Choice (Chippendale, Australia) articles from April 2004

Choice (Chippendale, Australia) archives from April 2004

Broader focus on money and rights.
April 1, 2004... This month every CHOICE subscriber also received a free copy of our new magazine, CHOICE Money & Rights. The launch of this publication will let the Consumers' Association expand our coverage of issues where consumers are particularly...

New national phone service for reporting side effects.(choice cuts)
April 1, 2004... Side effects and adverse reactions to medicines are common. They're mostly mild, such as a skin rash or temporary nausea, but in a small percentage of cases side effects can be serious--or even life-threatening. According to a report from the...

Green claims misleading.(choice cuts)
April 1, 2004... Late last year, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) cracked down on Sanyo Airconditioning Australia (a separate legal entity from Sanyo Australia) for "false, misleading and deceptive representations" in the advertising of...

Heater test: new approach.(choice cuts)
April 1, 2004... As of this year, we've changed our approach to heater testing. We're currently finalising a test of 2.4 kW electric oil-filled column heaters. The test samples were sourced from distributors' warehouses in February, which means we were able to...

Can you help? Reader car reviews.(choice cuts)
April 1, 2004... If you're in the market for a new car, you want as much information as possible on the model you're interested in. How does it perform in different driving situations? Do the features work well? What's it like for space and noise? Our...

Can you help? Cockroach killers.(choice cuts)
April 1, 2004... We're planning a review of products intended to prevent--or, worst case, deal with--cockroach infestations. We'd like to hear from you if you've recently engaged in battle, particular if you used 'green' methods. But stories about sprays,...

Can you help? Glamour photography.(choice cuts)
April 1, 2004... We're looking into the area of professional glamour photography--where you're given a spiffy hair-do, a make-up job and perhaps an outfit or costume, and strike a pose for the camera. If you've been there, we'd like to hear about your...

Update: dead end mats.(choice cuts)
April 1, 2004... When we tested cockroach killers in 1993 and again in 1999,we round that DEAD END MATS were clearly the best of the mat, gel and bait products y tested. Our Consumer Services department still often gets asked where you tan buy them, as they've...

Dishwashers.(Correction)(Correction Notice)
April 1, 2004... DISHWASHERS CHOICE, Jan/Feb 2004 In the table on page 41 we gave the dimensions for the MAYTAG Jetclean MJD2000AAW / MJD3000AAW as 80 x 60x6o cm (HxWx D). In fact its height is 85 cm.

Dangerous skin paintings.(choice cuts)
April 1, 2004... Henna stains skin and hair red (and, if you're careless, just about anything else), but in fact starts life as a green plant powder, obtained from the leaves of the Lowsonia inermis tree. Moslem and Hindu women traditionally paint their hair...

Over-the-counter painkillers.(choice cuts)
April 1, 2004... Some people tend to treat OTC painkillers differently from prescription medicines due to their ease of purchase, but it's important to remember they're still drugs, and to use caution when taking them. The Therapeutic Goods Administration...

Credit file bungles.(Update)
April 1, 2004... CHOICE, Jan/Feb 2004 The Consumer Credit Legal Service in WA has moved; its new phone number is (08) 9221 7066.

Computer case as bullet protection.(World Consumer Snapshot)
April 1, 2004... In the US, US$650 can buy you a computer case with a quick-release mechanism for rapid deployment of an antiballistic shield. "Faced with a threat (and presumably ample warning and presence of mind), you're to hold the shield in front of...

Antibacterial pantyhose.(World Consumer Snapshot)
April 1, 2004... After antibacterial cloths and wipes, now come the antibacterial pantyhose. Our German counterparts came across Elbeo Deo Fresh pantyhose, claimed to protect you from odours and bacteria. The pantyhose are treated with triclosan, which can kill...

How (not) to keep chocolate.(World Consumer Snapshot)
April 1, 2004... When live (and dead) worms were found in a popular chocolate bar in India, the manufacturer blamed dealers and inappropriate storage conditions. So how best do you store chocolate at home, asked India's Consumer Voice, and concluded "not at...

Car rental hassle.(your letters)(Letter to the Editor)
April 1, 2004... My partner and I often rent cars while travelling interstate. In August 2003 we travelled to Perth and rented a car from a nationwide car rental company. On picking up the car we were given a detailed speech about inspecting it before we...

Not the full warranty?(your letters)(Letter to the Editor)
April 1, 2004... My husband was given a SUNBEAM sandwich press for his birthday in August last year. The handle cracked earlier this month and I returned it to the place of purchase as the appliance came with a 12-month replacement guarantee. SUNBEAM duly...

Thumbs up!(your letters)
April 1, 2004... Sue Woodward, via internet, awards a thumbs-up to RIP CURL Torquay, Victoria. Her son's wetsuit got badly torn after it was caught in his bike peddle. RIP CURL not only rang when they received the suit and repaired it the same day, but also...

What not to buy for Mother's day: the lowdown on which kitchen gadgets and personal care doodads are worth having.(Survey: useless gadgets)
April 1, 2004... Looking for gifts that'll really come in handy, or just trying to get away with an easy-fix solution for that hard-to-buy-for Mum? Don't fall for the marketing hype that hits the media at this time of the year: out survey of household gadgets...

Good carbs, bad carbs? Should we really be concerned about the GI of what we eat, or is this yet another passing food fad? We sort the science from the hype.(Report: glycaemic index (GI))(Cover Story)
April 1, 2004... IN A NUTSHELL * Despite the claims, there's not yet conclusive evidence that low-GI foods are either generally health-promoting or slimming. The whole theory of the GI of foods affecting your health is still very much 'work in progress'....

