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Motorist fined $4000 for dodgy driver's license tactic

A prominent Sydney lawyer has warned Aussie drivers against falsely nominating someone to take on their demerit points after one of his clients was fined $4000 for the illegal act. Speaking to Yahoo News Australia, Sydney lawyer Avinash Singh said that there has been a significant spike in the practice in recent months. "In 2024, Transport for NSW (TfNSW) commenced a crackdown on false nominations of drivers," he told Yahoo. "There has been a widespread trend of people agreeing to take demerit points for other drivers. "The person nominated will usually charge a fee to take the demerit points. Often they are on international licences and may not even be in the country." He then explained the case of one of his clients who was issued a $4,000 fine for trying to offload their demerit points. "The reason the fine was so expensive was because the vehicle was registered as a company vehicle and the company had a record of previous offences," he explained. "As such, it was subject to the penalties for a corporation, which are significantly greater than that of an individual ($1,500)." He said the matter was listed at court where the $4,000 fine "could have been increased to $22,000". Singh managed to fight the fine on behalf of the driver, but warned that authorities are increasing their surveillance on this illegal act and have urged Aussies to remain vigilant. The tactic has gained popularity over the past few years, with the illegal service often being advertised on social media and the price of one demerit point going for anywhere between $30-$150. Image: Facebook/ Yahoo

Legal

“Is this illegal?”: Mum sparks debate over divisive rubbish bin tactic

A mother has reignited an age-old debate over neighbourhood etiquette, asking whether it is "illegal or frowned upon” to add rubbish to a neighbour’s wheelie bin if yours is completely full. Brooke Bliss, who lives on the NSW Mid North Coast, said that in her area bins were only collected once a fortnight and her outside bins fill up very quickly as a family of five. Often left with overflowing rubbish by the time collection day rolls around, Bliss admitted that she waits till the "dead of night" on the day before the bins are emptied and tosses a couple of bags of general waste into neighbours' bins. “Is this illegal or frowned upon?” the creator asked her followers in a video online. The mother-of-three explained to <a href="https://au.news.yahoo.com/mum-sparks-debate-over-widespread-rubbish-bin-tactic-everyone-does---but-is-it-illegal-004710089.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Yahoo News Australia</a>, “It’s actually super stressful, especially when you have young children… the bins fill up quite quickly.” “I find that my bin is full maybe like the fourth day after it’s just been collected and there’s still another eight or so days to go.” She added that she had “the most lovely neighbours” who would never have an issue with it, but she’d heard of other people being told not to do that by other residents. “I mean, if your neighbours aren’t letting you do that even if they have room in their bin, you then have the rubbish lying around your property because you have nowhere else to put it," Bliss added. Many fellow Aussies commenting on her video said they also sneak rubbish into their neighbours' bins and that once they were on the kerb they were fair game, with one adding, "as long as you're not putting rubbish in recycling or garden waste". “Both our neighbours know we do this to them,” one wrote, while another said, “I do it in broad daylight.” With a third adding, "everyone does this". While there are technically no laws against using your neighbours' bin, trespassing could be an issue unless you wait until the bin is on council land. A spokesman for Bliss's local council said that the move is generally frowned upon unless there is an agreement among neighbours. Image credits: Instagram / Shutterstock

Legal

Dodgy tactic to keep driver's licence growing "out of control"

A criminal lawyer has exposed an alarming trend, which has caused more and more people to seek legal advice. Over the past year, there has been an increase in the number of drivers off-loading their demerit points to strangers in exchange for cash, as Aussies desperately try to keep their licences. The illegal tactic is often advertised on social media, where users attract those looking for someone to falsely nominate and palm off their demerit points to. The price of one demerit point can go for $30-$150, and criminal lawyer Jahan Kalantar revealed that more people are seeking legal advice after getting involved in the trend. "This used to be a very tiny part of my practice, I do about eight to nine consultations a week on this," he told 7News Sunrise. "This is becoming really out of control." <a href="https://au.news.yahoo.com/dodgy-drivers-licence-tactic-used-by-millions-growing-out-of-control-044254123.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Yahoo Australia </a>shared a screenshot of a chat obtained from Facebook, which showed a person responding to an ad someone put up about selling their demerit points. "What fine is it?" the person advertising asked. "Speeding," the person replied. "Yeah I can sort it out for you," they said. When asked how it would work the advertiser replied: "If it's under 5 points it's $80 a point". There are tough penalties for those who choose to falsely nominate another driver, and for those who trade their demerit points for cash. In Victoria, offenders face fines of $9,000, while those in NSW and Queensland cop a maximum penalty of $11,000. In addition to hefty fines, imprisonment is also a risk, with one high-profile incident in 2006 landing former federal court judge Marcus Einfeld in prison after he was caught falsely declaring another driver for his speeding fine. Images: 7NEWS/ Facebook

Legal

What ‘psychological warfare’ tactics do scammers use, and how can you protect yourself?

