by consumers in your region for the vehicle you are interested in.
The Consumer Reports Bottom Line, which includes current national rebates, unadvertised dealer incentives, and holdbacks.
The Dealer Invoice price and Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price – MSRP.
Invoice and MSRP prices for all factory-installed options and packages.
Current national rebates, unadvertised dealer incentives, and holdbacks.
Access to the Consumer Reports Build & Buy Program’s nationwide network of car dealers who have agreed to provide both competitive pricing and a hassle-free experience.
Consumer Reports equipment recommendations.
Latest safety ratings based on Consumer Reports analysis.
Alternate vehicles we recommend, so you have genuine options.
 
To learn how to order a Consumer Reports New Car Price Report, click here.

Car Price Services Available in Canada
The Consumer Reports ® New Car Price Service gives you the optimal price to use as the starting point when negotiating for a new car. Arming you with behind-the-scenes dealer incentive and holdback information as well as knowledge of customer rebate and incentive amounts, the New Car Price Report provides you with all the tools you need to get the car you want at a fair price. The cost of this service is $29.95 USD for 1 report, $39.95 USD for 2 reports and $49.95 USD for 4 reports.
 
At this time, the Consumer Reports Build & Buy Program and Consumer Reports Used Car Price Service is not available for the Canadian marketplace.
 
What is a Used Car Price Report
A Consumer Reports® Used Car Price Report will help you buy, sell, or trade-in a used car without getting taken for a ride. Our Used Car Price Reports provide unbiased advice and prices when buying or selling a used car, sport-utility vehicle, pick-up truck, van, or minivan. We can help you get your best deal.

Here is what you can do when you order a Consumer Reports Used Car Price Report:

  • Figure out how a vehicle's mileage, condition and options affect its value.
  • Review our 17-point reliability summary that evaluates your entire vehicle from transmission to suspension, brakes to exhaust system.
  • Read our vehicle overview including safety equipment and related models. 

To learn how to order a Consumer Reports Used Car Price Report, click here.

 
Fee for Auto Price Services
Given Consumer Reports® no-commercialization policy, we do not accept advertising in our magazine or on our website. All our revenue comes from the quality products and services that we offer consumers. Each product and service has its own operating costs, including staff salaries, research, production, and delivery of information.
 
While there are companies that offer their services for free, they are able to do so by accepting paid advertising and customer referral fees from dealers and manufacturers. We do neither.
 
Accepting no ads allows us to be fully objective. Consumers have told us time and again that our prices are more than reasonable for information that saves them hundreds of dollars.

Website Free for Magazine Subscribers (ConsumerReports.org Subscribers)
ConsumerReports.org® is a separate subscription from Consumer Reports® magazine. As a magazine subscriber, one does not receive free access to our website.

The cost of operating our website is considerable, as is the cost of our testing and research. What keeps us going financially is the willingness of consumers to pay for objective and unbiased information.

With no advertisements* on our website, we rely 100% on private individuals like you - those who know the value of our information - to support its production and dissemination. (*No other consumer-information site can claim and prove this total freedom from commercial influence.)

We are happy to offer a discounted rate to our Consumer Reports magazine subscribers. Magazine subscribers can subscribe to ConsumerReports.org for only $20.00 annually, a savings of $10.00 dollars off the full rate of $30.00.

You can subscribe for the $20.00 rate by clicking here. Please choose the $20.00 rate and enter your Consumer Reports magazine account number. If you are unsure of your account number, you can check your mailing label, or contact our Subscription Department at 1-800-333-0663.
 
 
Magazine Free for Website Subscribers (Magazine/Newsletter Subscribers)
Consumer Reports® magazine is a separate subscription from ConsumerReports.org®. As an online subscriber, one does not automatically receive our magazine.

The cost of printing and mailing our magazine each month is considerable, as is the cost of our testing and research. What keeps us going financially is the willingness of consumers to pay for objective and unbiased information. With no advertisements* in our magazine, we rely 100% on private individuals like you - those who know the value of our information - to support its production and dissemination. (*No other consumer-information publication can claim and prove this total freedom from commercial influence.)


