For more than 70 years, Consumer Reports magazine has been helping people to make better buying decisions. A subsidiary of Consumer Union, Consumer Reports first began operations in 1936. The company is an independent, nonprofit organization whose stated mission is to strive for a fair, just, and safe marketplace for all consumers. Also, Consumer Reports attempts to empower consumers to protect themselves by teaching them about products to make better buying decisions.
The company's National Testing and Research Center in Yonkers, New York, is the largest nonprofit educational and consumer product testing center in the world. Credibility has been its key to success, and Consumer Reports works hard at maintaining its independence and impartiality by accepting no outside advertising or free samples and maintaining no other agenda than the interests of consumers. The company supports itself through the sale of information about products and services, individual contributions, and a few noncommercial grants.
Consumer Reports magazine has about 4 million subscribers. ConsumerReports.org is the largest publication based subscription website in the world, with more than 2 million online subscribers.

1. What elements of the consumer buying decision process does Consumer Reports' information most affect? In what ways?
2. In what ways could information in Consumer Reports magazine contribute to or help reduce cognitive dissonance? Explain.
3. How can Consumer Reports help a buyer to make a better purchase decision?