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/mike-johnstone-106590">Mike Johnstone</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/edith-cowan-university-720">Edith Cowan University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/georgia-psaroulis-1513050">Georgia Psaroulis</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/edith-cowan-university-720">Edith Cowan University</a> Not a day goes by without a headline <a href="https://www.vice.com/en/article/qjvaym/people-share-worst-scam-stories">about a victim being scammed</a> and losing money. We are constantly warned about new scams and staying safe from cybercriminals. Scamwatch has <a href="https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/research-and-resources/tools-resources/online-resources/spot-the-scam-signs">no shortage of resources</a>, too. So why are people still getting scammed, and sometimes spectacularly so? Scammers use sophisticated psychological techniques. They exploit our deepest human vulnerabilities and bypass rational thought to tap into our emotional responses. This “<a href="https://www.thecut.com/article/amazon-scam-call-ftc-arrest-warrants.html">psychological warfare</a>” coerces victims into making impulsive decisions. Sometimes scammers spread their methods around many potential victims to see who is vulnerable. Other times, criminals focus on a specific person. Let’s unpack some of these psychological techniques, and how you can defend against them. <h2>1. Random phone calls</h2> Scammers start with small requests to establish a sense of commitment. After agreeing to these minor requests, we are more likely to comply with larger demands, driven by a desire to act consistently. The call won’t come from a number in your contacts or one you recognise, but the scammer may pretend to be someone you’ve engaged to work on your house, or perhaps one of your children using a friend’s phone to call you. If it is a scammer, maybe keeping you on the phone for a long time gives them an opportunity to find out things about you or people you know. They can use this info either immediately or at a later date. <h2>2. Creating a sense of urgency</h2> Scammers fabricate scenarios that require immediate action, like claiming a bank account is at risk of closure or an offer is about to expire. This tactic aims to prevent victims from assessing the situation logically or seeking advice, pressuring them into rushed decisions. The scammer creates an artificial situation in which you are frightened into doing something you wouldn’t ordinarily do. Scam calls <a href="https://theconversation.com/we-have-filed-a-case-under-your-name-beware-of-tax-scams-theyll-be-everywhere-this-eofy-162171">alleging to be from the Australian Tax Office</a> (ATO) are a great example. You have a debt to pay (apparently) and things will go badly if you don’t pay right now. Scammers play on your emotions to provoke reactions that cloud judgement. They may threaten legal trouble to instil fear, promise high investment returns to exploit greed, or share fabricated distressing stories to elicit sympathy and financial assistance. <h2>3. Building rapport with casual talk</h2> Through extended conversation, scammers build a psychological commitment to their scheme. No one gets very far by just demanding your password, but it’s natural to be friendly with people who are friendly towards us. After staying on the line for long periods of time, the victim also becomes cognitively fatigued. This not only makes the victim more open to suggestions, but also isolates them from friends or family who might recognise and counteract the scam. <h2>4. Help me to help you</h2> In this case, the scammer creates a situation where they help you to solve a real or imaginary problem (that they actually created). They work their “IT magic” and the problem goes away. Later, they ask you for something you wouldn’t normally do, and you do it because of the “social debt”: they helped you first. For example, a hacker might attack a corporate network, causing it to slow down. Then they call you, pretending to be from your organisation, perhaps as a recent hire not yet on the company’s contact list. They “help” you by turning off the attack, leaving you suitably grateful. Perhaps a week later, they call again and ask for sensitive information, such as the CEO’s password. You know company policy is to not divulge it, but the scammer will ask if you remember them (of course you do) and come up with an excuse for why they really need this password. The balance of the social debt says you will help them. <h2>5. Appealing to authority</h2> By posing as line managers, officials from government agencies, banks, or other authoritative bodies, scammers exploit our natural tendency to obey authority. Such scams operate at varying levels of sophistication. The simple version: your manager messages you with an urgent request to purchase some gift cards and send through their numbers. The complex version: your manager calls and asks to urgently transfer a large sum of money to an account you don’t recognise. You do this because <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/fraudsters-use-ai-to-mimic-ceos-voice-in-unusual-cybercrime-case-11567157402">it sounds exactly</a> like your manager on the phone – but the scammer <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2021/10/14/huge-bank-fraud-uses-deep-fake-voice-tech-to-steal-millions/?sh=1329b80e7559">is using a voice deepfake</a>. In a recent major case in Hong Kong, such a scam even involved a <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2024/02/04/asia/deepfake-cfo-scam-hong-kong-intl-hnk/index.html">deepfake video call</a>. This is deeply challenging because artificial intelligence tools, such as Microsoft’s VALL-E, can create <a href="https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2023/01/microsofts-new-ai-can-simulate-anyones-voice-with-3-seconds-of-audio/">a voice deepfake</a> using just three seconds of sampled audio from a real person. <h2>How can you defend against a scam?</h2> First and foremost, verify identity. Find another way to contact the person to verify who they are. For example, you can call a generic number for the business and ask to be connected. In the face of rampant voice deepfakes, it can be helpful to agree on a “safe word” with your family members. If they call from an unrecognised number and you don’t hear the safe word just hang up. Watch out for pressure tactics. If the conversation is moving too fast, remember that someone else’s problem is not yours to solve. Stop and run the problem past a colleague or family member for a sanity check. A legitimate business will have no problem with you doing this. Lastly, if you are not sure about even the slightest detail, the simplest thing is to hang up or not respond. If you really owe a tax debt, the ATO will write to you.<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/223959/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/mike-johnstone-106590">Mike Johnstone</a>, Security Researcher, Associate Professor in Resilient Systems, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/edith-cowan-university-720">Edith Cowan University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/georgia-psaroulis-1513050">Georgia Psaroulis</a>, Postdoctoral research fellow, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/edith-cowan-university-720">Edith Cowan University</a> Image credits: Shutterstock 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/what-psychological-warfare-tactics-do-scammers-use-and-how-can-you-protect-yourself-223959">original article</a>.

