Tabla de contenidos para July 2023 en CHOICE

FIRST LOOK Dyson’s first robot vacuum for the Australian market, the 360 Vis Nav, is here. Our experts put a loan model through our tough test method to see how it performs. The blue D-shaped machine uses a 360-degree fish-eye lens for navigation. Dyson claims it also has 26 sensors to perform tasks including dust detection, wall detection and obstacle avoidance. Underneath, the long brush bar combines soft, fluffy nylon (to collect hard floor debris) with stiffer nylon bristles (designed for carpet). After running it through our sand-strewn hard floor test area, we found it was a solid performer with excellent dirt pick-up. However, if your home is very dirty it may take a while to get your floor clean. In the default auto mode, which adjusts suction automatically depending…

The communications regulator has issued formal directions and warnings to three telcos after finding they had inadequate systems in place to prevent scammers impersonating well-known brands over SMS. Investigators from the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) found two service providers – Sinch Australia and Infobip Information Technology – allowed more than 110,000 messages impersonating brands such as Australia Post, Medicare and road toll firms to be sent on their platforms. “This wouldn’t have happened if the companies had adequate processes in place and complied with the rules,” says ACMA chair Nerida O’Loughlin. “Scammers have used their failures to prey on Australians. ”Senders of SMS messages can alter the name that appears as their sender ID, even adopting that of a company, but industry regulations stipulate telcos must obtain evidence…

The Australian Communications and Media Authority has put an online gaming company on notice for breaching interactive gambling laws, after it allowed players to wager with ‘skins’ acquired in other games. The ACMA gave a formal warning to Feral Holdings Limited over its website CS:GO Roll, which let users exchange skins from popular video games for virtual coins that could be used to gamble on casino-style games. Gaming skins are add-on features players can buy or win while playing a game to change the appearance of its characters or items. Online casino games played for money or anything else of value are illegal in Australia, and ACMA chair Nerida O’Loughlin says Feral’s allowance of gaming features as currency was troubling. “Skins gambling services are particularly concerning as they tap into…

CHOICE is investigating issues around the affordability and accessibility of home and contents insurance for people living in areas prone to extreme weather. Our researcher interviewed 21 homeowners and renters, both with insurance and without, across extreme weather affected areas in Queensland, NSW, Victoria and WA, to find out what they’re experiencing. Some participants were aware that their home was at risk from extreme weather events before renting or buying. But the level of that risk was not explained. “We bought (the house) understanding it was a one in 100 flood risk. We took that to mean every 100 years we’ll get flooded versus there being a 1% chance of every year getting flooded,” one homeowner explains. Others had not known they were even in a high risk area. “We…

A gap between crowns I recently had the financial misfortune to need a I second dental crown, after having a crown in 2022. The gap amount for the first crown was $970 and I was expecting to have to pay the same, but the gap fee for the second crown was $1470 – $500 more. When I asked the reason for the increase, I was referred to the dentist in charge of all things dental at Teachers Health Fund (THF) who said that South Australian members had been on a special pricing scheme while the business was being established in Adelaide. I asked why the increase wasn’t related to the CPI. After some discussion, he conceded that the gap increase for SA THF members had been poorly managed and offered…

THE CONSUMER TRAPS ISSUE. As more Australians have become interested in how super funds invest their money, more funds have embraced ESG (environmental, social and governance) considerations in their investment choices. The basic idea behind ESG principles is that companies that are harming the environment are bad for the community, and may also carry more risk for investors. On the other hand, companies that are environmentally sustainable, well-managed and do good for the community are likely to be strong long-term investments. The problem is, it seems some super funds are misleading consumers about their ESG credentials by engaging in something called ‘greenwashing’. ASIC wants super funds to ensure they have evidence to back any ethical claims they make What is greenwashing? Greenwashing is deceptive marketing designed to cash in on…

THE CONSUMER TRAPS ISSUE Doing the laundry is an unavoidable part of life, and perhaps one of the least enjoyable ways to spend your hard-earned cash. Even worse, the costs of keeping your clothes fresh and clean can really add up – laundry detergent, fabric softener, energy and water can take quite a chunk out of your budget. With many of us trying to cut back on household outgoings, CHOICE experts reveal things you can reduce or cut completely from your laundry routine to save money. 1 Fabric softeners CHOICE experts recommend giving expensive fabric softeners the flick. “By opting for powder over pods, you’ll not only save money but also get a better wash” “Fabric softeners are not only pricey, they also have a few other downsides. If you’re…

