Consumers Digest

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title: "Consumers Digest" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["consumer-magazines", "defunct-magazines-published-in-the-united-states", "magazines-established-in-1959", "magazines-disestablished-in-2019", "magazines-published-in-chicago"] description: "American magazine" topic_path: "geography/united-states" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consumers_Digest" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary American magazine ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox magazine"]

Field	Value
title	Consumers Digest
founded	1959
finaldate	February 2019
company	Consumers Digest Communications, LLC
based	Chicago
language	English
website
issn	0010-7182
oclc	1607834
::

| title = Consumers Digest | category = | frequency = | format = | founded = 1959 | firstdate = | finaldate = February 2019 | company = Consumers Digest Communications, LLC | country = | based = Chicago | language = English | website = | issn = 0010-7182 | oclc = 1607834

Founded in 1959 and published by Consumers Digest Communications, LLC, Consumers Digest was an American magazine. It was based in Chicago. The last issue was published in February 2019.

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. 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. In 2001, when it ceased subscription distribution, it listed 700,000 subscribers (the list was sold to Time, Inc.). 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.

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

1. (June 26, 1996). "Consumer Reports Takes Consumers Digest to Task". Los Angeles Times.
2. "Consumers Digest Magazine". Mondo Times.
3. Dolan, Matthew. (October 5, 2010). "Auto Awards Clouded by Fees --- GM, Others Pay Consumers Digest for Right to Promote Vehicles as 'Best Buys'". The Wall Street Journal.
4. Niedermeyer, Edward. (October 5, 2010). "The Truth About Consumers Digest". The Truth About Cars.
5. "Complaint Review: Consumers Digest - Owner Randy Weber". Ripoff Report.
6. Parks, Joy. (April 27, 2011). "How to Pitch: Consumers Digest".
7. Lefevre, Lori. (August 9, 2001). "Time Inc. Acquires Consumers Digest Lists". Adweek.
8. Roush, Chris. (October 30, 2017). "Journalists sue Consumers Digest over nonpayments". Talking Biz News.

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