Choice (Chippendale, Australia) articles from March 2007

Choice (Chippendale, Australia) archives from March 2007

Tell us your experiences.(Editorial)
March 1, 2007... CHOICE subscribers have a lot of input into the tests we do and the information we bring you. You do this by filling in surveys for us, doing user trials of products and sending us information on your experiences with various products and...

Danger dummies still available.(CHOICE cuts)
March 1, 2007... In October 2006 CHOICE Online reported on the introduction of a mandatory consumer' product safety standard for babies' dummies. All dummies sold in Australia must meet this standard. So we decided to test the six dummies that failed when we...

Barbecues.(CORRECTION)(Correction notice)
March 1, 2007... BARBECUES CHOICE, December 2006 In the table that accompanied our article on barbecues (page 38) the warranty for the DOWHUNDER 4 Burner Hooded BBQ with Sideburner G4DH was incorrect. It has a one-year warranty, not two years.

Thumbs down for retail loyalty programs.(CHOICE cuts)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... Recent research has shown shoppers think retail loyalty programs offer little benefit. Only about one in four participants in a survey agreed the benefits offered by retailers on their loyalty card programs are excellent; one in three...

Save on your specs.(CHOICE cuts)
March 1, 2007... If you're looking for a bargain on your next pair of specs you might want to try shopping online. Websites selling prescription glasses have gained popularity in the US and Europe over the past few years and the first Australian-based...

Webcam watch.(CHOICE cuts)(Buyers guide)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... Webcams are handy for sending pictures to friends or family via the internet and, if they have a built-in microphone, can be used for making phone calls over the internet, instant messaging or even surveillance. CHOICE Computer recently...

Xenical, anyone?(CHOICE cuts)
March 1, 2007... The little blue pill Xenical appears to be the latest hot thing in weight loss, Hollywood style. It's a 'pharmacist only' drug--available on request at a pharmacy, not one for which you need a prescription--and it's touted by the drug company...

Scams target you: protect yourself.(CHOICE cuts)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... Our email inboxes, mobile phones and mailboxes overflow with fabulous-sounding offers to earn money from home, prize giveaways and cheap deals on goods and services--but how do you tell if they're genuine? Frauds and scams aimed at stealing...

Strewth, they told the truth!(Letter to the editor)
March 1, 2007... My nomination for the CHOICE 2006 'Truth in Product Labelling' award goes to TRI PIES--The Orange One (Sweet Potato and Fetta). I bought one today at the local supermarket and checked the cooking instructions, which read: "Conventional oven:...

Withdrawal sting.(Letter to the editor)
March 1, 2007... Recently I made three withdrawals from an ATM while overseas via my account with St George bank. I was shocked to discover that as a result I was charged almost $14 in fees for each transaction ($5 plus 2.5%). These withdrawals were standard...

Fitness blues.(Letter to the editor)
March 1, 2007... My wife wanted to cancel her direct-debit FITNESS FIRST membership, which can't be done via the bank but must be done by informing the business. When she rang FITNESS FIRST she was told she had to attend an interview and explain her reasons....

Graham Rees would like to offer a Thumbs-up to SEIKO.(THUMBS UP!)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... Graham Rees would like to offer a Thumbs-up to SEIKO. When his 18-month old Pulsar Duo watch stopped tickling, he contacted the company and was invited to send in the watch, even though it was no longer under warranty. SEIKO subsequently...

Karen Wilkinson gives a big Thumbs-up to Babies Galore.(THUMBS UP!)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... Karen Wilkins gives a big Thumbs-up to BABIES GALORE, which promptly sent a replacement set of rear wheel guards for her pram, even though she was unable to provide proof of purchase.

Letter of the month.(Letter to the editor)
March 1, 2007... We want to hear from you--your experiences help our research and often let other readers know about scams and rip-offs. Positive outcomes you've had to a complaint you took to a manufacturer, retailer, importer or tradesperson interest us too....

Happy down on the farm ... if you vote with your wallet for free-range farm animals, how can you be sure your get what you're paying for?(FREE-RANGE MEAT / food)
March 1, 2007... Free-range used to be something just for chickens, but now other free-range meats are appearing on supermarket shelves and in butcher shops. However, free-range can mean a variety of things--the only common bottom line is that, as for all...

Trading your home for a holiday: our shadow shop revealed poor advice and information from reverse mortgage sellers.(REVERSE MORTGAGES / money)
March 1, 2007... Wouldn't it be nice asking for a $60,000 loan and being offered $300,000 instead? That's exactly what happened to CHOICE shadow shopper Anthony when he asked a broker for information on a reverse mortgage. Reverse mortgages are aimed at...

Nature to the rescue? Just how effective are natural first-aid remedies?(NATURAL FIRST AID / health)
March 1, 2007... When you burn yourself on the barbecue, do you reach for aloe vera gel to soothe your skin? When you're attacked by mozzies, do you dab the bites with tea tree oil to stop them getting infected? Or when your child falls and grazes their knee,...