Update Payment Information (ConsumerReports.org Subscribers)
If you would like to change the credit-card that is billed for your ConsumerReports.org® subscription, please go to the website and follow these steps:

•    Go to My Account
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•    Click the "Change Payment Information" link, then enter the new information. When you are done, click the "Update Payment Information" button

Please be advised that updating your credit card does not mean that you have re-subscribed to ConsumerReports.org. If you'd like to re-subscribe after you have updated your payment information, please follow these steps:

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Once you re-subscribe, you will have instant, unlimited access to our exclusive unbiased Ratings and recommendations of products and services.
 
If you experience any difficulties updating your payment information or re-subscribing, please feel free to call our Online Subscription Department at 1-800-333-0663, Monday through Friday 8:00am - 8:00pm EST, and Saturday 9:30am - 6:00pm EST.

Survey E-mail
Please be assured that the e-mail you received requesting your response to a survey is a legitimate request from Consumers Union, the non-profit publisher of Consumer Reports ®. We have contracted outside vendors to deliver emails on our behalf, and to host our surveys. The vendors currently contracted by the Survey Research Department are Digital Impact (email campaign management) and FIRM, USA (CONFIRMIT survey software). These vendors have been working closely with our organization, and we consider them to be both reliable and trustworthy.

The data collected by the Survey Research Department is used to create content for our reports on various products and services. We do not ask our respondents to provide any sensitive personal information in our surveys. We do however request that respondents voluntarily provide their gender, age, and zip code at the end of each survey so that we can compare respondent demographics.

Respondent data is considered proprietary by Consumers Union. We do not sell or provide your response data to any outside entity. All response data is managed by our in-house Survey Research Team who analyze and report on the responses that we receive.
 

Annual Questionnaire
As a subscriber, you are eligible to receive our Annual Questionnaire. If we have your e-mail address, then you will receive an e-mail inviting you to participate.  Should we not have an e-mail address, you will be mailed our questionnaire.  

The Annual Questionnaire is conducted from April through June each year. Due to the volume of invitations we will be emailing, our vendor Confirmit, has requested that we limit the daily volume of emails per day. Consequently, it will take us a few weeks to contact all eligible subscribers at least once. Please be patient, if you are eligible to receive a survey invitation, it may take some time to get it.

ConsumerReports.org® subscribers can respond to the Annual Questionnaire from ConsumerReports.org. Once you login, visit the "My Account" area of the site and click on the "Annual Questionnaire" banner. You will be directed away from ConsumerReports.org to our Annual Questionnaire site.

Please use the navigation buttons found on the bottom of each page of the online Annual Questionnaire. By using the navigation buttons found within the questionnaire itself, you will reduce the risk of losing the page(s) you may be working on. However, if you accidentally use your browser's navigation buttons ("back" and "forward") and a page is "lost," in most cases you can retrieve the page by merely refreshing or reloading the page you were on. Of course if refreshing the page doesn't work, you can always return to the email invitation and click on the survey link again to return the survey. If need be, you can also go offline and come back because the survey is able to remember your responses and can revert back to the section you were working on. After clicking the link in your invitation, click on the "Click here to continue where you left off" link located at the top of the "home" page for the survey.

Conducting online surveys can be very complicated and on some occasions, for technical reasons, we are unable to remove recipients from receiving further reminder e-mails once we have set that list in motion for mailing. We do make efforts to remind only those that haven't yet responded. Bear in mind: once you have responded to the questionnaire, your answers are recorded. So, if you receive reminders after you've participated, please ignore them; we apologize for the intrusion.

By opting out of receiving an online invitation to participate in the Annual Questionnaire or by opting out of receiving the print Annual Questionnaire, you also will no longer receive a ballot for the annual election of our Board of Directors unless you separately request a ballot by calling us at 1-800-666-5261 or by writing to us at the address indicated below. If you elect to continue receiving the Annual Questionnaire, you can complete and return the ballot portion without completing the survey portion.

