Choice (Chippendale, Australia) articles from March 2009

Choice (Chippendale, Australia) archives from March 2009

Charge!(Comment)
March 1, 2009... A major change to how we pay to use ATMs begins from 3 March, when ATM owners will be legally allowed to charge you a fee for using their machine. The new direct charging rules will affect you when you're accessing an ATM that's not owned...

ATM watch: big banks plan to slug you with a second fee.(BANK FEES)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Consumers look like being the losers in the much-publicised changes to ATM fees that take effect from 3 March (see page 3 for details). NAB has confirmed it will charge its customers 50 cents for using another bank...

Pesticide ban: a toxic pesticide has been banned in New Zealand but is still being used on Australian fruits and vegetables.(FOOD SAFETY)
March 1, 2009... The highly toxic pesticide endosulfan will continue to be used in Australia, despite having been banned in more than 50 countries, including the European Union, several Asian and West African nations and now New Zealand. Food Standards...

Car insurance, February 2009.(CORRECTION)(Correction notice)
March 1, 2009... In the table on page 37, CommInsure is listed as charging extra for monthly payments. This is incorrect as CommInsure offers monthly payments without an extra fee. CommInsure's revised policy score is not 80%, up from 78%.

Stevia--sweet, yes, but safe? A joule-free alternative to sugar is now on the market, but some experts foreshadow a potential cancer risk.(HEALTH)
March 1, 2009... Sweeter than sugar but without the kilojoules, plant-based stevia sounds too good to be true. Although not a new product, stevia has recently garnered much attention with news that in the US, beverage giants Coca-Cola and Pepsi are planning to...

Charities face major changes: CHOICE welcomes moves by the Senate to improve the transparency of charities and not-for-profit organisations.(CHARITY REGULATOR)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Australian charities and not-for-profit organisations should be subject to a new national regulatory body and general overhaul of the sector, according to recommendations made in a recent report by the Senate...

Fixed rates pain: some home owners who locked in their loans a year ago now pay about 30% more interest than those on variable rates.(FIXED HOME LOANS)
March 1, 2009... Tony, pictured, is halfway through his five-year, 7.35% fixed rate home loan. Last October, when variable rates fell, he considered changing to a variable loan and was told by the CBA that he would be up for a "break fee" of $1900. Tony asked...

Not-so free range: a new report uncovers the tragic reality of some 'free-range' chicken farming.(ANIMAL WELFARE)
March 1, 2009... Following CHOICE's investigation of "free-range" eggs (June 2008), animal rights group Voiceless recently published a report on the chicken meat industry, From Nest to Nugget: An Expose of Australia's Chicken Factories. Its key findings are...

Safer sunscreens: some sunscreens contain nanoparticles that could damage your skin, but there are alternatives.(HEALTH)
March 1, 2009... Friends of the Earth has published a Safe Sunscreen Guide listing brands of sunscreen that claim to actively avoid using nanoparticles, as there's a growing body of evidence that suggests nanoparticles may be hazardous to your health (see our...

Can you help our research into pension funds, wills and BFAs?(Consumer news)
March 1, 2009... We're researching wills, pension funds and binding financial agreements (BFA). If you've invested in a pension fund we'd like to know how you chose it, your experiences and information about the fees and performance. We're also Looking into...

'DIY' super grows.
March 1, 2009... Over the past decade, the number of self-managed super funds (SMSFs) has grown exponentially. There are now close to 400,000 "DIY" funds which hold about 30% of all superannuation dollars. The market share of SMSFs is bigger than that of the...

Cashback feedback.
March 1, 2009... February's article on the dubious benefits of cashbacks drew a spirited response from readers. Long delays in receiving the cash back seemed to be the biggest gripe, although many readers had positive experiences to report. Visit...

Shonky's contributes to bank dropping fee.(SHONKY AWARDS)
March 1, 2009... Adelaide Bank has removed unfair fees after receiving a CHOICE Shonky Award last year. In a letter to CHOICE, the bank's spokesperson wrote: "I'm aware that the Shonky Awards aim to achieve results and raise standards and we would like to thank...

Tracking it down: with travellers and keen photographers in mind, this GPS device tracks where you've been.(GPS)
March 1, 2009... Car global positioning system (GPS) devices that use suction pads to attach to the front window are becoming increasingly common. But what alternative GPS options are available if you don't own a car or don't wish to lug around a handheld unit?...

Have cooker, will travel: energy-efficient and portable, this slow cooker is handy at home and outdoors.(PORTABLE SLOW COOKER)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... The Thermos Shuttle Chef consists of a steel cooking pot that fits inside an insulated outer pot. You partially cook the food in the inner pot on a stovetop or camp fire, then place it into the outer pot and put the lid on. The outer pot has...