Money & Banking

Junk fees and drip pricing: the underhanded tactics we hate yet still fall for

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ralf-steinhauser-1459112">Ralf Steinhauser</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/australian-national-university-877">Australian National University</a> You see a fantastic offer, like a hotel room. You decide to book. Then it turns out there is a service fee. Then a cleaning fee. Then a few other extra costs. By the time you pay the final price, it is no longer the fantastic offer you thought. Welcome to the world of drip pricing – the practice of advertising something at an attractive headline price and then, once you’ve committed to the purchase process, hitting you with unavoidable extra fees that are incrementally disclosed, or “dripped”. Drip pricing – a type of “junk fee” – is notorious in event and travel ticketing, and is creeping into other areas, such as movie tickets. My daughter, for example, was surprised to find her ticket to the Barbie movie had a “booking fee”, increasing the cost of her ticket by 13%. It seems like such an annoying trick that you may wonder why sellers do it. The reason is because it works, due to two fundamental cognitive biases: the way we value the present over the future; and the way we hate losses more than we love gains. <h2>Present bias preference: why starting over feels too costly</h2> In the case of booking that hotel room, you could abandon the transaction and look for something cheaper once the extra charges become apparent. But there’s a good chance you won’t, due to the effort and time involved. This is where the trap lies. Resistance to the idea of starting the search all over again is not simply a matter of laziness or indecision. There’s a profound psychological mechanism at play here, called a present-bias preference – that we value things immediately in front of us more than things more distant in the future. In their seminal 1999 paper, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1257/aer.89.1.103">Doing it now or later</a>, economists Mathew Rabin and Ted O'Donoghue define present-biased preference as “the human tendency to grab immediate rewards and to avoid immediate costs”. They give the example of choosing between doing seven hours of unpleasant activity on April 1 or eight hours two weeks later. If asked about this a few months beforehand, most people will choose the earlier option. “But come April 1, given the same choice, most of us are apt to put off work till April 15.” In simple terms, the inconvenience and effort of doing something “right now” often feels disproportionately large. Drip pricing exploits this cognitive bias by getting you to make a decision and commit to the transaction process. When you’re far into a complicated booking process and extra prices get added, starting all over again feels like a burden. Often enough, this means you’ll settle for the higher-priced hotel room. <h2>Loss aversion: buying more expensive tickets</h2> Beyond the challenge of starting over, there’s another subtle force at work when it comes to our spending decisions. Drip pricing doesn’t just capitalise on our desire for immediate rewards; it also plays on our innate fear of losing out. This second psychological phenomenon that drip pricing exploits is known as loss aversion – that we feel more pain from losing something than pleasure from gaining the same thing. The concept of loss aversion was first outlined by economists Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky in <a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/1914185">a 1979 paper</a> that is the third most-cited article in economics. <hr /> <figure class="align-center "><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/543635/original/file-20230821-25-mca6ku.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/543635/original/file-20230821-25-mca6ku.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=497&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/543635/original/file-20230821-25-mca6ku.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=497&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/543635/original/file-20230821-25-mca6ku.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=497&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/543635/original/file-20230821-25-mca6ku.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=624&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/543635/original/file-20230821-25-mca6ku.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=624&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/543635/original/file-20230821-25-mca6ku.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=624&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="A graphic representation of loss aversion. The pain from losing a good or service will be greater than the pleasure from gaining the same good or service." /><figcaption>How economists Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky graphically represented loss aversion. The pain from losing a good or service is greater than the pleasure from gaining the same good or service. Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky, Prospect Theory: An Analysis of Decision under Risk, Econometrica, Vol. 47, No. 2</figcaption></figure> <hr /> Drip pricing exploits this tendency, by dragging us away from more “rational” choices. Imagine you’re booking tickets for a show. Initially attracted by the observed headline price, you are now presented with different seating categories. Seeing the “VIP” are within your budget, you decide to splurge. But then, during the checkout process, the drip of extra costs begins. You realise you could have opted for lower-category seats and stayed within your budget. But by this stage you’ve already changed your expectation and imagined yourself enjoying the show from those nice seats. Going back and booking cheaper seats will feel like a loss. <h2>Do consumers need protection?</h2> Empirical evidence supports the above theoretical predictions about the impact of drop pricing on consumers. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/mar.21426">A 2020 study</a> quantified how much consumers dislike the lack of transparency in drip pricing (based on tracking the reactions of 225 undergraduates using fictional airline and hotel-booking websites). The authors liken the practice to the “taximeter effect” – the discomfort consumers feel watching costs accumulate. But drip pricing’s effectiveness from a seller’s perspective is undeniable. A <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jebo.2020.04.007">experimental study</a> published in 2020 found drip pricing generates higher profits while lowering the “consumer surplus” (the benefit derived from buying a product or service). A <a href="https://doi.org/10.1287/mksc.2020.1261">2021 analysis</a> of data from StubHub, a US website for reselling tickets, calculated drip pricing increased revenue by 20%. Which is why the tactic remains attractive to businesses despite customers disliking it. Buyers would benefit from a ban of drip pricing. Many countries are taking steps to protect consumers from drip pricing. The UK government, for example, announced a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/aug/21/growth-of-airlines-add-on-fees-sparks-calls-for-price-reforms">review of drip pricing</a> in June, with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak flagging the possibility of measures to curb the practice. The US government is also considering <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/06/15/president-biden-recognizes-actions-by-private-sector-ticketing-and-travel-companies-to-eliminate-hidden-junk-fees-and-provide-millions-of-customers-with-transparent-pricing/">new regulations</a>, with President Joe Biden denouncing “junk fees” in his <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2023/02/07/remarks-of-president-joe-biden-state-of-the-union-address-as-prepared-for-delivery/">2023 State of the Union address</a>. Proposed changes include requiring airlines and online booking services to disclose the full ticket price upfront, inclusive of baggage and other fees. The effectiveness of measures, however, is <a href="https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4430453">still being debated</a>. In the meantime, your principal protection is making a more informed decision, by understanding why the tactic works. Bargains may attract you, but you can learn to not fall for hidden costs and align your choices with your budget and values.<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/211117/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ralf-steinhauser-1459112">Ralf Steinhauser</a>, Senior Research Fellow, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/australian-national-university-877">Australian National University</a> Image credits: Getty Images 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/junk-fees-and-drip-pricing-the-underhanded-tactics-we-hate-yet-still-fall-for-211117">original article</a>.