Fact or friction? Fuel and oil additives and devices called fuel catalysts promise to make your car a better person. But are their claims justified?(Report: fuel and oil additives)
April 1, 2004... IN A NUTSHELL Our research suggests that: * Oil additives are unnecessary if you use the motor oil that's recommended by your car's manufacturer, and change it at the required intervals. * Some fuel additives may have some...

Getting hair into condition: the verdict on 39 conditioners for normal hair or use every day.(Use trial: conditioner)
April 1, 2004... IN A NUTSHELL * Of the 39 conditioners in the trial, the top eight included two that cost less than $1 per 100 mL. * Only three of the 11 more expensive salon products were rated high enough overall to make it into the What to buy...

Multitools: godsend or compromise? Are they really handy, versatile, go-anywhere tools? And do you get what you pay for?(Test: multitools)
April 1, 2004... IN A NUTSHELL * If you spend a lot of time outdoors adventuring or you're a compulsive handyman, you might want a pocket powerhouse tool--but they won't replace a regular toolbox for the home. * Price makes a difference: all the cheap...

Across the breakfast table: do you expect orange marmalade to be made from real oranges? You're in for a surprise.(Food: marmalade)
April 1, 2004... IN A NUTSHELL * Some of the orange marmalades we looked at have more fruit than our homemade version (far right). But some have no proper oranges in them at all--they're made from reconstituted juice and orange pulp. * Choosing 'diet'...

Happy with nappies? Babies from near and far gave their verdict on the best disposable nappy (or at least their nappy changers did).(Trial: disposable nappies)
April 1, 2004... IN A NUTSHELL * With nappies it seems the more you pay the better it is--HUGGIES was again the most popular nappy, but also the second most expensive. * The debate over disposable vs cloth nappies continues to rage, but from an...

You can't take it with you ... but if you don't make a will you don't know where it'll all end up either.(Report: making a will)
April 1, 2004... IN A NUTSHELL * Save your family and friends from hassle on top of grief, and make a will. Dying without one leaves a situation that's almost certainly not as straightforward as you might think. * You can do it without a lawyer, but in...

Lighter cheese, lighter pizza?(food bites)
April 1, 2004... DOMINO's pizza has a pizza first with its new DOMINO's Delight mozzarella cheese. "50% less fat. Same great taste. Guaranteed!" shouts the promotional blurb. We've got no quibble with its nutrition credentials: Delight is claimed to be...

Cheesy grin.(food bites)
April 1, 2004... You can research anything if you get the sponsorship, and Dr Len Fisher, a physicist at the University of Bristol, recently turned his attention to what makes a perfect cheese sandwich. He used cutting-edge technology for his...

Compromise ... of a sort.(food bites)
April 1, 2004... According to the label, SUNBLEST Whole and White bread "is the perfect compromise for when the family wants to eat white, but Mum wants the natural goodness of wholemeal". Don't be fooled, Mum! This bread has 2.6 g of fibre per serve (two...

Banks can waive fees.(hip pocket)
April 1, 2004... Elizabeth Hurtt, who works for CHOICE, needed to change the name on her ST GEORGE business account. She wasn't impressed when branch staff said this simple change involved closing down the accent, opening a new one, and paying a $37.50 fee. ...

Time is up for financial services.(hip pocket)
April 1, 2004... The deadline to get an Australian financial services licence has now passed. From March 11, 2004, any business advising on or offering financial products requires a licence or needs to be authorised to represent a licence holder. The act...

Spotlight on mortgage brokers.(hip pocket)
April 1, 2004... Check out the first issue of our new magazine, CHOICE Money & Rights--you received a free copy with this issue of CHOICE. Its report on mortgage brokers includes a 'shadow shop' and an investigation into the services they provide.

Digital on the cheap? It's an option for the digital future of free-to-air TV, but do you really need one now?(Test: digital set-top boxes)
April 1, 2004... IN A NUTSHELL * Analogue TV broadcasts ('regular' TV) are scheduled to end late 2008 or thereabouts, so at some point TV viewers will need to get a digital set-top box or a digital TV. * If you're happy with the quality of your...

Crystal-clear: five more dishwashers added to our ongoing series of tests.(Update: dishwashers)
April 1, 2004... IN A NUTSHELL * Four out of the five new models tested worked well enough to get into our What to buy list, with WESTINGHOUSE and ELECTROLUX models entering the field as the overall top performers. * Two of the new models tested have...

Recalls & bans.
April 1, 2004... Nowadays there are so many product recalls we may not be able to print all of them in CHOICE. For comprehensive recall information go to the Federal Treasury website: www.recalls.gov.au. If you don't have web access, call the Consumer Safety...

Toy story.(hardword)
April 1, 2004... Rubbadubbers is a kids' TV show about the adventures of a bunch of bath toys. Now you're probably already thinking in terms of merchandising spin-offs, and probably aLong the lines of, oh, maybe some bath toys much like the Rubbadubbers?...

A secret weapon against burning fat and keeping fit?(hardword)
April 1, 2004... What are they advocating? Too much TV and junk food? Surely that's no secret? Actually, it's a pedometer. Funny, though, we'd have thought a pedometer would work towards burning fat and keeping fit.

Yay and oops!(How About A Little Help?)
April 1, 2004... The winner of this month's book prize for best entry goes to Jennifer Keyt--congratulations! In Jan/Feb Hard Word we pointed you to page 3o to order the Hard Word book, now $10. However, as several readers have pointed out, it wasn't there...