Sales alert: Spotting supermarket price discrepancies
Lizzy was excited when she saw her regular brand of coffee bearing a 40 percent off tag at Woolworths. Peter had a similar feeling when he spotted a half price tag against Nature’s Coffee. But it didn’t take long for either to spot the supermarket price discrepancies.
Supermarket discounts: How special are specials?
We have all fallen for supermarket discounts, from ‘buy one, get one free’ inducements to promises of ‘everyday low prices’.
Has your card surcharge been supercharged?
We are so used to paying for everything by debit or credit card these days, many of us barely give any thought to the little extra that is often tacked onto the purchase price. But you should take a closer look to avoid being needlessly stung by card surcharges.
Pay wise: How to keep card surcharges down
You might have heard that the Australian Government is preparing to ban debit card surcharges – those pesky percentages added to seemingly every electronic transaction.
Don’t get too excited. While the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) is reviewing card surcharges – which cost Australians anywhere between $1 billion and $4 billion a year – any change would not come into effect until 2026.
Finding alternatives to payday loans
When you're struggling to pay bills, it can be tempting to look for a quick fix. Payday loans may seem like a simple solution but before you sign up it’s worth exploring alternatives to payday loans.
Paying for JB Hi-Fi extra care
As you go up to pay for your new TV or computer, the helpful salesperson might suggest you take out JB Hi-Fi extra care. If you’re forking over a few thousand dollars, the extended warranty might seem like a good idea, but is it?
Do you have to pay for a warranty?
An extended warranty is a voluntary add-on, not a mandatory purchase. If someone you’re buying a product or service from suggests that you have to pay for a warranty, don’t fall for the sales pitch.
Red alert: What you should know about greenwashing
As environmental awareness increases in Australia, we want to know that our purchasing choices matter. Any business proudly proclaiming its green credentials on its packaging should be able to back those claims up. In fact, it is legally required to do so.
Privacy risks: Tackling facial recognition technology head on
Have you seen any signs about the use of facial recognition technology when you’ve been out shopping? CCTV is one thing, but this controversial technology raises more concerns about breaches of our privacy.
Consumer law update needed to combat ‘junk insurance’
Handle My Complaint is urging the Federal Government to protect consumers from so-called ‘junk insurance’ by making the Australian Consumer Law clearer.
Maurice Blackburn Lawyers filed a class action against JB Hi-Fi in the Supreme Court of Victoria last week, claiming that extended warranties offer no benefit to consumers.