MAY 2024 Plus Lessons from an EV road trip, QR code scams & more Drivertracking revs up Eye spy In the bag Besttasting tea 197 products TESTED Security cameras Vacuum cleaners Phones for seniors Stain removers Headphones Soundbars Fridges & more
Technology can result in the most incredible life-altering, time-saving devices, but it also spits out bizarre products that initially seem to make zero sense whatsoever. On rare occasions it can be difficult to tell the difference between the two. Take virtual reality, for example. When I first experienced the current iteration of VR back in 2013, I thought it was a near certainty it would transform the world we lived in. Fast forward 10-plus years, VR hasn’t made a dent. Then there’s the iPad. I laughed out loud when Steve Jobs revealed the iPad back in 2010. I couldn’t understand how a slightly bigger mobile phone could possibly be worth buying when you could just buy a laptop instead. But 14 years later I’ve lost track of how many tablets I’ve owned. My children would struggle to do their homework without them. What the world will look like in five years, let alone in 20 or 30, is almost impossible to predict, so we don’t do much of that at CHOICE. Instead, we take the devices that exist in the here and now, and test them in the most ethically robust way possible. We also stay across the issues and developments in technology that Sharing the good, bad and plain weird of tech CHOICE gives you the power to choose the best goods and services, and avoid the worst. Wherever possible, we pay full price for the products we test, so we remain 100% independent. We don’t take advertising or freebies from industry. We’re not a government body and our consumer publishing and advocacy is almost entirely funded by membership. Memberships include online access and services such as CHOICE Help. CHOICE product ratings are based on lab tests, expert assessments and consumer surveys. CHOICE staff also research a wide range of consumer services. They reveal the truth behind the facts and figures, and investigate the quality and the claims. BECOME A MEMBER To review the full range of membership options and benefits go to choice.com.au/signup. MEMBERSHIPS/RENEWALS Call 1800 069 552 or email us at [email protected]. CHOICE Mark Serrels CHOICE Editorial Director Email: [email protected] This month’s issue of CHOICE has a focus on technology, which has gotten me feeling quite nostalgic. Why? Well, once upon a time – not too long ago – I was a technology journalist. For the most part I loved it. But sometimes it was flat-out unhinged. The Consumer Electronics Show, an annual conference in Las Vegas designed to showcase cutting-edge tech, sat at the epicentre of the chaos. This was the event where companies like Samsung, LG and major tech companies gave journalists a sometimes terrifying glimpse into the future. It was a living, breathing metaphor for the wide spectrum of tech, from the sublime to the ridiculous. I’ve seen things you people wouldn’t believe. I saw a strange machine the size of a ute that supposedly ironed and folded your clothes automatically. I saw a toilet that analysed your poop, scanning for potential diseases before you flushed. Perhaps most memorably, I took part in a live demo of a bandaid that was claimed to magically solve premature ejaculation (thankfully tested on my forearm rather than the intended location). may improve your life, but may also come with risks or not be in your best interests. And that’s what we’re doing in this issue of the magazine. It’s what we do almost every single day at CHOICE and we’re incredibly proud of it. If you’re looking to buy or use any consumer technology that we test, review, investigate or assess, you can rest assured we’ve done our due diligence. Enjoy the issue, and try to enjoy the future – no matter how it turns out. Futurama COMMENT 2 /// MAY 2024 CHOICE
28 21 4 Checkout News, views and sneak peeks 14 Ask the Experts 16 Your Say 18 Private driver New cars are collecting your data 21 Scan or scam? Everything you need to know about QR scams 24 Love trap Romance scams and how to avoid them 28 Electric shock Lessons learned on an EV road trip 30 Hush hush How NDAs fly in the face of consumer law 32 Switch and save Questions to ask before changing bank accounts 35 Spilling the tea Which tea bag makes the best cuppa? 38 Creative cooking Unusual air fryer ideas 72 Index 76 Hard Word TESTS 41 Stain removers The best laundry soakers 44 Upright and barrel vacs Do you still need a traditional vac? 49 Smart choices Is a smart fridge worth it? 54 Mobile phones for seniors What to do if your 3G phone no longer works 58 Fresh beats Our new headphone test method explained 64 Soundbars Improve your TV’s audio quality 68 Security cameras Wirefree vs wired 38 IMAGES: GETTY / BYD.COM ROMANCE SCAMS P24 CHOICE magazine provides a selection of our top product reviews. We can’t always include all the models we’ve tested, but you’ll always find the products that scored the best. To view complete results for all our tests, go to choice.com.au, or call Customer Service on 1800 069 552 to add full online access to your membership package. CONTENTS CHOICE MAY 2024 /// 3
p9 Losses to social media scams up 249% p8 Online florist and Shonky winner Bloomex cops $1m fine p12 Mosaic Brands in court for failing to deliver goods on time p11 Telcos in trouble for poor training The latest consumer news in brief IN THIS ISSUE: Bingo! Have you spotted any dodgy supermarket specials? I t should be easy to work out which products are the best value at the supermarket, but dodgy and confusing supermarket pricing tactics make it hard to know if you’re getting a good deal on your grocery shop. We’re currently investigating these tactics and have been asking CHOICE supporters to be pricing champions and send us any examples of questionable pricing tactics they spot at the supermarket. The response so far has been overwhelming, and we’ve already received a slew of examples – from specials that aren’t really specials to confusing and unclear price tags. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to get involved. You’re helping us fight to hold supermarkets to account and stamp out dodgy deals for good. If you want to join in and play dodgy ‘special’ bingo, it’s not too late to sign up – the more evidence of confusing supermarket prices we can share with the ACCC and the government, the stronger our call for fair and transparent grocery pricing will be. Learn more about how to get involved and download your bingo card now at choice.com.au/supermarketbingo. JORDAN CORNELIUS 4 4 /// MAY 2024 CHOICE
Lower Victorian energy bills welcomed, but more help needed Consumer groups have welcomed a draft decision by the Victorian Essential Services Commission that will see annual residential power bills fall by around $112 on average across the state. But Consumer Action Law Centre CEO Steph Tonkin says while the move is a positive one, more needs to be done to assist energy customers in financial hardship. “Any reduction is welcome in comparison to last year’s 25% spike, but what is absolutely essential is that there needs to be more focus on ensuring retailers are consistently providing assistance to people struggling with their energy bills,” Tonkin says. “Every day on our helplines we hear from people who have to choose between putting food on the table and keeping their lights on, and they are racking up debt they may never pay off.” Victorian Council of Social Services CEO Juanita Pope says the modest decrease in the Victorian Default Offer (VDO) won’t achieve much. “Without a dramatic decrease in the baseline price, the VDO will trap even more Victorians in poverty,” says Pope. JARNI BLAKKARLY Optus safety failure affects 200,000 Telecommunications companies have a duty to make sure your mobile phone is contactable by authorities in the event of a natural disaster such as a flood or bushfire, and to make sure any calls to Triple Zero will provide them information on your location. It’s called the Integrated Public Number Database (IPND), but Optus seems to have forgotten it existed. The company was recently penalised $1.5 million after its outsourced suppliers failed to upload the required information of about 200,000 customers of the Optus brand’s Coles Mobile and Catch Connect to the database. Samantha Yorke of the Australian Communications and Media Authority, which applied the penalty, says, “When emergency services are hindered there can be very serious consequences for the safety of Australians. While we are not aware of anyone being directly harmed due to the non-compliance in this case, it’s alarming that Optus placed so many customers in this position for so long.” In addition to the penalty, Optus has been formally directed to comply with the IPND industry code. Optus has also agreed to undertake an independent review of its compliance where a third-party data provider is used. IM ANDY KOLLMORGEN AGES: GETTY CHECKOUT CHOICE MAY 2024 /// 5
Australians want better AI regulation This year, the theme for World Consumer Rights Day (15 March) was fair and responsible AI for consumers. In honour of the day, CHOICE released the results of a nationally representative survey into consumer expectations of AI regulation. The findings revealed a wide gulf between expectations and the current reality. The survey of more than 1000 people found almost four in five Australians believe businesses should have to ensure their artificial intelligence system is fair and safe before releasing it to the public. Yet no such requirements exist in Australia. “The message couldn’t be clearer,” says CHOICE consumer data advocate Kate Bower. “Australians want the government to place obligations on business to mitigate the risks of AI systems.” The government has committed to several actions to improve AI regulation but intends to leave most uses of AI, which tend to fall in low- and medium-risk categories, to be governed by existing laws. Bower says that, while government action is welcome, the response so far falls well short of consumer expectations. “It’s clear the government is going to have to seriously beef up their response if they want to meet consumer expectations and restore consumer trust,” says Bower. RAFI ALAM ACCC takes stock of state of search The competition watchdog has been hearing what Australians think of popular search engines such as Google, after previously calling for greater competition in the sector. The ACCC has been seeking feedback from consumers and businesses as part of its inquiry into the supply of digital platforms. “We are eager to hear about their experiences with search services to better understand how regulatory and industry developments are affecting the level of competition and consumers in the market for general search services,” says ACCC chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb. In calling for submissions, the commission noted there have been big changes in the search landscape since its last probe in 2021. “We’ve seen new laws introduced overseas that place obligations on so-called gatekeeper search engines and the emergence of new technologies, like generative AI, that have changed the way consumers search for information online and may be impacting the quality of the service they are receiving,” says Cass-Gottlieb. Last year, the federal government agreed in principle to ACCC recommendations that it establish new laws to boost competition in digital platform services, including a code ensuring consumers have more choice when it comes to search services. LIAM KENNEDY 6
APPLE IMAC DESKTOP PRICE $3278 (includes keyboard, mouse and trackpad) CONTACT apple.com/au Apple iMac desktop Desktop computers aren’t as popular as they used to be, and with good reason. Laptop processing technology has reached a point where a traditional tower isn’t necessary for computing speeds fast enough to satisfy most users. But, that does not mean the desktop computer doesn’t have certain advantages. This is where the latest iteration of Apple’s iMac fits in. It’s essentially a non-portable laptop with a 512GB SSD, 16GB of RAM, improved audio, a larger display and four fast USB-C ports (2 x Thunderbolt 4, 2 x USB 3). And it’s all packed into a frame that’s just 1.1cm thick. The highly efficient Apple Silicon M3 processor with integrated graphics (also in the MacBook Pro and Air laptops) is powerful enough to handle all but the most demanding tasks. Design, photo and video editing, 3D rendering and 4K video streaming are all within its wheelhouse, and it even holds its own against the big dogs for gaming. Just don’t turn the settings up to maximum. The 24-inch, 4480 x 2520 monitor quality is excellent, with vibrant colours, plenty of detail and good viewing angles. Though it uses a gloss finish, the coating does a great job of minimising reflection. You also have the option to let the iMac adjust colour and brightness based on ambient lighting in the room with the included TrueTone mode, which works well. Impressive speakers deliver great detail and clarity in vocals and higher frequencies, a surprising amount of bass and a generally warm, full-bodied sound overall. But the iMac still supports Bluetooth and a 3.5mm output if you’d prefer to plug into something with a little more grunt or some good quality headphones. The new iMac perfectly walks the line between the power of a high-end laptop and a compact desktop computer. There are times when a proper workstation is preferred, and Apple’s latest all-in-one will hit the mark for almost all consumer needs in a stylish little package. ELIAS PLASTIRAS FIRST LOOK IMAGES: GETTY CHECKOUT CHOICE MAY 2024 /// 7
Your experience with extended warranties Have you ever been sold an extended warranty? In many cases, extended warranties sell you some of the same rights you already have under the consumer guarantees outlined in the Australian Consumer Law. Despite what the salesperson may lead you to believe, you may be entitled to a remedy if your product fails outside the initial warranty, even if you haven’t purchase an extended warranty. We think selling you something you already get for free, or giving you the runaround if you don’t buy it, is unfair, but a gap in the law allows businesses to get away with a host of unfair business practices. That’s why CHOICE is calling on the government to make unfair business practises illegal. If you’ve been sold an extended warranty, we’d like to hear from you. Your story will help to ensure this gap in consumer law is closed and businesses are no longer allowed to treat consumers unfairly. Email: [email protected] to share your story. YELENA NAM Bloomex cops a $1 million penalty I n a case of bad behaviour finally catching up, Shonky Award-winning online florist Bloomex has been ordered to pay a $1 million penalty for publishing misleading star ratings, promoting fake discounts and engaging in drip pricing. The Canada-based company, which has facilities across Australia, was taken to court by the ACCC in December 2022 and fined in Federal Court in March this year. “Bloomex misled consumers about the quality and price of its products for a long time, and this penalty is an indication of how seriously the court views this conduct,” says ACCC Commissioner Liza Carver. “Misleading online reviews and star ratings are an issue of significant concern to us because they can influence consumers into purchasing from a business, when they would not otherwise have done so,” says Carver. Bloomex earned a 2022 CHOICE Shonky for delivery failures and poor-quality bouquets. The company has acknowledged in the ACCC case that its tactics contravened the Australian Consumer Law. ANDY KOLLMORGEN 8 8 /// MAY 2024 CHOICE
Overall scam losses almost halved in 2023 Federal Treasury has welcomed a recent report from the National Anti-Scam Centre (NASC) showing scam losses almost halved in the last year. The NASC was established in July 2023 with aims to disrupt scams before they reach consumers and raise community awareness of how to identify and avoid scams. The government plans to develop mandatory codes that will create new obligations for industries like banking, telecommunications and social media to safeguard their consumers. “Behind every dollar lost to scams is a heartbreaking story – we are working hard to intercept these malicious criminals before they can inflict pain on innocent Australians,” says Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services Stephen Jones Jones urges people to stay vigilant and to stay up to date with ACCC scam advice to keep safe. BRENDAN KEARNS Social media scam losses up by 249% New data from the National Anti-Scam Centre quarterly report shows that while total scam losses almost halved in 2023, social media scam losses are on the rise. The report found that losses from social media scams reached $95 million, which is a 249% increase since 2020. And 76% of 2023’s losses were through Meta-owned companies such as Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram. Between October and December 2023, people aged over 65 experienced the highest losses of any age group, with 30% of all losses from social media belonging to people in this category. This is a 57% increase compared to the previous quarterforthis age group. Digital platforms need to do more to stop scammers exploiting their services to steal from people, but so far they aren’t coming to the table. Big tech companies have an incentive not to act on scams because they generate advertising revenue from scam ads. So it’s clear that only strong mandatory rules to prevent scams developed and enforced by a regulator will result in any meaningful change for consumers. ALEX SÖDERLUND IMAGES: GETTY CHECKOUT CHOICE MAY 2024 /// 9
