The year’s worst of the worst for all things consumer.
28 Oct 2009 |
It’s time once again for the annual CHOICE Shonky Awards, where we reward manufacturers, service providers, government officials and marketers for their usual treasure trove of consumer-related Shonkyness.
Will consumers really be protected from misleading ‘green’ claims when self-regulation by the advertising industry begins?
3 Jul 2009 |
Consumers are bombarded by green claims for products and services, but not all of them can be backed up, giving rise to “greenwash”.
CHOICE reveals the latest tricks companies use to catch our attention and open our wallets.
26 Mar 2009 |
In an average day – commuting to work, buying a coffee, exercising and so on – you’ll likely be exposed to as many as 5000 advertising messages.
It's important to understand how supermarkets sell, sell, sell.
5 Jan 2009 |
Major supermarkets are just about everywhere, and according to the market research company ACNielson, the primary appeal is "one-stop shopping" — everything you want under one roof.
We take a look at how food is marketed to children, and what the problems are.
6 Mar 2007 |
Kids are a special target for food marketing, and this concerns us for several reasons.
If you’ve ever flicked through the pages of a glossy food magazine you’ve seen what a food stylist can do.
24 Jan 2002 |
The problem with food photography is that food tends to dry out, shrink, discolour and sag — food styling is about counteracting these forces.
Portable air cons aren’t very energy efficient, but a good one can cool a room effectively.
1 Dec 2009 |
If you can't install a built-in air conditioner, a portable one may be the answer. We put six on test to find the best performers.
Use our recommendations to get the most effective and energy-efficient air conditioner.
24 Sep 2009 |
Airconditioners are among the greediest users of power in the home, but some are better than others.
CHOICE welcomes Queensland’s move to ban inefficient air conditioners, but wants to see standards improved nationally.
3 Jul 2009 |
The Queensland government has introduced a ban on the sale and installation of air-conditioning units that fail to achieve an energy efficiency ratio of 2.9 or higher – equivalent to a four-star energy rating – beginning September this year.
Reverse-cycle air conditioners are the most efficient form of electric heating, as well as being effective coolers.
6 Mar 2009 |
Air conditioners are usually thought of as a summer appliance, but a reverse cycle model can also be an effective way to heat your home.
In a hot dry climate, a portable evaporative cooler is a cheap way to cool down.
15 Sep 2008 |
If you live in a region where the summers are hot and dry, a portable evaporative cooler can be a cheap and effective way to keep you cool.
Keep your living room cool this summer.
26 Aug 2008 |
An ever-increasing number of Australians are getting air conditioning installed, or moving into a new home that delivers a cooling breeze at the touch of a button.
Want to cool and heat your whole house? Here's what you need to consider.
23 May 2008 |
Before you spend thousands of dollars to have a system installed (and several hundred dollars a year to run it), consider other cooling and heating options.
Our tips for keeping your home cool this summer, using insulation and natural ventilation.
20 Aug 2007 |
Preventing your house from getting too hot should be your first priority. Make sure it's properly insulated, draught-proof, shaded and ventilated.
Airlines are charging customers disproportionate credit card booking fees.
18 Sep 2009 |
For a merchant, the average cost to process a customer’s MasterCard or Visa credit card payment is less than 1% of the value of the transaction. But some airlines charge much higher fees.
Delays, lost baggage or poor cabin service can ruin your travel plans.
12 Aug 2009 |
Most airlines do everything they can to limit their liability for any losses you encounter as a result of delays or cancellations. In some cases we think their terms and conditions wouldn’t hold up if challenged.
Results for our international and domestic airline satisfaction surveys.
27 Mar 2009 |
CHOICE’s recent survey of nearly 3500 respondents who had flown in the past three years indicates that convenient flight schedules, a good standard of service and value for money are the top reasons for selecting an airline.
CHOICE’s wine experts give their verdict on the best bubblies for the festive season.
8 Dec 2009 |
CHOICE's wine experts tested 68 of the best-selling sparkling wines, including champagne. Some of the best buys cost under $10.
CHOICE trialled electronic and disposable breathalysers and the results were disturbing.
4 Sep 2009 |
Personal breathalysers give an indication of a person’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC). CHOICE trialled nine priced below $200.
Genetically modified ingredients are slipping under the radar and into some foods – possibly your favourite glass of red.
8 Jul 2009 |
A pocket-sized guide listing alcoholic drinks free of genetically modified ingredients was launched by Greenpeace yesterday, with the support of farmers, chefs and well-known food industry figures.
CHOICE’s expert tasters found some heavenly dessert wines that don’t cost the earth.
18 Aug 2008 |
The right dessert wine can add that special touch to a dinner party, and leave you with money left over for the perfect dessert to accompany it.
Sweet, sexy, and deceptively alcoholic. Almost a third of CHOICE’s teenage testers couldn’t detect the alcohol in a Vodka Mudshake.
26 Feb 2008 |
Alcopops are very appealing to younger people, and contribute to underage and binge drinking.
They may be a better option than a corner of your garage, but the ones we tested are far from perfect, especially when it comes to energy consumption.
29 Oct 2007 |
There are different types of wine fridge, ranging in price from quite low to extremely high. So how can you tell which ones will do the job right?
They may not be enough to keep your children interested in cooking once the novelty has worn off.
4 Nov 2009 |
These gadgets can be a good way to get children into the kitchen, but be prepared to compromise on taste.
Our members reveal how major appliances rate for reliability.
10 Jul 2007 |
Every couple of years CHOICE surveys subscribers about some of the big ticket appliances you rely on daily. This time we received more than 13,000 responses.
The year’s worst of the worst for all things consumer.
28 Oct 2009 |
It’s time once again for the annual CHOICE Shonky Awards, where we reward manufacturers, service providers, government officials and marketers for their usual treasure trove of consumer-related Shonkyness.
Thirteen companies were today recognised for their achievements in the NSW Sustainability Advantage Program.
5 Jun 2009 |
As World Environment Day aims to promote awareness globally, programs closer to home are inspiring businesses to do their bit for the planet.
CHOICE is pleased many major companies are committing to greater accountability and doing their best to become more socially and environmentally responsible.
1 Jun 2009 |
As consumer demand increases for businesses to become more responsible in areas affecting the community, many companies are rising to the challenge and proving their worth.
We’ve done the research to guide you through the wine medal jungle.
30 Sep 2008 |
Are all these medals just a marketing ploy? Or are they a genuine indicator of a good quality wine?