11 months ago
YONKERS, N.Y. (WUSA) -- "For 73 years our mission is to make the market a better and safer place for consumers," says Consumer Union's Vice President of Communications Ken Weine.
Consumers Union started in a small office in Manhattan. Now, you'll find their engineers, scientists, researchers and writers on this sprawling campus in Yonkers, New York.
And today, they are still committed to making sure the products you use are safe.
"The role of being a watchdog has been with the American democracy from the beginning. It's important to have a voice," says Ken.
Testers in 50 labs put everything from treadmills to drills through a rigorous evaluation and shed light on just about any product on the market.
"We're able to translate this number into the number of screws this battery is capable of driving this drill," says Home Improvement Program Leader Peter Sawchuck.
The results are compiled and read by more than 8 million subscribers of their Consumer Reports magazine.
Ken says, "If we find a product we think should be recalled we communicate with the appropriate government agency. We also communicate with the manufacturer."
And, that network of subscribers, mystery shoppers and testers make sure product makers deliver on what they promise. Looking to become greener, but don't know much about solar water heaters?
Senior Project Leader Dave Trezza says, "What we're trying to determine is one, how well these work. Do we get 30 percent efficiency, do we get 80 percent savings?"
If you think price determines the quality of your high definition set, Consumer Reports' Technical Support Manager Jim Langehennig says, "We've had $600 sets come out on top of our ratings, beating out sets that cost two or three times more than that."
And, it's not just products. The non-profit also takes a stand on policies that affect your health.
Ken Weine says, "We have the benefit of having just one constituency. And, that's the consumer."
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