Table of contents for December-January 2023 in CHOICE

After more than 10 years at CHOICE, there are a few issues that continue to stick in my craw. One of the biggest is extended warranties. Before I came to CHOICE, I found myself occasionally buying an extended warranty for a major purchase. Who wouldn’t? It sounds like such a good idea. But now I understand a lot more about the basic rights we all enjoy under the Australian Consumer Law. I find myself seething every time I’m offered one. The very term ‘extended warranty’ seems designed to mislead. For a start, it perpetuates the idea that manufacturers’ warranties determine your rights if a product breaks or doesn’t work as intended. That’s patently untrue. Our consumer guarantee laws are some of the best in the world. They say that a…

Over the past few years, floods, fires and severe storms have devastated communities across Australia. At the same time, rising insurance premiums have added to cost of living pressures, leaving many Australians without adequate home and contents cover, or no cover at all. According to the Insurance Council of Australia, extreme weather events are driving up premiums in areas exposed to extreme weather risk, with home and contents insurance in Australia’s north costing about 1.8 times more than in the south in 2020. The Climate Council predicts that by 2030 as many as 520,940 properties – one in 25 – will have annual damage costs from extreme weather and climate change that make them effectively uninsurable. In October, the Federal Government announced funding for the Hazard Insurance Partnership and Strategic…

Once again it’s a case of systems failure in an institution that should have better systems in place. ANZ Bank’s offset transaction accounts and ‘Breakfree’ packages were supposed to come with certain benefits, such as fee waivers and interest rate discounts. But somehow about 689,000 customers who signed up for them never got those benefits – for the last 20 years or so (customers were affected up until September 2021). ASIC deputy chair Sarah Court says the big bank should have done better. “Having the necessary systems and processes to ensure customers are given the benefits they are promised is not an optional extra, it is a requirement. ANZ is a large financial institution that for many years failed to prioritise and deploy the systems and processes necessary to fulfil…

Automated dysfunction My super account recently wished me a happy birthday. I might have been touched were I under the illusion that an especially thoughtful person in admin was actually thinking about me on my special day. I didn’t think that. Instead, I got a little creeped out that an algorithm-driven bot, or something like that, had reached out to me. It also knew my personal details, the ones you’re supposed to keep tucked away. Coming to grips with the fact that the birthday greeting was probably disingenuous sort of hurt my feelings. Don’t get me started on the ceaseless messages I get from Telstra, even though I already paid my bill I got the same feeling when Spotify kept recommending top hits of the ’70s based on my listening…

Community choice.community With energy prices skyrocketing, which appliances do you cook with? @vax2000: I stopped using my Westinghouse gas wall oven to cook my evening meal and purchased an air fryer oven. My gas bill dropped from around $250 to under $100 over a two-month cycle, with a marginal increase in electricity cost. @Gaby: I’m a top-of-the-stove cook. Mine is a natural gas one, but the forecast of 40–50% price increase in the coming year makes me want to look more closely at my usage. @SueW: I’m using my microwave oven much more in the past 12 months. Not just for reheating but also for cooking. I’m not that happy with the micro cookware I have, though, and am currently on the hunt for something which would be suitable for…

As La Niña looks set to make it another wetter-than-usual Aussie summer, now’s a good time to start planning for how to keep on top of the inevitable mould and damp that will spring up in the humid weather. Mould is not only unpleasant and unsightly, but it can also become a health hazard if it gets out of control. It’s important to try to get on top of it early, especially if you’ve noticed signs of high humidity in your home. Clues might include condensation on windows, wet patches on walls, a musty smell, or mildew in the bathroom and on surfaces (including your clothes and soft furnishings). In this article we share some handy tips on how to prevent mould before it even takes hold, we look at…

Yes, technology moves fast and things become outdated quickly. But do you really need the best money can buy if you’re only doing basic admin tasks? Here are our tips for buying older or second-hand tech gear: • Preferably buy from a reputable dealer to avoid getting ripped off, or look for refurbished products direct from the manufacturer, as these can save you a decent amount but may even come with a new-device warranty. • Buying second-hand can save you money and help reduce e-waste, but do your research first to get to know the product you’re after, and what possible problems to look for, as well as getting a good idea of pricing. • Be careful comparing specifications, such as processor and graphics speed, memory and storage capacity, as these will…

In some cases, extended warranties can offer you rights and benefits over and above what’s enshrined in the ACL. But often people are being misled into paying for rights they already have and, in some cases, these warranties actually offer fewer rights than your consumer guarantees do (see ‘Extended warranties vs consumer law’, at right). The tactics used to sell these extended warranty plans can also be dubious. Some retailers either imply or explicitly say that you have no right to a remedy if your product becomes faulty outside the manufacturer’s warranty unless you buy an extended plan. According to the ACCC, this isn’t allowed. “Businesses engage in problematic conduct where they either imply or expressly state that the only relevant consideration when dealing with a product fault is found…

