Choice (Chippendale, Australia) articles from May 2008

Choice (Chippendale, Australia) archives from May 2008

Healthcare performance info vital for consumers.(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In November, CHOICE included health system performance reporting as one of our priorities for the new government. We called for every hospital in Australia to report publicly on key performance indicators, including...

From 12.5% to zero return: a guarantee on your investment sounds great but can be deceptive.(CAPITAL-PROTECTED INVESTMENTS)
May 1, 2008... Late last year investors in a Macquarie capital-protected investment expecting annual returns of around 12.5% received some bad news: their rate of return had been slashed to zero until October 2013, when they'll get their initial investment...

Correction.(Consumer news)(Correction notice)
May 1, 2008... WASHING MACHINES, MARCH 2008 In the table on page 52, we indicated that the BOSCH Maxx Lifestyle Exclusive WAE26470 was discontinued, but in fact it's still is available and will continue to be for some time.

Energy ratings could leave computers behind: did you know your home computer and monitor combo is probably using as much electricity in a year as your washing machine?(ENERGY LABELLING)
May 1, 2008... A 10-star energy rating system could soon apply to all appliances. Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett says the government is fast-tracking a new labelling system to help consumers make smarter decisions on the shop floor. There is...

Stroller danger: Victorian mum Lisa Chan loved her Phil & Teds stroller--until she nearly lost her finger to its folding hinge.(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Still recovering from her injury in November last year, Lisa told CHOICE it was a hazard she couldn't foresee at the time of purchase. "We bought the stroller earlier in 2007--it wasn't something that I'd ever...

Calcium supplements in question: a new study has shown high doses of calcium might increase heart attack risk ... but not everyone is convinced.(CALCIUM AND HEART DISEASE)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Hearing conflicting medical advice is confusing, but no more so than when you hear experts themselves arguing over which preventative measure is better or safe. The latest example stems from a study in New Zealand,...

Unlicensed property valuers: a CHOICE subscriber recently paid $550 to a licensed valuer for a valuation of his home. Less than six weeks later his property sold for $160,000 (20%) higher than the valuation.(PROPERTY VALUATIONS)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Joe was surprised not just by this, but by how the valuer worked. "He said he doesn't check actual sale prices for houses he's valued. I'd have thought this would be an essential step for a professional valuer." ...

Night riders: bicycle lights are a must for riding at night, but which ones are the best?(BIKE LIGHTS)(Buyers guide)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] When you ride your bike at night or in low-visibility conditions, the law requires that you have lights: a white one at the front, a red light at the back, as well as a rear red reflector. The lights can be steady or...

Failed sunscreen sparks safety concerns: CHOICE's New Zealand counterpart tested an Australian-made NZ Cancer Society sunscreen, which failed its sun protection factor claims.(SUN PROTECTION FAILURE)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Consumer NZ investigated the Cancer Society's SPF 30+ Trigger Spray after receiving a complaint in late 2007. A consumer claimed her daughter had been sunburnt while using the spray, despite regular reapplications. A...

Blu-ray wins the battle: HD DVD casualties will be supported by Toshiba but the war continues.(FORMAT WARS)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Toshiba has announced plans to discontinue its HD DVD format, effectively making rival disc format Blu-ray the winner in the next-generation high-definition DVD format battle. The HD DVD format has struggled in...

Citibank slashes interest-free days.
May 1, 2008... Citibank has reduced the number of interest-free days for credit card customers who usually clear their bill each month. It means the number of days in which customers can make their repayments will be reduced from 25 to 14. Having fewer days...

Parents confused over kids' meals.(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... A new Australian survey shows that seven in 10 mothers with young children don't know how much food they should give them in a day. Around half the kids in the survey have a snack on all or most days, but almost the same number can't finish...

Sticky green claim.(Woolworths Select tissue products' ;abel)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... The ACCC has ended an eight-month investigation into green claims made on Woolworths Select tissue products. The ACCC wasn't able to determine whether Woolworths' claims were accurate. The retailer plans to place stickers over its claims of...

All wound up: if you're away from a power source or a portable computer, this media player may be for you.(Eco Media Player )(Product/service evaluation)
May 1, 2008... On an extended camping or sailing trip you may be without a permanent power source, but with this media player you're able to take a bit of luxury with you. The BAYLIS brand is well-known for its invention of the wind-up radio and now it's...

