Tabla de contenidos para November 2024 en CHOICE

Currently my 11-year-old son – a keen soccer player – is overseas on a trip to Spain for three weeks. He’s a lucky boy, playing against a few La Liga teams and doing training at Real Madrid. It’s the opportunity of a lifetime and I’m happy for him. But I’m also vibrating with jealousy. Mainly because I drew the short straw. I’m stuck at home in Australia. Some Shonky Award winners made me laugh, others made me shake my head in utter disbelief My wife, you see, drew the long straw. She’s accompanying my son overseas, leaving me home alone with son #2, an eight-year-old agent of chaos who lives exclusively to torture me (and our long-suffering dog) in a series of innovative ways. We’re three days in at time…

“The new code will help to ensure our supermarkets are as competitive as possible” The federal government has been getting feedback on its plan to include more significant penalties for major supermarkets and stronger protections for suppliers in a new national food and grocery code. The public consultation closed last month, with the government promising the changes will help support a “competitive and sustainable” grocery sector. “The new code will help to ensure our supermarkets are as competitive as they can be, so Australians get the best prices possible,” says Assistant Minister for Competition Andrew Leigh. The new code will see Aldi, Coles, Woolworths and IGA owner Metcash hit with multi‑million dollar fines for serious breaches. It will also create a way for suppliers and whistleblowers to make anonymous complaints…

Consolidating multiple superannuation accounts in a single one is not hard to do these days, and it’s one way to make sure you know where to find all the assets you’re entitled to. But people continue to lose track of their hard-earned retirement money by the billions – or make that many billions. One all-too-common way this happens is when you neglect to update your contact details with your super fund. The money is yours, but they simply can’t get in touch with you. Data from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) released in September revealed that Australians had more than $17.8 billion in lost and unclaimed superannuation sitting with their funds, or former funds. $471 million of this belongs to people 65 and over. Deputy commissioner Emma Rosenzweig says the…

Since our report on third-party rental technology (RentTech) platforms last year, state and federal governments have been looking to reduce these platforms’ grip on our data and our wallets. Both a Victorian and Federal parliamentary inquiry have recommended reforms to protect renters’ privacy, and NSW is now following in South Australia’s footsteps to require property managers to let tenants pay their rent without fees. A new slate of reforms by the NSW government will establish a right to pay rent for free through direct debit, landing a blow against RentTech payment platforms that add processing and additional fees. Previously, renters who wanted a fee-free way to pay rent could be unreasonably asked to pay cash at a real estate head office. These reforms will also ban fees for background checks.…

It’s generally never a good idea to finance a car through a car dealership, even when it’s technically a legitimate arrangement. The interest rate will likely be higher than other lending options, sometimes a lot higher. But when the dealer finance comes from a business not authorised to provide it, that’s another matter. It crosses the line into illegality. A recent representative case involves the businesses Diamond Wheels (associated with the Lansvale Motor Group) and Keo Automotive, located in southwest Sydney. Ken Keomanivong, who is involved in both businesses, was recently taken to court by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), which regulates lending. The problem was that the businesses didn’t have a financial services licence that allowed them to give out car loans. ASIC says it’s “concerned consumers…

Have you ever been refused a paper receipt from a store because you didn’t want to hand over your email address or phone number? You’re not alone. CHOICE recently asked our social media followers about this experience, and we were flooded with responses. Hundreds of shoppers were incensed that companies were asking them to give over personal information just for proof of purchase. While some respondents did end up getting a paper receipt after specifically requesting one, others were told digital receipts were the only option. One shopper, Kelly, experienced this when completing a purchase with her daughters at clothing store Ghanda. When staff asked for her email address to send her a receipt, Kelly instead asked for a paper copy, explaining that she was concerned about privacy. The staff…

Chocolate chip cookies are hands-down the best thing to dunk in a warm glass of milk. Personally, I think the best cookie is chewy in the middle, with a crunchy exterior. But we all have our personal preferences. We asked members of CHOICE Community, our online forum, how they prefer their cookies – chewy, crunchy or a bit of both. “Crunchy” and “a bit of both” tied for first place, each with 36% of the votes, followed by chewy with 18%. And many people are loyal to a particular brand, but which brand does it best? We tested 22 choc chip cookies, sourced from the major supermarkets and some popular online retailers, to find out. Coles took the biscuit, with two of its own-brand choc chip cookies in the top…

