It is pretty safe to say that the way technology is progressing is at a faster rate than ever. It is also very hard to decipher the good from the bad in consumer electronics. Every day we are faced with the constant struggle of trying to make wise buying decisions without the later regret of buying something less than worthwhile. We've all been there before too. During the holidays we try to buy gifts for those we love only to find out later that what we bought was a bunch of hype, but none of the delivery the product originally had promised. This could be quite a let down when buying a gift. So what is the answer to this seemingly never-ending problem? The answer lies (as it often does) in the research.

When buying consumer electronics, its best to know what to expect before you buy. Here is a list of some ideas, concepts and general rules for buying consumer electronics.

1. Does the product have moving parts? This is important. If it has mechanical moving parts, such as gears and joints, it will most likely fall apart sooner than something without.

2. Do you know anyone else that may have such a product? It is important to learn about products through other peoples experiences. For example if John Doe bought the new Nintendo Wii gaming console and Jane Doe bought the PlayStation 3 Console, you would be able to interview both about the quality of game play, graphics, ease of use, potential problems, movable parts and anything else that may be of concern. This way you are getting enough information about a product, second hand, to make a wise buying decision from a trusted reviewer, an owner.

3. Get informed from Consumer Reports. Consumer Reports can give you details and specifications about user's experiences from a particular product. Let's say John Doe's Nintendo Wii system breaks down in 5 weeks after buying it, by checking the Consumer Reports he can find out what others have discovered about potential problems this particular console may have had.