Stick and robot vacuums may be convenient, but barrel and upright vacuum cleaners are a great option if you have a large floorspace and lots of carpeted areas to keep clean. You’ll need to decide if you want a barrel or upright model, and bagged or bagless, while also considering your type of flooring and if you’ll be cleaning lots of pet hair. You’ll also want to look at the accessories that come with your vacuum. The type of cleaning head is more important to performance than many may realise. Most models come with a combined hard floor/carpet cleaning head, and it’s usually all you’ll need to get good results on most hard floors. However, our testing shows that when it comes to thorough carpet cleaning, especially picking up pet…

Single-use water bottles may not seem very expensive, but the costs can really add up when you buy them two or three times a week. A reusable bottle, however, can cover its cost in less than a year and it’s better for the environment too. When it comes to reusable bottles, there’s a fair bit of variety out there and a surprising degree of difference in terms of performance. Turns out it is possible to make a subpar water bottle. So, we vetted 16 vessels to find the models that are best at keeping your water cool and contained. Over half (53%) of single-use plastic bottles still go to landfill Don’t go chasing water bottles If you’re in the habit of regularly buying bottled water, a reusable bottle will help…

The federal government has announced long-awaited reforms to bring buy now, pay later (BNPL) companies under the credit act, mandating responsible lending obligations and hardship requirements. Minister for Financial Services Stephen Jones announced the changes, saying his reforms were a “balanced” approach that would protect consumers, but not harm “prudent” BNPL usage. “We have arrived at a strong solution, and a proportionate solution,” the Minister said. Under the government’s reforms, BNPL companies would be regulated under the national credit act, and companies would be required to hold an Australian credit licence. As well as mandating statutory hardship and dispute resolution requirements, there will also be responsible lending obligations, but these will be “scaleable” to the size of the loan. In a joint media statement, consumer groups and financial counsellors expressed…

In a decision that’s sure to have ripple effects throughout the industry, the European Union has penalised Facebook’s parent company Meta $1.95 billion for its handling of user data. The fine – which was handed down by Ireland’s Data Protection Commission – was levied in response to Facebook’s transfer of EU user data to the US which was in breach of its obligations under the EU’s General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) regime. Meta has now been fined a total of $4 billion under the GDPR. The company is, unsurprisingly, seeking to appeal this decision, but for now we see this as a positive step towards robust enforcement and accountability on the international stage. Legal concerns about Meta’s handling and transfer of user data started over a decade ago when Max…

Over 40% of Victorians have been given incorrect information about their consumer rights and many are giving up on trying to get problems resolved, according to new research. The survey of consumers conducted by the Consumer Policy Research Centre (CPRC) found 42% were given the wrong information about their rights, such as that it would be impossible to get a refund on a purchase. CPRC CEO Erin Turner says some businesses themselves are ill-informed, while others are obscuring the law. “In some cases, businesses just don’t know or aren’t training their staff well about how the consumer law works,” she says. “[But others] have a clear business model that encourages them to omit information.” Turner also says it was “heartbreaking” to see that 28% of consumers hadn’t tried to get…

Q Your air purifier reviews talk about dust, smoke and VOCs, but there is no mention of whether they will work to filter out mould spores from the air. Do you know if air purifiers will help with mould? A CHOICE household products expert Chris Barnes: We don’t specifically test with mould spores, because it is difficult to do and can be hazardous to the lab staff. However, the particles in our smoke tests are roughly similar to typical mould spore sizes, so I’d expect any model that performs well in the smoke test would also perform well for removing mould spores. Keep in mind, mould spores are essentially like large microparticles, so HEPA filters generally should be able to trap most of them. Q My husband and I are…

