Choice (Chippendale, Australia) articles from February 2009

Choice (Chippendale, Australia) archives from February 2009

More CHOICE for grocery shoppers.(Comment)
February 1, 2009... CHOICE has been providing consumers with relevant, timely information about supermarket pricing for almost 25 years. That's why the federal government has decided that CHOICE is best placed to develop a new GroceryChoice website...

Phone data used for fraud: deleting your details from a discarded mobile phone can be surprisingly tricky, leaving consumers exposed to the risk of personal fraud.(PERSONAL SECURITY)
February 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Industry experts have warned that smartphones and multifunction devices that store information on the device can pose a security risk. "Most phones have an internal memory where telephone numbers, appointments,...

Correction: toilet paper, November 2008.(Correction notice)
February 1, 2009... On page 35, we said "according to a 2005 NSW government study, 400kg of greenhouse gas emissions can be saved for every tonne of toilet paper made from recycled material". This is incorrect and should have read "a 2005 NSW government study...

No-deposit home loans on the way out: CBA stops offering risky home loans where no deposit is required.(HOME LOANS)
February 1, 2009... The CBA is no longer offering 100% home loans, instead now offering up to 95% of the value of a property and requiring borrowers to save at least a 5% deposit. Similarly, ANZ now requires a 10% deposit in place of the previous 5%. This means...

GreenPower retailer struck off: Greenswitch has lost its GreenPower accreditation for failing to show that it provided the renewable energy its customers paid for.(RENEWABLE ENERGY)
February 1, 2009... Renewable energy retailer Greenswitch has been struck off the GreenPower accreditation scheme for failing to provide evidence that money paid by customers to the organisation was used to purchase renewable energy. The Department of Water and...

Higher medicine costs penalise the poor: low-income earners and welfare recipients have been hit hardest by increased co-payments for prescription medicine.(HEALTH)
February 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Increased co-payments for medicines have led to decreased use of certain medicines, with welfare beneficiaries, including aged and disability pensioners, and other low-income earners choosing to go without' important...

TVs get energy labels: there's good news with the first TV energy label, but CHOICE hopes the scheme will spur manufacturers to reduce energy use across the board.(ENVIRONMENT)
February 1, 2009... Sharp has recently released a 94cm LCD TV, the LC-7D85X, with an energy label--the first of many to appear since the federal government mandated that all TVs must have energy ratings by April 2009 and any with a one-star rating or less will be...

Beware a bargain heater: consumers should be aware of the dangers of buying a "bargain" appliance, particularly when the little-known brand then goes bust.(SAFETY)
February 1, 2009... A CHOICE staff member recently had a scary experience with a fan heater, a cheap brand bought from a major retailer. Used for only 15 minutes a day to heat a bathroom, it had been on for about 10 minutes when the smoke detector sounded. Upon...

Don't get too close to these CFLs: CFL bulbs save energy but may also pose a UV radiation risk.(SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION)
February 1, 2009... Energy-saving compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs have come under the spotlight for potential adverse health effects as inefficient incandescent light bulbs are phased out. Research by the British Health Protection Agency (HPA) has revealed...

Can you help us respond to super's shocking year?(Consumer news)
February 1, 2009... 2008 was the worst year on record for superannuation returns, leaving a Lot of people unsure about whether their investment is in the best fund. CHOICE will be investigating your questions and concerns for an upcoming report; go to...

Coke sued for Shonky Vitamin claims.
February 1, 2009... Having received a CHOICE Shonky award last November, Coca-Cola is now being sued by the US Centre for Science in the Public Interest for making "deceptive and unsubstantiated claims" about its Vitaminwater beverages. Nutritionists say the eight...

Free reverse mortgage information.
February 1, 2009... A free, independent advice service covering all aspects of reverse mortgages and equity release loans is available from the National Information Centre on Retirement Investments (NICRI). For access to the Equity Release/ Reverse Mortgage...

Watching the watchdogs.(Brief article)
February 1, 2009... Not one of the 12 key federal, state or territory consumer protection agencies achieved a "good" performance level in CHOICE's Good Practice in Consumer Protection Enforcement report. Research found inconsistent reporting by regulators made it...

Cooking at warp speed: cooking with infrared waves, a halogen light and turbo fan sounds out of this world, but can it really deliver scrumptious meals in a flash?(BENCHTOP OVEN)
February 1, 2009... The Danoz Flavorwave Oven Turbo claims to cook healthy meals, including frozen food, up to three times faster than ordinary methods, with no defrosting or preheating required. It cooks using a halogen light to brown the food, infrared waves to...