Black box barrier.(SecureSpot)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... Keeping your computer free of net nasties usually requires several software packages, so the complexity of maintaining tight security increases dramatically if you have several computers. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] That's where SecureSpot...

Plug in an instant network: power-point adapters make linking home PCs fast and easy.(HOME COMPUTER NETWORK)
May 1, 2008... If you've ever wanted to set up a home computer network but put the idea in the too-hard basket, the new breed of powerline networking units might be just what you need. They're simple to set up and can be moved anywhere there's a power point,...

Vacuum cleaners.(Coming)
May 1, 2008... In CHOICE's latest test, mid-priced vacuum cleaners ($400-$600) proved to work better than cheaper models but to be just as good as many of the more expensive ones. On the downside, one of the best models at removing dirt from carpet left...

Digital cameras.(Coming)
May 1, 2008... Have you ever missed that perfect shot because your brand-new camera took forever to turn on? CHOICE tested 40 digital cameras to find out not only which models have the largest zoom lens or highest resolution, but also which deliver the best...

Liquid laundry detergents.(Coming)
May 1, 2008... Laundry liquids don't wash as well as the best powders, but if you prefer to use liquids this test sorts out the top performers. Liquids are also kinder on your garden if you want to use your greywater on it. Unfortunately our testers thought...

More advice on first aid.(Letters & Emails)(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2008... In reference to your article on first aid kits (March 2008), we'd like to point out the following: * St John Ambulance Australia recommends first aid equipment is matched to the training a person has. It's best to ensure at least one...

Stereotyping.(Letters & Emails)(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2008... I was surprised to read in the February issue of CHOICE, regarding your test of electronic photo frames, "... they're not the easiest things to set up--if you give one to Grandma, make sure there's a grandson around to make it work for her"....

Replacing faulty goods.(Letters & Emails)(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2008... Purchasers of Apple products, beware! I purchased an iPod Nano seven months ago and it developed a fault. It was within the 12-month warranty period, so I returned it to the store I bought it from and was advised it would be replaced --with a...

Michael Carney experienced customer service that far surpassed his expectations.(Thumbs up!)
May 1, 2008... Michael Carney experienced customer service that far surpassed his expectations. When a vending machine took his money without dispensing a drink, he took the trouble to contact the 1800 number listed. Not only did a real person answer the...

Magdalena Andrews was very impressed with the service she received from Dyson.(Thumbs up!)
May 1, 2008... Magdalena Andrews was very impressed with the service she received from Dyson, which organised to pick up her vacuum cleaner that had stopped sucking and replaced everything to do with the filter and vacuum head totally free of charge, although...

Rosemary Eales gives her Thumbs up to Poppy at Sunbeam.(Thumbs up!)
May 1, 2008... Rosemary Eales gives her Thumbs up to Poppy at Sunbeam, who organised at no charge a replacement of her three-year-old iron that had suddenly stopped working.

Perseverance pays off.(LETTER OF THE MONTH)(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2008... After reading your car insurance article (CHOICE, November 2007) and finding my NRMA comprehensive policy up for renewal, I sought a quote from RACQ, which came in more than $100 per year cheaper. I knew there shouldn't be such a large...

Servicing your car: think you'll get a better service taking your car back to the dealer's service centre? Our shadow shop shows you need to think again.(Shadow shop: Car servicing)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] When you hand your car over for a service or repairs, you'd hope for--and it's certainly not unreasonable to expect--honest and expert advice about the condition of your car and any repairs needed. Unfortunately,...

Spotlight on glucosamine: it's a popular alternative treatment for osteoarthritis, but does glucosamine really work? New research findings make the evidence look shaky.(Health: Glucosamine)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] If you suffer from osteoarthritis, the chances are you've tried glucosamine. Many people swear by it, but does it really work? Or does it work better combined with chondroitin? And are some brands better than others?...

Facing it like a man: "every couple of days I use a face scrub, and I use a face wash pretty much morning and night; then I moisturise at least once a day," Chris says. Men's moisturisers are big business, but which is best?(Cosmetics: Men's moisturisers)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] According to figures from research organisation IBISWorld, last financial year the men's grooming industry (excluding shaving products and deodorant) was worth $150-$200 million--and it's expected to keep growing,...