Flab-free champagne, sweetie?(FOOD bites)(AYALA Zero Dosage)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... Champers with no sugar (called zero dosage) may be the latest thing on the party circuit, but would-be models and party people wishing to maintain their svelte figures had better not celebrate too quickly--nor with too much bubbly. Not...

Practice safe sprouts.(FOOD bites)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... Sprouts such as alfalfa, mung and clover are becoming more popular--at least with cafes, which seem to scatter them over just about any dish ordered--and they do make an attractive-looking garnish. But they can also pose a serious safety...

Trans fat now a New York no-no.(FOOD bites)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... In December the New York Board of Health voted to ban all unhealthy trans fats from restaurants--the ban will be introduced over the next 18 months. Swapping trans-laden frying and spreading oils (as opposed to the fats used in baking, etc) to...

Size doesn't matter: modern design and equipment can make even small cars very safe.(ANCAP UPDATE / cars)(Product/service evaluation)
March 1, 2007... The Australian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) has released more high-speed crash test results for a number of popular cars in various categories. The tests were carried out in Australia and Europe. We've added to the table a number of...

Bendigo Bank: the fairest card of all?(HIP pocket)
March 1, 2007... The October 2006 issue of CHOICE profiled the often punitive ways that credit card companies calculate interest on late payments, as well as fairer methods that companies such as BANK OF QUEENSLAND and NSW TEACHERS CREDIT UNION use. The...

Top internet savings accounts.(HIP pocket)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... Online savings accounts pay far better interest rates than normal transaction accounts and are the ideal place for your emergency funds, to save for a holiday or even to set up a fund for this year's Christmas presents. They usually need to be...

The evidence for fluoride: is fluoride good for your teeth, or a slow poison? We look at the most recent evidence.(health / FLOURIDE)
March 1, 2007... Beaconsfield, Tasmania, is famous for more than a mine rescue--in 1953 it was the first town in Australia to add fluoride to its water supply. Now every capital city except Brisbane has water fluoridation and, on average, Australians have much...

Water-wise showers.(test: WATER-EFFICIENT SHOWERHEADS)(Product/service evaluation)
March 1, 2007... With Australia said to be in the grip of a one-in-1000-year drought, few doubt that it's time to get serious about water conservation. As a timely reminder of the devastation caused by water shortages, the theme of this year's United Nations...

Caffeine hit at home.(test: ESPRESSO MACHINES)(Product/service evaluation)
March 1, 2007... If you're a coffee fan, an espresso machine is probably on your wish list for this year. Apart from looking great in your kitchen, the appeal of having a creamy latte or a quality short black in your hand before you've even changed out of your...

Music and more to go.(test: DIGITAL MUSIC PLAYERS)(Product/service evaluation)
March 1, 2007... They've become an almost essential accessory for those who like to take their music with them. But there's a lot more you can do with some of the digital music players (often called MP3 players after a common type of digital file) in our latest...

A grater for everything.(test: GRATERS)(Product/service evaluation)
March 1, 2007... Graters are nifty gadgets no kitchen should be without. They can help you just as much with preparing the ingredients for an elaborate meal as with perfecting the finishing touches. A grater with a coarse blade is ideal for grating apples...

Safe travels.(HEALTH check)
March 1, 2007... Sound health advice is vital, particularly when travelling to exotic locations, but travellers may not be getting it from their travel agent, reports the January/February issue of CHOICE Health Reader. Swiss researchers assessed the...

Out with the old ...(HEALTH check)(Return Unwanted Medicines project)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... When did you last clean out your medicine cabinet? If it's been a while, you might war)t to give it a go--in doing so you'll be supporting the efforts of the Return Unwanted Medicines (RUM) project, which was set up in 1998 to facilitate the...

Fighting cervical cancer.(HEALTH check)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... From April this year all 12- and 13-year-old girls will be eligible for an ongoing school-based immunisation program that aims to reduce the incidence of cervical cancer in Australian women. The vaccine, Gardasil, prevents infection from...

Cut to shreds.(test: PAPER SHREDDERS)(Product/service evaluation)
March 1, 2007... The increase in cases of identity theft and fraud in recent years has led to a greater awareness of the need to protect personal information. Paper shredders allow you to cut up documents containing personal details, such as bills and account...

Spinning around.(test: WASHING MACHINES)(Product/service evaluation)
March 1, 2007... We tested seven front-loading and eleven top-loading washing machines, ranging in price from $749 to $2999. We used a new test method with a cold-water (20[degrees]C) wash instead of warm water. According to 2005 data from the Australian Bureau...

The super secret.(CHOICE campaigns)(pension funds)
March 1, 2007... Are you one of millions of Australians with more than one superannuation account? The problem of multiple super accounts is burning a big hole in our pockets and eroding our retirement savings. Poor service from super funds and unnecessary...

Chewing gum: the new healthfood?(CHOICE campaigns)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is considering allowing calcium to be added to sugar-free chewing gum, following an application from the Wrigley Company. Wrigley suggests it would provide gum chewers with an alternative source of...

Recalls & bans.
March 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...