Account issues on the rise at super funds When Peter checked his superannuation account one Friday afternoon, he noticed an alarming detail: three complete strangers were listed as beneficiaries who would get his super when he died. Understandably, Peter was spooked. He feared someone had hacked his account. He reached out to his super fund but didn’t hear anything back. He spent a sleepless weekend before his fund finally contacted him and said it had made an administrative error. Peter asked the fund to escalate the matter, but they never told him anything more about it. A few months later, Peter noticed his statement had disappeared from his fund’s online portal. In the 2022/23 financial year, 63% of superannuation complaints to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority were about account issues. Super Consumers Australia policy manager Rebekah Sarkoezy says it’s time for action. “If super funds can’t manage their members’ accounts or communicate with them properly, we need laws to help them do this. Australians deserve peace of mind their fund is looking after their super accounts properly,” says Sarkoezy. DANIEL HERBORN Government releases draft BNPL regulations The federal government has released its draft legislation for regulating buy now, pay later (BNPL) products and is consulting with industry and consumer groups. “BNPL isn’t subject to the regulatory framework that applies to other credit products,” says Minister for Financial Services Stephen Jones. “This can lead to poor product disclosure, inadequate dispute resolution processes, excessive default fees and unaffordable lending practices that lead to hardship and financial stress.” Under the proposed reforms, BNPL providers will be required to hold an Australian credit licence and have to comply with requirements under the Credit Act, including dispute resolution and hardship assistance. They will be required to take steps to make sure they are lending responsibly. While CHOICE welcomes the reforms, we have concerns about potential loopholes and the complexity of the legislation. JARNI BLAKKARLY 10
Telcos in trouble for poor training and switching regimes The communications regulator has told one phone service provider to prove that it is properly training staff, and warned another about transferring customers to its services, following separate investigations. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) issued directions to Urban Telecom and Star Telecom to comply with the telecommunications consumer protections (TCP) code after it probed both companies’ practices. The ACMA says Urban Telecom was unable to demonstrate that its sales representatives were trained in how to responsibly sell telecommunications products in line with the consumer protection framework. The regulator also found the company wasn’t keeping accurate records of customer consent to have their services transferred. Star Telecom also came in for a warning to follow the TCP code after the ACMA found the company had transferred customers to its services without consent, or could not produce evidence that users had agreed to a transfer. Telcos face penalties of up to $250,000 for breaching ACMA directions to comply with the TCP code. LIAM KENNEDY Government promises to work with industry for safer 4G switch Major telecommunications providers Telstra and Optus are shutting down their 3G network this year, raising concerns that up to 740,000 phones will no longer be able to call Triple Zero. Of particular concern are a subset of devices that generally use 4G to make calls, but are configured to use 3G to call emergency services. The government has set up a working group that promises to support a safer changeover to 4G. The group is comprised of Telstra, Optus, TPG and their peak industry body, the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association. It will advise the government on helping consumers check if their devices are affected, and finding affected customers. The government has advised consumers to contact their providers to see if their device is impacted. “The government will continue to monitor this issue closely and consider options under law if warranted in the public interest,” says Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland MP. The government can use regulatory intervention to delay the switchover if needed. IM BRENDAN KEARNS AGES: GETTY CHECKOUT CHOICE MAY 2024 /// 11
12 12 /// MAY 2024 CHOICE Mosaic Brands heading to court – again Fashion retailer Mosaic Brands is in trouble with the ACCC again, this time for failing to deliver hundreds of thousands of products within the promised timeframes. The issue affected delivery of goods from the company’s various brands, which include Noni B, Rivers, Katies, Millers, Rockmans, Autograph, Beme, Crossroads and W. Lane. The stated delivery timeframes ranged from two to 17 days, but around a quarter of the items didn’t leave the warehouse for 20 to 40 days after they were purchased. “The ACCC has received hundreds of complaints about Mosaic Brands in relation to delivery delays,” says Commissioner Liza Carver. “Excessively late deliveries can be incredibly frustrating and inconvenient for consumers, especially if they decided to buy goods for a special occasion, such as Christmas, based on the advertised delivery times which were not met,” says Carver. The regulator commenced legal proceedings in March. In 2021 Mosaic Brands was hit with a $630,000 penalty in a case brought by the ACCC following a CHOICE investigation that found the company was promoting pandemic-related “Health Essentials Products” that would have offered little protection against COVID-19. As part of our investigation, we commissioned testing on a bottle of hand sanitiser sold by Mosaic that was labelled 70% alcohol but turned out to have only 23% alcohol. ANDY KOLLMORGEN Ultra Tune gets record fine for tuning out after ruling Car servicing brand Ultra Tune has been fined $1.5 million for not improving its practices after a previous court ruling found it broke consumer law. The penalty is the highest ever levied following a contempt of court proceeding brought by the ACCC. “These fines demonstrate the importance of compliance with court orders,” says ACCC Commissioner Liza Carver. “The ACCC took this action because it was concerned that Ultra Tune had failed to improve its compliance with the requirements of the Franchising Code, despite previous ACCC action and courtimposed penalties,” says Carver. In 2019, Ultra Tune was found to have breached Australian Consumer Law and the Franchising Code of Conduct. Following the ruling, the franchisor was directed to provide certain documents and statements to franchisees and to implement a compliance program to reduce the risk of further rulebreaking. However, in 2022, the ACCC took the company back to Federal Court, alleging it wasn’t following these orders. The Commission says Ultra Tune wasn’t updating or preparing required documents and statements on time and had failed to report on its compliance program for three consecutive quarters. LIAM KENNEDY
IMAGES: GETTY CHECKOUT CHOICE MAY 2024 /// 13 Virtual reality wasn’t always annoying. Once upon a time I was a believer. In fact, back in May 2013, I might have been one of the first people in Australia to use an Oculus Rift, a virtual reality headset. Nowadays Oculus is owned by Facebook’s Meta and part of a failed venture into making people care about the metaverse and virtual reality workspaces. But over 10 years ago the Oculus Rift was a crowdfunded product designed to test the viability of virtual reality as a concept. A friend of mine was an early backer and, because of this, received one of the earliest versions of the product – the Oculus Rift DK1. Knowing that I was a technology and video games nerd, he brought it over to my house so I could check it out. And I was completely, utterly blown away. I’ll never forget putting the headset on for the first time. A bulky, heavy, lowresolution headset burdened with all sorts of cables. It didn’t matter. I was immediately absorbed into a new world, a new universe. It was bewildering, overwhelming and incredibly inspiring. I distinctly remember the conversations we had afterwards about the potential for this technology. It felt like the beginning of something revolutionary. But that was 10 years ago. In the wake of that first experience, VR has become a dead duck technology with a low install base limited to nerds like myself. And even early adopters like me don’t use VR on a daily basis. Every VR headset I’ve ever owned is now gathering dust, waiting to be pulled out at parties for a 15-minute sideshow and then abandoned, until the next time I feel the need to show off. The thing is, despite advances in technology and the fact we lived through a pandemic that kept us locked up in our houses for both work and play, regular people simply don’t want VR. I’ve spent heaps of time and money on VR – but even I don’t really want VR. Regardless, it feels like tech oligarchs are obsessed with implementing a sci-fi future few of us are invested in. Sony released a second VR headset for its wildly successful PlayStation 5 console (and it bombed so hard they’ve stopped producing new units). Mark Zuckerberg was so invested in virtual reality he acquired Oculus for $2 billion, changed his incredibly successful company’s name to “Meta” and invested billions of dollars in online metaverse platforms that almost nobody was interested in using. It’s a classic case of trying to make “fetch” happen. The terrifying part: big brains in Silicon Valley are still trying to make VR a thing. This year Apple released its long anticipated “mixed reality headset” that combines virtual reality with “augmented reality”. It’s received mostly mixed reviews and the base version will set you back a cool $6399 if you buy it from Dick Smith. Love that accessible pricing. At this point it’s near impossible to imagine a future where VR is mainstream, implemented into daily life in the way tech fetishists want it to be. Isn’t it time to just… accept this tech for what it is? A product designed for early adopters, a handful of niche industries and people who want to play very intense video games once every six months or so. Or maybe we should just be content to let those bulky, expensive headsets gather dust for a while. MARK SERRELS At this point it’s near impossible to imagine a future where VR is mainstream RANTS AND RAVES The unreal promise of virtual reality
QCan you recommend a reliable contents insurance calculator? I am getting very wide variations in the value of my contents using different online calculators. ACHOICE home insurance expert Daniel Graham: I don’t think any sum insured calculators are necessarily reliable on their own. Most calculators are built on the same dataset, with extra adjustments done by the insurer to account for variations in their products. For that reason I usually suggest using the one provided by your insurer, as it should be configured with your policy in mind. I’d pin a big caveat to that though. Due to the lack of transparency from the builders of these calculators, we don’t know how well they are keeping up with inflation, and it’s plausible that some insurers are inflating their sum insured recommendations to account for it, while others aren’t. Ultimately, the best sum insured calculator is still the manual approach of noting down your valuable items and finding the retail price online, then going room by room and estimating the replacement cost of your smaller items. QI’ve had health insurance in the past, butI cancelled my Medibank policy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now I am 70 years old and I would like to take out a policy again, butthe fund I have gotten a quote from is saying it will charge me the maximum Lifetime Health Cover (LHC) loading of 70%. I understand thatI may be liable for some kind of loading for my years without health insurance, but surely I shouldn’t be paying the maximum? Can you advise? ACHOICE health insurance expert Uta Mihm: I agree that something seems to have gone wrong here. Every person is entitled to 1094 days (three years minus one ASKTHE EXPERTS Got a niggling question our team can help with? Email your question to [email protected] or write to Ask the Experts, CHOICE, 57 Carrington Rd, Marrickville, NSW 2204. You can also tap into the ‘brains trust’ at www.choice.community. ASK US day) without hospital insurance, without a negative impact on their LHC rating. As you were most likely without hospital insurance for longer than that, you will have to pay a 2% surcharge for every additional year that you didn’t have cover. So depending on the exact dates of your cancellation, you’ll have to pay a 2% to 4% surcharge (plus any surcharge you were paying to your old health fund – if any). I advise you to contact your old insurer and request a clearance certificate. This will show the dates that you held your previous policy, as well as the loading you were paying (if any). Your new insurer should be able to use this information to correctly calculate the LHC you are liable for. 14 /// MAY 2024 CHOICE 14
QI’ve been seeing a lot of pans being marketed as a non-toxic alternative to non-stick pans. Are non-stick pans really toxic and are these alternatives worth the extra money? ACHOICE household expert Rebecca Ciaramidaro: Non-stick pans have been around since the 1950s, but they were subject to controversy in the early 2000s because certain types were found to contain toxic, harmful chemicals known as PFOAs, which have now been phased out from use in pans. These days, non-stick pans are often made with coatings such as Teflon, the brand name for a chemical coating known as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The chemicals used in this coating only start to break down and release harmful toxins in temperatures above 260°C, and research suggests that no toxins are released from cookware used at or below normal cooking temperatures. The toxins may cause headaches, nausea and damage to the respiratory tract. So while it should be safe to use non-stick pans at a lower heat, there are legitimate concerns around toxins released when cooking at higher heats. This is part of the reason why some people may prefer ‘non-toxic’ alternatives. For example, you can buy ceramic cookware that uses a glass-like material derived from beach sand to create a non-stick effect. Make sure you look for ceramic pans marketed as being free from chemicals such as PTFE and PFOA. QI am having some carpets installed in my home. The company thatis providing the service has asked me forfull paymentforthe job before they even start. This doesn’t seem fair to me. Is itlegal? ACHOICE Customer Service: The Australian Consumer Law website has a useful guide for this. Head to consumer.gov.au/consumers-and-acl and click through to download the PDF document titled “Preventing unfair terms in window and floor covering agreements”. The guide says that the normal right of consumers is to pay the full price only on installation, and if the product and workmanship are satisfactory. You should have an opportunity to inspect the work before payment. You may be asked to pay a deposit, but this should only be an amount that ensures that the consumer is serious about going ahead with the contract – normally, not more than 10% of the price. The supplier can also ask you for a ‘part payment’ that should be limited to the amount necessary to start work on the contract. Unlike deposits, which are forfeited in the case the job is cancelled, part payments should be refundable, minus any real losses suffered by the supplier. It seems that asking for full payment prior to installation can not be justified either as a deposit or a part payment, and is likely to be considered an unfair contract term. We recommend that you share the PDF of the guide mentioned above with the company in order to negotiate a fair and appropriate fee to be paid prior to installation. CHOICE MAY 2024 /// 15 IMAGES: GETTY ASK THE EXPERTS