Money & Banking

5 negotiation tactics to grab crazy property deals in a slowing market

Rising interest rates have started to put the handbrakes on Australia’s runaway property market, and that’s good news for homebuyers who are now in a far stronger position to negotiate on a property than they have been over the last few years. One of the most apparent advantages for buyers in the current market is the reduced levels of competition. Fewer buyers mean that prices aren’t being driven higher, and if you’re a good negotiator, it’s possible to swoop in and find yourself a bargain. If you’re new to negotiating for property or unsure where to start, here are five tactics that will help you achieve a strong result at the negotiating table. <ol> <li>Know the market</li> </ol> You can’t succeed in a negotiation if you don’t know the value of the asset that you’re trying to buy in the first place. That’s why any good negotiator will always start by doing their research. You need to know the market better than your competition and don’t get caught up in any hype or opinions from a sales agent. Start by finding what comparable properties are selling for in the market. Look for the last three months of sales around your property. The sales should be of similar property types, sizes, ages, and land components. Another good way to get an idea of the price is to speak with local agents in the area. When you have a fair market value, you then know your “walk away price,” and you won’t find yourself getting emotional and overbidding. <ol start="2"> <li>Understand the vendor’s motivations</li> </ol> In any negotiation, there is a saying that whoever needs the deal least will likely be the one that comes out on top. When looking at potential properties to buy, you can be the world’s best negotiator, but if the vendor doesn’t need to sell, they will likely either wait for their price or walk away. Whenever you start looking at a property, try to ascertain as much information about the vendor as possible. That will give you an understanding of how motivated they are to sell, which will then impact how much you initially want to offer. <ol start="3"> <li>Be the strong bidder, not the highest</li> </ol> In a property transaction, price is just one piece of the puzzle. When a vendor weighs up an offer on their property, they are interested in the price, but the terms can also play a big part. For example, if you’re a cash buyer who can settle quickly, that might be far more appealing to a vendor than a higher offer that needs three months to settle. Similarly, a larger deposit could give a vendor more certainty that the transaction will occur. As a buyer, getting your finances in place ahead of time and then tailoring your terms to suit the vendor might give you an edge in a negotiation even if you’re not the highest bidder. Ultimately, the vendor wants their problem solved, and your job is to find out what it is and then make a strong offer that addresses those immediate needs. If you are ever tempted to make an unconditional offer, be sure you’ve done extensive due diligence and can secure finance, as there could be significant costs if you have to back out of the deal. <ol start="4"> <li>Unique offers</li> </ol> A great way to make your offer seem stronger than it might actually be is to come in with an odd-numbered amount. An offer price of $596,200 instead of $590,000 or $600,000 reflects that you’ve taken the time to do your due diligence, making your offer stand out. Another approach is to make a written offer with a deadline. That way, you can speed up the negotiation process, and it might prevent the sales agent from pitting your bid against another buyer to drive up the price. <ol start="5"> <li>Know the property</li> </ol> It’s critical to clearly understand what you’re buying before entering any negotiation. While you might have done your comparable sales analysis and have an excellent overall picture of what similar properties are selling for, you still need to investigate this particular property. Several things can impact the property’s value, which can help you negotiate. For example, if an awkward tenant occupies the property, it will be less appealing to many homebuyers, which you can use to your advantage. There may also be issues with the property, such as problematic zoning, service locations, or even large trees that can alter its value. The most obvious factor to consider is the state of the property and whether it needs renovation or repairs. In the current market, homebuyers are less interested in buying a property that needs work due to the cost of materials and difficulty finding tradespeople. That will give you a strong starting point to negotiate around the price. While getting a great deal is essential, it’s crucial not to compromise on the property’s quality. Quality is more important than a bargain, and a property’s performance will ultimately determine its value. A slowing real estate market presents an opportunity for buyers to negotiate and secure a great property deal. By understanding the local market, paying attention to the vendor’s motivations, and putting forward intelligent offers, you can potentially grab an excellent property deal in a slowing market. Rasti Vaibhav is the author of The Property Wealth Blueprint (RRP $39.95) and Founder of Get RARE Properties, a bespoke independent buyers' agency that has been helping hundreds of clients across Australia secure their financial freedom through property. For more information, visit <a href="https://getrare.com.au">https://getrare.com.au</a> Image credits: Getty Images

Real Estate

3 sales tactics rife in the real estate industry, and why they work

Buying a home is likely to be the biggest financial transaction you will ever make, and you’re at a distinct disadvantage. You’re an amateur up against professionals – real estate agents – versed in psychological tricks to get you excited about owning a property and paying more than you planned. These tricks start with comparatively simple things such as making rooms look bigger in adverts by using a wide-angle photography. They extend all the way to the point of sale. None of these tactics necessarily involve outright lying – there are laws against false and misleading conduct. But they are manipulative, exploiting the fact that humans are emotional beings with many “cognitive biases” – a perception of reality that is more emotional ratther than rational. The three most common tactics come down to manipulating your confidence in your own decisions. Close to <a href="https://www.worldscientific.com/doi/abs/10.1142/S0217590816500156">80 studies</a> suggest overconfidence is one of the most significant cognitive biases influencing behaviour in the real estate market. <h2>1. Underquote, entice the bargain hunters</h2> You see a property in your price range that’s everything you want. You call the agent, inspect the property, then prepare for the auction. It sells for $200,000 more. Underquoting involves deliberately advertising a property significantly lower than its likely sales price. While the prevalence of the practice is disputed, with industry representatives saying most agents do the right thing, <a href="https://www.theage.com.au/property/news/new-3-8-million-crackdown-on-underquoting-by-victorian-real-estate-agents-20220914-p5bhzq.html">anecdotal evidence</a>points to underquoting being very common. Underquoting is effective because it attracts more interested buyers and increases the number and intensity of bidding. It exploits two of the most ubiquitous cognitive biases – herd behaviour and irrational exuberance. More interest doesn’t just increase competition. A real estate agent will communicate that interest to us, confirming our desire in the property is justified. This tendency to “follow the herd” and imitate others, as US economist Robert Shiller noted in an influential <a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/2117915">1995 paper</a>, is built on the assumption others have information that justiﬁes their actions. This helps explain pretty much every stockmarket bubble since <a href="https://theconversation.com/tulip-mania-the-classic-story-of-a-dutch-financial-bubble-is-mostly-wrong-91413">tulipmania in the 17th century</a>, including the <a href="https://lsecentralbanking.medium.com/how-did-herd-behaviour-contribute-to-the-global-financial-crisis-3b0024a4755e">Global Financial Crisis of 2007-8</a> and <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1544612318303647">speculation on cryptocurrency</a>. We are emotionally swayed by the decisions of others, assuming their decisions are rational, even when they are not. This is fertile ground for our own decisions to be manipulated. <h2>2. Hide reality, inflate expectations</h2> Real estate agents will generally favour auctions to extract the <a href="https://www.domain.com.au/news/selling-at-auction-in-melbourne-earns-vendors-tens-of-thousands-in-extra-cash-1072565/">maximum sales price</a>, for the reasons outlined above and the prospect of <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/220505543_Understanding_auction_fever_A_framework_for_emotional_bidding">auction fever</a> – when carefully decided limits are forgotten in the thrill of the moment. But that’s not always the case. In a soft market with few buyers, agents may instead opt for a private sale, sometimes called a “<a href="https://attwoodmarshall.com.au/the-silent-auction/">silent auction</a>”. The goal here is to cause you to overestimate the degree of competition and thus make a bigger offer. An agent might assist this perception by instead supplying you with information from previous public auctions of similar properties more favourable to their preferred narrative. The value of hiding information also explains why you may come across so many sold listings with <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/property/news/should-you-be-able-to-know-how-much-your-neighbours-sold-their-house-for-20220223-p59z2t.html">labels</a> such as “price not disclosed” or “price withheld.” The reason for this may well be that the property sold for less than hoped. Hiding information the agent doesn’t want you to think about depends principally on exploiting our cognitive bias towards <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/psychology/overconfidence">overconfidence</a> – assuming we are smarter, more knowledgeable or better skilled than we actually are. In lieu of that negative information, you are more likely to focus on the available information – particularly if it suits what you want to believe. <h2>3. Talk up nominal gains</h2> You may have heard the <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/property/news/do-house-prices-really-double-every-10-years-20211203-p59eif.html">old saying</a> that property values double every 10 years. Stressing what a property is likely to be worth in a decade <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/news/suburbs-you-shouldve-bought-a-home-in-10-years-ago-and-how-much-your-area-has-grown/">based on what it was worth a decade ago</a> can be a powerful motivator to bid more. As Robert Shiller noted in his 2013 book <a href="https://press.princeton.edu/books/paperback/9780691156323/the-subprime-solution">The Subprime Solution</a> (about the property-buying mania that led to the Global Financial Crisis), homes are such significant investments that we tend to recall their prices from the distant past (unlike, say, like a loaf of bread or bottle of milk). This tendency results in an unconscious focus on nominal values rather than <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/general/2012/04/12/the-illusion-of-housing-as-a-great-investment.aspx">real (inflation-adjusted) values</a>. This cognitive bias is known as the <a href="https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/14635789810212931/full/html">money illusion</a>, a mental miscalculation that may increase your willingness to pay more for the property. <h2>In conclusion…</h2> There’s a case for laws to <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/news/push-to-end-home-sale-price-confusion-in-victorian-property-industry-review/">increase transparency</a> and the accuracy of information available in the real estate market. But in the meantime, if you’re buying a home, it’s wise to acknowledge your limitations. Do your homework, seek out independent advice and even consider hiring a professional advocate with the knowledge and experience to balance emotional and rational thoughts. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/3-sales-tactics-rife-in-the-real-estate-industry-and-why-they-work-202960" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.

