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Steve Price slams woman's savvy Airtasker job

<p>Steve Price has launched into a tirade on <em>The Project </em>over a story about a woman's savvy use of Airtasker. </p> <p>The Sydney woman posted a job on the site to pay a stranger $100 if they delivered her a pair of sneakers to the Ivy nightclub, after her high heels began hurting her feet at 1am.</p> <p>Her ingenuity quickly went viral, with <em>The Project</em> panellist Georgie Tunny explaining the situation.</p> <p>"Someone came through (and delivered the shoes), and her followers applauded her, calling it genius hack," Tunny said. </p> <div class="embed" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; outline: currentcolor !important;"><iframe class="embedly-embed" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; border-style: none; vertical-align: baseline; width: 591px; outline: currentcolor !important;" title="tiktok embed" src="https://cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2Fembed%2Fv2%2F7476683192787946770&display_name=tiktok&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2F%40aimee.clairee%2Fvideo%2F7476683192787946770%3Fembed_source%3D121374463%252C121468991%252C121439635%252C121433650%252C121404359%252C121497414%252C73319236%252C121477481%252C121351166%252C121487028%252C73347567%252C121331973%252C120811592%252C120810756%252C121503376%253Bnull%253Bembed_masking%26refer%3Dembed%26referer_url%3Dwww.dailymail.co.uk%252Ftvshowbiz%252Farticle-14454879%252FThe-Project-Steve-Price-sneakers-nightclub-heels.html%26referer_video_id%3D7476683192787946770&image=https%3A%2F%2Fp16-sign-sg.tiktokcdn.com%2Fobj%2Ftos-alisg-p-0037%2Fo4gbklEViYI8Bu8LPiDDiBnRVC8KAIVEAZBDy%3Flk3s%3Db59d6b55%26x-expires%3D1741222800%26x-signature%3Dr1zBofQ2NEGTc0Et0FGfYs3KRQY%253D%26shp%3Db59d6b55%26shcp%3D-&type=text%2Fhtml&schema=tiktok" width="340" height="700" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div> <p>Steve Price, however, wasn't impressed by the woman's determination to be comfortable, blasting her "ridiculous" request.</p> <p>Price crinkled his face in disgust at the harmless story and let loose, mincing no words as he shared his opinion.  </p> <p>"Don't be stupid. That's the most ridiculous, over-privileged w**ky thing I've heard of" he said. </p> <p>"That woman has too much money.  She got secondhand smelly sneakers," Steve added.</p> <p>Georgie defended the woman, saying that in her clubbing days, she would absolutely have paid someone a decent sum in order to be in comfortable shoes and spare her feet. </p> <p><em>Image credits: The Project</em></p>

Money & Banking

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"Easter is cancelled": Coles and Woolies slammed over "insane" chocolate prices

<p>The turn of the new year means supermarkets are never far away from gearing up for the next holiday. And, just like clockwork, novelty Easter chocolate items such as bunny-shaped treats and the humble egg are being placed on the shelves – some at surprisingly high prices.</p> <p>It appears Easter isn’t just a celebration of chocolate anymore; it's now a financial endurance test. Every year, families prepare to stock up on sweet treats for the annual egg hunt, but now it seems more like a game of "Spot the Cheapest Bunny" – a game with few winners.</p> <p>The cost of Easter treats has continued to climb steadily over the last few years, and early indications show no signs of any relief for shoppers this year. Customers at Coles and Woolworths have recently called Easter chocolate prices "a joke", and one Brisbane woman even suggested "Easter is cancelled" in her household now due to the exorbitant costs.</p> <p>Easter is cancelled? Imagine explaining that to the kids. "Sorry, Timmy, the Easter Bunny took out a mortgage on his chocolate factory and had to downsize. He left you this... single M&M. Enjoy."</p> <p>One shopper came across a Cadbury's 350g Easter egg priced at $20, while also being seemingly unimpressed by a bag of Coles brand eggs being priced at $9. Meanwhile, another woman complained online about the price of chocolate bunnies on display in Woolworths.</p> <p>At this rate, it won't be long before people start taking out short-term loans for a bag of Mini Eggs. Interest rates might be lower than the cocoa inflation rate.</p> <p>After sharing the supermarket finds online, Aussies have been calling the situation "insane" and many have simply encouraged others "just not to buy anything" Easter related. A bold strategy – but also an excellent way to avoid that annual sugar crash.</p> <p>Last year, a Lindt chocolate Easter egg was on Big W shelves for a whopping $120, with the retailer explaining the kilogram egg was a "limited edition" for "chocoholics" to indulge in. However, many Aussies believed it was a step too far. At $120 per egg, you’d expect it to come with a personal message from the Lindt chocolatier, a guided factory tour and possibly a small stake in Wonka's chocolate river.</p> <p>There are reasons why Easter-specific chocolates are more expensive than regular chocolate in stores, according to Gary Mortimer, a professor in retail marketing and consumer behaviour at the Queensland University of Technology.</p> <p>"We generally source cocoa out of West Africa and when you're sourcing such a product and constructing an egg or bunny shape for a very discrete time, maybe only two months, obviously the costs inflate," he told Yahoo News last year.</p> <p>So what you’re saying, professor, is that because the chocolate has been artistically molded into the shape of a bunny, it somehow becomes a luxury item? At this rate, next year we’ll see a Fabergé-inspired chocolate egg with a diamond-studded ribbon.</p> <p>Getting an Easter egg or bunny hollow is much more "complex" than the regular block of chocolate that we all know and love, while the mass distribution of the item is also logistically more difficult due to its shape. Protecting packaging and special machinery is also sometimes required for transport. But if this is the case, why not start a new trend? Flat Easter chocolate. No fancy molds, no structural risks, just a classic chocolate slab with "Happy Easter" written on it. Simple. Affordable. Delicious.</p> <p>Professor Mortimer pointed at general inflation playing a role in the growing cost of Easter chocolate, with things like electricity, water and transport costs going up for businesses, while cocoa prices have also been on the rise, hitting a record high this month. "Naturally this gets passed on to consumers," Mortimer said.</p> <p>Translation: "This is your problem now. Good luck."</p> <p>So, what’s the plan for Easter 2025? Do we raid the clearance aisle in May? Take up chocolate sculpting as a side hustle? Or perhaps, in the most radical move yet, we finally accept the age-old truth: it's the hunt that matters, not the chocolate.</p> <p>And if kids start complaining, we can always say, "Look, back in our day, we had to make do with carob."</p> <p><em>Images: TikTok</em></p>

