Consumer Reports unveils annual 'Naughty & Nice' holiday business list

CLEVELAND - Consumer Reports has unveiled its third annual Naughty & Nice List of company policies and practices.

The companies cover several industries, including automotive, apparel and even hospitality.

The annual Naughty & Nice list is not a rating on an overall company. It's a "thumbs up" or "thumbs down" on a specific policy or practice. CR also acknowledges that the companies excluded from the list may have similar policies.

The Naughty & Nice Holiday List is based on input from Consumer Reports' reporters and editors who cover shopping, travel, hospitality, telecommunications and visitors to the Consumer Reports Facebook page.

The following are some of the companies from the Naughty and the Nice sides of the 2012 list:

NAUGHTY

- Ticketmaster: The king of tickets will snail mail you your tickets for free if you have 10 to 14 days to wait for them, but if you need them any sooner you'll have to pay for expedited shipping. You'll even have to fork over $2.50 per order just to print them yourself. Gotcha!

- Time Warner Cable: The Internet biggie joins a list of other providers to charge a monthly fee (in this case, $3.95) to lease a cable modem.

- BMW: Getting stuck with a flat tire isn't the best way to find out your car didn't come with a spare tire or jack, but BMW owners may experience just that. The automaker's models now come with run-flat tires or a Mobility Kit, which can get you to help after a minor puncture. The disappearing-spare syndrome has been spreading to include even economy models from Hyundai, Chevrolet and others.

NICE

- Home Depot: Buy a new appliance from a home improvement giant and they'll haul your old one off your property without charge. The delivery crew will also uncrate, set up, level and test your new one.

- Oxo: The innovative housewares manufacturer backs every product it sells with a no-exceptions pledge - if for any reason you are not satisfied, return it for replacement or refund.

- PNC Bank: In Consumer Reports' survey of 10 banking giants, PNC was the only one to offer a free basic checking account.  What's more, the institution doesn't require customers to maintain a minimum balance to keep this freebie.

The full Naughty & Nice Lists from this year, 2011 and 2010 are available online: http://on.wews.com/Wgikjy