After a couple of months of committed grilling, you’ll want to give your barbecue a more thorough clean. Here are the steps we recommend you take before hanging up your tongs at the end of summer. 1. Remove all the parts inside the barbecue. 2. Disconnect all gas and electrical connections. 3. Clean the hotplates, chargrill plates, flame diffusers and warmer racks by placing all of the parts in a tub of warm soapy water. Alternatively, you can use a barbecue cleaner. 4. Dry all parts thoroughly. Coat them with cooking oil and burn off if necessary. 5. Stainless steel parts can be soaked in warm water and laundry powder for one hour before scrubbing with a scourer. Rinse and dry thoroughly. 6. You can use a pressure cleaner but care needs to be taken…

The great Aussie summer may have been disrupted by rain since La Niña settled in, but there are still some sporadic splotches of sunshine that give us a chance to socialise outside. A little bit of music is usually welcome at an outdoor gathering, but not all wireless speakers are built for the elements. If you’re after a ‘portable’ model, then it probably has some degree of water and dustproofing. This typically ranges from simple splash resistance all the way up to speakers that can survive actual submersion for a short time. It all comes down to the ‘ingress protection’ – also known as the IP rating – and it’s worth understanding if you plan to take your speaker outdoors. Ingress protection: The basics Ingress protection is a numerical certification…

The government announced $7.2 million in the October 2022 Federal Budget for an interim scheme to assist people caught up in the collapse of funeral insurer Youpla, the predatory insurer that targeted First Nations families with poor-value insurance products. The insurer was criticised during the banking royal commission, with revelations that it signed up newborn babies to funeral insurance policies and misrepresented itself as First Nations-owned when it was not. The government’s interim scheme will assist a small percentage of affected First Nations peoples who meet certain criteria and had a family member die after 1 April 2020. The interim scheme will end in 12 months. Lynda Edwards, Wangkumara/Barkandji woman and financial capability coordinator at Financial Counselling Australia says, “We welcome the federal government’s funding of the interim scheme and…

The ACCC has launched a court case against the California-based company Fitbit on the grounds that the fitness tracker manufacturer contravened the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) in its communications to customers. The ACCC alleges that over a nine-month period ending in February 2022, Fitbit wrongly informed customers that they could only get a refund for a faulty product if they returned it within 45 days of purchasing it. In addition, the regulator alleges that Fitbit told customers who had received a second faulty device after returning the first one that they wouldn’t be supplied a third one if the two-year warranty on the original faulty device had expired. It’s not the first time the ACCC has had to make it clear to overseas companies that their products are subject to…

Good Shepherd Australia has expanded its no-interest loan scheme to help a further 1.3 million households manage their budgets. The scheme, which provides safe and affordable interest and fee-free loans to Australians in need, has been expanded as people continue to battle cost-of-living pressures. The maximum loan amount has now gone up from $1500 to $2000 and the loan repayment period extended from 18 months to 24 months. Meanwhile, the income eligibility threshold is $70,000 for single-income households and $100,000 for multi-income households. “With the rising cost of fuel, food, energy prices and affordable housing, we know from our staff on the front line that it is tough for some of our clients to make ends meet,” Good Shepherd CEO Stella Avramopoulos says. “We have seen an increase in requests…

Q Currently I have a Hisense HD TV which is a few years old. When my first remote started going on the blink, and not knowing it was radio frequency controlled, I ordered two more on the internet (universal remotes and other Hisense remotes that were supposed to work proved useless). The extra two then started going kaput, and now the picture has gone on me. Only sound remains. Are you aware of any remote controls that are radio frequency based, as this information seems to be unavailable in specifications? A CHOICE TV tester Scott O’Keefe: Until fairly recently TV control options were predominantly infrared (IR) or radio frequency (RF) remotes. IR remotes need to be pointed at the TV to work, with line of sight to the IR receptor…

Start 2023 in control of your finances by dedicating some time to getting on top of any BNPL (buy now, pay later) debt, making sure your savings account is the best one for you, and giving your superannuation a health check. No matter what your situation, there are likely to be small improvements that can make it better. You may not find total financial freedom overnight, but with some smart moves you can get a few steps closer – starting today. Tackling BNPL debt When it comes to facing your finances, the first port of call is to address any debts. Buy now, pay later (BNPL) services, such as Afterpay and Humm, have exploded in popularity in recent years, and accompanying this rise has been a growing number of users…

