Index of A Word of Advice Articles

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A Word of Advice archives

2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998

2007

• 17 December 2007 - Season of the sales

• 3 December 2007 - Easing the Christmas financial pressure

• 19 November 2007 - Santa’s shopping safely, are you?

• 5 November 2007 - Extended warranties

• 23 October 2007 - Time for a holiday? (2 of 2)

• 8 October 2007 - Time for a holiday? (1 of 2)

• 24 September 2007 - You Break, You Pay

• 10 September 2007 - Don’t be a money mule

• 27 August 2007- Ensuring your insurance is up to scratch

• 13 August 2007 - Keeping Baby Safe

• 30 July 2007 - The Motor Vehicle Disputes Tribunal (2/2)

• 16 July 2007 - The Disputes Tribunal (1 of 2)

• 2 July 2007 - How to avoid identity theft

• 18 June 2007 - Heating your bed safely

• 5 June 2007 - When businesses go bust

• 21 May 2007 - How to save money on your power bills

• 7 May 2007 - How to complain effectively about bad services

• 23 April 2007 - How to complain effectively about bad goods

• 10 April 2007 - Getting ready for winter

• 26 March 2007 - Scams Target You – Protect Yourself (Part 2 of 2)
• 12 March 2007 - Scams Target You – Protect Yourself (Part 1 of 2)

• 26th February 2007 - Internet auctions (Part 2 of 2)

• 12th February 2007 - Internet auctions (Part 1 of 2)
• 26 January 2007 - Phones, texts and faxes
• 12 January 2007 - Lottery scams - don’t chance your luck

2006

• 15 December 2006 - Dealing with door to door sales
• 1 December 2006 - Returning Christmas turkeys
• 17 November 2006 - Shopping for safe Christmas toys
• 3 November 2006 - Work from Home Scams
• 20 October 2006 - Keeping the Kids Safe
• 6 October 2006 - Getting Ready for Christmas
• 22 September 2006 - Buying on Layby
• 8 September 2006 - Extended Warranties & Lifetime Guarantees
• 25 August 2006 - Internet Shopping
• 11 August 2006 - Reporting Unsafe Products
• 28 July 2006 - Pyramid Selling Schemes
• 14 July 2006 - Don’t Overexercise Your Wallet
• 30 June 2006 - Keeping Safe this Winter – Part 4
• 16 June 2006 - Keeping Safe this Winter - Part 3
• 2 June 2006 - Keeping Safe this winter – Part 2, Heating your bed
• 19 May 2006 - Keeping Safe this winter – Part 1
• 5 May 2006 - For face-to-face consumer advice see Citizens Advice
• 21 April 2006 - Firewood – staying out of the cold
• 7 April 2006 - Electricity - Don't pay more than you have to
• 24 March 2006 - Car trouble with your recently purchased car?
• 10 March 2006 - Thinking about buying a used car?
• 24 February 2006 - Protect yourself against scams
• 10 February 2006 - Lifesavers – RCDs and electrical safety
• 27 January 2006 - Door to Door Sales – Your Rights

2005

• 9 December 2005 - Product safety- your rights and making a complaint
• 25 November 2005- Christmas tips for avoiding loans and credit traps
• 11 November 2005 - What are your rights when a business closes down?
• 28 October 2005 - Cheque Overpayment Scams
• 14  October 2005 - ACE Consumer – an online educational resource
• 30 September 2005 - Gas and electrical safety in recreational vehicles
• 16 September 2005 - Buying electrical goods? Look for the C-tick
• 2 September 2005 - Lower sulphur diesel
• 19 August 2005 - When goods go bad
• 5 August 2005 - Extended warranties
• 22 July 2005 - Reasonable Debt Collection Fees
• 8 July 2005 - Hot tips for staying safe with LPG
• 24 June 2005 - New law for selling secondhand goods
• 10 June 2005 - Online auctions – know your rights when things go wrong (Part 3 of 3)
• 27 May 2005 - Online auction tips for sellers (Part 2 of 3)
• 13 May 2005 - Riding the online auction trend – and avoiding problems (Part 1 of 3)
• 29 April 2005 - The power to switch – comparing electricity prices
• 15 April 2005 - Tips for avoiding loans and credit traps
• 1 April 2005 - Watch out for loan and credit traps: new credit law 1 April 2005
• 18 March 2005 - Made to measure – be informed when buying firewood
• 4 March 2005 - The personal touch: where to go for face-to-face consumer advice
• 18 February 2005 - Check before you drive – or how to make the private purchase of a car run smoothly
• 4 February 2005 - Recalling unsafe products
• 21 January 2005 - Sale items that aren't - what to do if you think you've been ripped off
• 14 January 2005 - Getting a fair deal in the summer sale season