Plastic problem I am cross about the tiny plastic labels on most pieces of fruit these days. I find them finicky to remove, totally unnecessary and one of our microplastic problems. Note that surgeons are finding microplastics in the arteries of people suffering plaque build-up. We have been warned, but will anyone listen? I am also cross that I cannot buy meat from my butcher in paper. Both butchers in Maleny say they cannot get butcher’s paper and only offer plastic bags. Result? I don’t buy their meat! In supermarkets itis worse – all meatis only available in heavy clear plastic trays.Appalling. The deli in my local IGAoffers paperfor cold meats, so why notthe butcher? Narelle Lovell, Maleny, Qld YOUR SAY 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. Full-fat Greek-style yoghurt is a staple in my household. We scout out the reviews on CHOICE and on foodie websites, as well as conducting our own rigorous taste testing. Farmers Union is currently top tier in our pick of taste and quality. (We’ve found that the number one from the 2018-era CHOICE test, Coles ownbrand, has dropped in quality lately). Before the pandemic and inflation spiral, Farmers Union was $4.50 to $5 a kilo. Nowadays it’s $6.50 at IGA and “Colesworths”. So I was excited to see the same product sold at Aldi for 51 cents less. But the sales receipt twigged me to look closer. It’s cheaper at Aldi, but it is not the same product. In an eerily similar container, Farmers Union at Aldi is just 930g for $5.99, which works out to be 64.4 cents per 100g, compared with IGA-ColesWoolworths at 65 cents per 100g. Tom, Brisbane, Qld Email us at [email protected] or write to Your Say, CHOICE, 57 Carrington Road, Marrickville, NSW 2204. CONTACT US! 16
CHOICE SOCIAL MEDIA Join the conversation online. We’re on Facebook, Threads, Instagram and our own forum, CHOICE Community. This month: EVs, neck pillows, supermarket pricing and more. My Breville espresso coffee machine suddenly failed to produce any hot water or steam. I contacted Breville, who confirmed that the warranty period had expired by several months. Based on the excellent advice from CHOICE, I explained that, under Australian Consumer Law, it was reasonable to expect an appliance costing close to $900 to not suffer such a catastrophic fault preventing it from performing its prime function of making espresso coffee. Within two days, the faulty item was collected by a courier and repaired and returned within a week! The turnaround time was faster than expected and the entire process was free of any charges. Big thumbs up to Breville and their repair company. John Biggins, Urangan, Qld Community choice.community Are neck pillows useful for air travel? @someozi: I use a foam-type one and it definitely does help me avoid a stiff neck. To a degree. Wouldn’t say it’s particularly comfortable though. I have had a minor neck injury so if that has any bearing I’m not sure. But I skeptically believe there has to be something better, more comfortable, more compact… @Mike8: I tried one years ago and found it uncomfortable as it pushed my neck/head forward. However, when I sleep on the aircraft my head falls forward and becomes uncomfortable, so now I use the neck pillow but with the bulk in front, and I find it stops my head falling forward, is quite comfortable and stops me getting a stiff neck. @pineappleskip: Spent 12 years FIFO as an international road warrior and never used one. Long haul on a good carrier you can usually ask for a real pillow. Short haul you don’t need one. Threads @choiceaustralia What brand of dishwashing liquid do you use? @swineton56: Fairy or Morning Fresh. Depends which is on special. @iotolya: The one they sell at the Asian grocer next to my house. No idea what the brand name is ‘cause I can’t read Korean. Or Tandil Ultra if I’m at Aldi – that Power Soak is truly powerful stuff. Facebook @choiceaustralia Will an EV ruin your long-weekend road trip? Lynette L: Love our small EV . Bought it primarily as a city runabout but we’ve done a couple of short road trips in it and it was fine. Fun to drive, quiet, and oh-so-cheap to run. Steve H: I’ll stick with my 1000km range diesel, thank you. Tramcar T: Unless you can charge at home, you run the risk of either not being able to find a working charger or, if you do, being ripped off because the owner counts on you needing a charge. NRMA now charge for their power. My PHEV gives me exceptional economy and if I have a need there is always the ICE. Instagram @choiceaustralia Have you seen any dodgy supermarket pricing tactics? @miki.crochet: I almost bought a bottle of olive oil the other week thinking the price was $10 but when I looked closer it was the member price and non-members would be charged at $20. A $10 difference! @nik_visek: Anything that goes through shrinkflation should have the percentage they removed on the packaging ... they try to have the boxes look the same and hope you don’t notice the grams. @theshannonhallexperience: The two-for-x price special. But the new price is more expensive than buying IM two used to be. AGES: GETTY YOUR SAY CHOICE MAY 2024 /// 17
For months Toyota refused to refund a Queensland man his deposit on a car after he learned it would have tracking features. Jarni Blakkarly reports Mathew has been a Toyota man for a very long time. Over the years he has bought five of their cars. But the Queensland father says his latest experience with the company has left him questioning his loyalty. He struggled to get a deposit of $2000 returned, and has vowed to steer clear of Toyota from now on. “I’m just really disappointed,” he says. “You should have a choice not to be dictated to, I really believe that.” Mathew’s concerns centered on the invasive tracking and data sharing practices that came with his new Toyota, services he says he was never told about when buying the car. Toyota’s tracking technology In July last year, Mathew paid a deposit and arranged finance for a $68,000 Toyota Hilux. He was told by the dealer there would be several months’ wait for the vehicle to arrive. When the car finally arrived at the dealership, he began getting emails from Toyota telling him to sign up for ‘Toyota Connected Services’. “I’d never heard about it, and the dealer never told me about it at all,” he says. Toyota describes Connected Services as “a suite of technology focused on safety and security, convenience and a better driving experience”. Rollout started in late 2020, with vehicle movement tracking and “I was told if you remove it you will void your warranty” } Mathew ordered a $68,000 Toyota Hilux that came with tracking features he wasn’t told about. } For months the car dealer refused to return his $2000 deposit after he refused to pick up the vehicle because of privacy concerns. } Connected cars are everywhere now, and a review of 25 major brands found concerning data practices amongst all of them. Drive for data 18 /// MAY 2024 CHOICE 18
IMAGE: GETTY | W W W.DRIVE.COM.AU/REVIEWS/2022-TOYOTA-HILUX-ROGUE-REVIEW/ driving data collection later added to Connected Services across the Toyota range. The more Mathew researched the privacy policies and read about how his data would be collected and shared, the less comfortable he became with having it in the car. He asked the dealer if Connected Services could be removed before he took ownership of the car. He was told Toyota could temporarily deactivate the features, but they could be reactivated remotely. “I was told if you remove it you will void your warranty and you’ll likely put your insurance at risk as well. And that was when I said, ‘you guys can keep your vehicle’,” says Mathew. Mathew cancelled his finance and never picked up the vehicle, but the Toyota dealership refused to repay the $2000 deposit. He lodged complaints with the Queensland Office of Fair Trading and the Queensland Ombudsman. The Toyota dealership did not respond to our questions about refusing to return Mathew’s deposit. In an email, the dealer told Matthew: “If you failed to do your own in-depth research on a vehicle you’re purchasing then that’s on you.” What kind of data is being collected and how is it used? Cars are changing. Almost every new car released today has some form of tracking. The car companies say it increases driver safety, but in a surveillance world of data hacks, data broking and sharing, it’s yet another way for companies to gain valuable insights on you, whether you want it or not. Toyota Australia’s privacy policy says the Connected Services features will collect data such as fuel levels, odometer reading, vehicle location and driving data, as well as personal information like phone numbers and email addresses. The policy says if you don’t opt out of Connected Services it will collect, hold, use and disclose vehicle data for research, product development and data analysis purposes. It goes on to say that Toyota may share collected data with third parties with your consent, such as finance and insurance companies, promotions and market research organisations, debt collection agencies and information technology service providers. Despite the excessive reach, in response to our queries in January Toyota Australia told CHOICE that it took customer privacy seriously and was assessing Mathew’s complaint about not getting his deposit back. The dealership later rang Mathew and told him he would be getting his full $2000 refund. Dealerships supposed to tell customers about tracking It seems the dealership was supposed to tell Mathew about Connected Services. “The standard process is to inform customers of the Connected Services feature as part of the sales contract, which includes information about Connected Services and to ask them to sign confirmation they have been informed and agree to those services being activated,” the Toyota spokesperson says. Despite what Mathew says the Toyota dealer told him, Toyota Australia says that disconnection of the SIM card does not void the vehicle’s warranty, but having a non-Toyota repairer remove the system carries risks. Almost every new car released today has some form of tracking CHOICE MAY 2024 /// 19 DRIVER DATA TRACKING
They add that when modification by a non-Toyota repairer causes a problem with another part of the vehicle, the warranty won’t cover it, but the rest of the warranty won’t be affected. Things like the car’s Bluetooth and speaker systems may not work when the Connected Services system is removed. Privacy problems widespread According to a US report released in September 2023, cars are one of the worst product categories when it comes to privacy protections. The US-based Mozilla Foundation came to that conclusion, after an in-depth review of 25 major car brands. Jen Caltrider from Mozilla says Toyota has a “vast business empire” and rather than sell collected car data to data brokers, they have created their own data broker that they charge other people to access. Toyota has a bad track record of keeping their customers’ data safe. A series of leaks in 2022 and 2023 accidentally revealed the data they held on more than two million customers. But privacy concerns are not limited to Toyota. The Mozilla report says all 25 car brands they reviewed in the American market collect more personal data than necessary, and 84% of them share or sell data to third parties. Only two companies, Renault and Dacia, gave the drivers the option of having their data deleted. “Consumers don’t have a real choice. It’s: ‘have a car and have no privacy’, or ‘don’t have a car’. It’s not a real choice,” says Caltrider. “This is a big issue and it’s only going to keep growing.” Car companies abusing data Last year, Reuters reported that between 2019 and 2022, a group of Tesla employees shared among themselves “Mathew shouldn’t have had to choose between losing $2000 or giving up his privacy rights” images and videos captured from customers’ car cameras and connected systems, including images of people naked. Ibrahim Khalil, professor of cloud systems and security at RMIT University, says the issue of privacy protection is only getting more challenging. “These manufacturers are saying we’re collecting data to make sure driving is safe and they are applying AI techniques to improve lots of different things like situational awareness, but of course that’s not the whole story,” says Khalil. “We are exchanging data that they can actually abuse.” Rafi Alam from the CHOICE consumer data team says while some people may enjoy the benefits of car connectivity, consumers should be informed about the associated risks. “It seems like every product is getting a ‘smart’ connection, and cars have joined the trend,” he says. “The government has a role to put strong safeguards – and even prohibitions – on the use of this data once it’s collected, to ensure it’s in the best interests of the consumer.” Alam adds that Mathew shouldn’t have had to choose between losing $2000 or giving up his privacy rights. Mathew says that the most important thing is having the option as a consumer. “I’m sure some people think all this stuff is a great thing. But I just think it’s something that really needs to be brought to people’s attention, because I’m sure I’m not the only person who thinks this isn’t a good idea,” he says. 20 /// MAY 2024 CHOICE
A new type of scam is hijacking QR code technology. Liam Kennedy explains the practice known as ‘quishing’ QR codes became a daily fixture during the COVID pandemic and have stuck around since } QR codes have become a common part of our lives, but criminals are using them to distribute links to scam websites. } These URLs are designed to steal information from users of government services and customers of major brands in Australia. }Watch out for QR codes that have been tampered with, come from unexpected sources, or request inappropriate information. How often do you scan a quick response (QR) code? These black and white square clusters of pixels became a daily fixture for many of us during the COVID pandemic and have stuck around since, helping us order food and pay for parking, among other tasks. But could our willingness to whip out our phone and scan any code put in front of us without a second thought be exposing us to novel attempts to steal our personal information? With all QR codes looking more or less the same, criminals have been able to abuse our trust in this convenient format and covertly distribute malicious links designed to “phish” for our sensitive details and savings. What are QR codes? “A QR code is a clever way of combining a lot of information, a link, or a lot of data into a machine-readable format,” explains Damien Manuel, adjunct professor of cyber security at Deakin University. QR codes are a type of barcode, similar to those you find on most supermarket products, but can contain more information and are more resilient to wear and tear. Scan or scam? IMAGE: SOSAFE-AWARENESS.COM CHOICE MAY 2024 /// 21 QR CODE SCAMS
“They can sustain some level of damage,” Manuel says. “With a barcode, if you damage it, it’s difficult to rescan, whereas you could tear a corner off a QR code and it’ll still retain the information.” QR codes have been around for 30 years, but Manuel says the need for contactless registrations and transactions during the pandemic combined with the spread of camera phones to push them into our daily lives. “[The pandemic] really accelerated them into the mainstream,” he explains. “They had always been there, but they became hugely popular and everybody started [scanning them] without any second thoughts.” How QR codes are used in scams Most QR codes prompt us to open a link to a webpage that pops up on our screen after we scan them with a device’s camera function. Experts say our tendency to do this without hesitating provides an opportunity to scammers. “It’s very easy to just scan a QR code and then click on the link that’s generated in that code without really questioning [it],” Manuel says. CHOICE’s UK sister organisation, Which?, named attempts to phish for sensitive information via QR codes (also known as “quishing”) as one of the top scams to look out for this year – a warning seconded by banks here, too. Which? has reported some Brits have become unknowingly enrolled in expensive subscriptions of up to $AUD77 per month to obscure apps after scanning QR codes left in public areas. In some of these cases, victims had scanned the codes because they were trying to pay for parking and believed the stickers had been left for their convenience by a legitimate parking company. America’s Federal Trade Commission last year warned scammers in the US were employing similar tactics to capture sensitive details. The consumer protection agency said criminals were making their own QR codes and sticking them over legitimate ones on parking meters, or sending them to potential victims via SMS or email. QR code scams in Australia QR code scams appear to be less prolific in Australia for now, but criminals are still trying their luck with them in attempts to steal our personal savings and information. The ACCC tells CHOICE its Scamwatch arm received 28 reports of scams involving QR codes in 2020, with over $100,000 lost. Last year, there were 56 reports of phishing scams mentioning QR codes, but no financial losses. However, evidence suggests they’re still a force to be reckoned with. In the past few months, federal government agencies have been warning of scammers weaponising QR codes in attempts to direct recipients to malicious websites via phishing emails. Services Australia says it’s seen attempts urging myGov users to update their information via a QR code in an email. Scanning the code takes users to a fake myGov site designed to steal these personal details. One scam takes users to a fake myGov site designed to steal personal details 22 /// MAY 2024 CHOICE 22
