Choice (Chippendale, Australia) articles from August 2007

Choice (Chippendale, Australia) archives from August 2007

Consumers taken for a ride.(advertisements of telecommunication companies)
August 1, 2007... It's a sad state of affairs when ads make such confusing claims that the Federal Court ends up deciding which of two competing mobile phone plans is better value for the customer. Or when PhoneChoice, the phone comparison website, tells CHOICE...

Magnetic toy warning.(CHOICE cuts)
August 1, 2007... Magnetic toys may be a fun educational tool, but they can kill. The problem toys involve powerful neodymium magnets that are small enough to swallow. The main culprits are pieces like those pictured below, which come from sets where you can...

Support for unit pricing.(CHOICE cuts)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Following our article The whole truth (CHOICE, April 2007), two major retailers have indicated their support for the introduction of unit pricing in supermarkets in Australia. Unit pricing shows the cost of items per 100 grams, per kilogram or...

Putting love on the line.(CHOICE cuts)(online dating)
August 1, 2007... If you're searching for love, chances are you've considered an online dating service such as RSVP, Lavalife or Match. com--and you're not alone. According to RSVP: "[Currently] there's around four million Australians classified as single......

A claytons bikini?(WORLD CONSUMER SNAPSHOT)(swimwear)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... How would you feel if you bought a $200+ bikini and then were told, when it started disintegrating after just one season's wear, that it's because you've worn it in the sun or water? That's the gist of what a reader of Swiss consumer magazine...

No time to see patients.(WORLD CONSUMER SNAPSHOT)(survey on doctors and patients)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... A survey by our counterparts in the US revealed that almost half the doctors surveyed (4196) thought their patients waited too long before making an appointment. Perhaps not surprising when you consider that 19% of the patients surveyed said...

Greener with age.(WORLD CONSUMER SNAPSHOT)(environmental actions of New South Wales residents)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... The number of environmentally friendly behaviours people say they're performing increases markedly with age, according to a survey for the NSW Department of Environment and Conservation. The survey of more than 1700 NSW residents found that...

Bike locks.(CHOICE cuts)
August 1, 2007... To protect your bicycle from thieves both opportunist and professional, you need a good lock. There are lots of types to choose from: light cable locks, heavy armoured cable locks and D-locks. Bicycle Victoria recently tested 11 different bike...

Transferring gym memberships.(CHOICE cuts)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Ever signed up for a gym membership, only to move house or discover that the gym's services don't suit your needs--after the initial cooling-off period? Some gyms impose cancellation fees or require you to pay out your contract. Others let you...

There's more to GreenPower.(YOUR letters)(Letter to the editor)
August 1, 2007... I read your article on accredited GreenPower (June 2007), and found it by and large to be very helpful. I do have one concern, however. Your results table compares the differences in price, but not the quality of the products. Thus the article...

No raw liver.(YOUR letters)(Letter to the editor)
August 1, 2007... I read your article on pet food (June 2007) with interest, but was aghast when I saw your recipe for a homemade diet for dogs and cats. It contained raw sheep or beef liver. Hydatids is a most serious disease, and is caught when humans and...

Thumbs up!(Spear & Jackson PLC)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Robyn Lincoln would like to give a Thumbs-up to SPEAR & JACKSON--"a household name in this country 50 years ago", according to her 82-year-old father. When Bunnings in Queensland was unable to order a new nozzle for his 2S-year-old garden spray...

The rise and rise of organics: going organic is much easier now you can buy it in supermarkets, but is it worth the extra money?(GOING ORGANIC / food)(Cover story)
August 1, 2007... Not too long ago you had to go to special shops if you wanted organic food. Now you can find plenty in supermarkets, but mostly you'll pay a pretty high premium over the cost of standard produce. Is it really worth it? The answer's not...

Buying tickets on eBay: is it worth the risk?(GETTING TICKETS / leisure)
August 1, 2007... Just missed out on a ticket to your favourite band? Don't have the time or energy to stand in line for grand final tickets? Sporting fans, theatre-goers and music lovers who miss out on tickets to a big event are no longer resorting to haggling...

Cheap chat: cut your phone costs with Skype.(COMPUTING choice)
August 1, 2007... Using the internet to make phone calls can slash your phone bill, especially if you regularly make long-distance calls, and it's easy to do with the popular free software called Skype. Skype works by transmitting your voice across your...

Health cover check: another year, another premium increase--is your hospital policy still a good deal?(HOSPITAL INSURANCE / money)
August 1, 2007... It's important to review your health cover annually to make sure your policy still gives you the cover you need. CHOICE's range of Best Buys can help you find a suitable hospital cover policy that'll save you hundreds of dollars. ...

Fancy a coldie? Our expert tasters rate 46 premium beers.(PREMIUM BEER
August 1, 2007... Australians are certainly heading upmarket with their beer and drinking more imported stuff, not to mention local craft beers with names like 'Bluetongue' and 'Dogbolter'. While plenty of people are happy with the old standard brews, a...

Phone and internet packages: 'bundling' is aggressively marketed, but what are the real savings--and the hidden traps?(PHONE DEALS / home)
August 1, 2007... Have you received calls telling you how you can switch your phone provider or combine ('bundle') your phone and internet services with one company to save heaps of money? Even if you've thought of doing this, you're probably feeling confused by...

