Consumers Digest: Difference between revisions
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Founded in 1959<ref name="lat">{{cite news|title=Consumer Reports Takes Consumers Digest to Task |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-06-26-fi-18745-story.html|accessdate= | Founded in 1959<ref name="lat">{{cite news |date=June 26, 1996 |title=Consumer Reports Takes Consumers Digest to Task |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-06-26-fi-18745-story.html |accessdate=September 8, 2025 |work=Los Angeles Times |location=Chicago}}</ref> and published by Consumers Digest Communications, LLC, '''''Consumers Digest''''' was an American [[magazine]]. It was based in [[Chicago]].<ref name="lat" /> The last issue was published in February 2019.<ref>{{cite news |title=Consumers Digest Magazine |url=https://www.mondotimes.com/2/topics/5/99/25147 |url-status=dead |access-date=July 22, 2021 |work=Mondo Times}}</ref> | ||
The magazine had no subscribers and did not test the products they select as 'Best Buys'. Instead, companies paid ''Consumers Digest'' for the right to promote their products as 'Best Buys'. They relied on consumer confusion of their name with the well-known ''[[Consumer Reports]]'' magazine, published by the nonprofit organization [[Consumers Union]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703404004575198322978785374|title=Auto Awards Clouded by Fees --- GM, Others Pay Consumers Digest for Right to Promote Vehicles as 'Best Buys'|last=Dolan| first=Matthew|work=The Wall Street Journal|date=October 5, 2010| accessdate=October 2, 2015|page=B4}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2010/05/the-truth-about-consumers-digest/|title=The Truth About Consumers Digest| work=The Truth About Cars|date=October 5, 2010|accessdate=October 2, 2015|last=Niedermeyer|first=Edward}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Complaint Review: Consumers Digest - Owner Randy Weber|work=Ripoff Report|url=http://www.ripoffreport.com/r/consumers-digest-owner-randy-weber/deerfield-illinois-60015/consumers-digest-owner-randy-weber-consumers-digest-phony-award-scam-best-but-deerfield-319913|access-date=May 6, 2016}}</ref> Consumers Digest Communications is a privately owned, for-profit business entity. | The magazine had no subscribers and did not test the products they select as 'Best Buys'. Instead, companies paid ''Consumers Digest'' for the right to promote their products as 'Best Buys'. They relied on consumer confusion of their name with the well-known ''[[Consumer Reports]]'' magazine, published by the nonprofit organization [[Consumers Union]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703404004575198322978785374|title=Auto Awards Clouded by Fees --- GM, Others Pay Consumers Digest for Right to Promote Vehicles as 'Best Buys'|last=Dolan| first=Matthew|work=The Wall Street Journal|date=October 5, 2010| accessdate=October 2, 2015|page=B4}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2010/05/the-truth-about-consumers-digest/|title=The Truth About Consumers Digest| work=The Truth About Cars|date=October 5, 2010|accessdate=October 2, 2015|last=Niedermeyer|first=Edward}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Complaint Review: Consumers Digest - Owner Randy Weber|work=Ripoff Report|url=http://www.ripoffreport.com/r/consumers-digest-owner-randy-weber/deerfield-illinois-60015/consumers-digest-owner-randy-weber-consumers-digest-phony-award-scam-best-but-deerfield-319913|access-date=May 6, 2016}}</ref> Consumers Digest Communications is a privately owned, for-profit business entity. | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
The magazine was sold at newsstands only and did not reveal its sales figures.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mediabistro.com/articles/cache/a10287.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120310092056/http://www.mediabistro.com/articles/cache/a10287.asp|archive-date=March 10, 2012|title= How to Pitch: Consumers Digest|date=April 27, 2011|first=Joy|last=Parks}}</ref> In 2001, when it ceased subscription distribution, it listed 700,000 subscribers (the list was sold to [[Time, Inc.]]).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/time-inc-acquires-consumers-digest-lists-51277|title=Time Inc. Acquires Consumers Digest Lists|newspaper=Adweek|date= August 9, 2001|last=Lefevre|first=Lori|access-date=2016-05-06|quote="Time Inc.'s Personal Finance Group has acquired the subscription lists of defunct Consumers Digest and Your Money magazines, an executive said Thursday."