IMAGE: GETTY QR codes provide an easy way to hide malicious URLs in plain sight The agency also shared with CHOICE another quishing attempt impersonating Medicare, which encourages users to scan a code to view their “latest Medicare rebates”. Late last year, the Australian Tax Office (ATO) reported it had also seen phishing emails containing QR codes leading to malicious sites purporting to come from the ATO. And it’s not just government services being impersonated – cyber security firm Mailguard recently drew users’ attention to emails containing dodgy QR codes claiming to come from Microsoft. The company says scammers are putting QR codes in these messages in an attempt to get them past email spam filters, which usually check for dangerous URLs. Damien Manuel says QR codes are also easy to create through myriad online services and, because it’s hard to tell one from another, they provide scammers an easy way to hide malicious links in plain sight. “We’re all being trained to look at a link now and go: is there a misspelling that makes it look like it’s not legit? But if I send it to you as a QR code, you’re probably not likely to spot it,” he says. “[Scanning a code] may show you an abbreviated version of the link [on your device’s screen] and you’re more likely to, just out of habit, click on it and go straight through.” How to avoid QR code scams “If you’re scanning a QR code in a public place, check it hasn’t been tampered with,” says Manuel. “When you are scanning, make sure you stop to think about where [the link] is actually going,” he adds, advising to make sure you’re on the right webpage before entering any sensitive details. Scammers often build fake copies of trusted websites to steal your money and information. If a QR code takes you to a site you’ve used before, make sure the URL and information on the page is correct. For more, see our tips for spotting a scam website (choice.com. au/scamwebsites). Neither myGov nor the ATO will ever send an email or text message with a QR code, so treat any communication claiming to be from these organisations and containing a QR code as a scam. The ACCC says to be wary of QR codes from unexpected sources, or codes that lead to pages asking for usernames or passwords, or to access your device’s camera or microphone after you scan them. It also says you shouldn’t download any apps onto your device from a QR code, advising to go to an official app store and check reviews first. Quishing scammers have impersonated trusted institutions such as Medicare. Source: Services Australia. CHOICE MAY 2024 /// 23 QR CODE SCAMS
Those looking for love and living with a disability are being hit hard by ruthless romance scammers. Brendan Kearns investigates } Australians with a disability are more than twice as likely to report experiencing a romance scam. } Disability advocates say abuse of people with a disability is rife. } CHOICE says the businesses involved need to do more to protect consumers. The cruellest con artists 24 /// MAY 2024 CHOICE 24
IMAGE: GETTY People with a disability can be more vulnerable to romance scams This article mentions suicide. If you or anyone you know needs support, contact Lifeline: 13 11 14 or at lifeline.org.au; or Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636 or at beyondblue.org.au/get-support. Chris* first met Hana on Snapchat. Soon after, she suggested they shift to another platform to get to know each other better. So, on a hot summer night in early 2023, Chris lay on a leather sofa bed in the spare room of his best friend’s house, lit by the dull light from his mobile phone, and launched Telegram – an encrypted messaging app favoured by drug dealers and the ‘alt-right’. Chris isn’t involved in either, but he opened direct messages and typed, “Howdy”. “Hello Chris,” Hana replied. They talked on Telegram until well past midnight and into the next morning. Chris told Hana about his TAFE studies, his job, and his plan to move out of home. Hana listened attentively. Chris soon sent a picture of himself. “Do you think I look cute?” he said. “You look great, but I think it’s better if you show your big smile,” said Hana. In return, Hana sent a picture of herself. She looked to be in her mid-20s and was wearing a flattering yellow blouse, with brown hair to her shoulders framing a kind face. After a nervous gap between messages, Chris typed, “Can I ask you something… are you single?” “Yes, I am single,” Hana replied. “Because the last three relationships were fake ones,” Chris wrote. “Scammers.” “I’m not that kind of person,” typed Hana. “The last two people I had feelings for said that, and they took advantage of me. I have a disability, so I’m an easy target,” Chris wrote. Looking for love online Chris, who lives in Adelaide, is 26 and was looking for a relationship. He turned to a space familiar to him – the internet. Online, people with a disability may not face the same stigma they often face in real-world dating. Hana is not the first person Chris had messaged. In 2023, he messaged no fewer than eight potential partners who all turned out to be romance scammers. Meeting them through Snapchat, he gave them his phone number or email address before they suggested moving the chat to a platform with end-toend encryption, such as Telegram, WhatsApp or Google Chat. Monica Whitty, professor of Human Factors in Cyber Security at Monash University, says this is common. “By moving them to other sites, it increases the ability to communicate with the victim and develop an intimate relationship with them.” Geoff Rowe, CEO of Aged and Disability Advocacy Australia, says that people with a disability can be more vulnerable to romance scams because their exposure to romantic relationships may be limited and scammers use that vulnerability to engage people. How romance scams work Before Hana, Chris had met two less sophisticated suspected scammers, “Angela” and “Viv”. Viv told Chris that she lived in the same suburb as him, was “just bored” and wished she had someone to hang out with. They arranged to meet, but first, she said, Chris would have to send her a small amount of money. When Chris said he would do it later, she said, “Just do it now, okay. You do it now!” Put off by the demand, Chris ended the conversation. Angela was even more forward and made sexual advances as soon as they moved the conversation to an encrypted platform. This was too much for Chris, who wasn’t looking for sexual intimacy. Angela quickly changed tactics. Suddenly, she was an orphaned Monash University student living with her grandma who needed a $200 gift card for Steam, a video game store. She said the gift card was for food. CHOICE MAY 2024 /// 25 ROMANCE SCAMS
Chris didn’t send Angela or Viv any money. While Chris initiated these conversations, what happened next was part of a common online trap. Whitty says typical scammer profiles will “exaggerate the aspects that someone would want to date” to lure people in. For heterosexual men, the profile might be a “very pretty” young woman with “some kind of vulnerability”, often a struggling student or nurse. What follows is a process of grooming where scammers develop an intimate and trusting relationship before testing the waters and asking for small gifts, like flowers or gift cards, to prime their targets for larger requests. This experience was similar to Chris’s, who did send small amounts of money to some scammers without going further. In total, Chris estimates he lost around $190 to romance scammers last year. Rowe says that people should be cautious and talk to family and friends about the interactions they are having online, as they may get good advice or timely warnings. How scammers get the money “Good morning babe,” Chris messaged Hana one day. He had the day off work. This gave Hana plenty of time to work on him. They continued to chat online; she sent a sketch of a dress design she said she was working on and Chris complimented her work, then she said she was going to her friend’s house to help her create a Binance account. Chris grew suspicious, but played it cool and waited a couple of hours before replying. When he did, Hana suggested he set up a Binance account too. Chris knew this was a red flag and said he wasn’t interested. Chris told CHOICE that other scammers had offered to sell him nude pictures, which he didn’t buy. Those who did succeed in getting money out of him were the ones who built a connection. Preying on his kindness, Chris says they asked for help with ailing grandparents or overdue phone bills, and he bought gift cards to send to try and solve their problems. The ACCC’s Targeting Scams report, released in April 2023, found people with a disability lost $33.7 million to scams in 2022, up 71.2% from 2021. And money lost to romance scams increased by 8% between 2021 and 2022 for people with a disability. The report also found that people with a disability are more likely to send money in alternative ways – cryptocurrency, gift cards, plane tickets, even transferring home ownership. Scams in general are underreported. Rowe thinks this is “because people are embarrassed that they’ve fallen for it”. He says this is a reason for friends and family to be vigilant and to help people feel comfortable that they’re not the only ones to have fallen for romance scams. Hanging up and moving on Relationships Australia’s Relationship Indicators 2022 report found people with a disability had higher levels of loneliness than average. This means many may seek romance in an environment they feel comfortable in – such as the internet. Once Hana had built Chris’s confidence, she quickly grew impatient. She laboured for three days, but not once did Chris express interest in “investing”. Typical scammer profiles will exaggerate the aspects that someone would want to date 26 /// MAY 2024 CHOICE
IMAGE: GETTY Two months passed with no messages between Chris and Hana. But in April 2023 they reconnected. Hana told Chris about her cryptocurrency success; Chris updated Hana on his studies at TAFE. He ignored Hana’s investment advice, instead asking for relationship advice with someone he was interested in at TAFE. It was clear to Hana that Chris would not give her what she wanted. “You are brave,” Hana wrote,“but you are afraid of investing your money.” “You know I have a disability,” Chris reminded Hana. “I see things differently, and I have time trying to think about things.” “Disability isn’t a problem anyway. If you see things differently you should prove to everyone that you think and act as a normal one.” Chris deleted Hana. The following week he messaged ‘Katie’, who turned out to be another romance scammer. After that, he deleted Snapchat. His dad now gets a notification whenever he tries to re-download the app and gives Chris a concerned phone call. Psychological effects Chris says he wants to share his experience.“This needs to get out there because not many people with disability … know about these romance scammers [and] what their real intentions are.” Whitty says,“The victim’s upset and pain from psychological effects can be just as damaging as the financial effects. “I’ve seen people lose very small amounts of money but commit suicide or attempt suicide. It may affect him for the rest of his life.” The Disability Royal Commission released its final report in September 2023, which revealed widespread abuse and exploitation experienced by Australians with a disability. It confirmed that people with a disability are more than twice as likely to report experiencing a romance scam, and to experience financial loss from dating and romance scams, than people without a disability. “Abuse of people with a disability is rife,” Rowe says. “They experience abuse, discrimination, probably more than any others … across our society.” He encourages people who have been affected to call the Disability Advocacy Support Helpline via the Disability Gateway on 1800 643 787 (ask to be connected to the helpline). He says advocates can “help people unpack what’s going on” if they have been scammed and help them navigate the system. Alex Söderlund, senior campaigns and policy adviser at CHOICE, says “scams have become increasingly sophisticated and harder to detect. It’s possible for anyone to be scammed, but when you are experiencing vulnerability – whether that’s an ongoing vulnerability, or more momentary stress, anxiety or sadness – you’re at an even greater risk of being scammed. “Australia’s laws currently shift the burden onto consumers to detect and protect themselves from scams. This requires people to be constantly vigilant, which is an impossible and unfair expectation. Söderlund says that scams often occur due to failures from big businesses to protect their consumers. “Businesses like banks, telcos and digital platforms should be subject to strong rules requiring them to do what’s necessary to protect people from scams, backed by strong penalties and remedies for victims,” she says. *Names have been changed. The psychological effects can be just as damaging as the financial effects Getthe latest scam advice from our experts: CHOICE MAY 2024 /// 27 ROMANCE SCAMS
Power ranger Switching to an EV can be a smart move, but there’s a learning curve. Jen Paterson shares the five mistakes she made on her first EV road trip When CHOICE installed a pair of electric vehicle (EV) chargers for staff use, the time seemed right to take the plunge and upgrade our family car to something more sustainable. As the owner of a 15-year-old Hyundai with pretty limited tech, my must-haves for a new family car were pretty humble: Bluetooth audio and a parking camera that stopped me constantly bumping into stationary objects. That’s why we bought a BYD Atto 3. And while sustainability was the primary reason for the switch, the high-spec gadgetry in our new EV is pretty cool: voice activation, an array of 360-degree parking cameras and a nifty app that lets you turn on the air con before you jump in the car. Bonus. A former Australian prime minister infamously claimed EVs would “ruin the long weekend”. Excited by all those shiny new features, we naively decided to put that claim to the test by driving from Sydney to Port Macquarie the day after we collected the car. Even though I work at CHOICE with a team of people who are very knowledgeable about EVs, it didn’t stop us from making a few newbie mistakes along the way. This is what you need to know, and do, to avoid making those same mistakes. 1. Don’t rely on claimed driving range For petrol car drivers, range anxiety only really kicks in if you’re planning a trip across remote parts of Australia, where there’s a hefty gap between petrol stations. We forked out the additional cash to get an extended range Atto 3, which has a claimed driving range of 480km. With a full battery and total drive distance of 407km, I assumed that we’d comfortably get from Sydney to Port Macquarie on one charge. First mistake. As our battery trickled down to its last100km of power, we realised we were going to have to make an emergency charge stop in Nabiac, an hour from our destination. If I’d done my research, we’d have known that real-world driving range is not the same as the car’s claimed range (sometimes referred to as the WLTP range), which is based on standardised testing and won’t always reflect your personal driving style and local conditions. A panoramic camera makes dents a thing ofthe past. 28