Survey highlights shopper concern: CHOICE surveyed more than 1000 subscribers in February 2008 and found that nearly two thirds of consumers think there isn't enough price competition between supermarket chains.(Survey: Supermarkets)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] As part of CHOICE's submission to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Grocery Inquiry in March 2008, a survey of 1041 online and magazine subscribers provided a snapshot of consumer attitudes...

Best foot forward: for the first time, in 2007 more women entered fun runs than men. If you're getting fit this way, the right shoes are crucial.(Buying guide: Running shoes)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] If you're new to running or power walking, to have any hope of keeping up your motivation to get fit or lose weight you'll need a decent pair of running shoes. But choosing them can be overwhelming (and expensive),...

Additive angst: some additives are linked to health issues like asthma, skin rashes, cancer and hyperactivity. CHOICE tells you which ones to avoid.(Food Additives)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Over three hundred food additives are approved for use in Australia. Reader feedback to CHOICE shows that this use of additives in food is a major concern for consumers. Individuals and consumer advocacy groups have...

Comparing GreenPower: switching to 100% GreenPower means you pay more to support investment in renewable energy. But there are still big differences in price between products from different companies--for essentially the same thing. CHOICE compares what's on offer.(Services: GreenPower)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The van Wijcks from Victoria switched to GreenPower (the government-regulated renewable energy scheme) about four years ago, choosing TRUENERGY's 100% accredited wind power. According to Kurt van Wijck, "The company...

Does your home need a safety net? Pornography, violence and hate groups can appear on your home computer without your permission. CHOICE tested 15 net filtering packages, to find out if they're worth having.(Technology: Net filtering)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The internet is a wonderful information-gathering tool, but it has a dark side. So how do we protect ourselves--and our children--from pornography, violence and other net nasties? The software tools we use to...

How green is your fridge? Manufacturers are designing fridges to use less energy and become a greener product.(Buyers guide)
May 1, 2008... Thanks to the 2005 Minimum Energy Performance Standard (MEPS), new fridges use around 25% less energy than they did previously, which is great news for the environment and your electricity bill. However, energy efficiency is only part of the...

Turn up the heat: unflued gas heaters are quick to heat a room and energy-efficient. CHOICE tested seven small to mid-sized heaters and added them to previously tested models.(Buyers guide)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Unflued gas heaters deliver quick, energy-efficient and comparatively cheap warmth to individual rooms in your home. They come with a capacity of up to 25 MJ/h (megajoules per hour), which is equivalent to more than...

Slow and easy: curries, stews, soups and casseroles are wonderful in winter. CHOICE's slow cookers test revealed this appliance excels in the kitchen.(Test: Slow cookers)(Buyers guide)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "Well, I'm impressed!," is not your usual test report language, but it's how our home economist introduced her report summary for the latest test of what had just become her new favourite appliance--slow cookers. "A...

Stepping up: don't risk your safety with a second-rate stepladder. Only three out of 12 we tested passed all our key safety tests.(Buyers guide)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] When you put your feet on the first step of a home stepladder, you should be confident it will take your weight, feel firm underfoot and not wobble as you reach for that blanket from the top shelf of the wardrobe or...

Wheeler appealers: ten more three- and four-wheel strollers are on test--both types have their good points, so the choice comes down to personal preference.(Test: Three and four-wheel strollers)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Strollers come in all sorts of styles these days: layback, umbrella-fold, small and basic versus large and feature-packed. But one of your main decisions is likely to be how many wheels it should have. And that...

Recalls & bans.
May 1, 2008... 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...

Fair copyright rules for all media: what's the difference between a digital audio file and a digital video file? Under Australian copyright law, consumers are allowed to format-shift their digital audio files but are prohibited from doing the same to digital video files. So we can transfer songs from a CD to our MP3 players, but we can't copy a DVD onto a laptop computer.(COMPLEX COPYRIGHT RULES)
May 1, 2008... The first reason for this difference is that most DVDs come with technological protection measures to stop copying, whereas most CDs don't. It's been illegal to circumvent technological protection measures, even for legitimate purposes, since...

Quality carbon offsets: CHOICE's Green Watch campaign aims to bring green claims up to scratch, expose shonky advertising and help Australians get a better deal for themselves and the environment.(GREEN WATCH)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] There's a fast-growing range of products and services claiming to neutralise or reduce your carbon emissions, and it's confusing even for the most eco-savvy consumers. So CHOICE is watching the carbon offsets market....