Money & Banking

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Why one pizza shop is charging almost $200 for a divisive topping

<p dir="ltr">A trendy pizzeria is charging customers almost $200 AUD for one divisive pizza topping as they reignite the debate of putting pineapple on pizza. </p> <p dir="ltr">Lupa Pizza in Norwich in the UK have reluctantly added Hawaiian pizza to their menu, but the ham and pineapple combo comes with a catch.</p> <p dir="ltr">Diners will be charged £100 ($198 AUD) for it, with the restaurant taking to social media to share the news of the hefty price. </p> <p dir="ltr">"🍍🍕 Pineapple on pizza — love it or hate it?" they wrote. "We're not so keen, but if you are, it's now on our Deliveroo menu for £100 ($198). 🤷‍♂️”</p> <p dir="ltr">"Order the champagne too! Go on, you monster!" they added.</p> <p dir="ltr">The restaurant's owner and chef have defended the cost for a simple reason: their shared dislike of pineapple on pizza.</p> <p dir="ltr">"I absolutely loathe pineapple on a pizza," Francis Woolf, the co-owner of Lupa Pizza, told the <em>Norwich Evening News</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">Head chef Quin Jianoran agreed, adding, "I love a piña colada, but pineapple on pizza? Never. I'd rather put a bloody strawberry on one than that tropical menace.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Their views, however, are not shared with the majority of the British public. In the most recent YouGov survey on the subject, 53 percent of Britons admitted they enjoyed the taste of pineapple on pizza, while 41 percent of people do not.</p> <p dir="ltr">Lupa agreed to feature the Hawaiian special on its main menu if the people of Norwich voted in favour of the combination in an online poll, which closes on January 24th.</p> <p dir="ltr">“If pineapple wins the vote, I’ll make it,” said Mr Jianoran. “But I won’t be happy about it. And I might charge £200 next time.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Instagram </em></p>

Food & Wine

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Donald Bradman's baggy green sells for eye-watering price

<p>Sir Donald Bradman's baggy green that he wore in his final Australian Test series has fetched nearly half a million at auction. </p> <p>The cap was worn by Bradman during the 1947-48 series, when the Indian team played on Australia soil for the first time in history. </p> <p>The baggy green fetched a whopping $390,000, with the final price totalling $479,700 including auction costs.</p> <p>It attracted significant interest from potential buyers from both Australia and overseas, with the winning buyer coming out on top after a 10 minute flurry at Bonhams Auction House in Sydney on Tuesday evening.</p> <p>The auction house described the cap as "sun faded and worn", with "some insect damage" and "some loss to edge of peak".</p> <p>The cap was also advertised as “the only known Baggy Green” to have been worn by Bradman during the series, where he cored 715 runs in six innings at an average of 178.75, with three centuries and a double-hundred.</p> <p>Bradman had gifted it to India's team manager at the time, who then gave it to the team's wicket keeper. </p> <p>While it is currently not known who placed the winning bid, the cap itself has particular significance to Indian fans, as the series took place just months after the country gained independence. </p> <p>For Aussie fans, the cap was worn during Bradman's final game on Australian soil, with the cricket legend embarking on a farewell tour of England afterwards. </p> <p>This is not the first cap of Bradman's to go under the hammer, with the cap he wore during his 1928 Test debut fetching over $450,000 plus fees in 2020.</p> <p>The late Shane Warne's baggy green currently holds the record for sale at auction, after selling for $1m when auctioned off in 2020. </p> <p><em>Image: Design Pics Inc/ Shutterstock Editorial</em></p> <p> </p>

