sf wrote on Sat, 27 Jun 2009 09:46:58 -0700:

>> On Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:48:53 -0700, Dan Abel wrote:
>>
>>> In article >,
>>> blake murphy > wrote:
>>>
>>>> i've never been tempted to subscribe, but i have gone to
>>>> the library to see what they say about certain items before
>>>> i bought.
>>>>
>>>> i wish they had a free site on the 'net, because i'm cheap.
>>>
>>> They *do* have a free site, but it has very limited
>>> information. A few years back, I was buying a car, and
>>> wanted lots of information. I subscribed to their paid site
>>> for one month, at a cost of US$2.95. I think I got my
>>> money's worth. With a credit card, it took me a few seconds
>>> to subscribe, and at the end of the month, another few
>>> seconds to unsubscribe.
>>
>> yeah, i know about the one-month option.
>>
>> i don't often make big- (or even semi-big) ticket purchases,
>> so i go to the library. they have a couple years' worth of
>> the magazine with an index.
>>
> If you're buying a car, read Edmunds.com.

Consumer Reports has a buying service that will give you the true
dealer's cost on a car and the desired bells and whistles for a small
price. I have never had any trouble paying about $250 over that. In
fact, when I tell salesmen about it being a CR price, they almost
always say that they can match it.

--

James Silverton
Potomac, Maryland

Email, with obvious alterations: not.jim.silverton.at.verizon.not