THE CONSUMER TRAPS ISSUE When the temperature soars above 40°C, which is common during the summer, Ethan Godfrey and the children in his household do whatever they can to stay cool. “We get water and put it in the fridge just to make cold water, but if we don’t have any power what can we do?” the Mudburra and Jingili man says. Like many who live in the desert community of Marlinja, some 290 kilometres north of Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory, Ethan’s house regularly experiences blackouts. “How do we manage a sustainable life in this community? Paying a couple of hundred bucks just to keep our fridge and power on every fortnight has used up a lot of our money and I have kids to feed as well,”…

A garment steamer uses high temperature steam to remove wrinkles from garments and fabrics. Unlike an iron or steam station that requires heat as well as pressure on the fabric to iron out creases, garment steamers use steam only. This mean they're much gentler, making them ideal if you have lots of delicate fabrics in your wardrobe or if you need to freshen up business suits. They can also be used on upholstery, soft furnishings, rugs and curtains, and their convenient design means you don’t even have to take the curtains down to spruce them up. The steam can also help to reduce odours that may be lingering on these items, and many manufacturers claim the steam can even kill bacteria to leave your fabrics fresher and more hygienically clean.…

THE CONSUMER TRAPS ISSUE Ever get secretly excited when something breaks because it’s an excuse to get your shop on? Retail therapy isn’t just for clothing, it’s a broad church and it welcomes whitegoods. But if your washing machine’s all washed up, take a deep breath before flashing the plastic because you’ll need to avoid some traps. 1. Down, but not out Is your incumbent washer working, just not very well? Instead of replacing it, maybe just learn to use it more effectively. Switching from a poor detergent to a powerful performer ups your washing game immediately. Our detergent reviews show which ones work best (see choice.com.au/laundrydetergent), and some of those are at the cheaper end of the scale too, so you can reduce your laundry costs as well. Complement…

Over the past few years, you’ve probably noticed more and more electric vehicles (EVs) in the news, on the road and in advertising. An October 2022 survey of more than 13,500 CHOICE members and supporters found many believed using an EV would help the environment and the health of their community, but a variety of factors were preventing them from making the switch. Of the survey respondents, 69% said they’d consider an EV for the next car they bought or leased, but only 5.6% had actually bought an EV in the past five years. You can read more about our EV survey results in CHOICE Mar 23. While we’re not in a position to buy a bunch of electric cars and test them on our very own race track, we…

Alandmark decision by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) has found that Clearview AI’s data practices breached the Privacy Act. Clearview AI, based in the US, operates a facial recognition tool that lets law enforcement – and formerly businesses – match images of suspects and victims with identified photos stored in Clearview’s database, which the company scrapes from sources such as social media. The AA Tupheld the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner’s (OAIC) 2021 determination that Clearview failed to take steps to ensure compliance with Australian Privacy Principles, namely collecting sensitive information about an individual only with consent and only if necessary. In doing so, it affirmed the OAIC’s determination that the Privacy Act applied to foreign businesses if they were carrying out business in Australia. With many tech businesses…

If you have diabetes, you may require an insulin pump as part of your treatment. If an insulin pump is provided to you in hospital, private health insurance can cover you for a benefit towards the cost of the pump, as well as for the hospital accommodation fees and the doctor’s fee. Some insurers also cover the cost of insulin pumps in cases where hospitalisation is not required. Usually, to be sure you’re covered for an insulin pump, you need to have an expensive Gold policy, as it’s only Gold policies that are required to include this cover. But CHOICE health insurance experts have found some cheaper Bronze policies that offer cover for insulin pumps. These include: ● CBHS Corporate Bronze Plus Hospital● Medibank Bronze Plus Progress● RT Health (HCF)…

Member Linda wrote to us about her Braun TexStyle 5 iron that was less than six months old. She was not impressed with its performance, claiming that it didn’t get hot enough to remove creases, and she didn’t like that the button for the extra steam had to be held down to be used. Linda had contacted Braun, and came away with the understanding that the iron was not faulty, but rather the issues she was experiencing were due to its design, and Braun couldn’t do anything to help her. Linda wasn’t happy with this explanation and reached out to CHOICE for some guidance. We suggested that Linda contact the retailer where she purchased her iron and explain that she believes that the iron does not meet the consumer guarantee…