Money & Banking

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Booking a summer holiday deal? Beware ‘drip pricing’ and other tactics to make you pay more than you planned

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jeannie-marie-paterson-6367">Jeannie Marie Paterson</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a></em></p> <p>Have you ever spotted what looked like a great deal on a website, added it to your “basket” and proceeded to checkout – only to find extra fees added on at the last minute?</p> <p>It’s frustratingly common when making airline, hotel and many other kinds of bookings to see an advertised price get ratcheted up at checkout with additional fees – perhaps “shipping insurance”, “resort fees” or just “taxes”.</p> <p>The practice is known as “<a href="https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/pricing/price-displays">drip pricing</a>” and it can <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/WH-Junk-Fees-Guide-for-States.pdf">distort</a> consumer decision-making and affect competition. Nonetheless, there is no specific ban on this conduct in Australia.</p> <p>Some companies have, however, effectively been prosecuted for it under the Australian Consumer Law, which contains some strict rules about misleading consumers through advertising.</p> <p>Many of us have already begun booking flights, hotels and more as we head into the summer holiday season. Here’s what the law says about companies changing prices in the lead-up to checkout, and how you can protect yourself as a consumer.</p> <h2>What’s wrong with drip pricing?</h2> <p>The tactic that underpins drip pricing is to draw a customer in with an attractive “headline” price but then add in other fees as the customer approaches the checkout.</p> <p>It’s reasonable to ask whether there’s anything wrong with this practice: after all, the customer still sees the final price at checkout. Why might that be seen as misleading conduct under Australian Consumer Law?</p> <p>The reasons lie in views about consumer buying behaviour and the nature of the statutory prohibition.</p> <p>Typically, the closer a consumer gets to a sale, the less likely they are to pull out or even fully notice any additional fees.</p> <p>They may then end up paying more than they intended and also have lost the opportunity to deal with other suppliers of the same product at a better price.</p> <p>In the relevant section of Australian Consumer Law, there’s no requirement of an intention to mislead. It’s also not necessarily relevant that the true pricing situation is eventually revealed to the consumer or that it’s in the “fine print”.</p> <p>Thus, in the eyes of the law, it can be enough that consumers were enticed by an attractive headline price.</p> <h2>Price surprises</h2> <p>This legal position is well illustrated by a <a href="https://www8.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/cth/HCA/2013/54.html">case</a> settled by the High Court in 2013, after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) took on telecom provider TPG Internet in <a href="https://www.mondaq.com/australia/advertising-marketing-branding/282802/advertising-and-the-acl-fine-print-couldnt-save-tpg-internet-in-the-high-court">2010</a>, alleging misleading conduct.</p> <p>In this case, TPG had been advertising broadband internet services for $29.99 per month.</p> <p>But on reading the fine print, you’d have discovered this deal was only available with a landline service costing an additional $30 per month.</p> <p>The case moved up through Australia’s court system, but ultimately, the High Court majority held that the telco had engaged in misleading conduct.</p> <p>The High Court recognised that the very point of advertising is to draw consumers into “the marketing web”. It is therefore not enough to disclose the true (higher) price only at the point the transaction is concluded.</p> <p>TPG was fined $2 million in this case. Since then, the maximum penalties have increased, now the higher of:</p> <ul> <li>$50 million</li> <li>three times the value obtained from the contravention, or (if the benefit can not be determined)</li> <li>30% of the business’s adjusted turnover during the breach period.</li> </ul> <h2>Dynamic pricing</h2> <p>Other pricing complaints have been in the news recently, including concerns about point-of-sale dynamic pricing.</p> <p>Basically, this means using an algorithm that adjusts ticket prices in response to demand, as consumers wait in a virtual purchasing queue.</p> <p>Recent media reporting has centred on <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-10-14/ticketmaster-live-nation-dynamic-pricing-tickets-class-action/104469646">concerns</a> about the use of point-of-sale dynamic pricing in the events ticketing industry.</p> <p>A form of dynamic pricing is used by hotels and airlines. They increase prices seasonally and according to demand. But these “dynamic” prices are clearly visible to consumers as they start looking for a deal. Some bodies even publish helpful tables of likely prices at different times.</p> <p>The kind of dynamic pricing that happens at the very point consumers are waiting to buy is very different and arguably creates an “unfair surprise”.</p> <p>Whether these kinds of practices also fall within the category of misleading conduct remains to be seen.</p> <p>But it is arguable that consumers could reasonably expect the real-time movement of prices to be disclosed upfront.</p> <p>Earlier this year, the government announced <a href="https://theconversation.com/albanese-government-promises-to-ban-dodgy-trading-practices-234142">plans</a> to address both drip pricing and dynamic pricing as part of a broader ban on unfair trading practices.</p> <h2>What can consumers do?</h2> <p>While all this law reform and litigation is playing out, here are some things you can do to avoid pricing shock.</p> <p><strong>1. Slow down.</strong> One of the strategies that online markets often rely on is “<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/oct/12/accc-suing-coles-woolworths-pricing-strategies-allegations">scarcity signalling</a>” – those clocks or numbers you see counting down as you move through a website.</p> <p>The very purpose of these is to make a consumer rush – which can mean failing to notice those additional fees that may make the buy not a good deal.</p> <p><strong>2. Take screen shots as you progress.</strong> Remember what it is you thought you were getting. Doing this also provides a basis for lodging a complaint if the headline and actual price don’t match up.</p> <p><strong>3. Check.</strong> Take a close look at the final bill before pressing pay.</p> <p><strong>4. Report.</strong> Tell your local Fair Trading Office or the ACCC if the advertised deal and the final price don’t meet up.</p> <p>A recent action taken by the ACCC against <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/sep/23/accc-suing-coles-woolworths-discounts-misleading">Woolworths and Coles</a> alleging “illusory” discounts was launched because of consumer tip-offs.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/244825/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jeannie-marie-paterson-6367">Jeannie Marie Paterson</a>, Professor of Law, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/booking-a-summer-holiday-deal-beware-drip-pricing-and-other-tactics-to-make-you-pay-more-than-you-planned-244825">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

