Buyer's guides to carpet cleaners and juice makers now on ConsumerReports.org
Carpet cleaners and juicers don't appear to have much in common. Except that we've gotten a surge of requests to provide buying guidance for both; in one case, it happened within the same discussion in our forums.
So we've recently launched buyer's guides on carpet cleaners and juice makers/juicers. The former covers rental deep cleaners, vacuum-sized cleaners/extractors, and scrubbing machines. The guide to juice makers has details on citrus juicers and juice extractors. Essential information: Watch the video (right) to learn how quick action can minimize the long-term damage that wine, soda or juice spills can cause to carpets.
Our forums on laundry and cleaning and small appliances offer discussions and user reviews of both products.—Gian Trotta | e-mail | Twitter
Essential information: These buyer's guides to vacuums, blenders, and food processors feature buying advice and ratings (available to subscribers).
Previous
Posted by: A | May 27, 2009 6:31:10 PM
The forums did not want a "Buyer's Guide" to carpet cleaners. We wanted RATINGS!!! Now that you understand what it is we wanted, how many years before we get that?
Posted by: Pam A. | May 30, 2009 1:51:10 PM
Where are the ratings for carpet cleaners? Ratings are just as important as the buyer's guide. A consumer cannot make an educated, informed choice with only half the information.
Posted by: Randall Torres | May 30, 2009 4:51:45 PM
Where r the ratings for the juicers? If you do not have a CR quick rating say so....it appears you do not... a lot of general information that is available all over the internet...what sets you apart is your ratings...???
Randall Torres
Posted by: kimberly | May 31, 2009 5:05:00 PM
I would like to know when you will have the ratings. I am disappointed to find the information I seek is not here. I am questioning if it was worth getting a subscription. I was expecting this to be an easy experience...get on, find ratings, go buy carpet cleaner, get mess cleaned up. I am now frustrated and annoyed.
Posted by: Julie Reyes | Jun 4, 2009 12:51:14 PM
I am very disappointed not to see the ratings on Carpet Cleaners. I have been waiting to make a purchase a long time. Please give us ratings!!!
Posted by: stacy d. | Jun 5, 2009 11:16:10 AM
Ditto!! Is there a weird conspiracy going on that you don't want to ratre these carpet cleaners?? Whe are you going to test and rate them??
Posted by: Sandy | Jun 5, 2009 6:35:22 PM
I agree with many of the comments! Major disappointent. We are looking for a new carpet cleaner. So what better resource than Consumer Reports, right?
NOT!! Waste of my time and money I might add!!
Posted by: Angie | Jun 6, 2009 5:22:25 PM
I am also looking for ratings for carpet cleaners. Can you please tell me when this will be available?
Posted by: Lee | Jun 6, 2009 11:54:08 PM
I agree with everyone else. I got the subscription because of wanting to see ratings for different items. I am looking to get a juicer but see that you only have basic information for them. Are you going to rate them?
Posted by: Mike Engel | Jun 8, 2009 7:45:20 AM
I getting real disappointed with CR. Th lack of ratings on many products is a growing and making mequestion the need to subscribe.
Posted by: Lulua | Jun 8, 2009 10:49:36 AM
Not only do I want ratings of carpet cleaners, I want ratings of carpet shampoo machines as well as national chain carpet cleaning companies. And don't forget comparing all with the Rug Doctor.
Posted by: Trish | Jun 8, 2009 7:14:40 PM
Sorry I wasted my money on a monthly subscription. I keep trying to stay subsribed, but am constantly disappoited. Came here looking for advice and ratings on carpet extractors. Not alot going on here! Glad I only purchased one Month.
Posted by: Laurie | Jun 9, 2009 8:11:27 AM
I, too, was looking for ratings for carpet shampooers. I knew everything in the buying guide already - I want to know which machine is going to give me the biggest bang for my buck!
Posted by: David Kiwerski | Jun 9, 2009 3:42:13 PM
Where are the ratings for carpet shampoo machines for the home?
Posted by: Cindi | Jun 11, 2009 9:46:18 AM
While researching what kind of carpet cleaner to purchase I decided to check out Consumer Reports since this is a fairly expensive purchase. I paid for the on-line subscription only to log in and see that the only information available is the some info I already know from doing my research. Why no ratings to help me decide? I am back where I started. Please let us know when you will do some testing - isn't that what you guys do??
