Consumers Digest
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Consumers Digest is an American for-profit magazine publication which accepts advertisements and allows companies to use its reviews for marketing purposes. It should not be confused with the non-profit magazine Consumer Reports.
The magazine has come under criticism for various unusual business practices. For example, the publication isn't sold at newsstands, and to subscribe, the interested party must write to Consumers Digest asking for more information.
[edit] Alleged Impropriety
The magazine awards its Consumers Digest Best Buy seal to products its staff judges to be of the best quality for the most reasonable price. However, because Consumers Digest reportedly receives money from many of the corporations it reviews, uncertainty has arisen regarding how merit-based such an award can be. The name "Best Buy" also has been used by rival Consumer Reports since the early 1970s, leading to questions about the seal's actual origins.
Some observers allege that Consumers Digest exists solely to provide what appears to be a superior rating from a "Consumer" testing organization to consumers who don't pay close attention and are not aware that Consumer Reports magazine does not allow manufacturers to use its ratings to advertise their products.
Some of the brands that employ the green and gold "Consumers Digest Best Buy" seal include Thermospas hot tubs, Bridgestone Tires, Brinks Home Security, Multi-Pure Drinking Water Systems, and Mercury Automobiles.