Attn: Survey Research
Consumer Reports
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Consumer Reports treats all respondent data as confidential. We do not sell or provide your response data to any outside entity. All response data is managed by our in-house Consumer Reports National Research Center staff who analyze and report on the responses that we receive.

Please click here to view our Annual Questionnaire Privacy Policy.

Return to Frequently Asked Questions

Search for a Product on ConsumerReports.org
Our site contains hundreds of reports that have been published in Consumer Reports®, plus additional reports just for ConsumerReports.org subscribers.

There are two ways to find out if a report is available online:

1.    Use the 'SEARCH' feature located at the top of any ConsumerReports.org® page. (pictured to the right)
2.    Choose the appropriate product category (e.g. Electronics) from the menu bar located on the top of each page. Ratings, reports, and other reports relating to the chosen category, will be on the next page.
 
Products Not Available Online:
Products not yet tested –

•    Boats/outboard motors
•    Fireplaces/fireplace inserts
•    Golf equipment
•    Hot tubs
•    Insect Repellants (electronic or propane)
•    Jacuzzis    
•    Radar detectors
•    Recreational vehicles
•    Spas
•    Swimming pools and equipment
•    Travel trailers/campers
•    Vans (conversion or full-size vans)

If you need help finding a report, you can also e-mail us.
 
Problem Printing on ConsumerReports.org
Make sure that javascript is turned on and that you are not running pop-up blocking software that might interfere with the openning of the window for printing.

Upon clicking the "Print This Article" icon, a new window without the header and navigation bar should open.

If you are printing a page containing product Ratings, and the Ratings are printing without the background colors and images, you can correct this problem by modifying the Printing settings in your browser.

To modify these settings in Internet Explorer, simply follow these steps:
 
1. Click "Tools" on your browser menu bar
2. Select "Internet Options", then click on the "Advanced" tab.
3. Scroll down to the "Printing" section, and check the box next to "Print background colors and images".

If the right-side of the report is being cut off while printing, please click the printer icon labeled "Print this article". This link is usually located in the upper-right region of the page. This will open up a new window from which you can then print the complete Ratings without the right-side cut off.
 
Some other printing failures may be caused by a transient browser glitch. To correct this, we suggest trying to print the report a second time, immediately after the first try.

Return to Frequently Asked Questions
Difference Between ConsumerReports.org and Consumer Reports Magazine
ConsumerReports.org® features content that's in the current magazine issue plus a searchable archive of past reports. It includes our product and service Ratings and recommendations. The reports online and in our magazine are essentially the same, but adapted for optimal online presentation. Many reports have updated Ratings information, reflecting changes in the availability of products since the report was first published.

As a subscriber to ConsumerReports.org, you'll have access to:

•    All our reports online.
•    Our ongoing Discussions, where you can participate with other site subscribers and frequently-scheduled sessions with ConsumerReports.org experts.
•    Our interactive Model Selector that allows you to make brand and model choices based on price, features, and manufacturer specifications, and gives you the option of making side-by-side comparisons of models.

For information about how to become a site subscriber, click Subscribe Now.

FREE: Valuable information and advice about products and services and how to shop for them, product safety issues, e-mail access to ask questions & share comments/experiences, and late-breaking consumer news, updated weekly.

No Ratings for Certain Brands or Models
To help us determine which brands and models to test, our Market Analysts research each brand-name in the product category and select those that have the highest market share, as well as those that have new or forward-thinking features. We pay close attention to the national availability of products, and to the suggestions and requests of our subscribers. Then, our anonymous shoppers go to work purchasing the models that we have decided to test. If there is a model that our shoppers cannot readily purchase, we sometimes have to exclude it from our testing. The absence of any product from a given report does NOT mean that it is a poor performer; it simply means we did not test it.
 
Past Issues of Consumer Reports Magazine available on Website (ConsumerReports.org Subscribers)
Complete past issues of Consumer Reports® magazine are not available on our website.

Our site contains the most recent information on topics Consumer Reports has covered. The individual reports that appeared within each issue are available online, but they are not presented in the magazine format.

