Choice (Chippendale, Australia) articles from September 2003

Choice (Chippendale, Australia) archives from September 2003

Retirement villages: handle with care.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Whether you're thinking of a retirement village for yourself or for older relatives, you'd probably be surprised at the minefield you're getting into. We found broken promises, complex ownership structures, high entry charges, steep ongoing...

Half a product of Australia.(choice cuts ... a case involving olive oil underscores the need for accurate labeling as to origin)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... CHOICE has been calling for clearer guidelines and strong enforcement of country of origin labelling for many years. A survey of CHOICE subscribers a few years ago showed that 93% of you were interested in buying Australian. What our research...

Energy offers: choice, July 2003.(Update)(Correction Notice)
September 1, 2003... In CHOICE, July 2003, page 30, we reported that TXU's negotiated offers don't come with a fixed-term contract and early termination fee. TXU has now informed us that this is correct only for its 55 Plus product for pensioners. The offers...

Eternal fungus.(choice cuts)(Friedrich Mueller International House of Nature claims Ganoderma lucidum is life elixir but spores could lead to death of native trees)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... The Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) has advised more than 1500 recipients of unsolicited samples of a fungus called Ganoderma lucidum (also known as ling zhi) that they may have to wait a bit longer for eternal youth. From...

Saving water.(choice cuts)(water efficiency labelling system)
September 1, 2003... Installing water-efficient appliances in your home can save large amounts of water every day. For example, a water-efficient showerhead can reduce your water consumption by at least 11 L per minute; a water-efficient washing machine by more...

Protecting your computer.(choice cuts)(firewall software is recommended)
September 1, 2003... Personal firewall software acts as a gateway between your computer and the internet, ensuring that any internet traffic, from emails to antivirus updates, is authorised to enter or leave your computer. It also camouflages your computer's...

Can you help?(choice cuts)
September 1, 2003... GOT A PORTABLE FRIDGE? If so, we'd like to find out if you're satisfied With its performance, and we'd appreciate your taking the time to answer the following questions: * What's the brand and model of your portable fridge? * How...

Tampons for contraception?(World Consumer Snapshot)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Surely an absurd suggestion! Not so for every fifth young person questioned by a Munich institute for youth research, reports Test magazine. With so many sources of information at their disposal, you'd think young people nowadays would know...

Itchy ears?(World Consumer Snapshot)(ear scratcher is a useless and potentially harmful product according to Consumentengids)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... We didn't know itchy ears were such a big problem, says the Dutch consumer magazine Consumentengids. It reviewed the ear scratcher: a little plastic device with a stainless steel loop curette you insert into your ear to, well, scratch it and...

Date hunting.(World Consumer Snapshot)(grocery expiration dates)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Danish retailers aren't supposed to sell you stuff that's past its use-by date, so if you happen to come across something that's expired, they offer bribes to keep you happy: a bottle of wine, a packet of coffee, a box of chocolates or even the...

CHOICE shopper satisfaction.(your letters)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2003... Thank you for the superb service we received when we bought our TV and video player through CHOICE Shopper. Indeed, we were delighted with the price and prompt delivery of the items, and the courtesy of the staff. This is a wonderful...

More headaches for bank customers.(your letters)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2003... Recently, on a Saturday, my partner's NAB access card was inexplicably swallowed by an ATM outside an NAB bank in Brisbane. The sign on the ATM gave a number for him to call. The number was disconnected. It also said he should visit the...

Letter of the month.(your letters)
September 1, 2003... We want to hear from you--your experiences help our research and often let other readers know about scares and rip-offs. Positive outcomes you've had to a complaint you took to a manufacturer, retailer, importer or tradesperson interest us,...

Thumbs up!(Tamburlaine Vineyard, Ripcurl)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... * Devitt Larkin, via internet, awards a thumbs-up to TAMBURLAINE VINEYARD in the Hunter Valley. Devitt had cellared a '98 vintage cabernet sauvignon that he found "far from the nectar of the gods" when opened. When he emailed the vineyard, they...

Administrator for health fund.(hip pocket)(Queensland Teachers' Union Health Fund)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... The Private Health Insurance Administration Council (PHIAC) has appointed an administrator for the Queensland Teachers' Union Health Fund (TUH) and imposed a number of registration criteria on it. However, if you're a member of this fund...