Travel Trouble

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"Apology not accepted!" Steve Price blasts pub's Aus Day boycott

<p>Steve Price has slammed the Aussie pub group responsible for <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/hundreds-of-pubs-cancel-australia-day-celebrations" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cancelling</a> January 26th celebrations in over 200 venues around the country. </p> <p>After copping widespread backlash for the controversial move, Australian Venue Co apologised for causing "concern and confusion" with their decision to cancel any Aus Day celebrations in their venues out of respect for Indigenous Australians. </p> <p>On Monday night's episode of <em>The Project</em>, Steve Price launched into a tirade about the decision, saying, “Apology not accepted!"</p> <p>"When are these finger waving woke corporations going to wake up to the fact we don’t want them to tell us what to do on Australia Day,” he said.</p> <p>“Last year it was Woolworths, ‘oh we won’t sell the flag’, the CEO, Brad Banducci, ended up losing his job. Just shut up and let people throw a lamb chop on the barbecue, have a beer and get on with it."</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DDEYltQPGhB/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DDEYltQPGhB/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by The Project (@theprojecttv)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“It’s really annoying, they put this out overnight and when they hear the feedback from the public which says ‘shut up’, they go ‘oh we didn’t mean to offend anyone’, well you did offend people!”</p> <p>Sarah Harris went on to question what the ban would look like, asking, "Are they going to ban merch, T-shirts? It doesn’t make any sense.”</p> <p>In a lengthy statement on Monday, Australian Venue Co said it regrets the "concern and confusion" it has caused over comments about celebrating Australia Day. </p> <p>"We sincerely regret that — our purpose is to reinforce community in our venues, not divide it," the statement read.</p> <p>"It is not for us to tell anyone whether or how to celebrate Australia Day. We acknowledge that and we apologise for our comments. It certainly wasn't our intention to offend anyone."</p> <p>"Whether you choose to celebrate Australia Day or not, everyone is welcome in our pubs, always."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images / Sky News</em></p>

Legal

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Black Friday sales are on again. To score a genuine bargain, it helps to go in with a plan