It may interest you to know that we do have an archive, which can be accessed by clicking here . However, please be advised that we do remove older reports which may contain misinformation.  To access information in issues, you need to be a subscriber to ConsumerReports.org

Website Auto Renew (ConsumerReports.org Subscribers)
All subscriptions to ConsumerReports.org® are auto-renewing. This is so that we can offer our readership continuous service without interruption. We continue to provide access to our website service until you cancel your subscription. You do not need do anything to receive uninterrupted access and enjoy the benefits of subscribing online.
 
Please click here to view the User Agreement.

Additionally:

Monthly Subscribers will be reminded of their subscription every 30 days, as the monthly charge appears on their credit card.

Annual Subscribers will receive an e-mail reminder approximately 30 days before their subscription automatically renews. Upon receiving this e-mail, a subscriber can cancel their subscription at any time right on our website before it renews through the My Account link located at the top of any page on our site.

Return to Frequently Asked Questions

Tested Products--What Happens to Them
What we do with the products that we test depends upon their condition after they have been tested. In many cases, testing destroys, or damages the products. Undamaged products are either: used within the organization, auctioned off to the highest bidding Consumers Union staff member, or given to charitable organizations. Unfortunately, we do not sell tested products to the public.

Furthermore, many of the autos purchased by Consumer Reports are sold to the staff to help recoup the $2,000,000 we spend each year to purchase them. However, not all of these vehicles are sold. Some are kept for as long as 5 years for additional testing of tires and batteries.
 
Content-Hospital Ratings
Our report on Hospital Ratings may not have included your hospital because many hospitals have not supplied any data - or have supplied inconsistent data - to the government or independent sources that track hospital safety and quality. Similarly, hospital survey results for Patient Outcome and Patient Experience can only be used in ratings if 100 or more completed surveys. To ensure integrity of the report, no hospitals were included in the Safety Report unless all criteria were fulfilled.

 
Marketing Preferences (Magazine/Newsletter Subscribers)
We exchange or rent our subscriber list for a one time use with selected publications and nonprofit organizations. If you wish for your name to be deleted from these exchanges, please submit your request to be removed by one of the following methods:

Visit “My account” and click on “Access Account” under “Manage print products”.  You will need to enter your magazine account number to access your account.  To help you find your account number, click here

Send us an e-mail requesting to be removed

Send your address label with a request for a deletion to:

Consumer Reports, Customer Service
PO Box 2109
Harlan, IA 51593-0298

Or, you may call our Subscription Department at 1-800-666-5261, Monday through Friday 8:00am - 8:00pm EST, and Saturday 9:30am - 6:00pm EST.

Please note that we never sell, rent or exchange e-mail addresses at any time.

In addition, if you would like to reduce the amount of unsolicited mail or telemarketing calls you receive, you can have your name and address added to the Direct Marketing Association's Mail Preference Service and/or Telephone Preference Service. Just write to the following addresses. Make sure you include your name and address. Include any different spellings or presentations of your name that could be on a mailing list. Include area code and telephone number for the Telephone Preference Service only.

Direct Marketing Association
Mail Preference Service
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Direct Marketing Association
Telephone Preference Service
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Return to Frequently Asked Questions

Best Buy Drugs
 
Why did Consumers Union initiate the Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs project?
This project helps fill an important gap in consumers' understanding of prescription medicines. It will tell you about the drugs available to treat specific illnesses and diseases, the differences among them, and how they stack up against each other. Our independent and unbiased reports will help you talk with your doctor about your treatment options, and improve your chances of getting a prescription medicine that both suits your medical needs and gives you the best value for your health care dollar. Our reports will also help you take your medicines safely, and stick with your treatment regimens.

What if my doctor or pharmacist rejects your recommendations or Best Buy Drug picks?
This is certainly possible. Our Best Buy Drug picks are intended to inform the general public. However, your individual medical circumstances may dictate the need for a drug that we have not recommended. We do believe that our advice will apply to most people who need medicines in the categories we evaluate. The important thing is to open a dialogue with your doctor about why he or she is choosing a particular drug for you. If your doctor rejects the scientifically based information we present, we think it is reasonable for you to expect an explanation.