Your new net chum: keep an eye on the internet with this compact desktop companion.(WI-FI ENABLED DEVICE)(Product/service evaluation)
March 1, 2009... The deceptively cute Chumby may look and feel like it's made to be kicked around, but resist the temptation--it's not a hacky sack. Resembling a small, leather-clad clad beanbag, the Chumby is actually an information device designed to be your...

Pressure cookers.(Coming)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... The days of exploding cookers your grandmother warned you about are long gone, with the latest models now fitted with safety features, such as double locking lids and steam release valves. Thai save you time and energy, but as we discovered,...

Handheld vacuum cleaners.(Coming)
March 1, 2009... Handheld vacs have come a long way since we last tested them nearly a decade ago. We put the latest models through everyday cleaning tasks you're likely to encounter vacuuming both your home and your car. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Clothes dryers.(Coming)
March 1, 2009... Dryers can be the only option if you don't have a clothes line or outdoor space for drying clothes naturally. We tell you which are best for minimising your carbon footprint, as well as which are the best buys for installation and ongoing...

Digital TV reception problems.(Emails Letters)(Letter to the editor)
March 1, 2009... * We are concerned about the consistency in our digital TV reception, which will become more of a problem when analog broadcasting is phased out. Presently, when we experience interference with our digital signal, due to local unknown...

Where's the handset?(Emails Letters)(Letter to the editor)
March 1, 2009... * Could you please consider this additional rating element for your next tests of cordless phones: "does it have a handset 'find' button?" This usually works by pressing a button on the base station and the phone beeps until you find it. We...

I bought a lemon!(Emails Letters)(Letter to the editor)
March 1, 2009... * I purchased an LG DVD Recorder/ VCR Combo with a three-year warranty in May 2006. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Within a couple of months after purchase it developed problems with DVD recording/ playing. After three warranty repairs, when...

Thank you, CHOICE Shopper!(Emails Letters)(Letter to the editor)
March 1, 2009... A couple of weeks ago I asked the CHOICE Shopper service to price a gas stove/ cooker for me. They came back with a price of $300 less than the $1500 I had been able to find. Thank you, CHOICE! Helen, SA, via email CHOICE says Happy to...

Thumbs up!(Emails Letters)
March 1, 2009... * When the leather on the tongue of her walking shoes started peeling off, Pat Morris of Perth phoned Pacific Brands Footwear and was impressed by the service she received. Not only did Jessica, in customer service, arrange for the shoes to be...

Accessing money from First Home Saver Account.(LETTER OF THE MONTH)(Letter to the editor)
March 1, 2009... Your article on the First Home Saver Account scheme (CHOICE, December 2008/January 2009) says there is a way you can open an account for just over two years and still comply with the rules. I hold such an account with Members Equity, but was...

Power play: competition is hotting up in the power industry. CHOICE surveyed the four most competitive states to see what drives consumers to switch electricity retailers and how the companies measure up.(CHOICE survey: Electricity retailers)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] With the increased cost of power generation, household bills are set to rise nationally over the next few years and consumers will be on the lookout for cheaper energy prices. In states where the utilities market has...

Beauty by design: CHOICE investigates the growing cosmetic surgery industry and uncovers some disturbingly unprofessional practices.(Investigation: Cosmetic surgery)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Among the latest promotions for cosmetic surgery procedures are "Need a lift?" and "Beautiful breasts always get noticed!". From print ads and radio spots to glossy magazines dedicated to promoting the latest...

Juicy hype: are fruit juices that contain extra antioxidants or herbal supplements really any better for you than traditional juice? CHOICE discovers that their claims simply don't stack up.(Food: Fruit juices)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The names are evocative--"Kickstart", "Energy Lift", "Green Recovery"--and the claims beguiling: "Helping you move into a wellness approach"; "Could help turbo-charge your life"; "Good for both body and soul". ...

The great credit protection sham: credit protection insurance makes an easy dollar for lenders and insurers, but for consumers there are far smarter options.(Money: Credit protection insurance)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In this era of financial uncertainty, an insurance that at first glance seems cheap, convenient and promises to cover your loan repayments against potential disasters such as unemployment or sickness appears too good...

Cable guise: how much should you spend on cables to get the best sound and image quality for your home entertainment system? CHOICE finds out.
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A gigantic flat panel TV has just arrived in your lounge room, waiting to be connected to a home theatre system that would make George Lucas salivate. Unfortunately, one of the experts providing "free" installation...