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/park-thaichon-175182">Park Thaichon</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-southern-queensland-1069">University of Southern Queensland</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/sara-quach-175976">Sara Quach</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/griffith-university-828">Griffith University</a></em></p> <p>November 29th was Black Friday, the official beginning of one of the biggest sales events of the year.</p> <p>With so many consumers still feeling the cost-of-living pinch, it’s expected to once again bring bargain hunters out in droves.</p> <p>While some sales have already started, market research company Roy Morgan <a href="https://www.roymorgan.com/findings/black-friday-sales-a-winner-this-christmas-as-cost-of-living-continues-to-bite">estimates</a> Australian shoppers will spend a record $6.7 billion over the four-day shopping window. That’s up more than 5% on last year.</p> <p>For Australians, it’s one of three big annual sales events. The others take place at the <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-you-should-know-before-you-start-chasing-bargains-at-the-eofy-sales-232568">end of each financial year (EOFY)</a> and on <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-boxing-day-evolved-from-giving-christmas-leftovers-to-servants-to-a-retail-frenzy-219507">Boxing Day</a>.</p> <p>Despite being a recent entrant to Australia, Black Friday has quickly become one of the most important shopping days of the year.</p> <p>For consumers, navigating these sales and dodging the marketing tricks played by retailers is no mean feat. Here’s what you should know.</p> <h2>What exactly is Black Friday?</h2> <p>Black Friday as a major sales event originated in the United States. It falls on the day after Thanksgiving, which is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November each year.</p> <p>A four day sales window then typically runs over the weekend after Thanksgiving, including “Cyber Monday” – a similar event that was set up more recently to encourage online shopping.</p> <p>But as you might have noticed, this official start date doesn’t prevent retailers from discounting products earlier, something many do.</p> <p>Australians don’t officially celebrate Thanksgiving. Nonetheless, the sales event has gained significant traction here over the past decade or so.</p> <p>This was initially driven by big US companies operating here, such as Apple and Amazon. But it was soon adopted and ultimately embraced by Australia’s own big retailers.</p> <p>Some Australian retailers now say Black Friday has already <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/business/consumer-affairs/bigger-than-boxing-day-the-rise-and-rise-of-black-friday-sales-20231117-p5ekwo.html">overtaken Boxing Day</a> to become their most important sales event, a standing it could well cement further this year.</p> <p>It’s been a <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/jonbird1/2023/11/20/le-black-friday-how-an-american-tradition-spread-round-the-world/">similar story</a> across much of the world. Countries including Canada, Brazil, France and the UK all now mark the occasion with their own big sales events.</p> <h2>How do big sales work?</h2> <p>Black Friday and other big sales events are designed to create a sense of urgency. They lean heavily into the phenomenon known as <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/cb.1885">fear of missing out</a> – called FOMO for short.</p> <p>Retailers know that shoppers feel the pressure to buy when they think they might miss out. This is called <a href="https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/jfmm-03-2023-0082/full/html">scarcity marketing</a>.</p> <p>Retailers have ways of creating artificial scarcity, which can pressure us to make purchase decisions that aren’t in our best interests.</p> <p>You’ve probably seen phrases in stores and online such as “only two left!” or “today only”. These tactics are designed to make you act.</p> <p>The extent of savings can also depend on retailers’ dynamic pricing tactics. Many businesses use algorithms to adjust discounts in real time based on customer demand, inventory levels and competitor trends.</p> <p>Popular items may start with small discounts, while less popular products get larger price cuts to attract interest.</p> <h2>How to be a savvy shopper</h2> <p>With these factors in mind, there are a few strategies that can help you you keep a clear head.</p> <p>One tactic is to create a shopping list and understand the importance of sticking to predetermined purchase decisions and a predetermined budget. Prioritise needs over impulsive wants.</p> <p>For example, if you need to replace an old keyboard amid a big sale, set a budget before you start looking, and try to avoid buying an entirely new computer just because it’s discounted in-store.</p> <p>Shoppers should prepare for fluctuating prices, while being cautious of tactics such as artificially inflated “fake” discounts, where original prices are exaggerated to make savings seem more appealing.</p> <p>Our previous <a href="https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/apjml-07-2021-0475/full/html?casa_token=A3V3IU0s1GkAAAAA%3A84uQk1cv03fh5C6gJrIeOuLPrztKhU4gacoPupelIWtOBZCnqSbmFKz4OjBaL60790I-O011Itd9C63vCGJ_hDSJFuVeiwe3YaiSftT6nUzpzxDYHYkdGQ">research</a> has shown price promotion can trigger customer emotions such as surprise and lead to anticipated regret, influencing their purchase decisions.</p> <h2>Go in with a plan</h2> <p>Another tactic is to do some window shopping in the days or weeks beforehand. This allows you to check and research the products you’re interested in. Note down their non-sale prices for future reference.</p> <p>Create a list of where to buy, along with a few alternatives. For shoes and clothing, try things on if you can and note down your size. That can help you act quickly once the sales go live.</p> <p>And in the excitement of all the sales, don’t forget: if you don’t actually want or need anything, there’s always the option of not shopping at all.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/244509/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/park-thaichon-175182">Park Thaichon</a>, Associate Professor of Marketing, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-southern-queensland-1069">University of Southern Queensland</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/sara-quach-175976">Sara Quach</a>, Senior Lecturer in Marketing, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/griffith-university-828">Griffith University</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/black-friday-sales-are-on-again-to-score-a-genuine-bargain-it-helps-to-go-in-with-a-plan-244509">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

Money & Banking

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Grandmother mistakes $50m Powerball win for solar panel sales call