Factors like speed and increased wind-resistance mean you generally use more battery driving on a highway. Which leads to the next item… 2. Plan your pit stops around EV chargers, not meat pies Before we left Sydney, my husband declared this would be a holiday of“as many meat pies as possible”. Driving along the Pacific Highway we were lured by billboards pointing us to Heatherbrae’s ‘artisanal pies’, so that seemed like a no-brainer choice for our daily pie stop. The meat pies were indeed great. What I’d neglected to consider was triangulating our lunch location with a nearby EV charger. A retrospective check showed that there was a charger we could have used while enjoying those pies, which would have saved us making that emergency detour to Nabiac. 3. Learn about charger types and times Public chargers tend to be described as ultra, fast, or slow charge, but that won’t tell you how long it will take to get your car powered up – nor their kW charge rate. That’s because it varies from car to car. EVs have significant differences in charge time depending on the charger and how much charge your battery can take. Our Atto 3 supports a maximum charge rate of 88kW, so hooking up to a charger that delivers more power didn’t result in a faster charge. EV charging usually throttles from 80 to 100%, to save battery life, so that part of the charge will go slower. Maths isn’t a strong point in our family, so I got up to speed by reading an article outlining our car’s charge times on different chargers. 4. Download all the charging apps The charging infrastructure available in metro areas means you’re never too far from a charger, and can usually rely on a familiar station nearby for backup. On the open road, choice becomes more limited. These days there are a plethora of new options – NRMA, Chargefox, Evie, BP and Tesla, to name a few. They’re generally smartphone-operated and all set up a little differently, so we found ourselves having to download and learn a new app each time we used a new charger. Getting the most popular options set up ahead of time would have saved us a lot of faffing and expletives as we learned the ins and outs of each new charger. 5. Check which chargers are actually functional Our inbuilt BYD navigation comes with a useful map of available chargers, their charge rate, and (in some cases) whether they’re available to charge. What they don’t always tell you is whether a charging station is actually functional. Again, not such a big deal in metro areas, but in regional centres that can mean a decent trek to find a functional charge station. We made a few missteps planning our day around an ultra-fast charger, only to find that they were out of order and waiting on maintenance. A quick search pointed us to PlugShare (plugshare.com), a crowdshare mapping app that includes user notes about each charger, along with the charger locations. It’s been in high rotation ever since. So did our EV road trip ruin the long weekend? It’s fair to say getting used to EV charging added some time to our maiden voyage in the new vehicle, but the compromises we made also resulted in some lovely moments of serendipity. We passed the time during that emergency pit stop at Nabiac sitting under trees by the local pool: far from onerous. Finding a free NRMA charger in town also meant our total charge costs for the trip to and from Port Macquarie were less than $40. Driving an EV definitely requires some self-education and compromise but, once you get the hang of things, the environmental upsides mean the effort is worth it. Looking to buy an EV? See ‘Charging ahead’, CHOICE Jul 23 and ‘Electric cars, revisited’, CHOICE Nov 23 for our latest reviews. The PlugShare app provides EV chargerlocations, along with other useful information provided by users. CHOICE MAY 2024 /// 29 ELECTRIC VEHICLES
Businesses are asking consumers to sign a non-disclosure agreement in order to access a refund, repair or replacement. Andy Kollmorgen explains why this is not OK Some businesses are asking consumers to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) as a condition for getting a refund, repair or replacement. But you already have a right to the three Rs without promising to keep matters confidential. These quasi-legal documents effectively keep problems with a product or service a secret so that other customers won’t know about them. CHOICE survey on NDAs We recently heard from 41 Australian consumers through a CHOICE national survey who’d been asked to sign an NDA in the last five years. Fifteen of the 41 survey takers had been asked to sign a gag order more than once. We’ve seen NDAs issued by removalists, car dealerships, the all-in-one kitchen unit brand Thermomix, travel agencies, solar panel installers, pet-sitting services and more. The agreement generally makes you promise not to tell anyone about the problem you had and what the business did to fix it, and not to disparage the business online or anywhere else, and there’s a threat of legal action if you do either of those things. In a 2016 submission to a review of the Australian Consumer Law (ACL), CHOICE called for a ban on these kinds of NDAs, but that didn’t happen. The agreement generally makes you promise not to tell anyone about the problem you had } Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) effectively keep problems with a product or service a secret. }We recently heard from 41 Australian consumers through a CHOICE national survey who’d been asked to sign an NDA. } You don’t have to sign an NDA as a condition for exercising your consumer right to a refund, repair or replacement. Hush hush 30 /// MAY 2024 CHOICE 30
IMAGE: GETTY How NDAs silence consumers Here’s a glimpse of how they work. Gail (not her real name) contacted a company to report an unfortunate experience she’d had with her tradesperson. She sent photos of the botched project to the company, and they agreed the workmanship was poor. They said they’d fix it, but first she had to agree in writing not to post the photos online. “They were worried because I’d taken photos and I could have easily damaged their reputation. I just wanted it fixed and didn’t want to have to pay someone else to do it or argue with them to get a refund, so I took the easy way out. Still annoys me though. It was so rubbish.” Melinda (also not her real name) had some removalists show up at her home who were sorely lacking in people skills. “On the day of the move, I called the office three times to say, ‘why are these guys so angry? This is awful, why are they bullying me into paying extra for plastic wrapping and other stuff?’” The company didn’t respond – until after she expressed her displeasure through a Google review. Then they offered Melinda $500 to take it down, with the proviso that she didn’t tell anyone about the experience – an offer she didn’t accept. “I feel like Google reviews are what keeps these companies honest and by buying people off they are cheating the system,” Melinda says. “The whole reason I had such a bad experience is because I checked the reviews and they were all positive. Now I realise they just buy off the bad ones.” Another woman who contacted us was coerced into signing an NDA simply so she could have her prematurely peeling steel fascias repainted. The NDA said: “You must keep this offer and all correspondence relating to the offer (including emails and faxes) confidential and you agree not to disclose, either directly or indirectly, any part of this offer or the terms we have agreed on.” NDAs don’t change your rights A spokesperson for the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) tells CHOICE that “the widespread and systemic use of non-disclosure agreements” is concerning. “Consumer guarantees cannot be displaced or made subject to conditions, and they are not conditional on the consumer signing a non-disclosure agreement,” the spokesperson says. “Businesses should not mislead consumers about using a nondisclosure agreement to access their statutory rights, including consumer guarantees.” But, while the ACL may be sacrosanct in principle, in practice businesses can get away with ignoring it. Currently, businesses aren’t held accountable if they fail to honour consumer guarantees, “which significantly undermines the effectiveness of the regime”, says the spokesperson. The ACCC spokesperson also says the agency “strongly supports” the introduction of a law that says businesses have to follow their obligations under the ACL. Penalties for unfair contracts Consumer Action Law Centre CEO Stephanie Tonkin says NDAs are designed to keep consumers in the dark. “They can create an information asymmetry between the business imposing an NDA, or non-disparagement clause, and consumers,” she says. “Without this information, consumers may be prevented from making informed choices about the product or service they are considering purchasing, or the business they might deal with.” In a 2017 national CHOICE survey of new car owners, 16% said they were made to sign an NDA to have a problem with the new vehicle fixed. Tonkin says this continues to happen in the industry and that car dealers are clearly running roughshod over the ACL, but customers mistakenly believe dealers hold all the cards. “While these agreements may contain clauses that are unfair, unlawful and could now attract significant penalties, many consumers don’t know their rights and don’t challenge the agreements.” “The ACCC has made clear that non-disparagement clauses can breach unfair contract terms provisions. “Again, this comes back to the imbalance of power and information between consumer and business, and why we need strong, enforceable consumer protections.” The maximum penalty for unfair contract terms was recently raised to $50 million, a move Tonkin hopes “will deter this unfair conduct”. Should I sign an NDA? While NDAs in contexts outside the ACL are generally legally enforceable, you don’t have to sign one as a condition for exercising your consumer right to a refund, repair or replacement in the case of a major fault. If the business refuses to fix the problem, remind them of your consumer rights under law and say you’re willing to bring the matter to the attention of your state or territory’s fair trading agency as well as the ACCC. NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENTS
Looking for a new place to park your money? Liam Kennedy shares the important questions you should ask yourself before switching bank accounts When was the last time you moved to a new bank? Probably a while ago, if you’re like most Australians. The ACCC has concluded we’re “sticky” when it comes to bank accounts, after a 2023 survey found that only 11% of people had moved to a different institution for their main transaction account in the previous three years. It seems we’re cautious about where we put our money, with the same survey finding around half of consumers who searched for a new transaction or savings option did not go on to switch. Granted, switching isn’t always easy, as the ACCC itself found following a review of deposit products last year. But changing where you bank can leave you better off, paying fewer fees for daily spending or with a better rate on your savings. If you’re thinking of moving to a new savings or transaction account, first ask yourself these key questions. 1 How will you access the account? It’s no secret that bricks and mortar banking is not as common as it used to be. The ACCC says the number of physical bank branches declined 37% between 2017 and 2023, and Changing where you bank can leave you better off } Many of us are hesitant to switch banks, but there are plenty of benefits to doing so. } Switching to a new bank account can help you pay less in fees or earn more interest. } Before you switch, there are things you should consider, including how you’ll access the account, the fees you’ll pay and any conditions you need to meet. Dollars and sense 32 /// MAY 2024 CHOICE 32
IMAGES: GETTY many new banks have never bothered developing a storefront presence. However, face-to-face service is an important feature for many consumers. If you’re one of them, check if the institution that you’re considering operates branches and if there’s one near you. Even if you’re happy to go all-digital for your banking, you should still be thinking about how you prefer to monitor your money. Several banks are now offering accounts that are available only through an app on a smartphone or device, and are not accessible through normal online banking. If you’d rather use a web browser on a computer for your banking, this is something to watch out for. 2 What are the fees? Bank fees for standard deposit accounts have become less common in recent years, but some institutions will still charge you every month just for keeping your money with them. In fact, Aussie households coughed up $606 million in deposit fees to banks in 2022, so it’s safe to say these levies are still a force to be reckoned with. While many banks will waive account-keeping fees if you deposit a certain amount each month, you can cut these charges from your life completely by going with a bank that provides condition-free, no-fee service. Also consider how you prefer to spend or manage your money, as certain types of transactions often attract fees from banks. For example, if you make regular ATM withdrawals, make sure any product you’re considering either doesn’t charge ATM withdrawal fees or has fee-waiver conditions that you can easily meet. Similarly, if you plan on using your bank card for overseas transactions, look at what costs these might attract from your bank or consider a product that doesn’t charge for these spends at all. A final thing to beware of is that some lenders, especially “memberowned” institutions, may charge you a one-off fee to join and open an account. 3 How much interest will you earn? If you’re opening a savings account, you’ll of course be expecting to earn interest on your deposit every month. Some of these products don’t pay like the others, though, so see what other savings options are out there before settling on one. A high-interest savings account could be your best bet – these accounts pay the highest ongoing rates of interest (currently as much as 5.55%), but be aware some come with conditions. And how’s this for welcome news – it’s even possible to earn interest on some transaction accounts. These products will usually offer a lower rate than a savings account, or may require you to be of a certain age and either retired or a pension recipient, but some have rates of up to 4.75%. So check what’s available and what you’re eligible for, as one of these accounts could let you earn interest on your everyday spending money, with easier access and fewer conditions than a savings account. 4 Does the bank offer helpful features? More and more banks, especially the newer digital natives, offer more agile and innovative features to assist with spending and saving that you might find useful. For example, some banks claim to be able to let you open an account within minutes and start spending “instantly”, thanks to integration with Google and Apple Pay. BANKING
These services give you access to a virtual bank card you can use on a smartphone, meaning you don’t have to wait for a physical card to arrive in the mail. More banks are now also providing products with novel functions for managing your money, which might be helpful if you’re looking for ways to boost your savings. For example, some provide “round up” features, which can add a bit extra to outgoing transactions, and then transfer this extra money to a savings account linked to your spending product. There are also more user-friendly interfaces, particularly on apps, some of which categorise your spending and even link accounts from other banks to help you keep track of where your money is going. 5 Do you meet the conditions? We see a lot of accounts that look like a good deal to begin with (think no fees and a competitive interest rate), but the catch is they aren’t available to everyone. For example, some of the best savings accounts we’ve come across in the past are only available Some of the best accounts we’ve come across are only available to younger people or retirees to younger people or retirees. Or are only open to people who’ve worked in particular fields or industries, such as education, health or the emergency services. CHOICE tip: A bank named after a particular industry or employment sector, such as Firefighters Mutual Bank, Teachers Mutual Bank or the Health Professionals Bank, is more likely to have exclusions on who can join, so check the fine print. 6 Could it help with your mortgage? Got a mortgage and looking for a way to reduce how much it’s eating into your budget? Well, you’re not alone. Luckily, a special type of everyday bank account can help. Offset accounts are savings or transaction accounts linked to your mortgage that can reduce how much you owe on the loan. When you open one of these accounts and put money into it, the amount you owe on your mortgage will decrease by the amount you’ve deposited, reducing how much interest you’ll have to pay. For example, as explained on the ASIC Moneysmart website (moneysmart.gov.au), having a $500,000 mortgage and $20,000 in an offset account means you’ll only be charged interest on $480,000. Offset accounts are offered by major banks, but can come with fees. Moneysmart advises that if your offset balance is always low (under $10,000, for example), the account may not be worth paying for. If you want an offset account, you’ll need to have it with the same bank as your mortgage, so contact the institution you have your loan with to enquire about an offset or chat to your broker if you have one. 7 Could your current bank give you a better deal? Found a transaction or savings account that’s better than the one you’ve got right now? Whether you’re tempted by a higher interest rate, lower fees or more convenient access, it can’t hurt to check in with your current bank before you leave. Tell them you’ve seen a better deal and ask if they can match it or offer you something better in return for you sticking with them. In our experience, this doesn’t always work, but you have nothing to lose by asking. You’ll either be pleasantly surprised, or get peace of mind knowing that moving your money is the right choice. If your current bank does offer you a better deal, check if it comes with any time limits or extra conditions for you to meet. 34 /// MAY 2024 CHOICE