Posted by: Cindy | Jun 13, 2009 11:44:57 AM
Hello, is anybody out there? We are asking for ratings on carpet shampoo cleaners. I can't afford to have someone clean my carpets and need to do it on my own. Which is the best carpet cleaner? Maybe it's time to save money by cancelling my subscription since no one is listening to the requests.
Posted by: Terry | Jun 13, 2009 11:50:56 AM
Agree with all the posts. I have been a subscriber to CR for years. But, they have continually gone downhill to the point of not being relevant any more. I was looking for ratings of carpet cleaners, and like all the rest, no dice. I predict CR will be out of business before too long, or at least will be the last place on earth anyone looks for reliable information or advice. Complete turnaround from historical norm. Shame!
Posted by: Karen | Jun 13, 2009 1:16:17 PM
I agree . . . a Buyer's Guide does me absolutely no good. I'm a new subscriber, and I have to say so far I'm pretty disappointed. It seems that every time I have come to Consumer Reports, they have no ratings on the items I'm interested in buying. I hope they take note of these comments and actually provide ratings!
Posted by: Larry | Jun 13, 2009 4:49:16 PM
I have been asking for a test on carpet cleaners for over two years and I can not fully express how disappointed I am this this general guide that a 18 year kid at best buy would tell me, thinking he is so kind of expert. I' m so hot right now. If this continues you can expect a cancelation
Posted by: Jeannette Montalvo | Jun 14, 2009 10:46:13 AM
Unfortunatly it will be another five years before we get any rating for carpet cleaners....
Posted by: juanita smith | Jun 14, 2009 11:04:54 AM
I don't understand why you don't have ratings on carpet cleaners
Posted by: Lawrence Schmidt | Jun 14, 2009 12:20:16 PM
I subscribe to CR so that I can get RATINGS, since I can't test things myself. I see ratings on cars EVERY SINGLE ISSUE of the magazine. Enough, let's see ratings on ALL types of products.
Posted by: Ram | Jun 15, 2009 12:38:21 PM
Just read the Juice Maker and the carpet cleaners buying guide. It was some basic information which I could have gotten them by doing a simple google. I read those to clearly find out what was tested and what was not tested and the criterio for the testing and the ratings based on the testing. Thats the information thats most useful to me and thats the information we cannot got elsewhere and hence I subscribe to this site.
Very unfortunate that you didnt provide any such useful information instead posted some generic information thats either of no value or could have gotten the same information elsewhere.
I would like to know if there is a policy change at CR?
Do you plan to test and provide ratings for these products in the near future? please do clarify so that we can look elsewhere for such information. <
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Ram
Posted by: Asa | Jun 16, 2009 6:22:14 PM
I too am waiting on your review of carpet cleaners...so, I guess 2009 as stated for the review is not over yet. I also like the idea of rating the companies providing this service.
Posted by: j | Jun 18, 2009 12:51:42 PM
I agree 110% with the comments above. The subscription is a rip-off if I don't get the ratings that is the only thing I purchased the subscription for. The other informtion provided is common sense - which can be located for free on the internet. Now I need to investigate juicers on my own. Thanks for nothing.
Posted by: gary sutton | Jun 19, 2009 10:39:51 AM
very disapointed
Posted by: jetman | Jun 21, 2009 2:36:00 PM
VERY DISAPPOINTED! What am I paying for if you aren't TESTING the appliances? I think you've heard everyone loud and clear - we want ratings - not descriptions.
Posted by: jetman | Jun 21, 2009 2:40:29 PM
Here's a site that collects consumer ratings from different sources: http://www.consumersearch.com/carpet-cleaners.
Posted by: Louise Lamphier | Jun 23, 2009 10:15:53 AM
This is useless. Where are the ratings. That is the only thing that I use on Consumer Reports.What is this subscription supposed to be about?
I was starting to be quite confused until I saw all of the comments above. When did you decide to snooker your customers?
Posted by: Sharon | Jun 23, 2009 6:59:23 PM
I am also very disappointed that you still do not have ratings for the carpet cleaners. In your blog you mentioned that in your testing that the rotating brush quit turning with some brands. However, you don't tell us which ones. The blog had all the information I already knew. Please rate carpet cleaners!!
Thank you.
