The Wirecutter, a New York Times company, is another product review site that earns a commission when you buy through their links. More disturbing to me is that the venerable institution Consumers Union (Consumer Reports) now also states: 'When you shop through retailer links on our site, we may earn affiliate commissions. 100% of the fees we collect are used to support our nonprofit mission.' I purchased a portable generator that Consumer Reports recommended. Their shopping link sent me to Amazon where the price is $1035, but I found the same generator at Harbor Freight for $699.

Edgar replies: You are absolutely correct -- the commission-paying links are all over, sometimes with good disclosure, sometimes not. We pointed out last December in our story "Even Angels Quietly Make Money Referring Buyers to Sellers" that even places like Consumer Reports and Oprah's Favorite Things all make money when you buy a product they mention using their links.