<p>A quiet Thursday evening turned into an unforgettable moment for one Central Queensland grandmother, who was expecting yet another pesky solar panel sales pitch but instead received news that would blow the roof off any house – solar panels or not.</p> <p>The elderly couple held one of two division one winning entries in Thursday night’s $100 million Powerball jackpot, pocketing a life-altering $50 million. While most of us might faint, dance or immediately Google "how to buy a private island", the grandmother’s first reaction was a calm, “You’re joking.”</p> <p>“I expected you to ask if we have solar panels, not to tell us we’ve just won $50 million," she told the Lott official, still recovering from the whiplash of going from potential sales target to multi-millionaire. “There’s going to be a few more prezzies under the tree on Christmas day.”</p> <p>The grandmother confessed that their winning ticket wasn’t even the result of her usual superstitious number-picking strategy. “I’ve been playing for a long time now – since the game first started. I had always used the same numbers, but this ticket was just a QuickPick. I’m in a total state of shock."</p> <p>The couple, long-time residents of Rockhampton, said the windfall would primarily benefit their family. Of course, that family might now include second cousins they've never met and a few random people claiming they once smiled at them in Woolies.</p> <p>Meanwhile, the second winner – hailing from Melbourne’s City of Darebin – remains blissfully unaware they’re sitting on $50 million at the time of writing. The unregistered ticket holder has yet to come forward, sparking a local hunt. Lott officials have urged residents to check every ticket – even the crumpled one in your car’s cupholder.</p> <p>So, next time your phone rings and you brace yourself for a sales pitch, remember: it might just be the universe handing you $50 million. Or, you know, another pitch for that unlimited mobile plan.</p> <p><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p>

Money & Banking

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Russell Crowe lists harbourfront apartment for sale

<p>Russell Crowe looks set to bid farewell to his stunning harbourfront apartment in Sydney. </p> <p>Sources have confirmed the 60-year-old actor will sell his 1000sqm property "if the price is right". </p> <p>The <em>Gladiator</em> star has reportedly listed the apartment off-market with a price guide ranging from $42 million to $45 million, however McGrath Double Bay agents William Manning and Luke Hogan, who are in charge of selling the property have refused to comment. </p> <p>The waterfront property is located on Finger Wharf in the upscale Woolloomooloo area, just 2km from Sydney's CBD. </p> <p>Initially designed to accommodate four separate private apartments, the property features 11 bedrooms, and has its own 35-metre marina berth.</p> <p>The property itself is rare as the new owner will get the entire floor that's north-facing to themselves, with buyers reportedly "lining up" to take a look, according to<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/news/russell-crowe-to-farewell-42m-wharf-apartment-if-price-is-right/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> realestate.com.au</a>. </p> <p>However, the new owner might also need to do a makeover of the residence before moving in as the actor hasn't renovated the property since buying it from Nutrimetrics founder Imelda Roche and her late husband, Bill Roche, in 2003. </p> <p>Crowe bought the lavish property for $14.35 million in 2003 and considered listing it for $25 million eight years ago. </p> <p>It was the highest priced apartment sale in Sydney at the time, and now prices for a penthouse at One Sydney Harbour in Barangaroo can go up from $140 million. </p> <p><em>Images: realestate.com.au/ Getty</em></p>

Money & Banking

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The eye-watering price of Jackie O's opulent Christmas tree

<p>Jackie O is getting in the festive spirit, sharing photos of her and her daughter Kitty in matching plaid pjs posing in front of their opulent Christmas tree. </p> <p>The KIIS FM host, who reportedly earns millions each year on her top-rated radio show, showed off the extraordinary festive decor, with many pointing out just how much she had spent on the tree. </p> <p>Jackie's tree comes from the brand Dancer & Dasher, where prices for their stunning "bespoke" creations start at a whopping $4,000.</p> <p>Those prices are for a 180cm tree decoration package with installation included, but for those looking to splash out on their festive decor, you'll have to join a waitlist. </p> <p>Jackie's tree was decorated with sparkling red baubles and giant bows, as well as sprigs of holly and berries. </p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DCyQeFPPGbM/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DCyQeFPPGbM/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Jackie O (@jackieo_official)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>She posed alongside the luxury decoration with her daughter Kitty, the pair in matching seasonal pyjamas. </p> <p>"Christmas ready!!!! Always so in awe of your beautiful trees @danceranddasher," Jackie wrote in her caption on Instagram. </p> <p>"It’s nice to have money haha," joked one fan in the captions while another said, "The best Christmas tree!!"</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram </em></p> <p> </p>

Money & Banking

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"Misconceived": Coles and Woolies fight allegations of price gouging

<p>Coles and Woolworths are set to fight the allegations that they have been inflating prices, as they begin their cases against the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).</p> <p>The lawyers for both supermarket giants appeared in the Federal Court on Wednesday after the ACCC claims the companies violated consumer law by intentionally misleading shoppers.</p> <p>The ACCC claim both Coles and Woolworths inflated the prices on hundred of items before placing them on sale with their "Down Down" and "Prices Dropped" campaigns.</p> <p>The products - including dairy, pet food and personal care - sold for less than the inflated prices, but still more than the regular price that applied before the price spike.</p> <p>Cameron Moore SC, representing Woolworths, told the court the supermarket had not initiated the temporary spikes in prices and would be fighting the ACCC's allegations. </p> <p>"The suggestion is that Woolworths initiated temporary price spikes and that's not correct factually," Moore said. "We say factually, the ACCC's case is misconceived."</p> <p>Both Coles and Woolworths said their increase in prices came at the demand of suppliers, who pushed for the increase due to their rising costs.</p> <p>John Sheahan KC, representing Coles, said the case was not as simple as alleged by the ACCC and any outcome could have significant implications for the whole industry.</p> <p>Coles and Woolworths have until November 29th to file a written response to the ACCC's allegations, before both parties return to the Federal Court in December for another case management hearing.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p>