Posted by: Susan | Jun 24, 2009 2:14:47 AM
When will there be ratings for carpet cleaners/extractors? The buying guide is helpful but I need ratings.
Posted by: Christopher P | Jun 24, 2009 8:47:44 PM
I've long been a buyer and fan of CR, but it seems like I've fallen into the same deception that so many others on this forum have. Why subscribe when everything is already there for free. I subscribed to get ratings for juicers, your ad suggested if I wanted more info I'd have to subscribe, I did and there's nothing. Kind of ironic that CR is guilty of something you'd condemn from other organizations. How do I cancel subscription?
Posted by: mordichi | Jun 27, 2009 9:47:07 AM
I searched for a juice extractor and could have obtained as much information at McDonalds....We subscribe for information and ratings not the BS you are putting out...Do your Job...
Posted by: Michael Felice | Jun 29, 2009 1:17:54 PM
What part of I will unsubscribe my auto-paid account if you cannot rate these appliances do you not understand? I do not even see a "we're working on it" statement! The least any consumer unfriendly site would do is try to placate the customers but we don't even get that here. Sad
Posted by: Yesenia | Jun 29, 2009 6:34:38 PM
I agree with all the posts...very disappointing that there are no ratings for juicers. It looks like I will NOT be renewing my subscription!...Is anyone that can address this even reading these posts????
Posted by: Deb | Jul 2, 2009 5:25:06 PM
I've been a subscriber to CR for many years and don't use it too often, but the one time I need it for carpet cleaners there are no ratings. What the heck! Maybe it's time to cancel my subscription.
Posted by: Michelle Miller | Jul 6, 2009 8:00:47 AM
Very disapointed! I guess I will check out the website from the previous post!
Posted by: vondell carter | Jul 6, 2009 8:18:39 PM
Sorry not to find ratings on juice extractors and juicers - people are back to buying them and since the Phoenix is no longer made wanted to know best one - no ratings. CR needs to go back to making sure that there are ratings for consumer products.
Posted by: George F | Jul 7, 2009 11:02:21 AM
Disappointed as the others commented to find no ratings for carpet cleaners which I thought I would definitely find on
Consumer Reports. org because these cleaners are a regular household item. I have previously always reviewed ratings for other purchases before I buy items such as cars, vacs, etc. The 2008 car I purchased was primarily because of the ratings I found on this web site. I stopped my subscription to the magazine because I incorrectly thought I would obtain the ratings from the on-line version. Perhaps I will re-evaluate the need to auto subscribe to the on-line version.
Instead maybe use: http://www.consumersearch.com/which is a
good source of consumer information too.
Posted by: Bob G. | Jul 8, 2009 7:27:49 PM
Talking to wife tonight about carpet cleaners I have no rating info. very disappointed
Posted by: Cathy Ann | Jul 9, 2009 8:16:02 AM
I agree 100% with the previous posts and just paid for a subscription to specifically get ratings on carpet cleaners; NOT a buying guide. Hindsight is great...I could've Googled the same info that I paid for here.
Posted by: Michael | Jul 10, 2009 2:18:27 AM
Add me to this long list of disappointed subscribers. I've come to think of CR as useless. I was interested in buying a new bike and all I got was BUYERS GUIDE. I'm looking at Carpet Clearners - whatdaya know another friggin BUYERS GUIDE!!! I, like half these posts paid for a subscription a year or two ago and since you had me on auto-renew, I paid for another year of useless data that I can find on my own using a search engine. Your website and magazine are only useful to me if you can make RECOMMENDATIONS! Consumers can only rate the units they own personally. Only an org like CR can buy several units, put them through the SAME battery of tests and conditions and make unbiased recommendations. If you're not doing that you've become useless in my opinion. I'm going to see if I can get my money back from that auto-renew!!!!
Posted by: Ann Lewis | Jul 10, 2009 10:59:16 AM
I subscribe to CR so I can get ratings on products. I wanted a rating on carpet cleaners. Well guess what..there isn't one. When there is a rating on a product it's so out of date that it's no longer available.
Posted by: Fran | Jul 11, 2009 8:50:40 AM
I, like the others who have posted comments before me am looking for ratings on carpet cleaners - not vaccums. It has been awhile but I have used this site before and have gotten ratings for lawn and garden equipment. I find it hard to believe that you don't have ratings on carpet cleaners. I am also a subscriber to your magazine.
