Amazon, Apple top Consumer Reports retailer rankings

Every day I'm besieged by people asking what computer, TV, or cell phone to buy... but rarely does anyone ask where they should buy the thing.

But the retailer you choose does matter. Return policies, restocking fees, service and support, and the general sales experience really do count. And of course, there's that not-so-little issue of the price you pay, which can vary widely from one store to the next.

Consumer Reports took a good look at 26 online and offline retailers in its December issue, and the results are in: Most stores, online and off, get reasonably good marks from customers. But a few outlets did rise to the top.

For general (non-manufacturer) websites, the numbers were all generally pretty good, with Amazon, Newegg, and PC Connection/MacConnection the top three outlets examined. Newegg was cited for having the best prices, while both Newegg and Amazon had high marks for selection and service. At the bottom? Best Buy (online), which scored mediocre marks on all three categories.

Apple earned Consumer Reports' highest rating and its only recommendation among six vendor-specific e-commerce websites. Despite performing badly on the price metric, it received the only above average service rating and was cited for a good selection, too. The cellar dweller: Dell, with merely average prices and service.

For walk-in stores, three rose to the top: Apple, Costco, and Micro Center. Apple got out-of-the-park scores for selection and service, and despite a rock-bottom price rating it still earned the top spot. Costco similarly got a big goose-egg for selection and service, but its aggressive prices made up for those failings. Micro Center did fairly well all around, with a top service score, good selection, and average prices. At the bottom of the list: CompUSA and Walmart.

Check out the complete results (along with the magazine's annual electronics reviews and rankings) in the December issue or here (with subscription).