Christmas crackers: Last-minute gifts worth giving
The panic rises as the clock ticks ever closer to Christmas Day. What happened to all our good intentions with gifts for our loved ones?
Every year, we promise ourselves that next year we’ll get organised earlier and start a present cupboard. We’ll make a list of the things our loved ones like and keep an eye out for the sales and pop those precious items in the cupboard ready to be wrapped when the time comes. It makes financial sense, too, because we’re spreading our spending over the year, rather than copping it one big hit.
Great idea in theory. But, every year, we’re staring down the barrel of another last-minute rush to fill those stockings and pop something extra under the Christmas tree. Will we ever learn?
Happy customers: We’ve got a handle on your complaints
It’s been another busy year for the team at Handle My Complaint. Since launching our new online system in February, we have handled almost 2,400 complaints for Australians across a range of industries.
From vehicles to travel, home renovation to insurance complaints, if there’s a customer who feels hard done by, we’ve assisted them to get the outcome they deserve. As the year draws to a close, we take a look at some of the situations we’ve helped resolve and share some of the lovely feedback we’ve received from our clients.
Play to win: Don’t get caught with dodgy video games this Christmas
It's no secret that video games are big business. In fact, the gaming industry is now worth more than $200 billion globally and is expected to reach almost $300 billion by 2024. In Australia, the gaming industry is also huge and growing.
Apply the brakes: Top car rental traps to avoid
Are you planning to travel interstate over the summer holidays? There’s a good chance you might also want to get car rental, at least for a few days.
And while there are plenty of great deals to be had, there are some car rental traps you should know about before handing over your deposit. Otherwise, that deal that seemed too good to be true most certainly will be.
Start early and stay out of the red this Black Friday
If you’re a Black Friday veteran, you’ll know that you don’t have to wait until the designated day to snap up a bargain.
Retailers have been dropping their prices all month, and your inbox and social media have probably been inundated with offers for Black Friday steals because of your past purchases.
Screen time: What you need to know about streaming
Australians love to stream. It's a love affair that grew while we were stuck at home during Covid. And one that shows no sign of abating, even if we’re spreading that love around a lot more.
Research firm Telsyte found that more than 75 percent of Australian households subscribe to at least one streaming video on demand (SVOD) service. There were 23.4 million subscriptions to June this year, one for almost every Australian, and rising. Telsyte predicts the figure to be more than 30 million within four years.
Removing road blocks to customer care
Saul Frank knows when he’s being given the run-around with customer care. And he would never do the same to his customers.
“I’ve been in business a long time and it’s just not the way you treat people,” he says.
Mobile thinking: How to save money on your phone bill
If you’re with Optus, chances are you have bigger concerns about your mobile plan than how to slice dollars off the next bill.
The telco is under pressure after it revealed that hackers had stolen data, including names, birth dates, passport and Medicare details, from about 10 million past and present Optus customers, putting them at risk of identity theft and fraud.
Seven dining dates worth your dollars
Aussies love to dine out and with such a wonderful array of cuisines and venues to choose from, who can blame us?
But the rising cost of living is making many consumers think twice about how much we fork out for food and where.
Buying a car? Take the driver’s seat at the dealership
You've decided you want a new or near-new car. How exciting. So exciting, in fact, that it’s easy to get carried away and spend more than you intended. Especially when the smooth-talking salespeople at the car dealership know all the right things to say to help you do just that.
Don’t be tempted by all the extras they promise to throw in for a “great deal”. For most of us, a car is the second biggest investment we’ll make (after our house). It’s money you should be spending wisely. Chances are you don’t need those extras. Even if the dealer says they will take your driving experience to the next level.