There's still time to pick up a great sparkling wine for your New Year's Eve celebration, and some of our top picks are available for as little as $10. In our tests, we found that "France" on the label doesn't always mean great bubbly in the glass.
Our top two sparkling wines are produced in California. Several of the
lower-rated products, including one of the most expensive, varied in
quality from bottle to bottle.
If you're planning to spend much of the next week returning gifts,
you're not alone. Twenty-one percent of respondents to a recent poll by
the Consumer Reports National Research Center said that they returned
at least one holiday gift last year; 9 percent returned three or more. To
help you navigate the complex maze of issues related to gift returns,
we've created this guide to what we're officially declaring Reboxing
Day — the day you start reboxing those unwanted gifts and hauling them
back to the store. Follow these tips, and you may just be on your way
to a week of happy returns.
• Keep those gift receipts. They're vital for many of the other tips listed below (and while you're at it, make a mental note to include gift receipts with the goodies you hand out next year).
• Don't be surprised if you're turned away if you don't have a receipt. Many stores have gotten stricter about accepting returns without a valid receipt. In addition, new tracking software is enabling many large retailers to keep tabs on individuals' return behavior. If you've returned goods too often within a specified time period or habitually seek to return merchandise without a receipt, you could be denied. (If you think there's an error, clear your name by contacting the Return Exchange, a company that monitors returns for retailers, at returnactivityreport@thereturnexchange.com.)
• Don't expect a cash refund.
Stores are not obligated to give you your money back, even with a
proper receipt. Your refund can come in the form of store credit or
gift card.
• Use that receipt to make sure you get the full price. If you're lucky enough to be able to make a return without a receipt, you'll probably get the lowest price the item sold for, which may include markdowns.
• Try to recoup shipping charges. Some generous e-tailers are willing to provide prepaid mailers to return a sweater or pair of shoes that doesn't fit, but they don't generally broadcast the news. Be sure to read the fine print on the returns page, or ask when you call for a return authorization number.
If you can read this, you're too close. Too close to the deadline for
holiday shopping, that is. But, of course, it's never too late, if
you're creative. Here are a few ideas if
you've just checked the calendar and realized that St. Nick has come
and gone, and the stockings you're expected to fill are still empty:
Video Stores - Christmas has become a popular day to go to the movies, and the big video chains want a piece of that. If there's a Blockbuster or Hollywood Video store near you, chances are it's open at some point today. You should be able to find at least a handful of good DVDs and video games available before you sit down for Christmas dinner.
Continue reading "Last-second gift guide: What you can buy right now" »
If, like 24 percent of the respondents to a recent CR survey, you've waited until now to shop, a harsh reality may be setting in: With only a couple of days to go before Christmas, your choices can be fairly limited (sorry; time to give up on the Wii until next year). Fear not. CR's Amanda Walker is her with some great ideas for last-minute shoppers, and some early tips to help with your post-holiday returns. Click on the image to catch a video of Amanda sharing some of our favorite tips.
It's no secret that portable GPS systems are among the most popular gifts this holiday season. Which means that it's a good bet that someone on your gift list wants one. If that's the case, we're here to help. We've Rated many of the leading models (Ratings are available to subscribers), and have also compiled a list of some of the best GPS deals at leading retailers, which you can find here. And if you're still not sure what features you need to consider when buying a GPS, click the image above to watch our video shopping guide.
Americans love their pets and the holidays are a chance to prove that. A recent Harris Interactive poll reveals that almost two-thirds (65 percent) of pet owners have bought their pet a holiday gift. What's even more surprising is that over one-third (37 percent) have also bought a their pet a birthday present.
Dogs make out like bandits. Not only are dog owners slightly more likely (93 percent) than cat owners (89 percent) to consider their pets members of their family, but dogs get more presents than cats do. Most (71 percent) of dog owners have bought their pet a holiday gift, compared to 63 percent of cat owners. Canines also get more birthday presents; 42 percent of dog owners have bought their pet a birthday gift, compared to 33 percent for cat owners. The upside to being a cat is that you are more likely to be allowed on to the family bed to sleep and that you are less likely to be wrestled into an outfit; 23 percent of dog owners have dressed their animal up in clothing while only 14 percent of cat owners have done the same.
