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Here Is How Consumer Reports Tests Products

3K views 13 replies 3 participants last post by  Docfletcher 
#1 ·
It took a little digging but here's the story. As for shingles a pal of my told me they have lab processes which place many years ware and tear on shingles in a matter of months. All this should be taken with a grain of salt. You pros know what products have worked well for you and which have not.





Our National Testing and Research Center, in Yonkers, N.Y., is the largest nonprofit educational and consumer product testing center in the world. Research and testing are pivotal components of the work of Consumer Reports.
Before a product even enters one of the dozens of labs at our Yonkers headquarters, it has been subjected to considerable research. We gather data about products and services, about consumer demand in the marketplace, and about what our subscribers plan to purchase. Editorial, technical, and research staff then scrutinize that material, along with suggestions from our subscribers, to develop our testing schedule.
After additional research to define a project's scope, staff shoppers--assisted by a network of shoppers in 65 U.S. cities--buy the products we use as test samples.
To supplement laboratory testing, the survey research department gathers the experiences that hundreds of thousands of our subscribers have had with products and services through an annual questionnaire. Those results are the basis of our well-known auto Frequency-of-Repair index and other product-reliability reports.
More than 100 testing experts work in seven major technical departments--appliances, auto test, baby & child, electronics, foods, health & family, and recreation & home improvement, while more than 25 research experts work in three departments--product acquisition, product information, and statistics & quality management. In addition, we have more than 150 anonymous shoppers throughout the country. (Pay a virtual visit to our auto-test track.)
State-of-the-art testing equipment is always used and is sometimes complemented by equipment designed by our engineers. The actual tests are based not only on government and industry standards but also on standards our specialists think should apply.
Consumer Reports has been testing products since 1936. Visit our online gallery to see a selection of vintage testing photographs from our archives.
 
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#4 ·
Because you did not express this "pals" expertise in the subject matter. As is the case in most of these homeowner posts, what you see and read is a simplification of good building practices. At worst, is what I classifiy as cheap/stupid practices. Where homeowners think they can save thousands on a job with the skill level of chimpanzies holding a stick, flailing at a termite mound in a rain forrest.
Ron
 
#5 ·
Your point is well taken. However, you did not state your credentials. Furthermore , whatever credentials you may have you did not state how they qualify you to make comments about chimpanzees holding a stick at a termite mound, as you have done. Consumer reports testing has nothing to do with homeowners trying to save thousands, but rather to help them make informed decisions. Really sir, what sort of expertise dos one need to comment on Consumer Reports testing practices other than some first hand experience reading about it at some point in the past. As my friend told me (as expressed in the post) it should be taken with a grain of salt.

So then, what is really bothering you? :huh:
 
#11 · (Edited)
It's not off topic either, it's about roofing shingle information from a unbiased source, and the rating which can be found there in. Many consumers may find merit in the arguments Consumers Reports presents with regard to ROOFING SHINGLES! Indeed many have asked which shingle to buy, or to give information to help them decide.

Or you could listen to every shingle manufacturer that tells you theirs is the best. :laughing::no::no::no:
 
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