Radio by any other sound: what makes digital radio different? CHOICE investigates the new service coming to your airwaves soon.(Technology: Digital radio)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Digital radio is scheduled to begin broadcasting from about May 2009. Unlike digital TV there is no cut-off date for analog radio, therefore no need to rush out and buy a digital radio receiver. However, if you're...

Recyclable or not? Plastics 101: only 15% of plastics we consume are recycled. Here's what you can do.(Environment: Plastics recycling)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Over the past decade ready access to kerbside recycling has more than doubled our plastics recycling rates, yet consumer confusion about exactly which plastics can be recycled in different council areas throughout...

Exercise facts and fallacies: whether you're in training for a marathon or keen to keep a New Year's resolution, knowing the facts will help you get more bang for your exercise buck.(Health: Fitness facts)
March 1, 2009... We've all done it: gone for a walk first thing in the morning without eating breakfast beforehand because somewhere on the internet we read that more fat is burnt exercising on an empty stomach. Or, instead of jogging, you believe that so long...

Medals of distinction: some wine bottles are plastered in shiny stickers with tiny print, but what do they all mean? CHOICE guides you through the medal jungle.(Wine: Awards and shows)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Over the past two decades our wine industry has grown so much that we're now one of the major exporters of quality wines. Grown, too, has the number of wine bottles bearing shiny medal stickers. But are all these...

Small stuff, but nanofood is a big deal: no longer in the realm of science fiction, nanofoods are on their way to a supermarket near you--without being labelled and with major safety concerns.(Food: Nanothechnology)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] If you believe its proponents, nanotechnology will underpin the next industrial revolution. Recent figures suggest nanotechnology could be worth up to $50 billion a year to the Australian economy, so not surprisingly...

Flat screen, flat sound: like a silent movie star, most TVs in this test are better when they don't talk.(Test: 106cm TVs)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Perhaps surprisingly, most of the 106cm TVs CHOICE tested sound worse than cheap car speakers. They're often harsh, tinny and distort badly as the volume is increased. The Samsung LA40A550P1F and Sony models sound...

On a pedestal: front-loading machines are gentler on clothes than top loaders, but may not be so gentle on your back. However, CHOICE has discovered a solution to this problem.(Test: Washing machines)(Product/service evaluation)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Although front-loader washing machines are more water and energy efficient (when washing in either warm or hot water) than top loaders, as well as gentler on clothes, many people are put off buying them because of...

Espresso on tap: automatic espresso machines may not make the best-tasting coffee, but for convenience they're hard to beat.(Test: Automatic espresso machines)(Product/service evaluation)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] For an immediate coffee hit, does real espresso at the push of a button sound more appealing than instant coffee from a tin? If so, you should consider an automatic espresso machine. Simply put your cup under the...

Smart TV: watch what you want, when you want--most of the time. CHOICE reviews the latest technology for recording your favourite shows.(Test: Twin-tuner DVRs)(Product/service evaluation)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Does it sometimes feel like there's nothing to watch on TV for weeks and suddenly three great shows appear in the same time slot? The solution may be to get a twin-tuner digital video recorder (DVR). DVRs have...

Brushing up on spin: our trialists put powered toothbrushes to the test.(User trial: Electric toothbrushes)(Product/service evaluation)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] It's been four years since CHOICE trialled electric toothbrushes, so to find out what's changed on the market we conducted a user trial of 10 new models ranging in price from $5 to $190. According to a Cochrane...

The perfect blend: looking for a light and portable blender, rather than a full-blown food processor? One of these will fit the bill.(Test: Handheld blenders)(Product/service evaluation)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] When you have a small food-processing job and don't want to pull out your bulky processor, a handheld, or stick blender does the job. Of the 17 on test, all are very good or excellent for blending and emulsifying,...

Recalls & bans.
March 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...

Premium rip-off: a proposed code to modify mobile premium services is a good start, but more needs to be done to protect consumers.(MOBILE SERVICES PREMIUM)
March 1, 2009... Rip-off mobile services, such as ringtones, horoscopes, music videos and wallpaper, continue to cause consumers considerable grief. These services, known as mobile premium services (MPS), have become such a significant and rapidly increasing...

CHOICE campaigns--we want to hear from you.(MEMBER SURVEY)
March 1, 2009... You know what makes CHOICE different from other magazines: no advertising, just expert testing that delivers consumer, not profit-driven, information and advice. But this is only half the story, and here's where we need your help. CHOICE...

Hard word.
March 1, 2009... The month's best entry comes from Mr D. Reid, who's aged between 65 and 79 and definitely not pregnant. Thanks also to K. Henshall, S. Brown, G. Mitchell, P. Herbert, A. Thompson, W. Farnham and I. Perko for their contributions to this month's...