THE CONSUMER TRAPS ISSUE Lots of us are willing to reach into our pockets to help people in need, which might explain why there are over 60,000 registered charities in Australia. The sticking point for many donors is when charities outsource their ‘personal engagement’ fundraising efforts to commission-driven third-party businesses – the ones who call up seeking donations or ask you for money in public places. While registered charities are exempt from the Do Not Call register for ostensibly good reasons, the fundraising calls – and the face-to-face encounters – can sometimes feel like harassment. Too many calls In recent weeks, CHOICE has heard from a number of consumers who feel that the methods charities and their agencies use to get people to give may be counterproductive. “We donated something…

THE CONSUMER TRAPS ISSUE. The amount of personal data collected by media devices and services is extensive, and TVs are no exception. Many Australians are likely unaware that they have agreed to data collection during their smart TV’s set-up. Data is used by manufacturers to personalise your experience, but also to sell advertising and build data profiles for third-party marketers. Here, we help you decide what data you need to hand over to your TV and what you can say no to. Only consent to the terms and conditions for features you are likely to use Using your TV in ‘dumb’ mode It is entirely possible to use a smart TV for offline use only – for watching traditional broadcast TV, or as a display for gaming consoles or media…

THE CONSUMER TRAPS ISSUE Home insurance isn’t just for people who own a house. If you rent, contents insurance protects your property against things like fire, flood and theft – and it offers other benefits as well. Although with everything going up except your wages, it may be tempting to cut back on grudge buys. And for most of us, insurance tops the grudge list. So if your rent is raising the roof, can you cut back on contents insurance? Although we don’t advise cancelling your contents insurance completely if you can help it, we share some simple tips on how you can reduce premiums and save money. Depending on where you live, you could save well over $1000 a year on your premium. 1. The loyalty penalty If you’ve…

A portable electric heater can be a quick fix for a cold room. They are comparatively cheap to buy and installation is as simple as plugging it in and flicking a switch. But different types of heater suit different needs; whether you’re looking for a cosy heater for a home office, a gentle heater for the bedroom or a powerful heater to blast the chill from a large room, here are the options to consider. For one person or a small room If you want to heat just yourself, or a small room, then a small fan heater is a good option. They don’t need much room and can be pointed directly at you if that’s what you prefer, or away from you to heat the room instead. Look for…

Electric blankets are one of the cheapest ways to stay warm in winter, even when you factor in the upfront cost of the blanket and its ongoing electricity consumption. Most will cost less than $20 to run for an entire winter – far cheaper than the hundreds you might end up paying in electricity bills for an electric heater. A thicker model made of quilted, fleecy or nonwoven polyester may hide any potential discomfort Double, queen and king-sized blankets have separate controllers for differing preferences. And while a basic mattress topper-style blanket may be just fine, some cheap models are very thin and you may be annoyed by the wiring that sticks out. A thicker model made of quilted, fleecy or non-woven polyester may hide any potential discomfort. The design…

FIRST LOOK VOLVO XC40 RECHARGE TWIN PURE ELECTRIC PRICE $81,490 plus on-road costs CONTACT volvocars.com CHOICE has long had a company car to help staff run work-related errands or in-the-field product tests. Last year we decided it was time to retire our Holden Cruze and replace it with an electric vehicle (EV). We took delivery of the new EV this year: a Volvo XC40 Recharge Twin Pure Electric. Why we went electric EV ownership is growing rapidly in Australia and electric cars are expected to become the norm for new purchases over the next several years. But for now, they remain relatively pricey, and many Australians are unfamiliar with the technology and unsure if it will suit their needs. Like the majority of the country, most CHOICE staff are not…

Our long-serving rogues’ gallery of dodgy ads, toe-curling typos and misadventures in marketing, as sent in by you – our tickled, angered and bewildered readers. And thanks to the timeless shonkiness of so much advertising, you’re always spoilt for choice – so keep ’em coming. Email high-quality unedited photos to hardword@choice.com.au. This month, thanks go to Martin Clifton (Not so handy), Leigh King (Sale away), Helga Palmer (Balls up) and Peter Smith (Not so light). NOT SO LIGHT? Well you wouldn’t want to strain yourself. BALLS UP Irresistibly smooth, irrefutably not discounted. NOT SO HANDY Difficult fit, unless they’re for your pet chimpanzee. SALE AWAY “Excuse me, does this store sell binoculars?”…