While standard blenders are mostly limited to making things like smoothies and milkshakes, high-performance blenders offer more versatility – and they’re extra powerful too, tackling a whole range of tasks. Depending on the model you choose, a high-performance blender can do things like: ● millflour● chop or crush wet and dry ingredients● crush large amounts of ice into a snow-like appearance● create hot soup (above 70°C) in around five minutes from completely raw ingredients, using blade friction alone● make nut butters● create spice pastes● makedough● turn tough vegetables like kale into a silky-smooth consistency (with the help of a little water). Some super blenders have heavy-duty ‘dry’ jugs available so you don’t have to wreck your regular jug with abrasive and hard foods, or you can buy a separate jug…

Versatile, cheap and filling, rice is a staple on plates the world over. It’s not surprising that rice cookers are a popular appliance for many households, from student digs and share-houses to large family kitchens. They free up hob space and saucepans, and take the guesswork out of cooking rice – a process that can confound even capable cooks. If you’re wondering whether you have room for yet another appliance, rest assured that a rice cooker will more than earn its keep in your kitchen. It’s handy for so much more than just cooking plain old rice and will up the convenience factor of your meal prep. Why you might want a rice cooker There’s no denying that a rice cooker is extremely handy if you cook rice regularly. All…

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 highquality unedited photos to hardword@choice.com.au. This month, thanks go to Bruce Mitchell (World class), Trevor Norton (Sounds painless), Simon Tse (Cut to the chase) and Judy (Write up your alloy). WORLD CLASS Perfect for when you want Pluto to sit up and beg? CUT TO THE CHASE Good luck finding something sharp on an airplane. SOUNDS PAINLESS? It’s removing the ears in the first place that might sting a little. WRITE UP YOUR ALLOY The seller needs to check their Periodic Table.…

Australia’s media watchdog has been consulting with the public and industry about new rules that will decide how apps and services will appear on smart TVs. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is preparing to implement regulations designed to make it easier for Australians to find and access local free-to-air services and apps on these devices. The TV prominence framework will come into force in 2026, but the ACMA has been seeking suggestions on which types of devices should be included and how the required apps and services should be displayed. The consultation comes after the federal government admitted that the large array of TV services (including those from overseas) available on smart devices was “creating a more challenging environment” for local content providers. In response, the government has…

Welcome to the CHOICE annual Shonkys, the award no-one wants to win. What does it mean to be “shonky”? Well, it’s complicated. In the context of our awards, a Shonky can be many things. It can be tremendous in scale, with massive, broad societal effects – like supermarket duopolies that exploit consumers. Or, in the case of this year’s Shonky Awards, a gigantic social media company that doesn’t do nearly enough to protect Australians from the constant threat of scams. But they can also be smaller in scale. Such as supermarket juice products that mislead consumers. Or socks that make vague, unscientific claims about health benefits that most likely do not exist. These Shonkys might not have the same impact, but represent a creeping level of shonkiness that infects so…

Most super funds automatically bundle two types of insurance when you open an account. Total and permanent disability (TPD) insurance pays you a benefit if you become seriously ill or injured and aren’t likely to work again. You also get death cover, which pays your dependant (such as a spouse) a set amount of money, either in a lump sum or income stream, when you die or become terminally ill. Analysis from Super Consumers Australia has found the cost and value of this insurance varies widely for older Australians depending on which super fund they’re with. “The amount of cover and value go down as people get older, and older Australians may be getting minimal or even no value from this insurance,” says Super Consumer Australia advocacy manager Susan Quinn.…

Anything that can lighten the load of meal planning or cooking for a busy family is always welcome, and a rice cooker can certainly help. Not to mention that cooking extra food for leftovers or planning a few work lunches ahead of time can save you spending money on expensive takeaways. Here are our tips for using a rice cooker in your meal prep: ● When cooking dinner, pop your rice in the cooker first so you can set and forget it, then get on with whatever you’re making so it’s all ready at the same time. Win! ● Cook double the amount of rice, quinoa or lentils you need so you have enough for your evening meal and enough to use in a chilled grain salad the next day.…

Wouldn’t it be great if you could throw your dirty laundry in the wash before work and come home to clean, dry clothes hanging neatly in your wardrobe? That dream could be one step closer with a washer dryer combo. Washer dryer combos combine a front loading washing machine and a condenser clothes dryer into a single appliance that’s the same size as an equivalent standalone washer. But these appliances are not without some drawbacks. Should you buy one? Washer dryers are a great solution for small houses and small households: they’re space efficient, and the dryer capacity is best suited to one-to two-person households. And because you can wash and dry without moving clothes between appliances, combos are also a good idea if you have mobility issues that might…