No soil, no toil: but high-tech gardeners count the cost of convenience.(AEROGARDEN)(Product/service evaluation)
February 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Billed as the world's first self-contained indoor garden appliance, Aerogarden promises dirt-free and virtually set-and-forget produce. The makers claim its "NASA-tested aeroponic technology" produces faster,...

Sleep safely: eight out of 10 cots passed all our safety tests.(COTS)(Product/service evaluation)
February 1, 2009... We assessed the following cots against selected clauses from the Australian/ New Zealand Standard for cots, AS/NZS 2172:2003, looking at key safety aspects as well as labelling and instructions. * Childcare HarbourXT * Delta Jasmine...

Espresso machines.(Coming)
February 1, 2009... Espresso machines allow you to be a barista in the privacy of your own kitchen, but do they make as good a cuppa as your favourite local coffee house? Our team of experts compares the latest automatic models. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

106cm TVs.(Coming)
February 1, 2009... The screen may be bigger but the sound certainly isn't better; we discovered that most of these TVs were let down by their inbuilt sound function. We tell you which scored best for sound and which should be joined in marriage with a separate...

Digital radio.(Coming)
February 1, 2009... Analogue radio is destined to go the way of its TV cousin as digital radio begins broadcasting across the airwaves later in the year. We preview the changes you can expect with the digital radio revolution.

Excess packaging.(Emails Letters)(Letter to the editor)
February 1, 2009... I've just read your article on reducing plastic bag use (CHOICE, November 2008) and wholeheartedly agree that a levy should be imposed as a matter of urgency. However, I am becoming exceedingly frustrated at the ever-growing mountain of other...

Billionaires needed.(Emails Letters)(Letter to the editor)
February 1, 2009... I'd like to congratulate CHOICE on its recent campaign to advertise for an alternative bidder for BankWest. The level of market power enjoyed by the big four retail banks has had a significant effect on the range of products offered to...

Convenience versus cost.(Emails Letters)(Letter to the editor)
February 1, 2009... I'm a working mum who was keen to embrace online shopping for the weekly grocery drudge. When Coles announced it was finally operational in Queensland, I registered and ordered. I was very pleased with the initial order, delivered on time in a...

The power of choice.(LETTER OF THE MONTH)(Letter to the editor)
February 1, 2009... I have been a CHOICE subscriber (on and off) for more than six years and would like to say thank you for a wonderfully informative forum in which I can purchase goods without having to do any of the legwork or research associated with...

Michael Bradburn would like to thank Omega Appliances.(Thumbs up!)
February 1, 2009... Michael Bradburn would like to thank Omega Appliances, who arranged to cover the cost of repairs to his Smeg oven even though it was out of warranty.

Matthew Platt would like to thank Dyson vacuum cleaners.(Thumbs up!)
February 1, 2009... Matthew Platt would like to thank Dyson vacuum cleaners. When the turbo head on his cleaner stopped working he contacted the company who sent him a new one free of charge even though the machine was out of warranty.

Isobel Davison wants to give Rinnai a big thumbs up.(Thumbs up!)
February 1, 2009... Isobel Davison wants to give Rinnai a big thumbs up for its handling of her complaint about her gas heater and subsequent repair despite it being out of warranty.

Kirsty Tracy would like to thank Sleep Easy for repairing her 18-month-old baby monitor within a few days and returning it free of charge.(Thumbs up!)
February 1, 2009... Kirsty Tracy would like to thank Sleep Easy for repairing her 18-month-old baby monitor within a few days and returning it free of charge, fully functioning and with a spare battery pack.

Losing weight on a 'program': pharmacies are getting into the weight loss business, but how do these diet plans weigh up? Our CHOICE investigation reveals some serious shortcomings.(Investigation: Weight loss programs)(Cover story)
February 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Australia has a seriously escalating obesity problem. In the past 20 years the number of people with weight problems has doubled; about 60% of Australian adults are overweight or obese, and we're on track to reach...

Shady business: that smart new shade sail in your backyard might be providing precious little UV protection.(Safety: Shadecloths)
February 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Australians have embraced the outdoors like no other nation, with compact courtyards and rambling backyards readily converted into extensions of our living areas, thanks to synthetic shade. A range of smart shade...

Cashback capers: getting a partial refund for big ticket items may sound great, but not everyone is smiling.
February 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Wander through any major store, and "cashback" will be one of the most prominent marketing tactics you'll see. At face value, a cashback scheme may simply require you to return a voucher to the manufacturer to get...

Generic savings: generic drugs have the same active ingredients as the branded versions and allow you to make substantial savings.(Report: Prescription medication)
February 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Buying the generic version of your prescription medicine can save you up to $11 each time you visit the chemist--and it doesn't require you to compromise on quality. A generic drug is a copy of a brand-name drug....