There are plenty of reasons outdoor kitchens are appealing. For entertainers, it’s a veritable stroke of brilliance. You can keep all the cooking and partying outside, leaving the house a mess-free zone, while also enjoying the convenience of serving freshly grilled food straight off the barbecue to your guests. Used in tandem with your indoor kitchen, an outdoor kitchen also lets you cook twice as much, which is always handy if you’re entertaining large groups. And in summer, when it’s too hot for firing up the oven inside, you can move your cooking outside, probably saving you the money you might spend on air conditioning to cool down a hot kitchen. ‘Much-desired feature’ As an extension of the living space, CHOICE kitchen expert Fiona Mair says an alfresco cooking area…

If you’re a renter, and the mould is caused by a leak in the roof, a faulty pipe or gutters or other structural faults, your landlord is responsible for fixing it and remediating the damage. But mould isn’t always caused by these issues and some landlords tell tenants they’re responsible for cleaning the mould themselves, and for keeping the property well ventilated. In Australia, landlords have a general obligation to make sure the homes they rent out are in a reasonable state of cleanliness and fit for habitation by the tenant. But there are no clear-cut laws laid out that make landlords accept responsibility for mould. If you have a mould problem, report the issue to your landlord or real-estate agent and – crucially – take photos and document all…

Getting your groceries delivered may seem like an indulgence, but heading to the supermarket in the summer heat isn’t always an enticing prospect – especially in the run-up to the Christmas holiday period, when you could end up in a mass brawl over the last remaining turkey. And festive entertaining aside, if you’re on holidays you may simply want a break from your usual grocery shopping routine. So why not just order food from your armchair, the way nature intended? That said, it’s worth thinking ahead, as a bit of planning and flexibility could net you a discounted delivery. A bit of planning and flexibility could net you a discounted delivery Most of the online grocery services in our test will reduce the cost of deliveries, or remove them all…

The summer holidays are a time for catching up with friends and family, often over long lunches and festive dinners. If you’re the one doing the entertaining, you’re probably also the one cleaning up long after the last guest has waved goodbye. It’s tempting to chuck every dish, glass and utensil in the dishwasher so you can get on with putting your feet up, but there are some things you really should wash by hand. If you’re lucky enough to have guests who are willing to help you clean up, you might like to point them in the direction of the kitchen sink and hand them the dishcloth. Here’s what you should, and shouldn’t, wash in the dishwasher. What goes in the dishwasher EVERYDAY TABLEWARE Dishwashers are great for almost…

The Christmas holiday road trip is a grand Australian tradition, where we creep down congested highways in the sweltering heat to visit an overcrowded coastal town that was empty two weeks earlier. These long drives call for entertainment to pass the time – and headphones seem like an obvious answer. But the fact is you could face a fine if you wear them behind the wheel. What does the law say? There are no state or territory laws that specifically prohibit fully licensed drivers from wearing headphones. But you can still get booked for it under related legislation and police discretion. All driving laws in all states and territories broadly require you to maintain proper control of your vehicle and remove all distractions. Police can issue a fine if they…

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There’s nothing quite as nasty as an unexpected charge on your credit or debit card. In our recent review of car rental companies (at choice.com.au/carhirereview), we found many of the major car hirers in Australia reserved the right in their fine print to charge your card long after the rental period. Hertz and Thrifty state that they may charge your card up to 60 days after the rental. Sixt says “in most cases a period of 60 days”. But the winner of the dodgiest credit card terms goes to Europcar, who states “charges may be made at any time during or after the end of the Rental Period”. Avis and Budget don’t specify a time limit. We were unable to find clear guidance from regulators on limits for the period…

ASIC has taken its first compliance action over greenwashing, against Tlou Energy Limited. The energy company has had to pay more than $53,000 for four infringement notices relating to statements it made to the ASX in October 2021. Greenwashing is where companies make misleading or incorrect environmental, sustainable, or ethical claims. ASIC and the ACCC says addressing greenwashing is a priority area for them, and ASIC deputy chair Sarah Court says more action is likely to come. “As entities promote sustainability and green practices as part of their value proposition, they must ensure they can support those statements and have a reasonable basis for doing so,” says Court. “ASIC is currently investigating a number of listed entities, super funds and managed funds in relation to their green credentials claims. Companies…

Dyson’s latest cordless vacuum, the Gen5detect, taps into the trend for keeping dust and dirt at bay by improving the dirt-analysing and detection technologies first seen in 2021’s V15 Detect. The green LED light on its hard-floor head illuminates dirt and dust not easily seen with the naked eye. But despite being brighter than before, it still works best in the shadows, such as under desks or in corners. You also get data on how clean your floor is becoming in ‘real time’. As you vacuum, a graph on its LCD screen displays three fluctuating bars relating to small, medium and large particles which move higher and lower depending on how much debris is being removed. The longer you vacuum, the lower the bars get. While we can’t vouch for…