IMAGE: GETTY Good tea can come in small – and cheap – packages, says Shadia Djakovic In the bag T ea is one of the oldest beverages, and the second-most commonly consumed drink in the world after water. In 2022, 6.7 billion kilograms of tea were consumed globally and it’s predicted this figure will rise over the coming years. To determine which supermarket black tea bag makes the best tasting cuppa, CHOICE gathered four expert taste testers and asked them to rate 32 products. They assessed flavour, aroma, mouthfeel, colour and aftertaste to provide a CHOICE Expert Rating, and also gave an intensity rating. What made these the best There’s more to this pantry staple than you’d think. All tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant, but the regions and processing make a difference to the varieties, and therefore the taste of the tea. Interestingly, the teas that scored highest were likely to be described as ‘floral’. And the top-scoring tea was a certified organic product – Aldi Just Organic Black Tea. The teas that scored highest were likely to be described as ‘floral’ CHOICE MAY 2024 /// 35 TEA BAGS
Best tasting These are the five best tasting products according to our experts. Prices were correct as of March 2024. JUST ORGANIC (ALDI) BLACKTEA O CHOICE Expert Rating: 81% O Intensity score: 57% O Price: 6c per bag O Flavour profile: Floral, fruity COLES TEA CUP BAGS O CHOICE Expert Rating: 73% O Intensity score: 57% O Price: 2c per bag O Flavour profile: Floral, sweet, earthy (wood) TETLEY EXTRA STRONG TEA BAGS O CHOICE Expert Rating: 73% O Intensity score: 54% O Price: 5c per bag O Flavour profile: Floral, earthy (wood), fruity LIPTON QUALITY BLACKTEA O CHOICE Expert Rating: 70% O Intensity score: 54% O Price: 7c per bag O Flavour profile: Sweet, earthy (wood) NERADA SINGLE ORIGIN BLACKTEA O CHOICE Expert Rating: 70% O Intensity score: 71% O Price: 3c per bag O Flavour profile: Earthy (wood) Most intense If you’re looking for a tea that delivers on intensity, our expert judges scored Australian-grown Nerada Single Origin Black Tea and Taylors of Harrogate Yorkshire Tea Proper Strong Black Tea as the strongest teas in this test. NERADA SINGLE ORIGIN BLACKTEA O CHOICE Expert Rating: 70% O Intensity score: 71% O Price: 3c per bag O Flavour profile: Earthy (wood) TAYLORS OF HARROGATE YORKSHIRE TEA PROPER STRONG BLACKTEA O CHOICE Expert Rating: 65% O Intensity score: 71% O Price: 8c per bag O Flavour profile: Earthy (wood), earthy (earth) Cheapest We tested three products that cost just 2c per bag: Woolworths Essentials Black Tea Bags, Diplomat (Aldi) Quality Black Tea and Coles Tea Cup Bags. But while the Woolworths and Aldi products failed to impress on taste, the Coles ownbrand product was recommended by our experts. If you’re willing to pay an extra 1c per bag, Nerada Single Origin Black Tea (3c per bag) was also recommended by our experts, making it a great option for people looking for a delicious, cheap and strong brew – and an Australiangrown product. Most expensive The most expensive tea bags we tested were T2 English Breakfast, which cost a whopping 52c a bag, more than three times as much as the second-most expensive product Twinings Assam Bold (17c a bag). But unfortunately, the high cost doesn’t translate into a high-quality cuppa. These uber-expensive bags only scored a middling 66% in our expert taste test. Microplastics in tea Microplastics are very small pieces of plastic less than 5mm in length. This plastic can break down even further and is then known as nanoplastic. Nanoplastics are less than 100 nanometres (nm). To put this in perspective, a single human hair has a diameter of about 75,000nm. Due to their small size, microplastics effortlessly enter the environment, mainly through surface water run-off, treated and untreated wastewater sewage, industrial waste, and atmospheric deposition (where particles settle from the atmosphere onto the Earth’s surface). The health concerns around nanoplastics include that they may increase inflammation, oxidative stress and the formation of some cancers. Tea bags can be made from a range of materials but many are made from plastics, most commonly nylon and polypropylene (PP). Another type of plastic, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), is often used to seal the tea bag. In a 2022 study, nylon was shown to release considerable amounts of plastic-related particles into the tea. TEA BAGS THAT USE PLANT MATERIALS Madura tea bags are made from plant materials, including Manila hemp, cellulose and polylactic acid (PLA). T2 states that its tea bags are made from corn starch and are biodegradable, and PG Tips, an English brand, states that its bags are also made from corn starch and PLA and are biodegradable. Tetley states that its string and tea bags are made from natural fibre 36 /// MAY 2024 CHOICE 36
IMAGE: GETTY and woven paper derived from abaca (which comes from the stalk of a banana plant) and wood fibre. The All Rounder tagless tea bags claim to be 75% cellulose fibres (plant matter) and 25% non-specified foodsafe plastic. Tetley claims this small amount of plastic is important for heat-sealing the tea bags so that the tea does not break down in the cup. Twinings states that its tea bags are made from paper and cotton string that is stitched in, so no glue or staple is used. The inks used on the tags are also biodegradable inks. Woolworths states its tea bags are made from plant cellulose fibre and thermoplastic PLA biopolymer fibres. Is black tea good for you? Apart from the potential microplastics from tea bags, black tea has been shown to have some health benefits. It contains many types of polyphenols or antioxidants naturally found in plants that may reduce the risk of developing some chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases and some cancers, and can help prevent inflammation. The types of polyphenols in black tea include L-theanine and epigallocatechin gallate. L-theanine has been shown to improve cognitive function in older people. It may also make a small improvement in anxiety, and for those who have anxiety it may improve attention, and may also reduce blood pressure. Tea also contains GABA or gamma-aminobutyric acid, which is naturally found in the body and affects relaxation. However, research into its effects on the body has been inconclusive. Black tea, if not drunk scaldingly hot, has been shown to be more beneficial than harmful and may reduce the risk of cancer. Surprisingly, black tea and its extracts have also been shown to be beneficial for oral health in minimising dental caries, and reducing plaque and gingivitis. However, a 2022 review showed that drinking more than four to six cups of black tea a day may increase the risk of coronary artery disease. So keep it to one to two cups to be safe. How we tested Four expert judges were randomly assigned 32 black tea samples in a blind taste test. Each tea was tasted black (without milk). The CHOICE Expert Rating was determined by assessing colour, aroma, overall flavour, aftertaste and mouthfeel. We recommend tea bags with a CHOICE Expert Rating of 70% or above. Each tea was also given an intensity rating, which did not form part of the CHOICE Expert Rating. The judges also described the flavour notes of the tea. To view results for all the teas we tested, visit choice.com.au/teabags. OUR EXPERT TASTING PANEL Cathy Zhang has a Bachelor in Tea Science from South China Agricultural University and a national qualification as a tea ceremony artist, professional tea taster and judge. David Lyons is the Australian Tea Cultural Society founding director, a member of the China International Tea Cultural Institute, and owner of 18ThirtyFour. Matthew Tran is the co-founder of Tea Angle, a Sydney-based tea business whose purpose is to make high-quality Chinese tea accessible and available to everyone. Adeline Teoh is a writer and tea enthusiast whose mission is to make tea culture accessible through appreciation. She judges tea for the Royal Tasmanian Fine Food Awards and runs The Sydney Tea Meetup. Black tea and its extracts have also been shown to be beneficial for oral health How much caffeine is in tea? The amount of caffeine in tea differs depending on how the tea is made and brewed. Black tea can have about 19mg per 100mL. Looking at how that compares to coffee, a cappuccino is 47mg per 100mL, and this jumps up to 94mg per 100mL in a double shot. So if you’re concerned about your caffeine intake and are a big coffee drinker, try substituting a coffee with a tea to cut down. CHOICE MAY 2024 /// 37 TEA BAGS
38 /// MAY 2024 CHOICE 38 We all love discovering new ways to create our favourite foods in the kitchen, especially if it means we can save time and effort. Enter the air fryer. An appliance that claims to be able to cook all kinds of things faster, easier and with more delicious results. While this benchtop superhero can definitely produce fantastic results for some foods, some of the hacks and creative recipes you see online are just not worth trying. We asked CHOICE kitchen expert Fiona Mair to weigh in on a few of the more unusual air fryer ideas popping up on the internet. From boiling an egg to baking donuts, Grace Smith reveals which of these air fryer ideas are worth a try } The huge popularity of air fryers has inspired countless recipes and hacks to try. } An air fryer is essentially a mini oven, so it can cook a wide range of foods. } Results can vary dramatically, depending on the food cooked – and the taste and texture may be different to deep frying. How does an air fryer work? An air fryer functions exactly like a small fanforced oven circulating hot, dry air to cook crispy food. Its compact benchtop size means it can heat up and cook much faster than a full-size oven, but you are limited to making smaller quantities at a time. As recipes use little to no oil, the results are healthier than deep-frying. Air fry this
IMAGE: GETTY Eggs will actually take longer to cook in the air fryer than on the stovetop Are these unusual ideas worth trying? You probably already know you can air-fry frozen foods such as chips, chicken nuggets and spring rolls. But there are plenty of other things you can cook in an air fryer that you may never have considered. The question is: will you actually get decent results? Here’s Mair’s verdict on some of these weirder ideas. 1. PIES Pies cook perfectly well in a normal oven, but you can also try them in your air fryer. Mair says air-fried pies will work well, but because there is no bottom heating element, you may not get a crisp brown base. You’ll also only have space to cook one or two at a time, but it will be faster than waiting for your oven to warm up. “For a homemade pie, line a foil pie tray with the shortcrust pastry and bake the base first,” says Mair. “Place baking paper over the pastry case and add some dried beans or rice to weigh the pastry down so it won’t rise or bubble to guarantee a cooked base. Then add the filling and puff pastry top and cook until golden.” Verdict: Give a fried pie a try. 2. DONUTS Donuts are usually made by deep-frying sweet dough in oil. Yes, it’s possible to do this at home, but it’s messy, time-consuming and quite unhealthy. You can bake donuts in your air fryer instead, using just a light coating of oil. According to Mair, air fryer donuts will taste OK, but they’ll have a “cakey” texture and won’t be as crispy as the deep-fried real deal. They may also look a little different. “They will probably be a bit flat on the bottom from sitting on the surface of the air fryer,” she says. Teflon-coated air fryers with a solid base are best suited to donut making. But if you’ve got a model with a basket, line it with foil to stop the soft dough getting stuck in the cracks. Mair also suggests turning the donuts once or twice towards the end of the cooking process for even browning. Verdict: Worth a try, but don’t expect crispy, shopquality donuts. 3. ‘BOILED’ EGGS Boiling an egg in a saucepan is pretty easy, but you can also do it in an air fryer. Just put the eggs in the air fryer, set the temperature and timer – and wait. “An air fryer is good for hard-boiled eggs, but if you want a soft or runny yolk, you’re better off using the traditional stovetop method,” says Mair. She also notes that eggs will actually take longer to cook in the air fryer than on the stovetop. If you’re still keen to try, Mair says you should make sure you use room-temperature eggs and place them in the air fryer while it’s preheating. “A sudden change in temperature may crack the shell, so don’t use eggs straight from the fridge,” she says. Verdict: The stovetop method is quicker and it also does a better job at producing soft or runny yolks. 4. TOASTED SANDWICHES Who needs a toasted sandwich maker when your air fryer might do the job just as well? It should produce a nice crispy sandwich without squeezing out the fillings, the way toasted sandwich makers sometimes do. Spread a layer of butter on the outside of the bread and flip your sandwich halfway through for an evenly browned, crunchy result. Verdict: Fry away! AIR FRYER IDEAS CHOICE MAY 2024 /// 39
40 /// MAY 2024 CHOICE Air-fried mini pizzas will taste good, but lack a crispy base 5. PIZZA If you want to make full-size pizzas, you’ll have to use a normal oven – but you can use your air fryer to make mini pizzas. The result will be a decent pizza with nicely browned toppings, but it won’t have a crispy base because there’s no heating element in the bottom of an air fryer. For the best results, Mair suggests using a thin dough and cooking the dough on its own for a few minutes before putting the toppings on, then cook until the cheese has melted and the crust is golden. Verdict: Stick with the oven for that crispy finish. 6. POPCORN While there are already plenty of ways to make popcorn – with a stovetop, microwave or dedicated popcorn machine – some online recipes suggest you can air-fry it too. They advise lining the air fryer basket with foil and placing the kernels and oil inside. But Mair doesn’t recommend you try this one at home. “Kernels can pop out of the basket and end up becoming trapped in the fan or heating element, which can cause burning and smoking,” she warns. If you are going to try it, Mair says to make a foil pouch to keep your kernels contained, and stick to small quantities. “You need to make sure the kernels are evenly spread out on the base of the basket to allow them to pop evenly,” says Mair. Verdict: Not worth the risk. 7. BREAD Baking your own bread has never been trendier, so why not try using your air fryer as a bread maker? You should be able to make a small loaf or a few small rolls in an air fryer if your model can heat up to over 200 degrees. Then you may need to play around with the temperatures a little to get a good level of browning. If you don’t have a bread tin small enough to fit in your air fryer, you can just line the basket and put the dough straight in. Mair recommends preheating your air fryer and avoiding opening the lid/drawer during baking. Verdict: Go for it. Looking for an air fryer? You can read our most recent air fryer review in CHOICE Nov 23. We regularly update our reviews of popular appliances, testing them in our labs and kitchens, so look out for an update in CHOICE magazine later this year.
CHOICE MAY 2024 /// 41 TEST IMAGE: GETTY STAIN REMOVERS Laundry soakers are useful if you’re treating heavily stained clothing Cooking, eating and even just getting ready for the day all present plenty of opportunities for food, oil, coffee or make-up to land right where you don’t want it. And when the inevitable happens, you’ll need a trusty stain remover in your laundry cupboard to clean it away. Ideally, you should tackle the stain quickly before it sets in, but even if it’s been left for a while, a good stain remover should still get the job done. We told you about pre-treat stain remover sprays in our Feb 24 issue, but since then we’ve put laundry soakers to the test to see how they stack up against common stains. Pre-treat spray vs laundry soaker A pre-treat spray is a targeted and simple approach to stain removal. You simply spray the stain and then add the garment to your wash. The active ingredient is usually hydrogen peroxide, an oxidising agent that works by breaking down the colours of stains so they are no longer visible. Soakers, on the other hand, are usually a powder that you dissolve in a bucket of warm water Mark of soak-cess Laundry soaker stain removers are a good option for heavily stained clothing. Rebecca Ciaramidaro reveals which ones work best for removing common stains } Laundry soakers require more effort, but are a good option for heavily stained clothes or when stains have set in. } It’s handy to have both a stain remover spray and laundry soak powder for different situations. }We recommend eight stain remover powders with one that’s also a bargain buy.
