ShopSmart (1-year auto-renewal)

I consider this magazine to be the feminine version of Consumer Reports. The articles are condensed versions of most that can be found in the regular Consumer Reports mag as well as the website. But these are mostly "female" related items, bras, saving at the grocery, purses, wines, etc. The colors are flashy and eye catching whereas the Consumer Reports magazine itself is more utilitarian.

I really like this magazine because it's shorter to the point articles, I don't have to search long lists to find the top 3 of something. This magazine gives the best recommendations as well as those not recommended. They've left out most of the dirty details to get to that point. The magazine also covers stories about the top 10 tips to save at the grocery, the top 10 websites that save you money, cleaning products you can't live without, the best little black dress and on and on.

They also have articles about single females' necessary household tools, and gives the best recommendations for power/hand tools for women. So that's why I'm saying it's meant for women mostly rather than guys.

It is expensive for 6 issues but in one purchase you could save $20, so to me the magazine is worth the cost. If you want, just get the online consumer reports, website only access and you'd have the best of both worlds.

The price listed is $22.95 for 12 months (6 issues). But the magazine is published 10 times a year and the publisher is assigning expirations based on six issues (approx. seven months). This makes the cost per year $42 (considerably more than a year on Consumer Reports at $29).

The magazine itself is fine (three stars) but the dishonest advertising is completely unacceptable.

Also, they seem to be charging a 30% premium to edit CR for a "feminine" audience.

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I've bought the magazine a few times now at the newsstand, and I like the content and layout. However, much like its parent company's Consumer Reports, it is expensive for what it is. Six issues for $23? Not too mention, I have to take even more issue with that price.

If you look at the magazine's website you'll see that it is actually $18 for six issues and $4.95 for shipping and handling.

Shipping and handling for a magazinereally?

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I recommend that you subscribe to Consumer Reports OR ShopSmart, but not both. Here's why:

Since ShopSmart is published by Consumer Reports, I knew I could count on reliable reviews and ratings, no outside advertising, and advice that would save me money. I've subscribed to Consumer Reports for years, and knew what to expect. ShopSmart follows in the footsteps of Consumer Reports in all of these respects.

What really bothers me, though, is the amount of duplication between the two magazines. The January 2011 issue of ShopSmart contained the following, all of which appeared in the January 2011 issue of Consumer Reports:

1. Rating the best cookware sets

2. Rating the best frozen pizzas

3. An article on where sugar is "hidden" in various foods.

4. A discussion about the best all purpose cleaner

5. A review of the Duracell MyGrid charger (including the exact same accompanying photo in both magazines)

6. An article about the dangers of mercury in tuna fish

7. An article about the dangers of shattering glass bakeware

And more...and this is pretty much par for the course each month. I noticed this much overlap in a free trial issue, but thought it was an anomaly...not their standard operating procedure.

It is my opinion that the same organization I trust for their reviews is taking advantage of my trust by making two magazines with so much duplicate content. I will continue to subscribe to Consumer Reports, but I will NOT be renewing my ShopSmart subscription unless it stops duplicating so much of Consumer Reports.

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I have subscribed to "Consumer Reports" for years as I like their unbiased reviews and policy of not accepting advertising revenue. I still subscribe to "Consumer Reports" and have decided to subscribe to "ShopSmart" as well, as it retains the unbiased, no advertising attributes of "Consumer Reports" and focuses on making daily purchasing decisions without any hype or gimmicks.

"Consumer Reports" is extremely useful, but can be quite tedious and detailed, particularly when dealing with electronics or durable goods. "ShopSmart" retains the same general editorial tone, but is much more concise. The individual articles are informative but rather brief, focusing more on value choices versus technical minutiae: of the two it is the more readable magazine by far.

While I still consider "Consumer Reports" as the gold standard for product evaluation and differentiation, "ShopSmart" provides useful, easy to apply information in a highly readable package.

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