Choice (Chippendale, Australia) articles from March 2004

Choice (Chippendale, Australia) archives from March 2004

What's behind the scare stories?(urban myths about personal care products)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Have you been sent an email warning you that lipstick has lead in it, or that tampons contain asbestos? Talc is bad for babies and antiperspirant causes breast cancer? And maybe you've checked the website referred to in the email and found it...

Skinny monitors.(Liquid crystal display monitors)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Liquid crystal display (LCD) computer monitors take up less space than cathode ray tube (CRT) screens, are cheaper to run and generally have good picture quality. Many models are now priced close enough to CRT monitors to make them real...

Thank you again.(support from Mr. and Mrs. J. Almgren)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Five months ago we acknowledged in Choice Cuts the kind donation we'd received from NSW subscribers Mr and Mrs J Almgren. Since the Consumers' Association (the publisher of CHOICE) is a non-profit organisation funded solely by the sale of...

Fuel survey results.(choice cuts)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... In November 2003, we asked some of you how you feel about a range of fuel-related issues. Our survey went to 1000 subscribers, about 640 of whom responded--thanks to everyone who participated. Here are some key results: * Fuel discounts:...

GM-free chicken? Depends what you mean.(choice cuts)
March 1, 2004... A recent survey online at www.choice.com.au found that 84% of respondents were concerned about genetically modified (GM) food--a similar percentage to the UK and US. So it's little wonder manufacturers are keen to tell us if their products...

Pane-per-view.(grain silicon technology )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Ireland's Consumer Choice reports that Sharp Electronics researchers have tested a technology called grain silicon, which they're confident will make it possible to mount computers onto panes of glass. "Does this mean that we could see...

Living up to its claims, but ...(fruit juice that doesn't stain)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Coloured fruit juice is an especially tough stain, says the US Consumer Reports. So it checked out a new fruit punch advertised with the claim that it "won't stain most fabrics and surfaces". Sure enough, the punch lived up to its claim, but...

Just a dream.(products that claim to get rid of cellulite)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... The Austrian consumer association dispels the myth that products claimed to be anti-cellulite can really help you get rid of cellulite, the dreaded 'orange peel' skin many women develop with increasing age. Cellulite isn't a disease, Konsument...

Domestic designs for easier living.(Independent Living Centre booklet)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Good domestic design is very important in households that include a disabled or frail and elderly person. Bathrooms and kitchens in particular require special design solutions to make everyday activities easier and safer, both for the resident...

Does the Schick Intuition razor cut the mustard?(choice cuts)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
March 1, 2004... A razor that "lathers and shaves in one easy step" sounds good in the ads, but what's it really like to use? THE CONCEPT The SCHICK Intuition razor for women combines a triple-blade razor with a skin-conditioning block--just add water,...

Virtual colonoscopy too inaccurate.(choice cuts)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Medical authorities warn that a new type of scan that promises to reveal hidden bowel cancers isn't effective as a screening technique, reports Jan/Feb 2004 CHOICE Health Reader. Offered by some private radiology clinics, the so-called...

Environmental and social performance matter.(your letters)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2004... I'd like to request inclusion of environmental and social ratings in your product tests. These are the main criteria I use when purchasing products. I look for products that don't unnecessarily use or damage natural resources, either in their...

Medicare plus or minus?(your letters)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2004... Late in August last year I had my second hip replacement treatment. My first operation was in 2000. I'm insured with Medicare and Medibank Private and my surgeon is dealing with the gap cover scheme. So I anticipated that, apart from a...

Saving money with CHOICE Shopper.(your letters)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2004... Following the birth of my first grandchild recently I decided to buy a digital camera so I could send photos interstate to family and friends. Based on your October 2003 article I selected the SONY DSC72 with an RRP of $699. On shopping around...

Thumbs up!(your letters)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2004... * Judy Shanahan of Numurkah, Victoria, was impressed with TUPPERWARE's good service. When she contacted the company directly because she hadn't received a replacement for a damaged bowl she had returned to a Tupperware demonstrator about a year...

Problems with real estate agents: readers' experiences with real estate agents--plus tips on how to minimise problems with your next property transaction.(Survey: Real Estate Agents)
March 1, 2004... In surveys measuring perceived trustworthiness of various goods and service providers in the community, real estate agents often rate very low. To try to find out why, last year we invited you to tell us about your experiences with real estate...