2004

• 17 December 2004 - Getting what you paid for at roadside fruit and vege stalls
• 10 December 2004 - Keeping safe with electricity this summer
• 26 November 2004 - Keeping safe with gas this summer
• 12 November 2004 - Tips for avoiding a debt laden Christmas
• 29 October 2004  - Safety first – reporting unsafe products
• 15 October 2004 - Scam lottery emails – what have you won lately?
• 1 October 2004 - Getting the most powerful deal you can get?
• 17 September 2004 - Garden supplies – making sure you get good measure
• 3 September 2004- Bankruptcy
• 20 August 2004 - What should you know about investing?
• 6 August 2004 - Doing your own electrical work at home?
• 26 July 2004 - Buying a home - what to look out for
• 9 July 2004 - Don’t become a victim of "affinity" fraud
• 25 June 2004 - Lowering the sulphur in diesel – how does this affect you?
• 11 June 2004 - Keeping Safe this Winter (Part 4 - Heating your bed)
• 28 May 2004 - Keeping Safe this Winter (Part Three -Heaters)
• 14 May 2004 - Keeping Safe this Winter (Part Two - LPG Cabinet Heaters)
• 30 April 2004 - Keeping Safe this Winter (Part One – Clothes Dryers)
• 16 April 2004 - What are your consumer rights when a business closes down?
• 2 April 2004 - Buying an electrical product? Look for the C-tick!
• 19 March 2004 - Is that motor vehicle trader registered?
• 5 March 2004 - Check your Consumer Rights
• 20 February 2004 - Helping Kids Become Smart Shoppers
• 5 February 2004 - How safe is your food?
• 23 January 2004 - Exercise Mind and Body when Joining the Gym
• 9 January 2004 - Thinking about buying a motor vehicle? (Part Three)

2003

• 19 December 2003 - Thinking about buying a motor vehicle? (Part Two)
• 12 December 2003 - Thinking about buying a motor vehicle? (Part One)
• 1 December 2003 - Energy safety tips for a safe and happy summer
• 14 November 2003 -  Having FM radio reception problems in your car?
• 31 October 2003 -  Better protection against home buy-back schemes
• 17 October 2003 -  Repossession – what are the rules? (Part Two)
• 26 September 2003 -  Repossession - what are the rules
• 5 September 2003 -  Getting help to settle disputes
• 22 August 2003 - Ever heard of a lien
• 8 August 2003 - What's a product recall?
• 25 July 2003 - Won a prize in a lottery you haven't bought a ticket in?
• 11 July 2003 - Pram and Stroller Safety
• 13 June 2003 - I wish to make a complaint
• 16 May 2003 - It wasn't me
• 2 May 2003 - Winter Heating and Buying Firewood
• 11 April 2003 - Do You Really Owe That Money?
• 28 March 2003 - Using LPG Cabinet Heaters Safely
• 14 March 2003 - World Consumer Rights Day
• 31 January 2003 - Think-safe Furniture for Kids
• 17 January 2003 - Scam Operators Very Busy Post Christmas

2002

• 20 December 2002 Some Festive Season Tips for Consumers
• 6 December 2002  I'm Dreaming of a Cash Christmas
• 22 November 2002 Travelling in Cyberspace - Don't Be Taken for a Ride
• 8 November 2002  Think Safe When Buying Toys for Christmas
• 31 October 2002  Giving Gift Vouchers for Christmas
• 11 October 2002  Thinking about Joining a Gym?
• 26 September 2002   Get Ready for Safe Camping and Caravanning
• 13 September 2002   Bunk Beds not Jungle Gyms
• 30 August 2002   Is Your Future in the Stars?
• 16 August 2002   Buying Firewood? Some Tips for Consumers
• 2 August 2002   Got the Winter Power Bill Blues?
• 17 July 2002   Voluntary Recall of Breville Kettles Models SK20 and SK25
• 4 July 2002   Dangerous Play - Children and Electricity Don't Mix
• 21 June 2002   Taking Care with Plastics Around Children
• 7 June 2002   Check out those Street Markets
• 23 May 2002   Winter Brings Electric Blanket Warnings
• 10 May 2002   Keep Kids Safe Around Power and Gas
• 29 April 2002   Home Safety Tips for the 'Not So Young'
• 12 April 2002   Knock Knock - Do You Want a Free Home Alarm?
• 28 March 2002   Have a Shock-free Caravan Holiday
• 15 March 2002   World Consumer Rights Day
• 1 March 2002   Help with Your Electricity Complaint
• 15 February 2002   Windfall or Windup? Beware Overseas Lottery Scams
• 25 January 2002   The Season of Sales
• 11 January 2002   Shocking Overheads

