Just going to throw this out there... I hope you test the Snuggie before *and* after washing it. It gets a lot more comfortable after it's been washed. I don't think it's even possible to give it a fair review in its unwashed state.

I still want a Slanket though.

@illtron: Lots of fun things happen to a Snuggie after you wash it. Like pilling!

@Ben Popken: And you have to clean the lint trap like um 6 times : )

@jonthomasdesigns: Wait till you see how much lint we harvested.

Kind of sad that so few people donated.

@illtron: My friend got me a slanket when they first popped onto the scene about 3 or 4 years ago. They are really heavy duty blankets and really warm, I think you would enjoy it if you got one.

I'm still voting for a shwag store. I'll buy an overpriced Consumerist mug to benefit the site.

Does that make me a bad consumer?

@Jeremy82465: Yeah, the Snuggie was a gag birthday gift from my fiancée. It's so easy to make fun of the Snuggie, but I've got to admit, it serves a purpose. I think that once it gets cold again, I might drop the money on a couple of Slankets.

@Ben Popken: I don't doubt it. I wasn't the one to wash it, so I didn't see the lint trap afterwards, but I swear the thing is noticeably lighter after after washing. It's almost comically thin, and it's a magnet for dog hair... but definitely more comfortable!

I'm wondering how this all works...doesn't Consumer Reports own and pay for everything? Why the tip jar? Is it just to help offset costs because CR is a non-profit?

@illtron: My snuggie attracted so much dog hair it became a reasonable substitute for my actual dog

@downwithmonstercable: If only i got Tips every time someone asked this question :P

CR does pay for everything. Consumerist is just trying to be a nice baby and take some load off the parent company.

@downwithmonstercable: It's the equivalent of your parents paying for all of your expenses, but you still work retail to pay for your gas and your fast food runs so they don't have to.

@illtron: Just for the color selection alone, Slanket wins. Add to that the lack of a chintzy "booklight free gift," and the Slanket is a winner.

O'course, that doesn't mean I'll plunk down $40 Whole American Dollars for it.

But it has my emotional support.

@gaberussell: No, it makes you a good consumer beacuse you want to spend money and get something in return for it.

@Laura Northrup: Other than magnificent blogging and the satisfaction of supporting us all, of course.

@pecan 3.14159265 and Lucifer_Cat: Thanks dudes. Makes perfect sense.

Will we be having a donation request featuring The Captain?
If not, and it's tailing off, I'll kick some in. But I was hoping to throw a $20 once he sashayed on-stage, flicking his full, furry tail from side-to-side. It gave me hope.

Wait. That came out sounding sorta pervy...

@Trai_Dep: Don't worry...everything you say sounds a little pervy.

SOMEONE PLEASE PROVE THAT CONSUMERIST IS A NONPROFIT COMPANY! kthanks.

@PhoebeHumphrey: I think you're donating to consumer reports/consumer's union, which is a non profit.

@downwithmonstercable: they used to mention donating to a BLAHBLAH LLC which the said was nonprofit, but when i checked DL state web it was FOR PROFIT. they have since removed this reference from the donate website...seems fishy.

@travisw: I agree...very sad

@RandomHookup: (beams with quiet pride) Thanks!

@PhoebeHumphrey: Not that I'm saying anyone is lying/hiding anything, but this is a good point. I searched a few different sites (MANTA, IRS' non-profit search site and BBB) and couldn't find a listing for them as being non-profit. I can only find their own site ([www.consumermediallc.org]) that says they're a non-profit. All the other hits are news articles saying that it's a non-profit, with no definitive proof.

Consumer Media LLC is a subsidiary of Consumer's Union, which I assume they created as the LLC to "run" this site. So you're technically donating to CU overall, but it would be nice if there was some clarification on this issue.