Complain about a product or service

Consumer Reports

James of Clovis CA writes (10/10/01):
We subscribed to your online service back in January or February of this year in order to do research on refrigerators and dishwashers. We signed up for the one-month subscription only. You continued to charge our credit card every month through the present for $3.95 per month.

Several months ago I contacted you and asked you to cease and desist. I received no reply and you continue to charge my card. I have contacted my credit card company in an effort to get this charge stopped but they say I need a cancellation number from you and since you won't contact me, I will be forced to continue to be extorted until I turn this over to the state's attorney general.

I plan to go on to e-complaints and epinions and advise the Americans that read those pages not to trust that Consumer Reports or Consumer Union is on their side. I will advise of this fraud and how callously you have dealt with us. Maybe you will just continue to charge us until legal action occurs but it might save other poor dupes.

I have always looked to Consumer Reports for fair reporting, upfront information, and honest dealings. I had no idea my faith was so carelessly placed.

Laura of N. Arlington NJ (6/3/01):
I paid for a subscription to Consumer Reports Online and used it successfully a few times. When I tried to logon today to report a change of email address, the system wouldn't accept my ID and password.

I have my passwords and IDs written in a book (since it's hard to remember them all), so I'm sure I'm using the correct one. I remember that their ID's and passwords are case sensitive - I tried every conceivable combination, but couldn't gain access. Consumer Reports does not give you any way to contact them if you have a problem such as this. You can't use their Customer Service section until you've signed on. You can't use their Help section until you've signed on. You can't use their "forget your password?" option if you've had a change of email address because they email the information to the address you used when you first registered.

At one point, I was going to subscribe and pay again, thinking that I would at least gain access to the system, get to their Customer Service and ask for a refund. If you click on "Subscribe", it brings you back to Logon screen. When you click the link for new subscribers, it brings you to a blank screen! There's not a single link, name, phone number or email address anywhere for technical support. I paid for a year's worth of service and have no idea how many months I have left. Perhaps my subsciption was cancelled or has lapsed. I'll never know. Consumer Reports ought to rate themselves a big, fat zero!

Maria of Los Angeles (3/10/00):
I am very confused. I signed up for a monthly subscription for consumer reports online on February 24th. On March 3rd, I went to go use the service, and I was let to car club, and the name and password that I had previously given no longer worked. I need an explanation as to what consumer reports automotive service is (that I am paying for), and if it is the same as car club. I feel that it is not at all clear.

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