1 Interest rate What is the maximum interest rate and what does it revert to? 2 Linked account Do you need to open a linked account with the same bank? 3 Access How can you access your savings? Via app, online, debit card, ATM or linked account? 4 Conditions What are the conditions for the maximum interest rate? Teaser rate Does the interest rate apply only for the first few months? Deposits Do you need to make a minimum deposit? Does the account balance need to grow? Transactions Do you need to make a certain number of transactions, for example, on your linked account? Withdrawals Are withdrawals allowed? 5 Fees Are there any fees on the account or the linked account?…

Cooking in a hot kitchen can be unbearable in summer, particularly in the hottest parts of Australia. But summer cooking needn’t mean slaving over a hot stove or living exclusively on salad until the weather cools down. If you mix things up with different cooking techniques, kitchen appliances and meal options, you’ll be able to enjoy meals with family and friends instead of recovering from heatstroke. “Being prepared and thinking outside the box is key to keeping your kitchen cool on those hot summer days,” says CHOICE home economist Fiona Mair. Our experts share their hot tips to help you keep your cool in the kitchen in the summer months. 1. Take it outside Summer is prime barbecue season – and for good reason. Not only is dining alfresco more…

If you’re tired of trying to work from the kitchen table (as family members or housemates make tea and toast around you), or you plan to work from home in 2023, you may be tempted to treat yourself to the ultimate Christmas present of a home office. But how do you go about setting one up? And will you have to write a begging letter to Santa to be able to afford it? Well, they say you have to spend money to make money – and in the case of setting up an office to work from home, that’s certainly true. But if you want to make your first million from your home office and you’re on a budget, don’t despair: there are ways to minimise your spend. Our experts…

The Christmas holiday season is just around the corner, soon to be followed by those ever popular end-of-year sales, so you may be considering that big-ticket electrical item you’ve had your eye on all year. If you’re shopping at one of the nation’s major electrical retailers, you’ll probably be offered an extended warranty with your purchase. But buyer beware: the sales pitch you receive may mislead you about your consumer rights. We mystery shopped 80 Harvey Norman, JB Hi-Fi and The Good Guys stores across Australia. Our results reveal that in more than seven in 10 (71%) of the calls made to these stores consumer rights were misrepresented, meaning the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) is still being widely ignored or misunderstood by retailers. Your consumer rights beyond the warranty According…

For many, the Christmas holiday period is a time for entertaining family and friends. If you’ll be throwing your doors open this year, you can expect your home to get a solid workout – from the floors that’ll bear the brunt of countless feet (and spilled food), to the room where most of the magic happens, – the kitchen. And when the last lunch guests are a distant memory, your thoughts will probably turn to the post-party clean-up ahead. While we can’t organise the cleaning fairies to do the job for you, we can you offer this cleaning guide to help get your home back to its pre-December state in no time. There’s virtually no difference between multipurpose cleaners and kitchen sprays Kitchen SURFACES Are you the kind of housekeeper…

Ah, summer. The perfect time of year to enjoy kicking back with a cold drink on the balcony as the balmy nights roll by – right? Wrong! It’s when you close all the windows, crank the air con and catch up on movies over the Christmas break. But TV speakers just don’t bring the heat compared with a good quality soundbar. The trick is knowing how to find the right one, because a well-made model can elevate your home entertainment experience into something incredibly immersive. A bad one, by contrast, will take you right out of the moment. It’s important to give audio equipment a try before you buy Think of it this way: the final showdown between Thanos and The Avengers may be a visual treat, but you’re hardly…

Is your older smartphone or tablet now lacking the grunt to meet your daily demands? If so, don’t chuck it out just yet – it could still be useful for jobs that require a little less processing power. Smartphones and tablets can enjoy a second life as a universal remote control for smart devices and their various apps around the home. You can also use them to play music and video from streaming services, to cast to compatible devices, or as a home server. Why not attach an old iPad to the wall to use as a digital calendar or family planner? Or save a bundle on baby monitors by mounting a phone or tablet with a monitoring app above the bassinet instead? You can wipe your data by resetting…

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 Sue Burton (Need an extra hand?), Kerry Mulley (Belle’s toll), Greig Sheridan (Dumbstruck) and Peter Solas (Fur Pete’s sake). FUR PETE’S SAKE These instructions get a bit hairy. NEED AN EXTRA HAND? We recreated this scene with dolls – and we still can’t work out whose hand that is. DUMBSTRUCK They mean “wielded”. Don’t drink and copywrite, folks. BELLE’S TOLL But less than premium proofreading.…