Tabla de contenidos para April 2024 en CHOICE

Mazda has been ordered by the Federal Court to pay $11.5 million in penalties after misleading nine separate customers about their rights. Mazda told customers they could only offer repairs, not refunds or replacements, despite multiple unsuccessful attempts to repair problems with the customers’ vehicles. Mazda eventually offered only partial refunds or required “a significant payment” for a replacement. Mazda must also pay $82,000 to each of the nine customers, and has undertaken to pay a further $3000 per vehicle. “The message to the new car industry is clear: substantial penalties can be imposed on businesses [that] misrepresent consumer guarantee rights,” says ACCC deputy chair Catriona Lowe. “If a vehicle cannot be repaired within a reasonable time, or at all, consumers have a right under the Australian Consumer Law to…

From buying a new pair of shoes to booking a hotel, so much of what we do now takes place online. Generally, this makes life easier, but with scam websites becoming increasingly sophisticated, it’s almost impossible for consumers to tell them apart from the real thing. We’re getting to the point where it’s difficult to do anything online without worrying about or actually getting scammed. Accommodation booking sites are among the platforms seeing a growth in scams. Reports to the ACCC about scams involving Booking.com increased almost 600% last year, and rental sites like Airbnb have also seen an increase in fake listings. Digital platforms must do more to protect users from scams, instead of allowing scammers to use their websites and apps to steal money from consumers. However, it’s…

It may come as a surprise to hear that businesses don’t have to accept cash, but they do have to let you know this before you trade with them. It can be a sign or a verbal instruction but, as a WA Consumer Protection spokesperson puts it, “businesses can choose which payment types they accept”. The spokesperson also clarified the rules on credit card surcharges. “We know a lot of people like to pay with cash to avoid credit card surcharges. The good news is there are rules about this too. Card surcharges are permitted under the Australian Consumer Law; however, the fee must only reflect what it actually costs the business to process the payment, such as bank fees or terminal costs. If a business charges a payment surcharge,…

Australians are interested in where their seafood comes from and how sustainable it is. Recent research has shown that consumers associate ‘local’ seafood labels with freshness and sustainability, and we may even pay a bit more for it if it’s locally caught or grown. The use of environmental and sustainability claims on food is also becoming more common. But in its 2023 report on Australian businesses and greenwashing, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) raised concerns that “a significant proportion of the claims made by businesses may be false, misleading, or have no reasonable basis”. So how can you tell if the seafood you are buying is actually sustainable? There are a number of standards for sustainable seafood, and each has its own rationale. We took a deep dive…

Around 33% of Australian adults used a bike in 2022. And prices of bicycles vary widely, with entry-level models available for under $250, and others costing as much as a car. Around 1.5 million bicycles were sold in 2022 and almost two-thirds of those were sold at big-box retailers like Kmart and Big W. We wanted to find out whether the big-box brands are delivering a quality product when their pricing is so low, so we investigated how well a couple of cheap bicycles performed for longevity compared to similar, but more expensive, bicycles from bike shops. Big-box vs bike shop Our testers bought two bicycles from Kmart and two from a bike shop: • Kmart Esplanade Cruiser ($187)• Kmart Copenhagen ($197)• Merida Speeder 10 ($535)• Norco Yorkville 2018 ($543).…

If you regularly camp or travel off-grid, but don’t want to leave all your electrical devices behind, you might be considering buying a portable power station. While fuel-based generators have traditionally been used for this purpose, portable power stations are a new, greener alternative that don’t require the use of fuel. Some models can even be powered by solar, allowing you to recharge anywhere the sun is shining. Portable power stations store electrical energy, essentially offering you electrical power on the go. They can be used to charge or power a variety of tools or appliances, sometimes simultaneously. They’re most useful for remote situations like camping, or when you need power in a blackout Most portable power stations have a variety of outputs, ranging from USB to your standard 3-pin…

Stick vacuums are praised for their convenience, but how environmentally friendly are they? The best way to keep any appliance out of landfill is to keep it going – but when it comes to repairing or replacing parts, some vacuum cleaners are greener than others. Replaceable filters, brush bars, cleaning heads and batteries can all help prolong the life of your appliance – and also save you money in the long run, as you won’t need to rush out and buy a new model. Batteries Stick vacuums use lithium-ion batteries, which lose their charge over time. They must be disposed of responsibly as e-waste to avoid causing fires or allowing dangerous chemicals to enter the waste stream. NSW Fire and Rescue warns that lithium-ion batteries are the fastest-growing fire risk…

Finding a dash cam that meets your needs without breaking the bank can be tricky. Our test covers models that range from $99 to almost $800, with the top-tier dash cams (or dashboard cameras) offering bells and whistles that you won’t find in the discount department. And yet, when our expert testers put these products through their paces, they have found that the most expensive dash cams don’t always perform better than models around the $300 or $400 mark. While the cheapest models are typically average performers, there are plenty of mid-range options that tick all the boxes for most people. Dash cams are the kind of products that regularly go on sale How much should you spend? Of the eight models we recommend, three cost $260 or less. So…