I would like some sort of a response from your customner service department.
Posted by: Alan | Jul 11, 2009 1:53:39 PM
I see many posts here but no responses to the request for a carpet cleaner rating. Do you answer our requests or just read them?
Posted by: Minneapolis | Jul 11, 2009 10:37:28 PM
Agree. We just decided today that we need to get a carpet cleaner and I was excited when I logged on and saw CR just did a report. Then we get to the end and...no ratings. I'm no better off now than before reading the buyer's guide.
Posted by: UncleRick | Jul 14, 2009 11:49:58 AM
Looks like your consumers are rating you low. A big black spot for CR, in this category at least, and I am back off to the web to find some other info source.
Posted by: JT | Jul 15, 2009 6:49:48 PM
I too am wondering where in the world are the ratings on carpet cleaners!!!! Come on Consumer Reports!
Posted by: JT | Jul 15, 2009 6:51:14 PM
I too want ratings for carpet cleaners!!! Come on Consumer Reports!!
Posted by: MJ | Jul 16, 2009 12:32:06 AM
We subscribe to your magazine, we even fill out surveys - we do our share. How disappointing there are no ratings on carpet cleaners!!!
Posted by: Ann-Marie | Jul 16, 2009 5:44:04 PM
Indeed, why do I need the subscription? I can get basic carpet cleaner info at no cost on the web. I want rating as I need to replace my Hoover as i don't want to pay to have it fixed. C'mon CR, get with the program and justify my subscription cost.
Posted by: Hendrik Van Leuven | Jul 17, 2009 5:16:50 PM
I actually need to buy a juicer as a part of a health program to lower my blood pressure. This is the first time CR has not at least provided some basis for comparison shopping -- even dated ratings offer a general product guide I've found useful. Given the fact that juicers have been on the market for, I'm guessing, over two decades, this is even more surprising. I guess I'll just have to talk to people who've owned them for any recommendations and hope for the best; I'll be sure to tell them how CR is not infallibly all-encompassing as has been perceived all these years.
Posted by: Cashman | Jul 18, 2009 8:09:30 AM
I'll add my voice-RATINGS PLEASE!!!!! I read through to article, then realized that I'd come to the end of it with no ratings available. I couldn't believe it!! I appreciate the fact that you include consumer comments and perhaps you should integrate that data into your ratings. But don't eliminate the ratings themselves. You've taken most of the value out of Consumer Reports!
Posted by: D.S.Jones | Jul 19, 2009 9:10:35 AM
Very disappointed with CR these days. I bought this renewing subscription because I could get RATINGS, not just some generic buying guide.
I am interested in buying a carpet cleaner for the house (have several pets)--and to compare their costs and quality with what I could get at a rental place. What did I find here? Some simple information that I already knew and NO RATINGS! This article is worthless. I might as well just go to GOOGLE and look up the info myself.
If this is CR's new policy--more buyers guides and less RATINGs, then I will be cancelling my subscription next Spring.
The economy is down and I don't have extra money to waste on subscriptions that don't do me any good.
We need bonafide ratings. That is mainly what most of us subscribe to CR for............
DSJ
Posted by: William | Jul 19, 2009 11:23:31 AM
Once again Consumer Reports has disappointed me. Searching for Carpet or Rug shampoo or cleaner did not provide the ratings info that I needed or wanted! I don't know what is going up with the new (younger and inexperienced) management team at CU but I've noticed the down-hill trend in the quality of reporting and the number of items and consumer products areas that are being reported on these days (actually been like this for many years now). I wonder why I let you keep automatically charging my credit card to renew each year! Maybe next time I won't renew.
The reports on popular regular daily needed products are either missing or have gone down-hill in quality. Where are reports on such things as rug shampoos (the chemical cleaners not the vacuum machine cleaners!)?
Posted by: Ron Mitchell | Jul 20, 2009 2:03:45 PM
I found the information available about carpet cleaners to be so superficial that I could have have written it without any research. What a shame to have to pay for this garbage.
Posted by: deb | Jul 20, 2009 10:34:10 PM
looking for ratings for carpet cleaners? do you plan on doing them soon?
thank you
Posted by: Norine | Jul 20, 2009 11:22:18 PM
I agree with the other comments. I too was looking for the ratings on carpet cleaners and I'm disappointed it's not in here.