2001

• 24 December 2001   Preventing the Post Christmas Turkeys
• 7 December 2001   Be Safe When Lighting Up Your Christmas
• 15 November 2001   Comparing Power Prices Made Easier with Consumer PowerSwitch
• 2 November 2001   Be a Bright Spark – Use Electricity Safely Outdoors
• 19 October 2001   Baby Walkers to be Made Safer
• 8 October 2001   Christmas is Coming!
• 21 Sept 2001   Summer’s Coming - Be Energysafe Outdoors
• 7 September 2001   Electricity Complaints Commissioner Switched On
• 28 August 2001   A Few Myths About Receipts
• 10 August 2001   Law Change to Protect Consumers
• 30 July 2001   Spread the Word
• 13 July 2001   Consumers Benefit from Changes to Legislation
• 29 June 2001   Winter Warning - Check Kettles and Hot Water Bottles
• 14 June 2001   Keep Children Safe Around Electricity and Gas
• 1 June 2001   Sleep Easy with Your Electric Blanket
• 22 May 2001   Why Don't the Birds Die?
• 7 May 2001   Keep Warm Without the Worries
• 23 April 2001   Butterfly Night Light Electrical Danger
• 9 April 2001   Internet Shopping Made Safer
• 28 March 2001   Loan Company Practices Unacceptable
• 26 February 2001   What Does FREE Really Mean?
• 9 February 2001   Don't Get Slammed!
• 26 January 2001   The Season of Sales

2000

• 26 December 2000   The Boxing Day Blues
• 15 December 2000   Light Up Your Christmas Safely
• 8 December 2000   What's in Santa's Sack this Year?
• 27 November 2000   Layby for Christmas with Confidence
• 10 November 2000   New Website Helps Kids Become Smart Shoppers
• 27 October 2000   Taking it to the Disputes Tribunal
• 2 October 2000   When You've Bought a Lemon...
• 15 Sept 2000   Mail Order Deal Goes Sour
• 7 Sept 2000   Don't Buy A Lemon!
• 18 August 2000   How Loud is Too Loud?
• 4 August 2000   Money Offers That Don't Ring True
• 21 July 2000   Throwing in the Towel
• 7 July 2000   0800 Bankline
• 16 June 2000   Safety with LPG Cabinet Heaters
• 1 June 2000   Cot Warning for Parents
• 19 May 2000   Weighing it Up
• 6 May 2000   Woman of the Year
• 20 April 2000   Need Advice? Got a Complaint? Where Can You Go?
• 10 April 2000   Investments You Can Bank On - Or Can You?
• 24 March 2000  Household Services
• 10 March 2000   Exercise Body and Mind When Joining the Gym
• 28 February 2000   Electricity "Powerline"
• 31 January 2000   Travel Insurance
• 14 January 2000   Make Sure Your Firewood Merchant Measures Up

1999

• 19 December 1999   Wise up to Y2K, Says Ministry
• 3 December 1999   Managing the Christmas Gripes
• 19 November 1999   Dive Sticks Become Dive Stakes
• 5 November 1999   Buying a Car "Door to Door"
• 30 October 1999   Scams Targeting Retired People
• 8 October 1999   Shopping on the Internet
• 24 Sept 1999   No Refunds!
• 10 Sept 1999   'Cord’ Confusion Ends
• 24 August 1999   Scam Alert!
• 6 August 1999   Stay Warm, Stay Safe
• 23 July 1999   Look Before You Leap!
• 9 July 1999   Winter Sale – Now on!
• 29 June 1999   Don't Hug the Heater!
• 14 June 1999   When There’s No Price Tag...
• 31 May 1999   Fees and EFTPOS Charges
• 14 May 1999   Give Old Cigarette Lighters the Flick
• 30 April 1999   Getting Switched On
• 16 April 1999   When Your Pet’s Not Up to Scratch
• 1 April 1999   Are they Credible, or Crooks?
• 19 March 1999   Does Your Firewood Merchant Measure Up?
• 5 March 1999   Triple Your Income", "Make money fast!", "Make $1,000 a Day!
• 24 February 1999   Buyer Beware!
• 8 January 1999 The Year 2000 Problem
• 8 January 1999 Checklist
• 8 January 1999 Your Wake Up Call - Computers
• 8 January 1999 The Year 2000 Problem* - General
• 8 January 1999 The Year 2000 Problem - Your rights

1998

• 25 November 1998   When the Wrappers and Ribbons Come Off...
• 25 November 1998   Check the Cupboard - Now!
• 25 November 1998   When Christmas Comes Knocking
• 13 November 1998   Give Your Kids the Right Kind of Christmas Surprise
• 30 October 1998   Don’t Get Left in the Dark
• 16 October 1998   Don't Make a Scene!
• 1 October 1998   Planning a Cracker Christmas
• 18 September 1998   We’re Obsessed About Our Weight!
• 4 September 1998   Keeping Children Safe
• 21 August 1998   The People We Couldn’t Live Without
• 7 August 1998   In the Line of Fire
• 24 July 1998   Shutting the Door On Unscrupulous Sellers
• 10 July 1998   The Repossession Rules
• 26 June 1998   Cowboy Agents Roped in by New Act
• 29 May 1998   Proposal Looks at More Information for Car Buyers
• 14 May 1998   Getting to the Bottom of the Fine Print
• 14 May 1998   Late Model, Low K’s, Low Price, Many Special Features
• 1 May 1998    Hiring Goods
• 17 April 1998   Take Time With Timeshares
• 20 March 1998   Does Your Firewood Merchant Measure Up?
• 20 March 1998   Who’s Responsible for Putting it Right?
• 6 March 1998   Don't Touch Anything!