Real Estate

SAS Australia stars criticised over ‘dirty tactic’

Two recruits on SAS Australia employed what many fans are calling dirty tactics on Monday night’s episode of the reality television show, and the online backlash was swift. Sprinter Jessica Peris was up against Olympian Jana Pittman in a challenge that saw them try to knock each other off a log that was suspended in the air above fast-moving water. Peris was victorious, but only after throwing a handful of sand in Pittman’s eyes, causing her to become disoriented. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> It's win at all costs in this task <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SASAustralia?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SASAustralia</a> <a href="https://t.co/2ujqkvjHq7">pic.twitter.com/2ujqkvjHq7</a> — SAS Australia on 7 (@sasaustralia) <a href="https://twitter.com/sasaustralia/status/1444947599216111618?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 4, 2021</a></blockquote> Later, fellow sprinter John Steffensen employed the same tactic against actor Dan Ewing, and the pair were loudly criticised on social media, with many calling the move a ‘dog act’ and a ‘dirty tactic’. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> That’s a dog act! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SASAustralia?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SASAustralia</a> — Lauren K (@lolly375) <a href="https://twitter.com/lolly375/status/1444946609817616391?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 4, 2021</a></blockquote> Others defended the move, arguing that “in war, it’s life or death”. Without consulting a military strategist or historian it’s hard to be certain, but ‘throwing sand in your opponent’s eyes’ probably isn’t a widely employed tactic in modern warfare. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> In war it's life or death. There's no safety rope. Sand in the eyes can be washed out. Hand in your number if you think otherwise <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SASAustralia?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SASAustralia</a> — MXYZ 💉💉 (@MXYZ_) <a href="https://twitter.com/MXYZ_/status/1444949890065256450?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 4, 2021</a></blockquote> As it turns out, the pair were acting on advice from the Directing Staff. Mark “Billy” Billingham spoke to Peris as she was preparing to walk across the pole, suggesting, “You know what I’d do? Keep your cool, keep looking at her … Handful of dirt when you get close enough. Face full of dirt … Boom, sweet, take her out.” <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> 👀👀👀 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SASAustralia?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SASAustralia</a> <a href="https://t.co/mIW2q0PQRI">pic.twitter.com/mIW2q0PQRI</a> — SAS Australia on 7 (@sasaustralia) <a href="https://twitter.com/sasaustralia/status/1444946465768427521?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 4, 2021</a></blockquote> Peris tried to apologise to Pittman during the journey back to base camp, but Pittman let her know exactly how she felt, telling Jess, “Only you two did it. I just didn’t expect it from you (Jessica) … I expected it from him. … It’s just different personalities. I’ve never been a particularly aggressive person. No offence, doll, but there is no way I could’ve done that. Maybe that’s my weakness.” In response, Steffensen argued that there were “different rules here”. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> I’m with Jana, I would rather lose and have my morals than cheat to win. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SASAustralia?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SASAustralia</a> — Ashlee (@_itsashleeee_) <a href="https://twitter.com/_itsashleeee_/status/1444949739380764677?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 4, 2021</a></blockquote> AFL player Heath Shaw ultimately won the challenge, but departed at the end of the episode, along with Peris and ironman Jett Kenny. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Selection was one of the most challenging things Recruit #18 Jessica Peris has ever done in her life... and also the most rewarding! 👏 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SASAustralia?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SASAustralia</a> <a href="https://t.co/YYNGrzCZld">pic.twitter.com/YYNGrzCZld</a> — SAS Australia on 7 (@sasaustralia) <a href="https://twitter.com/sasaustralia/status/1445139161850122241?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 4, 2021</a></blockquote>

Disturbing new tactic adopted by anti-maskers putting us all at risk

Throughout the pandemic, COVID-deniers and conspiracy theorists have been adopting a range of unusual and dangerous tactics to avoid sticking to lockdown rules and distancing guidelines. Now, anti-maskers have resorted to mocking up fake exemption stickers in what is being called a "disturbing" strategy to avoid important coronavirus regulations. The news comes alongside whispers of an app which enables users to create fake QR code check-in pages to give the false idea they have recorded their presence into a premises. While mask exemption stickers or badges are available, you must have a valid medical excuse from your GP to gain access to one. Queensland Health Minister Yvette D’Ath has called out rule breakers in her state who are said to have created fraudulent mask exemption badges. “People shouldn’t be finding ways to work around the rules,” Ms D’Ath said to Channel 9. “If you don’t have a mask on, you are risking yourself getting the virus; it is not worth trying to come up with a fake excuse not to wear a mask.” She also expressed her concern about the fake QR code check-in app that is being passed around on conspiracy theorist online forums. The app can duplicate pages for NSW, Queensland and Victoria, giving users the tick to enter a premise, without sending their details to the state government, and will be unable to trace close contact COVID-19 cases. “This simple workaround creates what looks like a covid QR tick of approval, but it doesn’t send your private information to the government,” one website plugging the app stated. Image credit: Shutterstock

