WE asked, and you delivered. Earlier this year, thousands of Kiplinger readers responded to our call to rate the financial products and services they use in 13 categories, from brokerage firms to banks to credit cards to home and auto insurers. The results of our survey, which we're sharing here in our second annual Readers' Choice Awards, offer valuable insight into which providers shine when it comes to your everyday interactions and experiences with them.
In the survey, which we conducted at Kiplinger.com, readers evaluated providers based on such criteria as their experience with customer service representatives, how likely they would be to recommend the providers to others, and how satisfied they are overall with the companies or services. For each category, we've listed an overall winner that earned the highest score. We've also listed other products and services that earned above-average scores for the various criteria we asked readers to assess. (For more on the methodology, see the box on page 75.) Survey respondents had the option to leave comments about the products and services they use, and we've shared the highlights here (some of the remarks are lightly edited for length and clarity). Our thanks to all of you who participated in the survey.
FULL-SERVICE BROKERS
We asked readers to assess brokerage firms that offer a breadth of services, whether online, by phone, through inperson assistance at branches, or some combination. Readers rated the strength of their broker's customer service, how likely they would be to recommend the firm to others and their overall satisfaction with the broker.
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