Consumers Union, publisher of Consumer Reports and Consumer Reports Online, and
merchant rating site BizRate.com signed a deal to include the
latter’s ratings and research on Consumer Reports Online and in Consumer
Reports magazine.
The agreement brings together two impartial and independent research
organizations to provide online shoppers with e-commerce advice.
Financial
arrangements were not disclosed.
“Consumer Reports has a long-standing reputation as the No. 1 consumer
resource for unbiased advice on a variety of consumer products and services,”
said Nancy Macagno, director of new media at Consumer Reports.
“BizRate.com
takes a unique approach that draws on actual online buyers’ experiences using
a reliable, statistically valid methodology to create merchant ratings that
we believe will be beneficial to subscribers.
BizRate.com merchant ratings are compiled from continuous feedback solicited
from millions of customers as they make their online purchases and after
fulfillment, at more than 1,000 online stores.
The feedback is then analyzed and used to rate merchant sites on attributes
such as ease of ordering, product selection, on-time delivery and price.
BizRate.com Merchant Ratings will be included in the November issue of
Consumer Reports magazine and on Consumer Reports Online starting in late
October.