Caring

The subtle yet sneaky Woolies tactic you didn’t notice at checkout

A little-known feature at Woolworths’ self-serve checkouts is being used to stamp out potential theft and helping customers scan groceries faster. Sneaky shoppers who may try to cheat the self-serve system by scanning avocados as carrots should beware. New technology at the assisted checkouts will now be able to detect the type of loose product a customer is purchasing. The upgrade in the self-service checkout machines has been rolled out in 220 of its 1050 stores and allows the scanner to analyse the subtle characteristics of the product being weighed. The screen will then give chekoutlists with three fruit and vegetable options to choose from. “So if a customer places a loose tomato on the scanner, the system will show a range of tomato varieties rather than the full list of fruit and veg items,” a Woolworths spokesperson told Yahoo News Australia. “This makes self-serve that little bit faster and improves the accuracy of product selection for customers.” The Picklist Assist feature scans fruit and vegetables using imaging technology. <img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7839069/woolies-sself-servce-2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/f9b1985b850a4be3b5802a52ffa9915f" /> It brings up shortlists of items to help shoppers make selection of their product image quicker. Woolworths hopes the technology will simplify their shop. “We’re always looking for ways to make shopping easier for our customers,” the Woolworths spokesperson said. “As we progressively upgrade our assisted checkouts, we have access to new technology, which helps customers find loose fruit and veg items in the system faster. “The system uses image recognition technology to filter the list of possible products based on their colour, shape or size.”

Food & Wine

Supermarkets claim to have our health at heart – but their marketing tactics push junk foods

Supermarkets like to <a href="https://www.woolworthsgroup.com.au/page/community-and-responsibility/group-responsibility/environment/inspiring-healthy-choices">portray</a> themselves as having the <a href="https://www.coles.com.au/about-coles/community">health</a> of the community at heart. And in the middle of a pandemic, we’re all grateful supermarkets are still open and, for the most part, the shelves are well stocked. But our <a href="https://www.insideourfoodcompanies.com.au/supermarkets">new report</a>, published today, finds our supermarkets are overwhelmingly pushing junk foods on us rather than healthy foods. They have more promotional displays and more special offers for the least healthy food options, and they tempt us to buy unhealthy products at checkouts. Our research – what we did For our report, we surveyed more than 100 Coles, Woolworths, Aldi and independent stores in Australia. In each store, we measured the shelf space allocated to different foods and how they are promoted at checkouts and end-of-aisle displays. We also looked at discounts on healthy compared with unhealthy items. We categorised the healthiness of food and drinks based on the <a href="https://www.eatforhealth.gov.au/sites/default/files/content/n55_australian_dietary_guidelines.pdf">Australian Dietary Guidelines</a>, which classify foods as “five food groups” foods (healthy) and “discretionary” foods (unhealthy). We analysed the findings by supermarket chain and by the level of disadvantage of the area in which each store was located. Promotion of unhealthy food and drinks at checkouts We found 90% of staff-assisted checkouts included displays of unhealthy food and drinks. These displays typically included chocolate, confectionery, soft drinks and energy drinks. The food and drinks on special at checkouts was also 7.5 times more likely to be unhealthy than healthy. These results show how checkout displays encourage impulse buys of unhealthy snacks. This is in stark contrast to displays near the entrance of most stores, where fresh fruit and vegetables feature prominently. Unhealthy food is promoted all over the store The displays at the end of aisles, particularly those in high-traffic areas nearest the front of the store, are where supermarkets put their <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0969698917307257">biggest promotions</a>. Our survey found that of all end-of-aisle displays with food and drinks, 80% had at least one type of unhealthy item. In Coles, Woolworths and independent supermarkets, there was twice as much unhealthy food as healthy food on display. Around two-thirds of all specials on food and drinks were for unhealthy items. It matters where you shop On the measures we looked at there was little difference between Coles and Woolworths. But Aldi stores were quite different. They had fewer promotional displays and discounts overall. This means unhealthy food is not being pushed on Aldi shoppers in the same way it is at the other major chains. Independent stores varied widely. On average, they were no better than Coles or Woolworths. But the two healthiest stores in our study were both independent stores with abundant fresh food, and few promotional displays for unhealthy food and drinks. This tells us a healthier supermarket environment is possible. It also matters where you live We found supermarkets allocate more shelf space to unhealthy food and drinks (chips, chocolate, confectionery, sweet biscuits, soft drinks and energy drinks) compared with fresh and frozen fruit and vegetables. Critically, this was more pronounced in stores located in more disadvantaged areas. People living with socioeconomic disadvantage have <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia/fe037cf1-0cd0-4663-a8c0-67cd09b1f30c/aihw-aus-222.pdf.aspx?inline=true">higher rates of diet-related diseases</a> and are <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/public-health-nutrition/article/association-between-socioeconomic-position-and-diet-quality-in-australian-adults/48106AB58906A3D5A4B3534D670A9F4A">less likely</a> to eat healthy, nutritious food. They are also more likely to <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/public-health-nutrition/article/discretionary-food-and-beverage-consumption-and-its-association-with-demographic-characteristics-weight-status-and-fruit-and-vegetable-intakes-in-australian-adults/689B3A1CE7E8B21680775430DED5623B">over-consume unhealthy food</a>. The extent to which unhealthy food is pushed at us shouldn’t depend on the suburb in which we live. We need higher standards in Australian supermarkets The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of supermarkets in our daily lives. But when the pandemic is finally over, we will still have an <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.5694/j.1326-5377.2010.tb03503.x">expensive national health problem</a> resulting from our unhealthy diets and high levels of <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports-data/behaviours-risk-factors/overweight-obesity/overview">obesity</a>. Supermarkets can be part of the solution to that problem. They can help all Australians move towards healthier, more nutritious diets. Some improvements could include: <ul> <li>providing healthier checkouts that do not display chocolate, confectionery and sugary drinks</li> <li>replacing unhealthy items with healthy food and drinks at end-of-aisle displays</li> <li>allocating less shelf space to unhealthy items</li> <li>offering fewer discounts on unhealthy food and drinks</li> <li>ensuring stores in the most disadvantaged areas do not disproportionately market unhealthy food and drinks, in comparison to stores in other areas.</li> </ul> If supermarkets don’t take action to improve their practices, the government should be ready to step in to ensure the supermarket environment encourages the selection of healthier options. Written by Gary Sacks, Adrian Cameron, Lily Grigsby-Duffy and Sally Schultz. Republished with permission of <a href="https://theconversation.com/supermarkets-claim-to-have-our-health-at-heart-but-their-marketing-tactics-push-junk-foods-138292">The Conversation.</a>