Plasma pros and cons: in a world of 'sexy' products, plasma screens are currently one of the most desirable, but are they worth their high cost?(Report: Plasma Screens)
March 1, 2004... Plasma screens are made up of very small dots called pixels, each of which has a red, green and blue phosphor cell. The phosphor cells are filled with a gas--usually xenon or neon. When an electric current is passed through the gas it's excited...

Cutting through the fat: ok, you know by now that saturated fat's bad for you--so how much do you eat?(Food: Fat Refresher Course)
March 1, 2004... For years we've been told to cut the overall fat in our diet for a range of reasons, and that some types of fat are better for us than others. Gram for gram, fat provides more kilojoules than protein or carbohydrate, so cutting back on it is a...

Reader car reviews: four popular models under their owners' microscope.(Report: Cars)(Product/Service Evaluation)
March 1, 2004... Australians are in a new-car-buying frenzy. And they have more and more models to choose from, as manufacturers keep expanding their ranges. Finding the right one for you can be a daunting task, so every bit of information that allows you...

Dangerous: personal care products? Don't believe the hype--unless it's true!(Report: Dispelling the myths)(Information sources)
March 1, 2004... IN A NUTSHELL * Don't believe all you read, especially in scaremongering emails and websites. Here's some of the truth behind the hype. The internet is a great way of getting useful information disseminated quickly and cheaply to a...

Prepare to haggle.(Finance: How to haggle)
March 1, 2004... JUST ASKING Last year Kellie and her husband shopped around for health insurance. At the time many funds were offering special deals, such as one month's free cover, but unfortunately not the fund they were interested in, which had the...

Buying medicines online; buying your medicines online or by mail order is convenient and could save you money, but be aware of the risks.(Health: Medicines online)(surfing and self-medicating not safe)
March 1, 2004... With a quick click of the mouse, you can reserve a seat at the theatre, buy an airline ticket or your groceries. Online or e-pharmacies offer you the same convenience when buying medicines, but the risks involved can be much higher than for...

Raw or cooked?(vegetables )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... To get the most nutrients from fruit and veg, you might think raw always beats cooked--but not so. Some nutrients are lost during cooking, while others become more available to your body. So not only is it good to eat plenty of fruit and...

Not so squeezie.(foodbites)
March 1, 2004... Many people squeeze fruit to check for ripeness, but doing this can damage the fruit. The Horticulture and Food Research Institute of New Zealand has been involved in the development of a label that changes colour in response to compounds that...

Are the salads really better?(Hungry Jack's and McDonald's salads)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... After spotting the ads claiming that "even the salads are better at Hungry Jack's", we thought we should check them out. We found that, without dressing, the garden and chicken salads from HUNGRY JACK'S and McDONALD'S are pretty good...

Bingle hits premium hard.(car insurance)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... A good driving record may no longer help you and your no-claim bonus (NCB) if you have an accident that's your fault. At an intersection, David McKay from Bathurst, NSW, hit the car in front when travelling at about 10 km/h. When his next...

Domestic workers' compensation.(insurance to protect you and employees)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... When you hire or employ cleaners, gardeners, child minders or other help around the home, your legal responsibilities expand significantly. If a worker is injured on your property, you may be liable. Make sure you take out enough public...

Keep an eye on the due date.(phone company penalties)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Telstra has announced that it'll be increasing its penalty for bills not paid by the due date to $11 if the amount is over $130. This will affect about a quarter of the bills issued by Telstra. The current $5.50 fee will remain for bills...

Toast-terrific? Getting closer to finding the perfect toaster ...(Test: Toasters)(Product/Service Evaluation)
March 1, 2004... IN A NUTSHELL * Good toast doesn't have to cost a lot: two of the top three toasters cost $40 or less. * Crumpets and muffins are a challenge for some models. Could the toaster be the most popular kitchen gadget of all? With about...

Into the wash: another seven machines put through their paces ...(Update: Washing machines)(Product/Service Evaluation)
March 1, 2004... IN A NUTSHELL * Only three of the new machines tested made our What to buy list (see right), but there are still a few other good performers at o good price on the market--see our Best Buys. * Machines with uncommon features--really...

Recalls & bans.(consumer product information)
March 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...