}}</ref> The publication has no connection with the ''Consumer Reports'' magazine or with ''Consumers Digest Weekly''. It was possible to subscribe to the on-line edition of ''Consumers Digest''. | The magazine was sold at newsstands only and did not reveal its sales figures.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mediabistro.com/articles/cache/a10287.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120310092056/http://www.mediabistro.com/articles/cache/a10287.asp|archive-date=March 10, 2012|title= How to Pitch: Consumers Digest|date=April 27, 2011|first=Joy|last=Parks}}</ref> In 2001, when it ceased subscription distribution, it listed 700,000 subscribers (the list was sold to [[Time, Inc.]]).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/time-inc-acquires-consumers-digest-lists-51277|title=Time Inc. Acquires Consumers Digest Lists|newspaper=Adweek|date= August 9, 2001|last=Lefevre|first=Lori|access-date=2016-05-06|quote="Time Inc.'s Personal Finance Group has acquired the subscription lists of defunct Consumers Digest and Your Money magazines, an executive said Thursday."}}</ref> The publication has no connection with the ''Consumer Reports'' magazine or with ''Consumers Digest Weekly''. It was possible to subscribe to the on-line edition of ''Consumers Digest''. | ||
==Controversy== | ==Controversy== | ||
''Consumers Digest'' had a history of not paying its contributors. In an October 30, 2017, article published by ''Talking Biz News'' (TBN), it was reported that at least three journalists were suing the company run by publisher Randy Weber for nonpayment. Two other journalists also shared their attempts to collect on what was owed them.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://talkingbiznews.com/1/business-journalists-sue-consumers-digest-over-nonpayments/| | ''Consumers Digest'' had a history of not paying its contributors. In an October 30, 2017, article published by ''Talking Biz News'' (TBN), it was reported that at least three journalists were suing the company run by publisher Randy Weber for nonpayment. Two other journalists also shared their attempts to collect on what was owed them.<ref>{{cite web |last=Roush |first=Chris |date=October 30, 2017 |title=Journalists sue Consumers Digest over nonpayments |url=http://talkingbiznews.com/1/business-journalists-sue-consumers-digest-over-nonpayments/ |accessdate=September 8, 2025 |work=Talking Biz News}}</ref> | ||
As of February 2019, following | As of February 2019, following additional lawsuits from 2018, it appeared the company had closed down, as the website no longer appeared active and the company phone number was disconnected. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Latest revision as of 21:47, 3 November 2025
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Founded in 1959[1] and published by Consumers Digest Communications, LLC, Consumers Digest was an American magazine. It was based in Chicago.[1] The last issue was published in February 2019.[2]
The magazine had no subscribers and did not test the products they select as 'Best Buys'. Instead, companies paid Consumers Digest for the right to promote their products as 'Best Buys'. They relied on consumer confusion of their name with the well-known Consumer Reports magazine, published by the nonprofit organization Consumers Union.[3][4][5] Consumers Digest Communications is a privately owned, for-profit business entity.
History
The magazine was sold at newsstands only and did not reveal its sales figures.[6] In 2001, when it ceased subscription distribution, it listed 700,000 subscribers (the list was sold to Time, Inc.).[7] The publication has no connection with the Consumer Reports magazine or with Consumers Digest Weekly. It was possible to subscribe to the on-line edition of Consumers Digest.
Controversy
Consumers Digest had a history of not paying its contributors. In an October 30, 2017, article published by Talking Biz News (TBN), it was reported that at least three journalists were suing the company run by publisher Randy Weber for nonpayment. Two other journalists also shared their attempts to collect on what was owed them.[8]
As of February 2019, following additional lawsuits from 2018, it appeared the company had closed down, as the website no longer appeared active and the company phone number was disconnected.
References
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