J.D. Power and Associates

Apple, Samsung top J.D. Power satisfaction survey

Phones from Apple and Samsung topped a J.D. Power satisfaction survey, which cited size, screen quality, battery life, and processing speeds as crucial. The survey also said satisfaction was high for 4G-capable phones.

Apple ranked highest in customer satisfaction among smartphone manufacturers while Samsung was No.1 among traditional mobile phone manufacturers, according to the results of two J.D. Power studies released Thursday.

Satisfaction is tied closely to the weight, size, quality of displays, processing speeds, battery life, and touch screen capabilities, according to the studies.

For example, satisfaction ratings are highest (8.1 on a 10-point scale) … Read more

Verizon edges out T-Mobile, AT&T in customer care

For the past few years, T-Mobile and Verizon have traded the crown for customer care. This time, Verizon has again snatched that title, according to data from J.D. Power and Associates' semiannual survey, which was released today.

Related links • Survey: T-Mobile tops in customer satisfaction • J.D. Power says Verizon tops in call quality • T-Mobile back on top in customer care

Verizon Wireless tallied a score of 770 out of a 1,000 possible points, just 4 points ahead of T-Mobile, with 766. Sprint followed with a total of 752 points, and AT&T ranked just behind, with … Read more

Study: Electric cars, hybrids too expensive for most

Despite rising prices at the pump, many consumers are still reluctant to purchase vehicles with alternative power trains because of cost and misunderstandings about the new technologies available.

That's according to the J.D. Power and Associates "2011 U.S. Green Automotive Study," whose primary findings were released today.

The J.D. Power and Associates study was conducted in February and included interviews with over 4,000 U.S. consumers planning to buy a new vehicle within one to five years. It estimates that alternative vehicles will make up less than 10 percent of the market by … Read more

J.D. Power says Verizon tops in call quality

Verizon Wireless has the best wireless service in terms of phone call quality in many parts of the U.S., according to a J.D. Power and Associates survey released today.

The semiannual study measures wireless call quality based on seven factors: dropped calls; static/interference; failed call connection on the first try; voice distortion; echoes; no immediate voicemail notification; and no immediate text message notification. About 26,000 wireless subscribers were surveyed between July and December 2010.

For the 13th consecutive reporting period, Verizon Wireless ranks highest in the Northeast region. Verizon Wireless also ranks highest in the Southeast, … Read more

Dropped calls prompt many to vow to switch carriers

Mobile phone customers thinking of switching to a different carrier are pinning the blame on dropped calls, which have grown over the past six months, according to a new survey from J.D. Power and Associates.

For its survey, the market researcher questioned wireless customers across the U.S. to gauge the quality of cell phone calls. The study focused on different types of call problems, including dropped calls, static or interference, failed calls on the first attempt, voice distortion, no immediate voicemail notification, and no immediate text message notification.

Among those surveyed, 14 percent said they definitely or probably … Read more

J.D. Power gives Verizon Wireless top marks for call quality

It seems like only two weeks ago when we last heard from J.D. Power and Associates (Oh look, it was). Now the organization that just can't stop giving out awards has done it again with Verizon Wireless, ranking the carrier the highest among wireless providers in five regions across the United States. According to the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Wireless Call Quality Performance Study, Verizon did particularly well in limiting dropped calls, failed connections, and late or failed messages.

More accurately, Verizon scored highest in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, and the Southwest. In the West region, … Read more

Verizon edges out T-Mobile in customer care

It's J.D. Power and Associates time again! The marketing information firm that loves to give awards spun out another this week with its 2010 wireless customer care performance study. Verizon Wireless emerged as the winner with an index score of 753 points on a 1,000-point scale. Verizon's score was 14 points higher than the industry average.

This wasn't a total blowout, however. T-Mobile, which tied with Verizon and Alltel in a similar study last August, was close behind with 752 points. T-Mobile and Verizon have traded the title back and forth over the last couple … Read more

J.D. Power customer care award ends in three-way tie

Every year or so J.D. Power and Associates gives out customer care awards to wireless carriers based on telephone calls, in-store visits, and online experiences. In the past, T-Mobile has reigned supreme in this department (except for August 2008, when Verizon snagged the title).

This year, however, the customer care award ended in a three-way tie, with Alltel (recently acquired by Verizon Wireless), T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless all grabbing the top spot, each with a score of 747. The highlights are as follows: Alltel did well with store visits and automated response systems; T-Mobile was great at transferring customers … Read more

Buick and Jaguar lead the pack

Probably the only race that Buick and Jaguar would finish in a tie is the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Vehicle Dependability StudySM (VDS), but both are on the top of the leader board this week. Each rank highest in vehicle dependability in a tie. Buick improves from a sixth-place ranking in 2008, while Jaguar improves from 10th place. Following in the top-five rankings this year are Lexus, Toyota and Mercury.

Toyota garners five segment awards for the Highlander, Prius, Sequoia, Solara, and Tundra. Lexus follows with four segment awards for the ES 330 (in a tie with the … Read more