It seems like there is no limit to how low scammers are willing to stoop in the effort to steal your hard-earned money. The government of South Australia has put out a warning for mourners who are being targeted by scams trying to charge them to view live-streamed funerals. Live streaming of funerals has risen in popularity since the pandemic, allowing people to view services from anywhere. However, the SA government warns that you should never be charged money to view a streaming link – the costs should always be paid for by the organiser of the service. “While these live-stream services are often legitimate, scammers have been gaining access to relevant information and exploiting mourners with false invitations and links,” it warns. “If you are asked to provide payment…

Domestic airfares decreased by 13.4% between December 2022 and the end of last year, dropping to below pre-pandemic levels when adjusted for inflation. “Travellers finally saw some relief from high airfares last year, which was consistent with cheaper jet fuel prices and slightly lower demand for domestic air travel,” says ACCC chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb. With new market entrant Bonza now competing with Qantas, Rex, and Virgin Australia on routes like Gold Coast–Melbourne, prices are decreasing. “When more airline groups compete on a particular route, consumers benefit from lower fares,” Cass-Gottlieb says. However, delays and cancellations are higher than normal. In December 2023, 5% of flights were cancelled, more than double the long-term average. And just 63.6% of flights arrived as scheduled, down from 81.1%. “The persistently high rates of cancellations…

Q Each year, I get quotes for my home building insurance from my current insurer, and three other insurers. My current insurer (AAMI) substantially increased my premium this year, but after getting the additional quotes I found I could not make any savings by taking out a policy with another insurer. I asked all the companies why my premiums had gone up so much, as I live in a low-risk Perth suburb. RAC WA told me it was due to the recent large number of claims for fires and floods, explaining that all policyholders had to make increased contributions, or the cost to risky policy holders would be too high. This seems unfair to me. Can you explain? A CHOICE insurance expert Jodi Bird: Insurance premiums are rising across the board…

Australians use an average of 147kg of plastic per person each year, according to WWF Australia. So, if you’re looking for ways to cut down on the amount of plastic you use, one of the simplest things you can do is switch to using refillable products. The concept is simple: buy the original bottle once, use it, and when empty, top it up from a second, more eco-friendly container (or at a refilling station, although not everyone will have access to one). A growing market Not every product on your shopping list will have a refillable option, but it’s a market that’s growing in popularity – search online and you’ll find lots of independent retailers offering various refillable products or subscriptions. In 2021 we found 71 refillable products available at…

Ready meals are fresh, pre-prepared meals that can be found in the refrigerator section of the supermarket. They take a few minutes to heat in the microwave and can be a convenient, quick and easy lunch or dinner for busy people or households. The variety and types of ready meals available is expanding, with supermarkets launching their own-brand alternatives to established offerings from brands like Youfoodz. Many also cater to specific diets such as high-protein, low-carbohydrate or vegetarian. But we wanted to find out if some ready meals tasted better than others, or were more nutritious. We selected nine pasta bolognaise and 14 chicken-based ready meals available at the supermarket. We chose these varieties as they are popular and we could compare similar meals across brands. A panel of CHOICE…

Convection microwaves can be handy for people living in a studio apartment or granny flat, for caravans or holiday homes, or for other spaces where a full-sized oven isn’t an option. They can even be useful for large families who need more oven space. These appliances operate like a standard microwave, but they have an extra heating element and fan, as well as a top element for grilling. This means they can also function as an oven, so you can bake, roast and crisp foods. They can even work in combination mode, which combines microwave and oven functionality. It’s important to note, though, that a convection microwave is a microwave first – it won’t perform as well as a dedicated oven. Most won’t have a bottom element, so they’re not…

Digital Radio, or DAB+, has existed in Australia for over a decade, yet it still hasn’t managed to replace AM or FM as the radio broadcast of choice for many households. But DAB+ radio offers some advantages over standard analogue broadcasts and continues to widen its coverage, particularly in the capital cities (DAB+ reception in regional areas can be spotty). Unlike music streaming services like Spotify, digital radio is broadcast rather than sent over a wireless network. This means that just like analogue radio, you don’t need to have internet access to enjoy the service. However, most major analogue stations simultaneously broadcast (simulcast) in digital, which means if you live in one of the capital cities where Triple M or Nova broadcast, for example, you could listen on your digital…

A neat, green lawn is a pleasure to behold, but even more so if you use a green lawnmower to achieve it (and no, we’re not talking about the colour of the mower). If you’re considering a battery model for your next mower, you might be wondering not just whether it’ll be up to the job, but if it really is the most environmentally friendly option. The good news is that battery mowers are definitely up to keeping a typical suburban lawn in shape, and they are also generally much more eco-friendly than petrol mowers, though there are still some environmental downsides you should know about. Petrol mowers are strong contenders for mowing large areas Petrol pollution Petrol mowers are often powerful performers and are quick to refuel, meaning they…

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 Barbara Lyster (Keep it clean), Alex Pridham (Good not-so-different), Fred Senyard (Some like it very hot) and Ilia Vasiliev (Booking.con?). BOOKING.CON? At least they’re upfront that we shouldn’t trust the image. KEEP IT CLEAN Rest assured our experts will not be testing this washing machine setting. GOOD NOT-SO-DIFFERENT It’s Groundhog Year with these Aldi calendars. SOME LIKE IT VERY HOT Just as well it has ‘cool-to-touch built-in handles’.…

