From cars and cell phones to washing machines--this book presents the most objective product information available, with Consumer Reports ratings, repair histories, product recommendations, and buying advice.

"Consumer Reports Used Car Buying Guide" gives shoppers comprehensive advice on more than 200 models, including reliability histories for 1992-1999 models of cars, SUVs, minivans, and pickup trucks. 225+ photos & charts.

Offers advice on selecting contractors and home builders, as well as discussing mortgages, site selection, environmental concerns, consumer rights, and contracts, and identifies unethical practices.

Purchasing coloured gemstones can be a magical experience, filled with excitement and anticipation. But lack of information, error, or misrepresentation can make buying gemstones confusing, intimidating, overwhelming, and costly. With more varieties than ever before to choose from, including altogether new gems, revolutionary new cuts, and new ways to buy gems -- such as internet auctions and TV shopping -- there has never been a more exciting time to buy or collect coloured gemstones. But there are also new high-tech treatments and sophisticated frauds to look out for. Lack of information, error, or misrepresentation can make the thrill of buying a gem or piece of jewellery confusing, intimidating, overwhelming, and costly. Buyers need a source of expert guidance. To help you avoid the pitfalls and keep the magic, Antoinette Matlins, an internationally respected expert on buying gems, puts her insider knowledge to work for you in this easy-to-read, easy-to-use guide. Practical, comprehensive, and easy to understand, the guide offers in depth all the information you need in order to know what to look for and what to look out for, including: what qualifies as a 'gemstone'?; how to evaluate colour -- and its impact on price; deciding between a natural gem and an enhanced gem; coloured gemstone synthesis and treatment; what to ask when buying the stone; what to get in writing; how to get what you want within your budget; price guides for popular gems, opals, and synthetic stones; And much, much more!

This essential guide to getting the best value in basic baby products offers important information on safety, durabilty, comfort, and performance. Completely revised and updated, it includes price guidelines, recall information, and up-to-date buying advice on toys, clothing, baby foods, disposable diapers, and more. Photos.

This study chronicles the success of the Japanese car in America. Starting with Japan's first gasoline-powered car, the Takuri, it examines early Japanese inventors and automotive conditions in Japan; the arrival of Japanese cars in California in the late 1950s; consumer and media reactions to Japanese manufacturers; what obstacles they faced; initial sales; and how the cars gained popularity through shrewd marketing. Toyota, Honda, Datsun (Nissan), Mazda, Subaru, Isuzu, and Mitsubishi are profiled individually from their origins through the present. An examination follows of the forced cooperation between American and Japanese manufacturers, the present state of the industry in America, and the possible future of this union, most importantly in the race for a more environmentally-sound vehicle.