'Eco-driving' saves you money: despite a recent drop in fuel prices, reducing your dependency on petrol will ultimately benefit both your wallet and the environment. CHOICE outlines some changes you can start making now.(Motoring: Fuel)
February 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] It's been referred to as a double crisis; oil supplies that won't last forever, especially if demand continues to increase, and the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to limit the impacts of global warming. And...

Just desserts: yoghurt doesn't have to be loaded with fat to taste deliciously creamy. CHOICE's team of tasters gives top marks to some low-fat brands.(Taste test: Premium yoghurt)
February 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Yoghurt is a convenient dessert with a healthy reputation. Made from milk, it has plenty of quality protein, calcium and B vitamins. But are those extra delicious premium brands just as healthy, or do they taste so...

HRT: revisiting the pros and cons: negative publicity about hormone replacement therapy has prompted a flood of alternatives for treating menopausal symptoms. CHOICE reviews which works and which could be merely snake oil.(Health: HRT & alternatives)
February 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In 2002, a major American study involving hormone replacement therapy--the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) trial--was stopped early because researchers were concerned about the increased incidence of breast cancer,...

Insuring for a future: renewing your auto insurance shouldn't be done on auto-pilot. We compare 21 car insurance companies to help you save money, especially if you're driving less these days.(Money: Car insurance)
February 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] If it seems like too much time and bother to compare car insurance policies, CHOICE's latest survey results might make you think again. Not only did we find major cost savings on policies, but we also uncovered new...

Sensing inequality: dishwashers with auto-sensors are not new to the market, but our research shows they're not all equal.(Test: Dishwashers)(Product/service evaluation)
February 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] An auto-sensor is meant to optimise the amount of energy, water, time and temperature needed to get the dishes squeaky clean, saving on utilities and money in the long run. Almost half the models on test claim to...

Cutting the cord: a cordless phone without an answering machine provides a simple, effective way to keep in touch at home.(Test: Cordless phones)(Product/service evaluation)
February 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Despite the growing number of communication channels--mobile phones, email, video calling and the like--sometimes simply making a phone call from your home phone is the best option. CHOICE tested 13 of the latest...

Watch and listen: the video component of hybrid media players grows ever more popular.(Test: Media Players)
February 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Portable media players, MP4 players, MP3 and video players; there's no shortage of names when it comes to these hybrids on the market. Capable of playing both music and video, most of the media players on test have...

Hair affair: CHOICE finds the vacuum cleaners that best deal with annoying pet hair and still perform well when partially full of dirt, just like real life!(Test: Vacuum cleaners)(Product/service evaluation)
February 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] You've been asking for it, so CHOICE has introduced pet hair removal as part of our vacuum cleaner test. And in most houses, vacuum bags and bins are not emptied after each use, so we also tested to find out how well...

A quiet cuppa: modern cordless kettles are sleek and efficient, but some are noisier than others.(Test: Kettles)(Product/service evaluation)
February 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] When consumers contact us about kettles, noise is one of their main complaints. Some models have been compared to low-flying jets and even pneumatic drills. An exaggeration, perhaps, but it is true that some kettles...

HD: highly disappointing: CHOICE discovers that even the best of the high definition set-top boxes are only adequate.(Test: HD set-top boxes)
February 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The point of an HD set-top box is to replace your existing television's tuner. If you have an older analog TV, the box will give you the option of watching digital programming, and if you have an LCD or plasma TV...

Washing away water blues: cleaning your car can be a sensitive issue these days. We tell you how to save water and still have a clean car.(Environment: Car washing)
February 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Whether you wash your car with a sense of pride or dread, you need water to do it effectively--even waterless solutions contain water. The amount used to clean a car can vary wildly, ranging from less than a litre up...

Recall & Bans.(List)
February 1, 2009... 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...

Green claims battle goes on: a year into CHOICE's campaign against greenwash, we are delighted to report some wins but our fight for consumer protection against misleading claims continues.(GREENWASH)
February 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CHOICE continues to campaign against misleading green claims and expose some of the ploys of big business marketers. Twelve months after we turned our attention to greenwash in earnest, we have much to report. We...

Reining in the super waste: while forgotten and unnecessary superannuation accounts are a big part of fund managers' business, they cost consumers excessively.(Brief article)
February 1, 2009... For some time CHOICE has been concerned about unnecessary superannuation accounts, so we commissioned Rice Warner Actuaries to compile a report analysing the growth of these accounts and calculate their cost to consumers. The report finds that...

Hard word.
February 1, 2009... The winner of this month's best entry goes to R. Nicholls who raised the alarm about the world spinning backwards. Thanks also to J. Gorman, M. Mallyon, R.& M. Fluke, S. Watson, E. Shields, A. Lee and J. Maratos for their contributions to this...