42 /// MAY 2024 CHOICE 42 and leave the garments to soak for a couple of hours before adding them to the washing machine. We tested these products as soakers, but they can also be added to the washing machine to boost the cleaning power of a washing cycle. Soakers commonly use sodium percarbonate (oxygen bleach) as their active ingredient, which is gentler than household bleach and can be safely used on most washable fabrics, including colourfast items. WHICH TYPE DO YOU NEED? Ultimately, it’s useful to have both a trusty spray and soaker for use in different situations. Spray stain removers are useful if you’re treating small stains, or if you’re getting to the stain quickly before it’s had a chance to set in. Laundry soakers are useful if you’re treating heavily stained clothing or set-in stains, or you have lots of items that need soaking. Top performer We recommend eight powder stain removers from Sard, Vanish, Aldi and The Pink Stuff. All three Sard products we tested were recommended, but Sard Whiter & Brighter Stain Remover Major Stain Types Antibacterial Soaker topped the list. It’s particularly great for tackling grass, mud, tomato, chocolate ice cream and baby food stains, with very good to excellent results. Value for money If you’re looking for bang for your buck, look no further than Aldi Di-San Pro Oxy Laundry Soaker & In Wash Booster. While the other recommended products will set you back $1.10 to $1.70 per 100g, the Aldi powder is just 37 cents per 100g, and is a good performer to boot. BRAND RATING Aldi C Coles C Community Co C Ecostore A Sard C Vanish D Woolworths C NOTE: Other brands in our review not mentioned here don’t have a Shop Ethical rating. For more on Shop Ethical ratings and what they mean, see p73. Shop Ethical rating Best for common stains For sweat stains, the recommended Vanish NapiSan Oxi Action Crystal White Powder Fabric Stain Remover + Whitener was the only product to give what we consider a ‘good’ result of 70%. It’s also the top performer for grass and mud stains, along with Sard Whiter & Brighter Stain Remover Major Stain Types Antibacterial Soaker. Another Sard product, Sard Power Stain Remover Major Stain Types Antibacterial Soaker, gave the best result for olive oil stains – the only product to get a ‘good’ result of 70%. Products to avoid The lowest scoring products in our test don’t perform much better than using laundry detergent alone. Vanish NapiSan OxiAction Gold Multi Power Liquid LaundryBooster is one of the most expensive products we tested at $1.60 per 100g, but it’s also one of the lowest scoring, proving again that money doesn’t buy stain removal success. On the other hand, Community Co Loads Cleaner Oxy Action MultiAction In-Wash Booster & Soaker is one of the cheaper products that we tested – and it still isn’t worth buying. How we test We put soakers to the test to find out how well they remove sweat, grass/mud, olive oil, blood, tomato, mineral oil, chocolate ice cream, baby food, make-up and groundnut oil (which simulates collar grime). We use cotton material swatches that have specific formulas of these stains applied to them. We follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the dosage of each soaker, and dissolve it in 7L of water at 40°C. We then submerge the stained swatches in the mixture, leaving them to sit for two hours. The swatches then go into a front loader washing machine on a cold wash cycle with Cold Power Advanced Clean Powder, a detergent that performed well in our laundry detergent test. Following the wash cycle, we measure the degree of stain removal and how it compares to washing with laundry detergent only, and with water only.
CHOICE MAY 2024 /// 43 TEST IMAGE: GETTY STAIN REMOVERS TABLE NOTES Recommended We recommend laundry soakers with a CHOICE Expert Rating of at least 70%. Price The price we paid at the supermarket in October 2023. CHOICE Expert Rating is made up of how well the products remove perspiration (25%), grass and mud (20%), olive oil (cooking oil) (20%), blood (5%), tomato (5%), mineral oil (5%), chocolate ice cream (5%), baby food (5%), make-up (5%) and groundnut oil (5%). Type P Powder, L Liquid. (A) Colourfast colours only. na Not applicable. All packaging is recyclable. LAUNDRY SOAKERS COSTS PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS Recom mended Price ($) Size of pack tested (g or mL) Cost per 100g or 100mL ($) CHOICE Expert Rating (%) Perspiration score (%) Grass and mud score (%) Olive oil (cooking oil) score (%) Blood score (%) Tomato score (%) Mineral oil score (%) Chocolate ice cream score (%) Baby food score (%) Make-up score (%) Groundnut oil (collar grime) score (%) Type Colour-safe claim Origin 9 Sard Whiter & Brighter Stain Remover Major Stain Types Antibacterial Soaker 11.00 1000 1.10 75 69 84 68 65 87 60 95 99 71 68 P 9 (A) Australia 9 Sard Power Stain Remover Major Stain Types Antibacterial Soaker 11.00 1000 1.10 73 67 83 70 64 85 53 84 94 66 68 P 9 (A) Australia 9 Vanish NapiSan Oxi Action Crystal White Powder Fabric Stain Remover + Whitener 11.50 1000 1.15 73 70 84 62 57 90 50 88 99 68 69 P 9 (A) Poland 9 Sard Super Power Stain Remover Toughest Stains Antibacterial Soaker 11.00 900 1.22 72 65 82 65 65 85 55 89 94 73 66 P 9 (A) Australia 9 Vanish NapiSan Oxi Action Colour Safe Powder Fabric Stain Remover 11.50 1000 1.15 72 67 82 66 56 88 54 85 93 69 67 P 9 (A) Poland 9 Aldi Di-San Pro Oxy Laundry Soaker & In Wash Booster 3.69 1000 0.37 70 67 81 60 54 85 42 85 94 69 68 P 9 (A) Australia 9 The Pink Stuff The Miracle Laundry Oxi Powder Stain Remover Whites 15.95 1000 1.60 70 68 81 61 48 84 48 75 96 70 67 P UK 9 Vanish NapiSan Oxi Action Gold Multi Power Laundry Booster 17.00 1000 1.70 70 67 81 64 49 84 43 80 94 67 68 P 9 (A) Poland Aldi Di-San Pro Oxy Ultra White Sensitive Laundry Soaker & In Wash Booster 3.69 1000 0.37 69 67 80 57 55 85 39 83 94 71 67 P 9 (A) Australia The Pink Stuff The Miracle Laundry Oxi Powder Stain Remover Colours 15.95 1000 1.60 69 66 79 60 51 86 45 79 92 71 65 P 9 (A) UK Vanish NapiSan Oxi Action Gold Multi Power 0% Laundry Booster 32.00 2000 1.60 69 66 80 62 51 82 45 74 91 68 67 P 9 (A) Poland Vanish NapiSan Oxi Action Gold Multi Power Crystal White Laundry Booster 32.00 2000 1.60 69 68 82 58 44 83 42 75 95 69 68 P 9 (A) Poland Ecostore Ultra Sensitive Fragrance Free Laundry Soaker & Stain Remover 13.79 1000 1.38 68 67 82 58 43 84 40 74 91 74 66 P 9 New Zealand Coles Laundry Soaker and In-Wash Booster 3.50 1000 0.35 67 65 79 56 45 84 37 77 91 68 66 P 9 (A) Australia Woolworths Clean Laundry Soaker and In-Wash Booster 3.50 1000 0.35 67 65 81 58 33 88 37 72 88 70 66 P 9 Australia Woolworths Clean Boost In-Wash Booster, Soaker & Stain Remover 3.90 1000 0.39 66 65 80 55 41 87 36 73 91 70 65 P 9 Australia Community Co Loads Cleaner Oxy Action Multi-Action In-Wash Booster & Soaker 4.00 1000 0.40 64 66 78 57 26 82 35 67 81 66 64 P 9 (A) Australia Vanish NapiSan Oxi Action Gold Multi Power Liquid Laundry Booster 32.00 2000 1.60 64 65 79 55 21 84 37 61 73 73 62 L 9 Poland Laundry detergent only na na na 61 62 74 50 80 74 32 63 50 56 61 L na na Water only na na na 42 40 50 40 15 60 15 60 51 40 40 L na na
44 /// MAY 2024 CHOICE 44 For big houses and big cleans, a decent traditional barrel or upright vacuum will do the trick and cost less T he cordless stick vac revolution arguably began back in 2018 when Dyson announced it saw the future as battery-driven and would no longer be developing traditional corded vacuums. Even Miele has jumped on the bandwagon with its own cordless vacuum range, along with tool brands such as Ryobi and Makita. In our CHOICE lab tests, stick vac performance has improved significantly since we first began testing them in 2010, when even the best models performed poorly on carpet. These days, many high-end models actually outperform their corded counterparts on carpet. But there is variability: some of the worst stick vac performers are no substitute for a traditional vacuum (see p48 for our top performing barrel and upright vacs). What’s best for you: Barrel, stick... or both? We’ve crunched our test data, and if you’re willing to pay big bucks for a top-end stick vacuum (and aren’t bothered about emptying it more often), then a cordless vacuum could Battle of the vacs Stick vacs are all the rage nowadays, but their corded counterparts still have their place. Kim Gilmour compares the pair to help you decide which type is right for you serve as a replacement for your corded barrel/upright model, as they’re easier to use and many can clean just as well. But for big houses and big cleans, a decent traditional barrel or upright vacuum will do the trick and cost less to buy than a stick vac. They could be better for people with allergies too. Many people prefer to have the best of both worlds, using the corded vac for big cleans while keeping the stick vacuum for more frequent spills and minimising dust build-up.
CHOICE MAY 2024 /// 45 VACUUMS TEST IMAGES: GETTY Of course, every house is different, so check our comparisons across the following key areas to see which type works best for you and your home (see CHOICE Apr 24 for our most recent stick vac review). Best for carpet: Barrel/upright At first glance, there isn’t much difference between stick and corded vacuum performance when we look at our average test scores for vacuuming on carpet. Some of our top-performing stick vacuums can score as well as many of their corded barrel/upright cousins when it comes to cleaning carpet. Over the years we’ve seen several leading stick vacuums score excellently for thorough carpet clean performance. But the average scores are somewhat skewed by higher-end stick vacuums that cost upwards of $1000. Very cheap stick vacuums can score poorly on carpet. Although some stick vacuums are definitely a substitute for a corded vacuum – and the performance gap is closing – we can’t say that’s the case for most models out there. When choosing an ultimate winner, we’re still going for the barrel/upright vac. Best for hard floors: Either CHOICE stopped testing traditional corded vacuums on hard floors many years ago, as they all performed well – carpet is where the real results vary. Stick vacuums generally achieve good to very good performance scores on hard floors, where the average score is a healthy 76%. But our labs have seen some that score as low as 47%. So, if your home mostly consists of hard floors, it’s worth checking out our individual product reviews if you’ve been thinking about buying a stick vacuum. Some stick vacs have special soft/ fluffy head attachments for hard floors that are designed for better pick-up, and we use these in our tests when applicable. They’re very convenient to bring out after a dry spill. Easiest to clean: Barrel/upright Stick vacs have smaller dust bins (generally 0.2–0.7 litres) so they’ll need frequent emptying and should not be filled beyond the max line. Emptying the bin after each use and cleaning the filters regularly (which can be fiddly) will help maintain performance for most models. Some stick vacuum designs try to take the hassle out of emptying them, and some of the larger Dysons have an extra large bin (measured at 1.6L), which means you won’t need to empty it as often. LG, Samsung and Shark also make ‘automatic cleaning’ models, which empty the dust from the vacuum’s bin into a larger dust bag when placed on their charging docks. Corded vacuums usually have a far greater dust capacity. The average measurement is about 1.9L and many dust bags from the Miele range, for example, have a huge 3L capacity. Maintenance is about the same for both when it comes to cleaning or replacing the filters and getting tangled hair out of the brush heads. Best for removing pet hair: Either Our lab tests show excellent results for pet hair removal from carpet in general, when the vacuums are at their strongest settings. Results have improved over time, suggesting that the suction and design of the power heads are getting better. But cats and dogs shed a lot of hair. So although many of the stick vacuums we test these days do an excellent job, you might find yourself emptying the smaller receptacle more often, which can be a pain, and unhelpful if you suffer from allergies. Also, long pet hair can get caught in the brush heads. What’s more, the battery might not last long enough for you to pick up all the hair. Using a lower setting can help it last longer, but it may not pick up as much hair as you’d like. A traditional bagged vacuum will contain the pet hair when disposed, and both bagged and bagless vacs won’t need to be emptied as frequently. Godfreys gone As we were preparing this article, the news came that Godfreys will be winding down retail operations in Australia and New Zealand. Some vacuum brands are exclusive to Godfreys, including Sauber and Wertheim, as is the recommended Hoover Regal Bagged Vacuum Cleaner 9001PH (see our table on p48). So, while you may be able to pick up a good model from Godfreys at a bargain price, it’s unclear how the chain’s closure will affect the availability of service and parts in future.