How should I use the Best Buy Drugs information?
The information on this Web site is not intended to replace the judgment of your doctors or pharmacists. It is meant to arm you with information to enhance communication with your health care providers. We urge you to print out the reports and show them to your doctor and/or pharmacist. Some doctors and pharmacists are not as familiar as others with the kind of scientific evaluations our reports are based on. Also, studies show that many doctors don't typically take price into account when prescribing medicines, even for people who have no insurance coverage. So this information could help you open that discussion. The evidence shows quite strongly that many lower-cost drugs (such as generics) are just as effective as more expensive brand-name drugs.

How do we pick our Best Buy Drugs?
Our Best Buy picks are based on assessments of all the drugs in a class, and a comparison of the drugs in that class to each other. The main criteria we use are a drug's effectiveness, it's safety, the side effects it may cause, it's convenience of use (for example, how many pills you have to take each day), its track record in studies and actual use, and of course how much it costs relative to others drugs. There is no set formula for choosing our Best Buys. The factors differ in each category, and some of those factors are quite subtle. However, in general, our Best Buys are chosen because they are: (a) as effective as all the other drugs in the category, or more so; (b) as safe and cause no more - and usually fewer - side effects than other drugs in the category; and (c) cost less on average than other drugs in the category. That is not always true, though. Several of the Best Buys have been chosen because of their superior effectiveness or safety profile even though they cost more. Overall, a drug's effectiveness is the most important criteria in choosing our Best Buys.

Can I use the information provided in the Best Buy Drug reports to buy drugs online?
Yes, once you and your doctor choose the drug that's best for you, you can shop for it anywhere to try and get the best price. You will likely be able to beat the prices we cite by shopping online, where drugs are usually less expensive. You will also likely be able to get better prices at the large discount store in your area. Just like other products, many drugs are less expensive at such stores. If your doctor and you settle on several drug treatment options, you may want to shop online or at different stores to see which one is the least expensive under the terms of your health plan's coverage. Be careful to use only reputable online Web sites.

Can I use the information provided in the Best Buy Drug reports to buy drugs from Canada?
Yes. If you and your doctor identify your treatment options, it may be worth evaluating whether you can save money by filling your prescriptions from a Canadian pharmacy Web site. The U.S. government permits such drug purchases for personal use only. Be aware that generic drugs are not less expensive in Canada or from Canadian Web sites. Only brand-name drugs are. We urge you to read our publication "Getting the Best Price on Your Drugs" when purchasing prescription medicines. It offers advice about buying from Canada or other foreign Web sites.

Will the prices for drugs in the Best Buy Drug reports reflect what I'll pay at the pharmacy?
They might not. First, if you have drug coverage, you'll only pay part of the cost for your drugs out of your own pocket. Your employer pays the rest. The prices and monthly costs we cite in our reports reflect the total cost paid for a drug, and they reflect the average price based on a nationwide sample of stores and pharmacies. Also, the prices we present reflect those paid by cash-paying customers (for example, people without health insurance). As such, they don't include the discounts that your health plan or pharmacy benefit manager negotiates. The prices for drugs vary quite widely. So, if you are paying significantly more than the average price we cite for a drug, you may want to check other places you could buy the drug and talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the dilemma.

What is a generic drug? Are they just as good as brand name drugs?
A generic drug is a copy of a brand name drug, using the same active ingredients that work in the same way in the body. Generic drugs come in the same dosages as brand name drugs, and they have the same risks and benefits as their brand-name counterparts. The FDA holds both brand-name and generic drug facilities to the same high standards of good manufacturing processes. Generic drugs become available when a brand drug losses its patent protection. Generic drugs make up about half of all prescriptions. They can be viewed as "tried and true" and tested by time. However, in some cases (and not as often as is commonly believed) newer brand name drugs have fewer side effects or are more effective. Generic drugs are almost always less expensive than brands.
 
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