Legal

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Coles and Woolies shoppers could claim thousands over alleged deceptive pricing

<p>Coles and Woolworths shoppers could claim up to $5,000 if the supermarket giants are found out for deceiving customers with dodgy pricing tactics, according to a leading lawyer. </p> <p>Carter Capner Law is one of two firms investigating whether a class action suit on behalf of shoppers is viable in conjunction with the ACCC's legal action against the two chains. </p> <p>Both Coles and Woolworths have bee accused of violating Australian consumer law by the consumer watchdog after allegedly intentionally misleading customers by driving up prices and then putting those items on sale for their original prices under the "Prices Dropped" and "Down Down" campaigns.</p> <p>“Early estimates suggest that households could claim between $2,000 and $5,000, depending on the amount spent and the impact of the deceptive pricing,” law director Peter Carter said, who began advocating for people after he received an "avalanche of calls from outraged customers".</p> <p>While Carter said the firm initially had no plans to commence a class action, he admitted that after speaking about it to the media, the company were inundated with Coles and Woolworths customers "demanding action and compensation".</p> <p>He believes Australians already doing it tough through the cost of living crisis felt "betrayed" by the supermarkets, while Flinders University research fellow in law Dr Joel Lisk said that the class action is "a positive" for shoppers.</p> <p>"The ACCC proceedings aren't about getting refunds for customers," he told <em>Yahoo</em>. "But if they are successful it would mean customers have, in theory, been misled and deceived and could be entitled to damages."</p> <p>When it comes to damages, it's something Dr Lisk said "starts to add up" for customers, although it's "hard to say" if financial penalties to businesses found guilty of wrongdoing would impact misleading and deceptive conduct in the future.</p> <p>"If [fines are] seen as just the cost of doing business it doesn't really dissuade businesses from engaging in misleading and deceptive conduct," he said.</p> <p>"Seeking damages from business for the losses that individuals like us have incurred is one way of doing that. But of course, we're talking probably about dollars and cents in transactions when businesses like Coles and Woolworths deal in the billions."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock</em></p>

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"Can you sleep at night?" Frustrated shopper confronts Woolies CEO over price gouging

<p>A frustrated Woolworths shopper has called out the supermarket's CEO in store to demand answers about Woolies' record-breaking profits during the cost of living crisis. </p> <p>Chief executive Amanda Bardwell was walking around a Woolworths store in Wollongong when the heated exchange took place, with the whole thing captured on camera. </p> <p>The customer fired off hard-hitting questions to the CEO and other senior staff members, asking, "What do you have to say to the fact that your company is profiting off price gouging during the cost of living crisis?"</p> <p>Ms Bardwell, looking visibly shocked by the confrontation, replied, "Thank you for reaching out to us, we're doing everything we can to recognise that customers are doing it tough to make sure that they're able to get great prices."</p> <p>The woman didn't accept her answer, firing back, "I really don't believe that. Millions of people in Australia right now have to skip meals in order to survive, while you continue to make big bucks and working class people suffer. Can you sleep at night knowing that?"</p> <p>Ms Bardwell replied, "Our team are doing everything that we can to support our customers. We understand that it is an incredibly difficult time right now."</p> <p>A staff member then intervened, adding, "We have lowered prices and you see that right throughout our store… that's great value for our customers."</p> <p>Ms Bardwell thanked the customer for sharing her views and said Woolworths was doing "everything we can" to keep prices low for customers, before another staff member chimed in to say "It's actually illegal to film people in NSW without permission, with the CEO walking away. </p> <p>Social media users were quick to praise the woman for confronting Miss Bardwell, while sharing their own stories of being stung by hefty supermarket prices.</p> <p>"I'm sick of paying nearly $300 a week on groceries. That's choosing the cheapest products. My fridge still looks half empty when I unpack," one said. </p> <p>"I'm sure Coles and Woolworth management don't have cost of living crisis as they are getting bigger and bigger bonus year after year," a second wrote. </p> <p>Others took aim at one particular comment in the video, pointing out, "'I<span style="caret-color: #161823; color: #161823; font-family: TikTokFont, Arial, Tahoma, PingFangSC, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-line; background-color: #ffffff;">t’s illegal to film in NSW without permission', yet Woolworths has how many cameras in every store? Cameras in people’s faces in self serve on every screen. Did they get our permission?"</span></p> <p>Another added, "If only their empathy was as big as their prices."</p> <p><em>Image credits: TikTok</em></p>

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Qatar Airways celebrates special milestone with huge sale