The new mixed veg: a shortcut to a healthier diet.(EXOTIC FROZEN VEG
August 1, 2007... Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables--we've all heard this often enough. It's easy to say, but if you're busy, it's the end of the week, the vegies from last weekend's shop look pretty limp by now and the kids are bored with carrot and broccoli,...

Sofa beds 101.(PRICE POINTS: SOFA BEDS)(Product/service evaluation)
August 1, 2007... In April's Hard Word we featured an ad for a sofa bed that claimed it was "great for unwanted holiday guests". OK, so they probably meant 'unexpected' rather than 'unwanted' but it tickled many a funny bone among our contributors, suggesting...

Cereal offenders up the fibre.(FOOD bites)(Lowan Whole Foods and Kellogg USA Inc.)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... LOWAN and KELLOGG'S have heeded the call by parents and experts to improve the nutrition profile of breakfast cereals aimed at children. KELLOGG'S has launched Coco Pops Coco Rocks, a version of the popular kids' cereal that uses wholegrain...

Gatorade for kids.(FOOD bites)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... In a survey commissioned by GATORADE, 96% of mums said they thought water was the best hydrator. Not so, says GATORADE, as active 'tweens' (kids between nine and 13) need electrolytes and mineral salts replenished--which, perhaps not...

You asked ...(FOOD bites)(antioxidants)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... A CHOICE reader wrote to us with concerns about a product called DEVONDALE 100% Sparkling Apple Juice, which claims to have no added sugar or preservatives. What concerned our reader, though, was the listing of 'antioxidant (300)'in the...

Allergy alert.(HEALTH check)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... A recent study into the number of children with food allergies confirms what most mothers have long suspected while dealing with school and preschool allergy policies and birthday parties with multiple allergic guests--more children are...

B vitamin important for conception.(FOOD bites)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Everyone knows eating well is important for a healthy pregnancy, but a recent study suggests vitamin [B.sub.6] is particularly important if you're hoping to become pregnant. A study of over 3.50 women found that getting enough [B.sub.6]...

Taking your reeds with you.(FOOD bites)(bringing prescription medicines in flights)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... You may have heard about new Federal Government regulations that limit the amount of liquids, aerosols and gels you can take in your hand luggage on flights into and out of Australia. It boils down to being allowed to take these fluids in...

Can my super fund go bust?(HIP pocket)(pension funds)
August 1, 2007... A CHOICE reader contacted us with concerns about the safety of his super, after the collapse of several property-based investment groups. "Can a super fund go bust?" Peter asks. "Is there a way of determining a safer super fund?" The...

Cashback Australia vouchers.(HIP pocket)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... CASHBACK AUSTRALIA LTD is in liquidation. The company's 'deferred cash redemption program' issued vouchers for retailers to give to consumers, entitling them to refunds of up to 100% of the vouchers' face value after 13 to S 1 months. Retailers...

Waterlogged: the LG washer/dryer uses more water to dry clothes than to wash them.(test: LG STEAM WASHER/DRYER)(Product/service evaluation)
August 1, 2007... If you've listened to the marketing, you might be thinking the LG Combined Steam Washer and Dryer makes wash day more environmentally friendly. While it's true it's energy and water-efficient when used as a washer, that's not the whole story....

Four legs good?(test: WALKING POLES)
August 1, 2007... Combine the increase in nature and experience-based tourism with the growing awareness of the benefits of physical fitness and it's little wonder walking holidays have become a popular way to enjoy leisure time. For many years, bushwalkers...

Sounds of silence.(test: NOISE-CANCELLING HEADPHONES)(Product/service evaluation)
August 1, 2007... Ever noticed how first-class passengers seem to walk off the plane looking refreshed, even after a long-haul flight? Well, as well as better food, seats more comfortable than your own bed and personal pampering from ever-smiling flight...

GPS road test.(test: PORTABLE CAR GPS)(Product/service evaluation)
August 1, 2007... Getting from A to B is now easier than ever for the navigationally challenged, thanks to nifty in-car GPS navigation systems. These can pinpoint the user's location to within less than 10 metres, allowing you to navigate to an exact street...

Green machines.(test: DISHWASHER UPDATE)(Product/service evaluation)
August 1, 2007... The vast majority of household appliances are designed to make our lives easier. And while there's no doubt many of them improve our quality of life, our awareness of the impact many of these machines can have on the environment seems to have...

Unfair contracts--fine print that stings.(CHOICE campaigns)
August 1, 2007... Life as a consumer used to seem simpler: you paid your money, you got your goods, and you didn't have to sign anything. But now more and more of our purchases involve a contract between you and the seller. When you rent a car, take out a gym...

Time to get broadband right.(CAMPAIGN NEWS)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Broadband looks to be a key election Issue, with both the Government and the Opposition proposing plans to upgrade the broadband network. CHOICE is concerned that the rush to build this new network could lead to hasty decisions that aren't in...

All will be revealed.(CAMPAIGN NEWS)(Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's rules on drug companies' product promotions)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Pharmaceutical companies now have to publicly reveal details of the functions they sponsor--such as the medical conferences and associated lavish dinners and foreign travel offered to doctors--after the Australian Competition Tribunal upheld a...

Recalls & bans.(List)
August 1, 2007... 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 Product Recalls Australia website: www.recalls.gov.au. If you don't have web access, call the Product...