Consumer Reports vs VS Connects

Shop smarter with Consumer Reports by your side. Discover products worth buying, compare your options, find deals, and get trusted answers backed by CR's independent testing, research, and expertise. Whether you're looking for your next car, replacing an appliance, searching for the best products for your home, or just curious about what's worth buying, the Consumer Reports app makes it easier to shop confidently. Discover what's worth buying Explore Product Collections Discover trending products and expert-curated collections designed to help you find your next great buy. Watch the latest from CR Get useful shopping advice and consumer insights right in your feed, with videos covering products, CR testing, important consumer issues, and more. Find deals and ways to save Discover deals and discounts on products worth considering, plus tools like Best Time to Buy that can help you decide when it's worth making a purchase. Research, compare, and shop AskCR Ask questions and get answers backed by Consumer Reports' trusted expertise. Use AskCR to research products and cars, compare your options, narrow down your choices, and find the right product for your needs. Ratings & Reviews Access CR ratings and reviews for thousands of products, cars, and services based on independent testing, research, and consumer surveys. Image Scan Shopping in a store? Scan a barcode or take a photo of a product to quickly find CR ratings and information, compare your options, and make a more informed decision on the spot. Product Comparisons Compare products and cars side by side to see how your options stack up, and find the best choice for you. Buying Guides Get expert guidance on what to consider before you buy, from major appliances and electronics to cars and everyday products. Save Your Favorites Save products and comparisons so you can easily come back to them when you're ready to make a decision. Get even more from Membership Consumer Reports members get full access to features including: • Unlimited AskCR conversations • Ratings and reviews for thousands of products and services • CR Recommended products • Image Scan • Exclusive member deals and discounts • Best Time to Buy • Additional member benefits and exclusive partnerships • Extra savings with Bill Negotiator Not a member yet? Consumer Reports is free to download, with access to select features including Buying Guides, Bill Negotiator, Product Collections, videos, and limited access to AskCR. You can join Consumer Reports directly through the app to unlock the full experience. Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR buys the products it tests and does not accept advertising, helping you make informed decisions with independent insights you can trust. From discovering your next purchase to making the final decision, keep Consumer Reports with you and shop with confidence.

Welcome to Main Street 2.0 Real-Time Local Messaging. Verified Info. Zero Clutter. VS Connect (formerly VS Shopping) turns your phone into an instant connection to the heart of your town—or any tech-enabled town across the country. Whether you’re a shopper, traveler, business owner, or community leader, this is your secure, on-demand channel to everything local—powered by Virtual Storefronts. NO ALGORITHMS. NO TRACKING. NO DISTRACTIONS. Just Instant Alerts and verified messages from people and places you trust, delivered without the noise of traditional platforms. WHY VS CONNECT? Main Street 2.0: Instant, Trusted Local Communication • Instant Alerts from Businesses & Leaders Get real-time updates on your lock screen—no app opening required. Stay connected to the businesses and leaders you follow without feeds or distractions. • Private & Secure Your data is never sold or tracked. No ads. No comments. Just verified info from sources you choose. • Verified Local Sources Only Every Virtual Storefront is verified—no scams, impersonators, or anonymous messages. Just real info from real people. • Follow Businesses or Full Towns Customize your feed. Follow your favorite businesses or entire Main Street 2.0 towns like Murphy, Robbinsville, Andrews, or Hayesville. • Search Before You Go See what’s inside local businesses before you visit. Browse by product, service, event, or keyword. Discover what local really offers. A NATIONAL FIRST: THE TECH-ENABLED MAIN STREET Murphy, Robbinsville, Andrews, and Hayesville, NC, are the nation’s first tech-enabled Main Streets, leading a national transformation out of Main Street 1.0, where chains, clutter, fake reviews, and algorithm delays made real local connection difficult to impossible, depending on social media chaos on any given day. Main Street 2.0 is private, direct, and designed for real communities. FOR SHOPPERS, MERCHANTS & LEADERS For Shoppers Support local without the noise. Be the first to know when a business drops a new product, event, or special—right from your lock screen. For Merchants As a verified Storekeeper, only you and local leaders can broadcast directly to followers—like sending a text, in a simple send–receive–done format. No public comments. No algorithms. Just direct, clutter-free communication. For Community Leaders Send real-time alerts to residents and visitors. One tap, and your town is instantly informed with just-in-time information social media can’t deliver. CLEAN, DETAILED, LOCAL • No chain stores • No ads • No anonymous reviews • No fraud profiles VS Connect features the most detailed local business database ever created—with 12,000+ keywords already indexed in Cherokee County. Whether you’re looking for a handmade gift, a local contractor, or a hidden lunch spot, VS Connect helps you search and follow your community like never before. Main Street 1.0: Missed events, fake profiles, cluttered feeds, chain-store dominance, and privacy violations. Main Street 2.0: Verified alerts, real businesses, real people, real-time connection. Frank, one of our Storewatchers, calls the VS app “a state of mind.” VS Connect by Virtual Storefronts is the digital foundation for a new kind of local economy, one that respects your time, privacy, and community. GET STARTED NOW Download the VS App and experience the future of local connection. Follow real businesses, receive Instant Alerts, and join the nationwide movement toward tech-enabled Main Streets. ABOUT VIRTUAL STOREFRONTS BY USPACE Developed in Western North Carolina, Virtual Storefronts is the digital backbone of a secure, Main Street-centered internet. Powered by UspaceⓇ—the nationwide privacy network—we believe you should shop, play, and discover without tracking, profiling, or noise. Our mission is to elevate local businesses and communities while protecting privacy and keeping things simple.