We've already given you our take on whether LED lights are a good choice for your holiday decor. Now, check out our exclusive video and decide for yourself whether the energy-efficient bulbs are a bright idea for your home.
Christmas is only a week away, but even shoppers who have not yet finished buying their gifts are looking beyond the holiday to when they plan to return (or pass along) presents, buy gifts for themselves and start chipping away at their credit-card debt. A survey conducted earlier this month by Consumer Reports National Research Center indicates that there will be a rash of last-minute and post-holiday shopping this year. And some consumers expect it to take months to pay for their largess.
Christmas countdown
Nearly one-quarter of consumers (24 percent) anticipate not completing their holiday shopping until December 23rd or later and one in 10 don't expect to be done until Christmas Eve. Five percent of respondents plan to finish their gift shopping after Christmas—compared to the 19 percent who are already done.
When they shop, those surveyed say they patronize such mass merchandisers as Target and Wal-Mart, pay cash and watch their spending. Holiday shoppers intend to give an average of 13 gifts this season, down one from last year. They expect to spend an average of $763 for those gifts with only 16 percent of shoppers saying they plan to spend more this year than last. More than half plan to spend the same and 29 percent plan to spend less.
Efforts to keep spending in check may account for the increase in respondents—53 percent compared to 46 percent last year—who say they find their best deals at mass merchandisers. Since last year, expectations of getting deals have fallen for every other category of retailer including department stores (Macy's, Sears), discount stores (TJ Maxx, Marshalls), online retailers, outlet stores and big-box stores (Sam's, Costco).
This year most shoppers are opting to pay cash for their purchases—79 percent. Use of credit cards has fallen from 48 percent to 45 percent. And fewer folks are using debit cards—40 percent compared to last year's 46 percent.
Online deadline
With shopping and shipping days waning, some consumers still plan to make online purchases. Of those, 95 percent expect to wrap up their purchases by December 22. After this date, problems with gifts arriving in time for Christmas are more likely. Still, four percent of online shoppers admit their shopping will slip past the 22nd.
Nearly a quarter (24 percent) of last-minute online shoppers will pay extra for expedited delivery, a decrease from last year when 31 percent of shoppers paid the extra cost. And 42 percent of online shoppers said they order items they had not intended to buy to qualify for free shipping offers or other discounts.
Continue reading "Ready for Christmas? Not yet, and dreading the debt" »
If you want to put a Wii under the tree this year, you can still do it, if you're willing to brave early-morning lines, high prices or the disappointed look you'll get when handing over a virtual gaming console. CR's Paul Eng outlines the options, which essentially include shelling out $400 or more for a "bundle" including accessories and games that you may or may not want; picking up a Wii gift card that guarantees a unit in January; or lining up in frigid pre-dawn temperatures in front of New York's Nintendo World store and waiting for the doors to open. Eng did just that earlier this week, and reports that he managed to pick up a unit for $250 after waiting a mere three hours. But don't assume you'll get off as easily; Eng reports that, on his foray, at least one intrepid soul had begun his wait at 8:00 the previous evening, and as December 25th gets ever closer, more Wii-wishers may find themselves joining that late-night crowd.
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If you've already gone through our holiday gift guide, and still can't find anything to please that special someone, here's another batch of goodies: Our picks among the latest crop of consumer electronics products, including some that have topped our ratings and others that look good based on our initial impressions. Prices range from $100 for a snapshot printer, up to $4,500 for a 52-inch HDTV. Some of our choices:
You can find the full list here.
Sure, there are still two whole weekends for shoppers to finish their holiday shopping (one of which is even a three-day weekend for those lucky enough to have December 24th off). But the deadline for the 65 percent of consumers who plan to do at least some shopping online is much closer, especially for those who don't want to shell out for express shipping. And, of course, deadlines differ from store to store, making it difficult to decide exactly where to invest those precious few minutes of screen time. Fortunately, the folks at DealHack have put together a handy cheat sheet with the shipping deadlines for over 120 merchants. While most are still offering standard shipping with delivery by the 24th, some — including name brands like BarnesAndNoble.com, CircuitCity.com and ToysRUs.com — have already slipped into express (or at least "expedited") mode. Many more are moving in that direction this weekend, with most throwing in the towel on standard delivery by next Tuesday, December 18th. Some notable holdouts, according to DealHack: Zappos.com, which is offering standard shipping with holiday delivery all the way through December 21st, and Blue Nile, which stretches its deadline all the way to December 22nd. And remember, if you plan to send your gifts the old-fashioned way — by waiting on line at the Post Office — tomorrow's your last day for Parcel Post, though you can get those gifts out by Express Mail all the way through the 22nd.