The Commonwealth has been seeking feedback from consumers, industry, charities and government services on its latest plan to combat SMS scams. Discussions focused on whether the planned SMS sender ID registry should be mandatory for all organisations that use SMS sender IDs to contact consumers. “We’re committed to a national rollout of the registry that works for both Australians and the businesses that serve them,” says Communications Minister Michelle Rowland. An SMS sender ID or message header is the name that appears at the top of a text message thread to tell you who it’s from. Companies and government agencies often use them when communicating with consumers, but scammers have been able to use technology to send malicious messages using the IDs of legitimate businesses or government agencies. A sender…

In early February, a group of scam victims headed to Canberra to tell politicians what it’s like to lose many thousands of dollars and have your life financially upended by a scam. They were part of a new initiative called the Parliamentary Friendship Group for Scams Protection, founded by independent MPs Monique Ryan and Kate Chaney, and Labor Senator Jess Walsh. Speaking at the launch, Consumer Action Law Centre CEO Stephanie Tonkin said “every day we hear terrible stories of people who have lost everything with nowhere to turn”. “For thousands of families in Australia, this is a devastating crisis, and the community expects banks to lift their game and start taking responsibility for reimbursement,” she added. “We also want to see banks, telcos and online platforms set up effective…

Telcos are now subject to an enforceable industry standard to ensure they better protect and support customers facing financial hardship. Developed by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), the rules broaden the definition of financial hardship and compel telcos to offer customers in strife a minimum of six different financial hardship options, including payment plans. “These new rules address a range of identified gaps in financial support for telco consumers,” says ACMA chair Nerida O’Loughlin. “Telcos must do a better job of identifying those in need of payment assistance and provide a stronger range of support options.” The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) CEO Andrew Williams welcomed the announcement. “The release of the Industry Standard on Financial Hardship is a significant win for telco consumers struggling with bill…

Health insurance premiums rose by an average 3.03% on 1 April, and for some people it will be even more. You may get a nasty shock when you get your health insurance bill this month, especially if you recently upgraded to a top-cover Gold policy. Currently-available Gold policies from the big funds have dramatically increased in price over the past three years – even before the most recent increase: It’s never too late to save on health insurance. There are very large differences between the most expensive and the cheapest policy with the same cover, so the best way is to shop around. There is no loyalty discount for staying with the same insurer, instead you’re likely to end up paying more than you need to. Can you help? If…

If you’ve had a bad experience, been ripped off or scammed, tell us and help other CHOICE members avoid the same traps. If you’ve had a great response to a complaint you’ve taken to a manufacturer or retailer, our members want to know about that too! Letters may be edited for length and clarity. Toaster touché I challenge your statement in the February edition: “Toasters have a notoriously short lifespan” (‘Burnt out’, CHOICE Feb 24). I have subscribed to CHOICE since the early sixties and this is the first time I have been moved to cry “Objection!” I married in 1955 and one of the wedding gifts was a Sunbeam Radiant Control Toastermatic toaster. It is still going strong, having had a new element once. My partner, from 1987 until…

If it seems to you that more and more products and businesses are making claims about their environmental credentials, you’re probably right. A Consumer Policy Research Centre (CPRC) report from 2022 noted that their researcher documented 122 green claims in 24 hours across 17 sectors such as banking, groceries, fashion and beauty. That’s not surprising when you consider that many Australians – about 45% of us – are considering sustainability when deciding what to buy. Businesses are quick to respond to that demand, eager to capture those green dollars. As consumers become more interested in sustainable products, the need to be able to trust the accuracy of eco credentials grows. Unfortunately, there are concerns that a significant proportion of green claims made by businesses may be false, misleading or have…

We’ve all been guilty of it – lobbing that leftover piece of lasagne or chucking that festy bit of cheese you never got around to eating. Food waste mostly happens when we buy too much food, cook more than needed, or don’t store things properly. And it’s a big problem in Australia. According to food rescue organisation OzHarvest, Australian households throw away 3.1 million tonnes of edible food a year. And according to the government’s National Food Waste Strategy, the cost of this waste to households is $2200 to $3800 a year. But it’s not just your garbage bin or wallet that takes a hit. Food waste also takes a toll on the environment. As food matter decomposes in landfill, it releases methane – a greenhouse gas that’s a big…

If you’re making the switch from gas or replacing your existing electric cooktop, you might be wondering whether ceramic or induction is better. To the untrained eye, they look pretty similar, and cooking is cooking, right? Well, not quite. We’ll talk you through the differences and explain which type wins on things like price, energy efficiency and how easy they are to use. Price Induction cooktops are generally more expensive than ceramic cooktops. They use more sophisticated (and therefore more expensive) technology, have more safety features, and may have larger cooking zones and flexi zones. Ceramic cooktops don’t transfer heat as efficiently as induction If choosing induction you may also be up for the expense of new cookware if your pots and pans don’t have a magnetic ferrous base. CHOICE…