Posted by: Tim Patton | Jul 21, 2009 11:51:33 AM
I joined this site to get ratings on various products to purchase, with carpet cleaner being a major one. I see from this blog Iam NOT going to get that information any time soon. I am cancelling my subscription. What a joke...
Posted by: John Eckert | Jul 21, 2009 12:16:16 PM
Is the ratings shortage a sign that you have a financial problem ? A simple juicer rating is all that I was looking for. Got nothing but general descriptions. After I post this I'll try to see if you have a rating on breadmakers. I hope you do or I'll consider dropping my membership.
Posted by: M. Meade | Jul 21, 2009 3:07:40 PM
There isn't much more that I can say that hasn't already been said by others. The buying guides are indeed useless and I completely understand why people feel ripped off. Sadly, Consumer Reports isn't what it used to be....
Posted by: Bob | Jul 21, 2009 9:53:52 PM
Where can we find ratings for carpet cleaners? We would like to find something that performs well and has a resonable chance of holding together for a few years.
Posted by: Tina | Jul 23, 2009 5:14:11 PM
I appear to be in the huge group of people who wanted RATINGS for carpet cleaners, not some fluffy "buyer's guide" which doesn't say anything that you wouldn't learn in the first two minutes of a Google search on a product. It's really disappointing that there are all these comments, and no responses. I sent a direct inquiry to customer service. Maybe that will warrant a response as to whether ratings on carpet cleaners are in the works or not.
Posted by: Jan | Jul 27, 2009 4:23:47 PM
Here is a link to a site that does rate juicers
http://www.consumersearch.com/juicers/juice-extractors
Posted by: Jan | Jul 30, 2009 6:28:19 PM
Looking for ratings for professional carpet cleaning companies. Please consider offering this!
Posted by: Kelvin Gunnells | Jul 31, 2009 12:28:49 AM
Wow! What happened to this site? I used to be able to find ratings. Nothing here on carpet cleaners or drain cleaners. Those used to be available. Doubt I will renew my subscription next time.
Posted by: E | Aug 1, 2009 9:10:30 PM
The reason I just purchased a year-long subscription was to read RATINGS on carpet cleaners. Where are they?? Please post ratings asap as this is a very important purchase to some of us. Thanks!
Posted by: pam doughty | Aug 4, 2009 9:47:26 PM
I will not subscribe to this anymore!!!! I wanted ratings for carpet cleaners and shampoo cleaners...... I can get this info for free.... not a happy camper!!!!
Posted by: Darrell | Aug 9, 2009 11:34:41 PM
Maybe one more comment about the lack of ratings on carpet cleaners will induce CR to address this area. When one reads: "All those that we tested also required you to use the manufacturer's special detergent," it's pretty obvious that they were tested. One has to wonder what happened to the test data. ??
Posted by: Jay T. | Aug 16, 2009 11:52:47 AM
I cannot belive there are no ratings for carpet cleaners, not even a couple. I thought it was me not knowing how to navigate the site but from the comments from others I found out there aren't any...I stillcan't believe it...
Also, there must be a hundred gas grills on the market and CR only reviews a dozen? It seems it a most critical purchase (from a safety standpoint) and should be one of the most tested.
I subscriber to CR for your reviews of these items and am very underwelmed. I wish I would have signed up for a month instead of a year.
Posted by: Salvatore | Aug 16, 2009 8:04:27 PM
To make a long story short....where are the ratings for the carpet cleaners and juicers? I guess nobody from CR reads the posts. Shame. Maybe they should review their own web site.
Posted by: Jim | Aug 17, 2009 9:40:44 AM
I was going to subscribe to get info on carpet cleaners however I'm seeing that even those who have subscribed are out of luck. Note to Consumer Reports: Not everyone is buying a new car or washer/dryer combo.
Posted by: Jon | Aug 18, 2009 10:40:43 AM
I wanted to join the band wagon and say that I am disappointed that CR does not provide ratings on carpet cleaners. Is Hoover an investor or something? Is one of the board of directors involved with the Rug Doctor system? I am very confused, it seems like the ratings could be done in one day, yet you choose to piss off a bunch of people who have the choice to pay for this service. It makes no sense. At lease let us know if there are plans to test this.