When video streaming services first came along, you couldn’t simply install the apps on your TV. Most would only work on smartphones/tablets, computers or streaming devices such as the Google Chromecast and Apple TV. These streaming devices were the easiest and most affordable way to watch Netflix, Stan and Prime Video on your big screen. But now, things are very different. Almost every TV released in the last few years lets you directly install some, if not all, of the popular streaming apps. Still useful devices Just because most TVs now have streaming apps installed doesn’t mean streaming devices are no longer useful. Here are some reasons to buy one. UPDATE AN OLD TV Streaming service providers eventually stop updating their apps for older devices, including TVs. This means that…

Despite its origins as a website for professional networking and job hunting, LinkedIn has become something of a social media giant in its own right. Like other predominant platforms, LinkedIn has started integrating AI tools to assist with content creation. AI-generated content is a contentious subject on its own, but the way LinkedIn is training its software is just as questionable. Since an update was rolled out in mid-September, LinkedIn’s AI now scrapes data from user profiles and posts by default. This is an opt-out system, which means LinkedIn has turned it on for all users in Australia (and other countries). This puts the onus on you to turn it off if you don’t want to help LinkedIn develop its ‘generative AI’. According to the update, data scraping will contribute…

If you own a pair of Crocs shoes or you’ve bought a pair for children or grandchildren, you may know that you can personalise them with various charms, known as ‘jibbitz’. You can even buy headlight jibbitz, but these come with potential safety concerns associated with the button batteries used to power them. The ACCC has recently recalled these headlight charms, available to purchase online through Temu, specifically through the suppliers Open Air Supply, XCY, YRKJ and Dreamly. The button batteries used in these products do not comply with the mandatory standards. They are not adequately secured, making them accessible to young children, and the products don’t include the necessary warning information. The damage can be catastrophic if these batteries are swallowed – there’s risk of choking, severe internal burn…

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. Pricey substitutes I regularly shop using Coles Click and Collect. I’ve noticed that some items are not available for purchase online, yet, when I go into the store, the exact product is on the shelf – in abundance. While trying to purchase online, another product is offered as an alternative to the supposedly unavailable item, but this product is invariably more expensive. For example, I used to be able to purchase corn cobs as a three-pack,…

George*, a single dad in Melbourne, says things had gotten “bloody hard” when he decided to use a pawnbroker to get help with a bill. He borrowed $300 using his $2000 Tag Heuer watch. The watch was pawned at a monthly interest rate of 40%. That’s equal to a 480% annual interest rate – 10 times higher than the 48% limit set out in the Consumer Credit (Victoria) Act 1995. When George went to pay off his loan and get his watch back, the store was closed. The business had been operating without a licence and had suddenly shut, with all its customers’ goods still inside. George had intended to give the watch to his son as a 21st birthday present. George says he isn’t surprised that his pawnbroking experience…

The CHOICE laundry lab has conducted its latest round of detergent testing, analysing more than 90 popular laundry powders, liquids, capsules and sheets for their cleaning prowess – or lack of. The results have delivered some big surprises, especially when we compare performance against price. When we test any product in our labs, we leave nothing to chance. Our testers are a diligent bunch. Not only do we test each detergent on multiple types of stains, we also test each one in a top loader and a front loader. We test each detergent on multiple types of stains, and in a top loader and a front loader “Top loaders and front loaders perform quite differently. Front loading machines generally give you a better wash, so the detergents score higher in…

The age-old battle for domination of the shaving cabinet continues, with electric shavers versus razors getting both camps in a lather. Maybe you’re thinking it’s time to cut the razor and switch to electric, but you’re not sure if the other side of the fence is smoother? We explain why an electric shaver may be a better bet, and how to choose the best model for you. Electric shaver or manual razor? The main differences between shaving methods are convenience and price. Electric shavers can cost more than $500, whereas disposable razors are much, much cheaper. But the cost can add up over time, especially if you shave every day. A good shaver is less likely to leave nicks and razor burn than a razor Comfort is also an important,…

Growing up in Glasgow in the 1980s – in small, terraced public housing – the idea that I might one day own my own swimming pool felt impossible, laughable, insane. But flash forward to 2024 and somehow I’m living in Australia, standing in front of the swimming pool I once dreamt of. It’s a nightmare. There are leaves everywhere. Floating on the surface and lurking down below. The foliage, I can handle. More concerning is the layer of dead algae lingering at the bottom. I have zero idea how to deal with it. Months earlier, I’d come close to giving up on my swimming pool entirely. For years I’d been using an online app to keep track of my pool. It magically timed when the chlorinator and filter pump should…