Three top tips for safer shopping and home improvement
2020 has taught us that being safety conscious allows us to enjoy the finer things in life, like cafes, family reunions, weddings and (hopefully) travel. Home improvement projects have been extremely popular as we’ve spent more time at home than ever before. When it comes to shopping, all types of shopping, safety matters too. Each year Australia has about 650 consumer product recalls. But only about half of the affected products are returned to sellers. This amounts to about 1.7 million recalled products remaining in people's homes!
Why the pandemic is set to break sales records this Black Friday
Ah, Black Friday. We look forward to this coming Friday more than any other. It’s the lead up event to the most wonderful time of the year, Christmas. Over half of the world’s nations dedicate this day to one of the largest shopping events - Black Friday Sales. In the US alone, sales are expected to jump 30 percent from last year to reach $10 Billion in a single day.
Home invaders – fighting back against unsolicited salespeople
Whether it’s church groups, cosmetic suppliers or energy providers, when your door starts reverberating with that unexpected knock, the games begin. You’re in the race before you know it, your intellect strategically churning over winning solutions: Pretend I’m not home? Answer the door but shoo them away quickly? Listen to their spiel politely but tell them I’m not interested? Invite them in for a cuppa to hear what they have to say, you never know, I might save a buck or two?
Smart phones capture hellish holidays
A mobile phone camera at our ready disposal compels many of us to capture and share our life moments, even the no-so-great ones. No longer reserved only for happy snaps, such as family portraits, sunsets and visits with exotic animals, a mobile phone camera can capture your best evidence when things go wrong.
Take Mr Jonathan Kearins recent holiday for example. After researching on the internet, he booked and paid for a romantic holiday at a 4-star resort described as ‘newly opened’ and ‘luxurious’ on Thailand’s renowned Phi Phi Island. What greeted Mr Kearins and his girlfriend upon arrival however, fell way short of the idyllic accommodation described on the internet booking website.
How to save on energy bills – household tips
With energy prices skyrocketing, it's no wonder ordinary Australians are feeling the pinch. The Energy and Water Ombudsman for Victoria has revealed that more people than ever are complaining they can't afford their power bills with payment difficulties having tripled in the 5 years since 2009.
Here's our top 10 ways your household can get a good deal and minimise energy bill shock.
Extended warranties are completely worthless, here’s why
Many customers part with money unnecessarily by buying an extended warranty, when they already have this warranty by law. Its time for a fair go from retailers.
It's possible to get repairs outside the manufacturer’s warranty period for items ranging from electrical appliances like TVs, games consoles to washing machines and refrigerators.
It's estimated two in five people opt for an extended warranty, which can add up to 24 per cent to the final purchase price. However, what most don't know is the warranty is already implied in the price paid for the goods.
The 2 minute car service that will save you hundreds
For most of us, cars get us from A to B and carry ‘stuff’. You put fuel in it, take it to the mechanic when the book says so (well, sometimes). In return, it gets you to where you need to go without causing a fuss. End of story, right?
This would be a short article if this were 100% true.
Here’s why Australians get a free 2 year warranty on their Apple products
With the average Australian signing up for a 24 month phone contract, it is fairly reasonable to expect that their phone will be protected for the duration of that period. Luckily this is now true in Australia thanks to a decision by Aussie regulator, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
The determination by the ACCC signals and end to Apple's global 1 year consumer guarantee in Australia.
The simple truth behind the now free extended warranty is that customers are buying a product they should expect to last 2 years. Jo Ucukalo, consumer expert and CEO of Handle My Complaint explains that by signing a 24 month contact customers are committing to a single brand for 2 years. Brands ought to commit to their customers in return.
4 ways we’ve gotten out of car-related fines – part 1
This article is part 1 in our series on how to avoid unjust and unfair fines
Here at Two Hoots, we hate dodgy fines! So we've pulled together a series of tips for getting out of car-related fines in cases where we feel it was unjust or unfair to be fined.
4 ways we’ve gotten out of car-related fines – part 2
This article is part 2 in our series on how to avoid unjust and unfair fines
Do you feel like you understand the best way to appeal and avoid an unfair parking fine? If not, read on.