If you’re looking for the best value this holiday season or planning on making a big purchase in the new year, Consumer Reports offers reliable information to help you choose the products that will best meet your needs.
The independent, non-profit organization uses the power of research, advocacy, and product testing to create an ad-free, trustworthy experience for consumers. A Consumer Reports membership normally starts at $10 a month, but Lawrence Public Library patrons can access the online service for free.
Save Time and Money Researching Your Next Purchase
When planning a larger purchase, research plays an important role in making sure you’re picking the right product for your needs without breaking the bank. But that research can be time-consuming and often relies on advice from unverified strangers, solicited testimonials, and paid sponsorships that don’t always tell you everything you want to know.
Thanks to efforts like rigorous product testing, Consumer Reports saves you this time and energy by making it easy to search for and compare cumulative ratings and reviews to ensure you are getting exactly what you are paying for.
“It's also really helpful because people will leave comments about the products,” explained Youth Services Outreach Specialist Yari Medina, who recently used Consumer Reports to purchase a new car. “I feel like it's a little bit more reputable than Reddit, which is another resource I was using. It's got ratings, and people describing their experience with the products, so that was very helpful.”
The Consumer Report website allows you to easily search for products by category, including “Cars,” “Home & Garden,” “Appliances,” “Health and Wellness,” and more. Or, if you are just looking for some reassurance you’ve found the best deal, you can search through the organization’s A-Z list for the specific product you’re researching.
Unlike other value calculators, Consumer Reports researches products from across industries and compiles a robust collection of reviews and data in one place.
“Consumer Reports gave me a lot of useful information,” said Materials Handling Assistant Madeline Lockhart, who also used the service while shopping for a new car. “I used the filters and ratings to compare price ranges, fuel efficiency, and reliability. So it was easy to tell which things had a lot of good reviews from people who had actually owned those cars.”
Enjoy Up-to-Date Holiday Deals
The service is also a great way to ensure you’re getting the best value for holiday gifts. With timely categories like “Deals Expiring This Week,” “Best Ongoing Black Friday Deals Under $25,” and “Seasonal Essentials,” you can quickly and easily navigate their database of products from the comfort of your home or while you’re shopping in-store.
“I'm usually not very proactive about my shopping,” explained Marketing & Communications Coordinator Heather Kearns. “I’m an instant gratification person, so I usually don't use the tools available to me. But then I was standing at Target looking at vacuum cleaners, and I knew I wanted to level up and not spend a lot of money, but I didn’t know how.”
When Kearns remembered she could access Consumer Reports through the library, she found she could quickly make the best choice for her needs. “I pulled it up in the aisle and browsed it on my phone. I was like, ‘This is amazing. Why have I not used this more often?’ And so now I'm a little addicted to it because I love the ratings.”
Whether looking for gifts for your loved ones or doing some groundwork for your next big purchase, Consumer Reports provides an easy-to-navigate, online service users can trust.
To access Consumer Reports for free through the library, LPL patrons can visit the online resource link on our website.
About Lawrence Public Library
Lawrence Public Library (LPL for short) is a community hub that believes in the power of connecting with each other through shared knowledge and resources. Located in the heart of Downtown Lawrence, Kansas, we are committed to providing a space where our community can learn, connect, create, and grow through access to our vast collections, resources, services, programs, and knowledgeable staff. The library is supported by tax dollars, record-breaking book sales and philanthropic efforts by the LPL Friends & Foundation, and the dedicated efforts of more than 300 volunteers. All are welcome.