If an ebook reader was on your list this holiday season, you're in luck — sort of. Although the hottest new model, Amazon's wireless Kindle reader (pictured), is sold out and back-ordered, the Sony Reader, which uses the same e Ink technology but requires a computer connection to download books, is still available, for about $100 less than the Kindle. Of course, you don't get the Kindle's web browser or integration with your Amazon.com account. But you can get the Sony Reader now, and Sony's throwing in a hundred classic (i.e., public domain) ebooks for free.
>> More
The financial worries that have plagued many shoppers for months seem to have finally reached into the upper echelons. Upscale retailers such as Saks, Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus are all starting to feel the effects of the weakened economy. With high gasoline prices and and a falling real estate market, some who once felt confident shopping in these stores are starting to head for the discount retailers.
The last few years introduced the public to the concept of "masstige," luxury items aimed the masses. Luxury retailers that once catered to only the wealthiest, found that more and more people in the middle income range were clamoring for their products. The aspirational consumers, the ones who want to move steadily upward, are now retreating from the luxury stores they once flocked to. Nordstorm, Neiman Marcus and Coach have all reported slowdowns in their sales.
The wallet-watching is expected to continue among the wealthy. The American Affluence Research Center's most recent survey found that households with an average income of $256,000 are planning less spending in the future and are more focused on "preservation of capital." And as we mentioned at the start of November, a survey by Unity Marketing showed that luxury consumer spending is at the lowest point in two years.
While a mobile phone may not be at the top of your holiday shopping list, there's one accessory that may appeal to many of your always-connected cohorts: A wireless Bluetooth headset. Prices for headsets have continued to drop, and what was once a luxury item can now be purchased for as little as $30. Of course, smaller headsets, or those with advanced features, can easily top $100, so a Bluetooth rig, depending on cost, can function as either a stocking stuffer or a primary gift. Here's some advice on shopping for headsets. ConsumerReports.org subscribers can also review our Ratings of 34 models, including some stereo headsets suitable for music playback.
Are you a fickle online shopper? If so, you're not alone. A recent Internet shopping and browsing survey found that U.S. consumers have a short attention span when browsing for products online. The survey, which was commissioned by SLI Systems and conducted by Zoomerang, found that 73 percent of respondents are ready to leave an e-commerce site within one to two minutes if they don't find what they are looking for. And 54 percent said they would only click through two or three pages of search results before giving up. It turns out that a good site search is important to shoppers; 36 percent of people said that they would not return to a retail site with poor search. One thing is certain, Web sites don't have much time to convince shoppers to stick around if they don't find what they are looking for quickly.
Looking for a holiday gift that will really keep on giving? How about turning a loved one into a humanitarian financier by giving them a Kiva.org gift certificate?
Recipients redeem their certificates to make “micro loans” directly to small entrepreneurs in 37 developing countries. Once the loan is repaid, the lenders can re-lend or withdraw the money, ultimately using it for that MP3 player or anything else they want.
It’s all done through the San Francisco non-profit group’s Web site, which features a profile of every entrepreneur seeking to raise him- or herself out of poverty.
>> More
Our sister publication, ShopSmart, just launched a new site, filled with excerpts from the magazine's current and previous issues (along with a handy link to a new online subscription form). If you're not familiar with ShopSmart, you should definitely take a look. The featured item on the site right now is ShopSmart's guide to great web sites for holiday shopping. Among the picks:
Check out the full list here.
We asked 40 children, ages 6 through 12, to check out the fun factor in 24 toys that are expected to be hot holiday sellers this year. They range in price from less than $10 to $200. After a day of unstructured play, we asked the kids to tell us whether they liked or disliked each toy, and to choose a favorite. Based on that, we came up with this year’s list of hot toys, in order of popularity. >> More
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