Ratings Web Sites Make Purchasing Products Easier

When researching a major purchase such as new appliances, a television, or computer, it is easy to get sucked into the press of the latest-and-greatest features, and the multitude of choices can be confusing. Fortunately, several excellent ratings and clearinghouse Web sites are available to help consumers make the right choice.

The reliability of many online stores - whether in delivering the promised product or limiting extraneous selling pitches - is a question for many first time purchasers. Even when operating under the assumption that the web site is secure from hackers, it may still not be the right place to make a purchase. In particular, learning that an online store has aggressive upselling practices before purchasing saves customers invaluable amounts of time and frustration. Upselling is when a customer service representative calls to "verify your credit card for fraud protection" and then proceeds to aggressively push accessories, service plans, or expedited shipping.

The following Web sites are good places to start research to be sure you get the best product at the best price.

Consumer Reports. This well-known site is a trusted resource for searchable ratings and buying advice for just about any kind of consumable. For $26/year, customers can access the Consumer Reports Web site for detailed recommendations and product assessments. The Web site maintains four years of testing data, and breaks down its product assessments by categories including cars, electronics and computers, babies and kids, and appliances. On a limited basis, the site includes recommendations about reputable online sources to buy products; however, Consumer Reports does not necessarily provide information for where to get the best price.