Re: Laboratory Street
The Consumer Association in the UK is similar - its monthly magazine is called 'Which?'. It has no advertising, and is financed by its subscribers.
They test all sorts of consumer goods, and they explain their methods which often involve a lot of real testing in controlled conditions. Recommendations are made, but the results of the tests and specifications of all tested products are always shown in a matrix.
Its subscribers give Which? a group of consumers with varied and broad interests who are willing to participate in surveys. They know that this information will not be used to sell stuff to them. Instead, the information will be processed and given back to them.
Such surveys include customer service from retailers, or the reliability of products.
It would be very difficult for any one company to 'game' these surveys, due to the range of products and services the subscribers are quizzed about.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