Art

Must end soon! The catch with time-limited sales tactics

You may be getting a lot of emails offering you attractive discounts for a short period only. You may see flash sales or special deals that exhort you to “buy now” to avoid missing out. These digital “time-limited” offers, as they are called, are actually an old sales tactic. Those in the game of selling cars, for example, have long used the trick of alluding to that other very interested buyer who’s likely to return and snap up the bargain that’s before you. Telephone salespeople routinely offer deals that must be accepted during the call. Want time to think about it? Too bad. Online time-limited sales work on the same basis, but with technology taking it to a whole new level. Now retailers can bombard you with offers that are highly customised and super-short – a deal, perhaps, for something you might have been searching online for, and now available at a discount only until midnight. But for these tactics to work, our research suggests, requires finding a Goldilocks zone between being too pushy and not all. Time needs to be limited to deter you from searching elsewhere for a better deal. But paradoxically you also need enough time to convince yourself that buying is the best decision. Experimenting with time limits To find out what makes time-limited offers effective, I and my colleagues Robert Sugden and Mengjie Wang from the University of East Anglia <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jebo.2019.09.008">ran experiments</a> to see what leads people to accept or reject such offers. What we found is that these offers leverage risk-aversion. That is, the more you dislike risk, the more likely it is you will take the bait and buy now. In our experiments, using university students, we asked participants to complete 30 “price search” tasks. These tasks involved giving participants a “budget” and asking them to buy a product from six different price offers, shown to them sequentially with a few seconds between each. Any unspent money they got to keep. In half of the tasks they could consider all six offers before making their choice. In the other half, one of the first three offers would be time-limited, lapsing after either four or 12 seconds, which they could only accept before the next offer appeared. We also varied, when participants accepted a time-limited offer, between showing them no more offers or showing all remaining offers immediately. This was to test if greater feedback (increasing the possibility of regret) reduced the probability of a time-limited offer being chosen. Participants then did 15 related risk-taking tasks based on their choices in the tasks with time-limited options. This helped us determine what was going on with their choices. A time paradox Overall our results point to choosing time-limited options being linked to risk aversion. People generally prefer to secure a certain cake now over the uncertain possibility of a better cake in the future. We really do believe the old proverb that a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. But there was a catch – and a big one. Somewhat paradoxically, people also need to think things through to jump on the time-limited offer. Time-limited offers were accepted more when participants had 12 seconds to decide rather than four seconds. This indicates people need enough time to reflect on the task to decide they are better off going for the “safe” deal. As we <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167268119302823?via%3Dihub#sec0008">warn in our paper</a>, one should be wary about extrapolating too directly from laboratory behaviour to real markets, but our results suggest time-limited offers do not rely on limits to the consumers’ ability to make a rational decision. When they work it is because they are mechanisms of search deterrence – restricting the consumers’ opportunities to compare available offers – amplified by risk aversion. So businesses may be shooting themselves in the foot when they create offers that are too short, too pushy. If you’re like most people, you need time to reflect on the risk of not buying. If the offer is too fast and furious, you’re likely to just be turned off.<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; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/124897/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/daniel-zizzo-125561">Daniel Zizzo</a>, Professor and Academic Dean of the School of Economics, <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a> This article is republished from <a href="http://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/must-end-soon-but-not-too-soon-the-catch-in-time-limited-sales-tactics-124897">original article</a>.

Money & Banking

Shoppers unimpressed with Woolworths’ new self-serve tactic

Shoppers aren’t happy with the latest self-serve checkout that’s been unveiled at a new Woolworths store in Melbourne this week. Millers Junction Woolworths in Melbourne’s west was treated to Victoria’s very first self-serve checkout specifically for trolleys. This could potentially sole issues about overcrowding in the service area. “I think it’s a great idea, and I really love self service,” one person told <a rel="noopener" href="https://au.news.yahoo.com/customers-hit-out-at-woolworths-new-self-service-tactic-033430011.html" target="_blank">Yahoo News Australia</a>. “The only time we don’t use it is if we had a full trolley, but the new self-serve would solve that problem.” However, many were quick to point out that adding more self-serve checkouts doesn’t solve the problems of overcrowding. “This company still doesn't get it. If you go shopping you do not want to have to serve yourself as well. Business is just greedy for money, cut jobs, no staff for the customer to interact with,” one person said. “No jobs for the young kids to get a kickstart in the workforce. Computers have definitely helped but before you know it nobody will be working because robots and computers will do it all,” another agreed. “This solves nothing, now the slow morons that really should not be using self-check out to begin with will take up more space and waste more time,” a third person said. <iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fmammaknowswest%2Fphotos%2Fa.801562326538146%2F3023260567701633%2F%3Ftype%3D3&width=500" width="500" height="380" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe> Retail expert Professor Gary Mortimer from Queensland University of Technology said that self-serve checkouts do not always equal less employees. “Roles are simply moved from one area to another,” Professor Mortimer told <a rel="noopener" href="https://au.news.yahoo.com/customers-hit-out-at-woolworths-new-self-service-tactic-033430011.html" target="_blank">Yahoo News Australia</a>. “I think the service is still the same, it’s just with one option you’re actually actively involved in controlling your transaction - and some shoppers like that.” Mortimer also suggests that there is a mindset that it’s faster to unload, scan and bag your own groceries through self-serve but it really takes the same amount of time as an employee doing it for you. “Because we are stressed and because we are perceived to be time-poor, it doesn’t matter which queue you’re in, you’re always going to believe you’re in the slowest queue,” he explained. “The perception is ‘Wow, this is really quick’, but there could be 20 customers ahead of you, but when you’re standing in a checkout there might be two people in front, and you go ‘This is going really slow. “It’s just the movement which creates the psychology that things are moving faster.” Mortimer says that retailers across the board are looking to provide shoppers with different ways to transact their goods. “I think these types of conveyor belt style self-service technologies will roll out, I don’t think they will be predominant across all checkouts but there will certainly be one or two options for customers,” Professor Mortimer said. “Particularly in busier stores.”

