It has been said that everything is designed but not all things are designed well. We’ve all experienced that disappointing moment when a product you purchased turns out to not be exactly as advertised; it’s easy to feel ripped off.
As a result of poor craftsmanship, most of us have a garage, closet or storage room filled with broken or unused appliances, gadgets and other paraphernalia that were supposed to make our lives easier.
Choosing simple items like handheld fans or toaster ovens has become fraught with anxiety over which brand or model to purchase.
Thankfully, Airdrie Public Library (APL) has a solution for you. Under the "eResources" tab on airdriepubliclibrary.ca, you’ll find a sweet little item that could save you buyer's remorse and a bundle of cash. We’re talking about that champion of marketplace transparency and fairness, Consumer Reports.
This independent, non-profit organization has been working with North American consumers since 1936 to provide “reviews and comparisons of consumer products and services based on reports and results from its own in-house testing laboratory and survey research centre.”
According to its website, the organization “accepts no advertising, pays for all the products it tests and, as a non-profit organization, has no shareholders.”
The simple truth is Consumer Reports is recognized as a trusted source of useful and objective information on a massive variety of consumer products and services.
In the time of COVID-19, it’s helpful to be able to evaluate products before ordering online or putting on your mask to venture out to a store. Being informed and knowledgeable before any purchase will save you not only money but also frustration. You may be able to find the perfect handheld fan for these hot August days without a single twinge of regret.
Consumer Reports – and a bevy of other electronic resources – are free to use with your library card.