<p>Qatar Airways launched its first service in Australia 15 years ago and to celebrate the special milestone they have announced an epic sale. </p> <p>Prices have dropped for a bunch of their popular destinations including Nice, London, Dublin, Lisbon, New York and Seychelles. </p> <p>The sale is on now until September 30, 2024 for flights between October 1, 2024 to June 10, 2025.</p> <p>Economy flights from Sydney to London start from $1849, or business class from $8189. </p> <p>For those in Melbourne wanting to experience their Europe summer, flights to Nice start from from $1849 or on business class from $8099.</p> <p>And if you're looking to visit the concrete jungle, flights to New York from Brisbane start from $1839 for economy or $7859 for business class. </p> <p>The fares include taxes, fees and airport surcharges. </p> <p>The Doha-based airline offers services to more than 49 destinations from Australia across Europe and the UK, 29 destinations across Africa, and 33 destinations across the Middle East. They also offer flights to 13 destinations across North and South America. </p> <p>In 2024, Qatar Airways was voted the World's Best Airline in the annual Skytrax’s World Airline Awards in June, for the eighth time. </p> <p>It also won the awards for World’s Best Business Class, World’s Best Business Class Airline Lounge and Best Airline in the Middle East.</p> <p>“This is a proud moment for Qatar Airways. I am honoured to share this award with my dedicated team,” Qatar Airways group chief executive officer, Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said at the Skytrax event in London.</p> <p>“This award is a testimony to our relentless commitment to providing unparalleled service and innovation. We look forward to continuing to serve our customers with the highest level of excellence.”</p> <p><em>Image: </em><em>Vytautas Kielaitis / Shutterstock.com</em></p>

International Travel

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How to revive your curls without paying salon prices

<p>Maintaining curly hair takes a lot of time and effort and sometimes no matter what you do, the frizz just cannot be tamed. </p> <p>While getting your hair done at the salon can be a treat, having to pay salon prices to get softness, shine and definition for your curls is just not sustainable in the long run. </p> <p>Enter <a href="https://www.johnfrieda.com/en-au/home/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">John Frieda</a>'s newest Frizz Ease Miraculous Recovery range, which is now infused with repairing ceramides designed to transform frizzy and damaged hair. </p> <p>The Miraculous Recovery Repairing shampoo and conditioner are two of my personal faves, as I could feel the difference in how soft my hair felt after the first use.</p> <p>Not only are the products safe for colour-treated hair, they also made my curls more manageable and easy to style, with the effects lasting for two days, which is amazing considering how quickly my curls can go limp. </p> <p>I also loved how subtle the scent was, and found the most effective way of applying the conditioner was to comb it through my hair with a detangling brush in the shower, as it helps distribute the product evenly. </p> <p>While different curls all need slightly different care, I found the shampoo provided the perfect balance of cleaning build-up on my hair without leaving it dry or flaky. </p> <p>The star of the range was definitely the All-in-1 extra strength serum, which provided extra protection for my colour-treated and chemically treated hair. I love that you can apply this product through wet or dry hair, and it was the perfect way to revive my curls. </p> <p>The Finishing Creme was a bit too thick for my fine, curly hair, but for those with tighter curls or  those looking for some extra moisture during more humid days, a light layer of the product would surely tame any flyaways or frizz. </p> <p>With most of their products retailing for around $20 it is an affordable solution to bringing life back into colour-treated and damaged curls. The product can be found in all major supermarkets and pharmacies across <a href="https://www.chemistwarehouse.com.au/shop-online/5571/john-frieda-haircare" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AU</a> and <a href="https://www.chemistwarehouse.co.nz/shop-online/5571/john-frieda-haircare" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NZ</a>. </p> <p><em>Images: Supplied</em></p> <p> </p>

Beauty & Style

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Aussies outraged over price of staple snack

<p>Australians have expressed outrage over the price of Tim Tams, after one Reddit user spotted the staple snack being sold in stores and online for $6 per pack. </p> <p>“I (remember) when a double pack used to only be about $4.50. F**k this shit,” the user who posted the photo stated.</p> <p>Others blasted the price hike as excessive and "un-Australian". </p> <p>One commenter pointed out that the iconic Australian biscuit was potentially cheaper overseas, despite the import taxes. </p> <p>“That’s in Australia? They’re half that in Canada and they have to import them from Australia,” one said.</p> <p>“Like many other shrunken and quality reduced products I can live without them," another added. </p> <p>Arnott's traditional flavours are currently listed at $6 in Coles and Woolworths, while a family packet will set buyers back $7. </p> <p>An Arnott's spokesperson told the Daily Mail that the price hike was due to increased input costs. </p> <p>“Like most Australian manufacturers, we are experiencing a significant increase in our input costs, including the surging price of cocoa," the spokesperson said.</p> <p>“This has led us to make the difficult decision to increase the price of our Tim Tam biscuits.</p> <p>“We continue to invest in promotional programs with our retailers year-round, to ensure consumers can buy our products at great value prices.</p> <p>‘The changes are necessary for Arnott’s to remain competitive as an Australian manufacturer and to continue to make the delicious products Australians know and love.”</p> <p><em>Image: Reddit</em></p>

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