Investor education seminars.(hip pocket)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Want to start saving for a deposit or plan your retirement? Here are some places for good investment information: * The Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) runs workshops, online classes and correspondence courses covering topics suitable for...

No-claim bonus trap.(hip pocket)(car insurance)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... With potential discounts of up to 70%, a no-claim bonus (NCB) can make a big difference to the car insurance premium you pay. Josef Szeliga from Queensland has been driving for 22 years and has never made a claim on his car insurance. He...

Animal or vegetable? Which oven chips and wedges make the nutritional grade, while others are laden with artery-clogging saturated beef fat?(Test: hot potato snacks)(Buyers Guide)
September 1, 2003... IN A NUTSHELL * The majority of frozen chips, wedges and potato shapes are cooked in beef fat, rather than more heart-friendly oils like canola. * If the kids clamour for more or you're watching your weight, it's possible to buy...

Beware retirement village rip-offs: ongoing and departure fees make it easy to end up leaving with less money than you moved in with.(Report: retirement villages)
September 1, 2003... IN A NUTSHELL * Don't confuse retirement villages with hostels or nursing homes. Some operators promise guaranteed access to such aged care services--a promise they often can't deliver. * 'Departure fees' payable when you leave some...

Used car safety: which model should you pick if you're in the market for a safe used car?(Drivelines)
September 1, 2003... IN A NUTSHELL * The ratings are based on real-life accidents. * Ideally, look for a model that offers good protection for you and for other drivers in an accident. Choosing a safer car could mean the difference between getting out...

Fancy a coldie? Our expert panel drank their way through 44 premium beers to help you choose your poison.(Test: premium beer)
September 1, 2003... IN A NUTSHELL * Our expert tasters came up with a CHOICE six-pack of top-rating beers in a variety of styles (see page 25). * Freshness is vital to beer quality--check the dates when you buy (see Buying tips, far right). * UV...

Elegant ankles: which brands are comfortable and still look good after a few wears?(Trial: knee-highs)(Buyers Guide)
September 1, 2003... IN A NUTSHELL * In the trial: 20 brands of knee-highs ranging in price from just 60 cents to almost $7 a pair. * About a third got the thumbs-up from our trialists, including one of the cheapest brands. * Other findings: less than...

Muffins--not such a healthy choice.(food bites)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Muffins are often wrongly believed to be a healthy alternative to cakes--and they may have been once when they less resembled cakes. These days what's mostly on offer is anything but healthy. One large blueberry muffin can set you back 2500...

Too hot to handle?(food bites)(drink milk with curry)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Does your favourite curry have you reaching for a glass of water to cool your mouth down? Unfortunately water won't be much help, as capsaicin, which is the component of chilli that burns, binds to your taste buds and isn't dissolved by water....

Reality bites.(food bites)(food from cloned animals)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Hot on the heels of the genetically modified (GM) food debate is another biotechnological quandary for you to consider. Since the birth of Dolly the sheep a few years ago, the production of cloned animals has taken off. The benefits of...

Is your home making you sick? Indoor air pollutants lurk everywhere. Find out here about the sources in your home and what you can do to reduce your risk.(Report: indoor air pollution)
September 1, 2003... IN A NUTSHELL * Despite our 'outdoors' image, Australians may spend 90% or more of our time indoors, where air pollution levels can be worse than outdoors. * Our increased efforts to make our homes energy-efficient can have harmful...

Plain or fancy? Do any of the new whiz-bang features make brushing your teeth less of a chore?(User trial: toothbrushes)(Buyers Guide)
September 1, 2003... IN A NUTSHELL * You don't need to pay more for a brush with all the bells and whistle--some of the more popular toothbrushes in our trial were plain and simple, and there's no independent evidence yet any of the angles, curves or inlays...

In the wash: forty-six machines put through their paces.(Test: washing machines)(Buyers Guide)
September 1, 2003... IN A NUTSHELL * Nine of the 13 machines in the What to buy list are also Best Buys--good performers at a good price. * Some of the machines tested are less than gentle on your clothes--see Not so gentle, right. * We've got some...

Recall & bans.
September 1, 2003... 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...