RESEARCH & ACCOUNTABILITY
Editorial standards
How we separate verified facts, useful planning advice and things we have not personally observed.
Primary sources first
For store rules, tax procedures, warranty terms, opening information and product-specific restrictions, we prefer the responsible operator, retailer or public authority. Secondary sources are useful for context, but they do not replace a current first-party rule when one exists.
Source check is not a field visit
Reading a current official page is source research. It is not a store visit. We only describe something as firsthand, visited or photographed by us when that actually happened. Historical or third-party photographs are credited and dated; AI-created illustrations are labeled as illustrations.
Time-sensitive claims get dates
Stock, tax procedures, return terms and store access can change. We show review dates on guides, link to the source readers should recheck, and avoid turning a temporary listing into a permanent promise.
Conflicting sources
If two credible pages disagree, we do not hide the conflict or invent false precision. We either explain the difference, use the more specific current source, or tell readers what needs reconfirmation before travel.
Corrections
When a scheduled review or source change shows that a material fact is wrong or stale, we update the guide and its review date. If the fact cannot be verified, we remove the certainty rather than preserve an unsupported claim.
Commercial links
Affiliate relationships are disclosed near relevant links. A commission does not determine whether a store, route or product is described as suitable. Our shopping guides are independent and are not official retailer guidance.