Which?

Which? exists to tackle the issues that matter to all consumers.

Which? fights for consumers' rights in two ways. We campaign to make sure consumers get treated fairly. And we publish magazines, books and websites to help people make the right choice for them. Which? magazine was launched in 1957 by Consumers' Association, an independent charity. Following a review in 2004, the whole organisation now works under the Which? name.

We're fiercely independent and don't take funding from government or companies. There's no advertising in any of our magazines or websites - which more than 700,000 people subscribe to. We also sell around 175,000 books a year. These publications help people make the right choice when buying products and services, tell consumers their rights and expose company wrongdoing.

Which? also campaigns to stop businesses ripping off or endangering customers. In July 2004, our Move it campaign forced the government to announce a clamp down on estate agents. 'Our success means fewer home-moving nightmares and will make a difference to everyone buying and selling a house,' says Louise Hanson , Head of Which? Campaigns.

Endowment Action is another triumph. Nearly a million people have visited the site, with over 250,000 people complaining since its launch.

Asking consumers what they think is key to our success, so every year we survey hundreds of thousands of them - asking about subjects like:
• advertising unhealthy food to kids (they want it to stop)
• GM food (they don't want it to start)
• which banks give the best service (hint: not the big high-street ones).

Bite Back is a natural extension of this - our national survey will be active from October 2004 to early 2005, seeking your views on the eight big consumer issues that people are facing today.

Despite the changes - to its name, offices, staff, and consumer markets - Which?'s aim remains the same: a fair consumer world where everyone makes confident choices.

www.which.co.uk