All manufacturers who use the Consumer Digest awards must pay a license fee to do so. That is how CD can operate. It works this way, from what I have been told:
CD looks at a product - mostly from brochures, written warranties, product information, company history, comsumer complaints, BBB and the like - and decides which ones are good, better, best. Then they tell those companies that they have selected one or more of their products as a "Best Buy" or whatever.
IF you wish to use our registered trademarks and other licensed items in your advertising to let folks know about this award, you must pay us $X for the right to do so.
As I understand it, a company cannot simply send in money and be granted an award.
Also, some companies choose not to participate. HS, for example, has been awarded five times on record. That is more than any other tub maker. But they were awarded and chose not to participate more than that.
Take it for what it's worth, but as far as I know, you can't just open the checkbook and buy this one award.