46 /// MAY 2024 CHOICE For all types of vacuums, models may struggle if they don’t come with a turbo brush or motorised power head to really grab the hair that’s embedded in the carpet. Easiest to use: Stick vacuums Although traditional mains-powered vacuums are ahead in most areas, ease of use is a big factor to consider when buying a vacuum. Stick vacuums we’ve tested have an average weight of just 2.8kg, compared with 7kg for corded vacs, so for ease of moving around the house it’s clear why stick vacuums have become so popular. Cleaning your car is easy with a stick vacuum. With most models the body detaches from the wand and you can easily add a crevice or upholstery tool to suck up pesky pebbles and dirt. Some of the tools are flexible, so you can really get into tight spaces with ease. The other bonus, of course, is you’re cord-free and ready to go. For quick cleans, there’s no contest. And with regular vacuums, the length of the power cord is an added consideration. You may need to plug and unplug as you move around the house. Best power supply: Barrel/upright Stick vacuums can conk out quite suddenly when you least expect it. On average, batteries take 4.5 hours to charge for just under 13 minutes of use on full power. Thankfully, the situation is getting easier to manage with many models. More than half of the current stick vacuum models we’ve tested have batteries you can easily swap out, so if you’ve got a spare one at hand you’re essentially doubling your runtime. A few models (such as LG’s top-end A9 vacuums) have a dual power pack so you can charge one battery in the dock while the other’s in use, then swap over when needed. Ryobi and Makita have vacuums with batteries you can use in other power tools from the same family, too. However, extra batteries aren’t cheap and a spare isn’t always supplied. For a Dyson, expect to pay $119–199 for an extra battery, depending on the model (there’s a countdown timer to let you monitor power levels if you don’t want to invest in an additional battery). If you’re well-prepared, a stick vacuum can see you through a household clean, but it doesn’t compare with the constant power source of a corded vac. Quietest: Neither Vacuums may have a number of suction settings, so we test them at their loudest, strongest settings. On that basis, we don’t actually see a discernible difference between corded and stick vacs, with both types measuring 73–74dB on average. Both can make high-pitched, irritating sounds, too. Best value: Barrel/upright Our test results reveal that price isn’t necessarily an indicator of performance. While some stick vacuums will set you back more than $1200, we’ve reviewed some at far lower price points that still do a very good job. You do tend to get more value out of a corded vacuum, though. Based on the models we’ve tested in recent years, the mid-price (median) of a stick vacuum is about $574, while the mid-price of a traditional corded vacuum is around $374.
CHOICE MAY 2024 /// 47 VACUUMS TEST $1595 $999 $399 Shop Ethical rating BRAND RATING Beko C Bissell C Bosch D Dyson D Electrolux C Hoover C Kmart C Miele B Vax C 93% Sebo Airbelt E3 SEVAE03 It costs as much as the highest-end stick vacuums we’ve seen, but the German-made Sebo is our new top performer in the barrel and upright category. It has excellent dirt pick-up on carpet even with just a few strokes over (our ‘quick clean’ test). It’s very easy to position the fabric bag in the machine, and easy to throw it away when full. The on/off switch and variable power can be conveniently operated by hand on the handle, but you’ll need to bend down to operate the carpet height controls. The tools are easy to use, too. The head moves very easily over the carpet due to the power head pulling the head forward. However, it is quite tiring when pulling the head back. Note that if you have more than one storey in your home, the unit is almost 10kg – it could be heavy to carry up stairs. 92% Hoover Regal Bagged Vacuum Cleaner 9001PH This bagged Hoover scores excellently for overall cleaning performance in our complete and quick clean carpet tests. It also scored a perfect 100% for picking up pet hair from carpet. With a large motorised power head, variable power, controls that are easy to operate and a washable HEPA filter, this is an impressive vacuum. It’s also very good for ease of use – the head moves very easily over carpet, and it’s very easy to position the fabric cleaning bag in the vacuum and throw it away when full. It has a huge range of cleaning tools that are easy to use, though there’s no onboard storage for them, and the vacuum is only rated OK for reaching corners and edges with the main head. 82% Electrolux Pure C9 PC91ANIMAT This is a great bagless option if you have pets: it’s excellent at picking up pet hair from carpet and has a washable HEPA filter, which is also good news for people with dust allergies. The range of provided tools is expansive, and they come with on-board storage. Controls can be easily operated with your foot, but you will need to bend down to operate the variable power switch. Some members have commented that it may not perform as well as time goes on, so keep an eye on the two-year warranty period and your right to a repair or replacement under Australian Consumer Law. NOTE: Other brands in our review not mentioned here don’t have a Shop Ethical rating. For more on Shop Ethical ratings and what they mean, see p73. BAGGED BRILLIANCE BAGLESS OPTION
48 /// MAY 2024 CHOICE BARREL & UPRIGHT VACUUMS TYPE COST PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS Recom mended Barrel or upright Dust collector Price ($) CHOICE Expert Rating (%) Cleaning performance score (%) Quick carpet clean score (%) Complete carpet clean score (%) Pet hair removal score (%) Ease of use score (%) Cleaning corners and edges rating Noise (dBA) Power head Turbo brush Hard floor tool HEPA filter Measured dust collector volume (L) Weight (kg) Warranty Origin 9 Sebo Airbelt E3 SEVAE03 B Bag 1595 93 97 95 100 100 81 Good 70 9 9 2 9.9 2 Germany 9 Hoover Regal Bagged with Deep Cleaning Powerhead 9001PH B Bag 999 92 96 95 97 100 80 OK 74 9 9 9 9 1.8 9.3 2 (A) China 9 Sauber Pro Pets Bagged SJ-100 B Bag 499 91 95 94 96 100 80 OK 72 9 9 9 2 8.2 2 China 9 Electrolux Pure C9 PC91ANIMAT B Bin 399 82 77 76 80 100 82 OK 72 9 9 1.3 7.8 2 China 9 Dyson Ball Animal Origin U Bin 599 81 82 79 89 100 71 Poor 68 9 1.2 7.6 2 Malaysia 9 Dyson Big Ball Absolute B Bin 1049 80 74 72 78 100 80 OK 72 9 9 0.9 7.8 2 Malaysia 9 Henry Original HVR200-11 B Bag 449 80 81 79 85 90 74 OK 63 5.3 8.3 2 UK 9 Electrolux UltimateHome 700 Bagless EFC71622GG B Bin 349 79 75 73 78 100 77 OK 72 9 9 1.5 7.0 2 China 9 Hoover Allergy Bagless 7011PH B Bin 699 79 81 78 87 90 71 Poor 71 9 9 1.6 8.3 2 China 9 Hoover Allergy Bagged 7000PH B Bag 699 78 83 80 88 60 79 Poor 81 9 9 9 1.8 9.3 2 China 9 Hoover Regal 9011PH B Bin 999 76 80 77 86 70 73 Poor 78 9 9 9 1.3 8.9 2 (A) China 9 Miele Boost CX1 Cat & Dog Powerline SNCF0 B Bin 649 76 73 71 77 80 79 Good 66 9 9 1.2 7.6 2 China 9 Shark Corded Upright NZ801ANZ 40 U Bin 700 76 73 70 79 100 70 OK 67 9 9 0.9 6.9 2 China 9 Bissell Powerforce Helix 2110F U Bin 199 75 77 74 84 80 68 Good 76 9 1.1 5.6 2 China 9 Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Multifloor Extra B Bin 749 75 75 72 80 70 76 OK 68 9 0.9 8.1 2 Malaysia Miele Complete C3 Cat & Dog SGFF3 B Bag 879 75 68 67 70 80 82 OK 71 9 9 2.4 7.1 2 Germany Miele Blizzard CX1 Cat & Dog Powerline SKCR3 B Bin 849 74 65 63 69 90 81 OK 70 9 9 2.1 8.6 2 Germany Miele Complete C3 SGDF3 B Bag 699 74 78 77 81 50 77 OK 72 2.4 6.8 2 Germany Shark Stratos Corded AZ913ANZ U Bin 800 74 68 66 73 100 71 Good 69 9 9 1.2 7.3 2 China Electrolux SilentPerformer Bagged Green ESP7GREENT B Bag 299 73 74 72 78 50 82 OK 61 9 2.7 6.0 2 China Miele Boost CX1 Powerline SNRF0 B Bin 499 73 63 61 67 100 78 Good 67 1.4 7.6 2 China Bissell SmartClean 2229F B Bin 599 71 68 65 73 90 68 Poor 73 9 1.6 10.2 2 China Hoover Smart T4012 B Bin 199 70 67 65 70 70 75 OK 76 9 1.6 7 1 China Vax Power Advance VX77 B Bin 249 70 71 70 74 60 72 OK 79 9 9 9 3.6 7.2 2 China Bissell Cleanview Multi Cyclonic 1994F B Bin 209 68 66 63 71 50 82 Good 75 1 6.4 2 China Electrolux Ease C3 Origin EC31-2IW B Bin 299 68 68 66 73 50 76 Good 69 9 1 6.5 2 China Kmart 1200W Upright VC-9790 U Bin 89 68 64 61 70 90 63 Good 70 9 9 9 1.2 4.9 1 China Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Turbo 2454F U Bin 399 67 73 71 78 60 59 OK 76 9 9 0.9 6.6 2 China Bosch Serie 6 Bagged Pro Animal BGL6PETAU/02 B Bag 449 67 54 51 59 100 73 OK 70 9 9 9 2.7 6.3 2 (B) Germany Hoover Tornado 3012 B Bin 299 67 68 66 72 50 74 Good 72 9 2.1 7.2 2 China Kmart Anko 2000W Bagless SL153B B Bin 49 67 59 58 62 70 79 OK 77 1.1 4.6 1 China Vax Advance Pet VX71C B Bin 179 66 57 54 63 80 74 OK 79 9 9 2.3 7.0 2 China TABLE NOTES Recommended We recommend vacuums with a CHOICE Expert Rating of at least 75% and at least 70% for both quick carpet cleaning and complete carpet cleaning. Type B Barrel, U Upright. Price RRP, March 2024. CHOICE Expert Rating is made up of cleaning performance (55%), ease of use (30%) and pet hair removal (15%). Cleaning performance score is made up of quick clean (67%) and complete clean (33%). (A) 3-year motor. (B) 10-year motor if registered.
Some smart features can be fun and even useful, but Ashley Iredale says there are other developments in fridges that excite our experts more How ‘smart’ does a fridge need to be? Smart kitchen appliances that you can interact with remotely via the internet are no longer the stuff of science fiction. Connecting the modern fridge to your Wi-Fi promises a cornucopia of control from afar, and additional functionality when you’re up close and personal. But does this markedly level up your food storage game, or is it a ‘fridge’ too far? Perhaps more importantly, are there better technologies to spend the extra money on – ones that actually keep your food fresher, or make your life easier? } Many ‘smart’ fridge features aren’t worth paying a premium for. } There are other modern fridge technologies worth checking out that do improve fridge performance or ease of use. Smart choices Should you buy a smart fridge? Not all smart fridges are created equal, and their level of functionality varies, from basic temperature and energy monitoring, to a fully interactive experience. Many manufacturers let you monitor and manage your smart appliances through their proprietary app. For example, Samsung has its Family Hub app and LG has ThinQ. Through these apps you can receive notifications from your fridge, such as an alert that your water filter needs changing, for example. Or you can adjust the settings, such as changing the temperature or activating extra ice-making. You can also receive rudimentary energy usage data. This is convenient, but in our opinion, not useful enough to make it worth paying a premium for. And while we eventually expect to see advanced energy management systems and clever diagnostic tools that can report problems or even schedule a service call before the need becomes apparent, that still feels a long way off. Cool features Samsung is one brand that’s gone full send on the science spectrum with its Family Hub fridge. Listed in the table on p53 as the Samsung SRS656MBFH4, it provides the best example right now of the techno gimmickry available in this kitchen appliance. TOUCH-PANEL VIDEO SCREEN The most obvious smart feature of the Family Hub is a huge touch panel on the door – up to 32”. This controls the fridge functions, such as temperature, but it also does everything you’d expect from a regular tablet device – you can browse the internet, stream music or even watch YouTube. At first glance the ability to play videos while you’re cooking doesn’t seem especially useful, but as we got to know the Family Hub we found it CHOICE MAY 2024 /// 49 FRIDGES TEST IMAGE: GETTY
One of the doors has cameras mounted in it so you can photograph what’s inside remotely was actually, ahem, kinda cool. It’ll keep the kids occupied, but you can also use it to refer to cooking shows or follow along with recipes. Using a built-in app, we watched a short video clip on cooking techniques, a useful feature if you need a quick kitchen skills refresher. If you have a recent-model Samsung smart TV, you can mirror the action from the TV on your fridge, so you won’t miss a moment of sportsball action while making nachos for your mates – though TVs from opposing teams (i.e. brands) need not apply. Through the associated app you can also write virtual post-it notes on the fridge’s display for others to read – yes, passive-aggressive noteleaving about who owns the leftovers has gone digital. It’s also useful if you’ve forgotten to take tonight’s dinner out of the freezer – you can leave a note for any passers-by to help you out, though there’s no guarantee they’ll read it, and you can just text your housemates instead. ‘SMART’ SHOPPING LIST The most useful features are the shopping list app and the internal cameras. No, you can’t take selfies with the fridge (unless you climb inside), but one of the doors has cameras mounted in it so you can photograph what’s inside remotely. Again, this seems like a gimmick, but it can be a handy visual reminder of what you’re out of when you’re at the shops. From there it gets a little weird. ‘REFRIDGERDATING’ Samsung’s Refrigerdating app turns that photo of your fridge’s contents into an online ‘dating’ profile, where potential suitors can swipe left or right, depending on whether they like the look of your leftover lasagne. Fun for a little while, but probably not worth paying more for. SO, IS SMART TECH WORTH IT? Sadly all this tech feels like a solution to a problem most of us don’t have, and for now at least, most if not all of the smart functionality can be achieved more cheaply and easily with a stand-alone tablet or device. Fridge tech worth paying for While we’re not big fans of the ‘smart’ fridge, or at least not if you’re paying a premium for it, we’re far from Luddites here in the CHOICE test labs. There are some fantastic fridge technologies that we are really excited about. Here are five of them. 1. CHILLER COMPARTMENT Not to be confused with a crisper, a chiller compartment is designed to provide the optimum conditions for storing meat, seafood and poultry. It’ll be the coldest part of your fridge at around zero degrees Celsius. This helps prevent bacterial growth without freezing your Scotch fillets (which can affect the texture and means you’ll need to defrost before cooking). Also known as deli compartments, as they’re good for storing cured meats and cold cuts, chillers keep their contents isolated so they’re less likely to cross-contaminate and absorb odours from other foods. This separation also helps contain any spills for easy cleaning. Chillers aren’t just for meat though – this incredibly useful compartment is great for the coldest of cold drinks, or for helping leftovers last longer. 2. MULTI-ZONE COMPARTMENT A marvel of fancier modern fridges, a multi-zone compartment greatly enhances the versatility of your fridge by switching between fridge, chiller, 50