Food & Wine

“Disgraceful”: Bathurst tactics under review as McLaughlin claims controversial win

Officials are set to re-open an investigation into Supercars driver Fabian Coulthard’s “disgraceful” behaviour during a late safety car period at the Bathurst 1000. Coulthard is allegedly being looked into after he decided to slow down dramatically and hold up the field behind his Ford teammate Scott McLaughlin, who went to claim his maiden Great Race on Sunday. He was hit with a drive-through penalty during the race as he breached safety car procedures, but officials are now taking a look at the incident for the second time to see if it influenced the outcome of the 161-lap race. Coming third-place at the time, Coulthard slowed down and backed up the rest of the field as top two Jamie Whincup and McLaughlin raced to their garage for a pit stop to get much-needed fuel during the safety car period with 26 laps left. His slow pace ensured he avoided double stacking or being forced to wait behind his teammate McLaughlin in the pits. The team radio showed van Gisbergen was furious about Coulthard’s scheme. “Fabian is going stupidly slow,” he said. “Fabian should get a penalty for that, going stupidly slow. That was shocking.” McLaughlin later went on to claim his first Bathurst title by beating Gisbergen by 0.68 seconds. Supercars legend Larry Perkins said Coulthard’s actions were “disgraceful” on Sunday night.

News

The sneaky shopping centre tactics designed to get you to stay

If you’ve ever gotten lost in a shopping centre, you’re not alone. In fact, it’s designed that way to be confusing and to get you to spend more money. “There is a whole lot of psychology involved and fundamentally the final shopper is not high on the list of concerns,” University College London architecture professor Alan Penn said to <a href="https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/retail/tactics-shopping-centres-use-to-make-us-linger-longer-and-spend-more/news-story/fe6c44a0de8f07d6782b8fd2268495a1">news.com.au</a>. One popular tactic employed by shopping centres is known as the “dog bone” and is embedded into the way that the floor plans are designed. “The dog bone design for shopping malls comes from the US and is geared to a culture of car access,” Prof Penn said. “The aim is to get people in and then to keep them in as long as possible wandering up and down the length of the bone between anchor stores.” Another tactic is not having clocks in the shopping centre so you can’t see how much time you’ve spent in the shopping centre, but with the popularity of smartphones that have clocks on them, this doesn’t impact the shopper as much as it used to. The food court is another tactic. “One of the only thing centres used to do to get people to stay longer was to have a food court,” said Australian retail consultant Michael Baker. “But it wasn’t too fancy, just a place to refuel so people could go around again.” The final tactic? Getting you lost on purpose. By adding curves and making it confusing to get where you need to go, you’ll spend more money and time in the shopping centre. Prof Penn said this made malls less “intelligible” which was the plan as, “it removes your ability to act with intention”. However, due to the sharp decline of department stores in shopping centres, companies are having to reinvent the shopping centre in order to keep customers. With the addition of cinemas, childcare centres and the demand from customers for more fancy food options, it’s clear what shopping centres need to do in order to keep customers happy. “Food is no longer just fuel, it constitutes a shopping centre anchor in itself,” Mr Barker said. “If you have al fresco dining then you need a very different design to the shoebox mall. You have to face outward to the streets, so expect more open air centres.”

Money & Banking

Coles debuts new tactic to stop self-checkout thefts

A dozen Coles supermarkets across Melbourne have reportedly installed tablet-sized cameras at self-serve checkouts to deter shoplifters. The cameras have been set up on the self-service monitor, allowing shoppers to see themselves scanning and packing their items on the screen. It is unknown whether the cameras are recording any footage. A Coles spokesperson told Over 60 that the supermarket is trialling the new security technology in select stores to help reduce self-checkout theft. <img style="width: 281.25px; height: 500px; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7825877/imgurcoles.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/bb61f2d01467472ba8e5de7f3c618617" /> Source: u/kap_bid (<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/melbourne/comments/baznpa/coles_self_checkout_security_cameras_are_well_set/">Reddit</a>/<a href="https://imgur.com/7FzqlOR">imgur</a>) “While the large majority of our customers do the right thing, it’s not fair that a small number of people get away with doing the wrong thing,” said the spokesperson. She said the cameras are complemented with large signs and posters at the front of the stores, therefore complying with all relevant laws relating to signage detailing security measures in place. Apart from the cameras, the spokesperson said covert security officers are also present in stores nationwide. “They’re catching hundreds of thieves every week and reporting them to police.” It is not known how long the trial period would go for, or if the security measures would be extended to more stores. Eight million transactions are being made on the self-serve checkouts at Coles every week. Self-checkout thefts and scams have been an ongoing problem for supermarkets like Coles and Woolworths. A 2018 survey of 2,200 shoppers by <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/retail/fifteen-per-cent-of-shoppers-still-scamming-selfservice-checkouts-despite-supermarket-crackdowns/news-story/8ed59080d5380c85d0c0491ed9825dda" target="_blank">Canstar Blue</a> revealed that 7 per cent admitted to stealing an item without scanning it, while 9 per cent admitted to scanning a product as a cheaper alternative to avoid paying the full price. These numbers remained largely unchanged from two years before, even after efforts by the retailers to crack down on theft and underscanning.

Legal

Police called out for sneaky unmarked cars tactic

Police have been called out for a sneaky tactic, after a photo of a police car with a rear window sticker emerged online. Some have questioned whether it’s fair to include these kinds of details on undercover police cars, with claims the car with a ‘My Family’ sticker on the back “crosses the line”. The photo was taken of a Hyundai i40 that is an undercover police car in Queensland. <img style="width: 0px; height:0px;" src="/nothing.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/8ab9c9aa312a4db2863b4032b5f26712" /><img style="width: 500px; height:372.67080745341616px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7819898/1.jpg?width=500&height=372.67080745341616" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/8ab9c9aa312a4db2863b4032b5f26712" /> The only thing that identifies it as a police car is the red and blue lights that can be seen in the window. The photo was first shared to Reddit on Boxing Day in 2015 but has since re-emerged and sparked the debate once again. Some people claimed that these tactics by undercover cops are “deliberate deception”. “Having an unmarked car is fine. But this crosses the line into deliberate deception. They lose trust when they effectively lie,” one person wrote. Another added: “Baiting people into doing stupid sh*t and bookin ’em, revenue raising at its finest. You know what stops people driving like idiots? Marked cars. If they just made an effort to get more marked patrol cars moving around in traffic, you’d catch the actual d**kheads.” However, others believe that police are within their rights to use stickers and those who don’t break road rules shouldn’t have an issue with their tactics. “I’ve no problem with undercover cops and whatever they do to make themselves more undercover. More chance of catching the idiots on their phones weaving in their lane,” one person said. “Unmarked cars do things to look like unmarked cars. Omg, who would’ve thought?” another said. A spokesperson from the Queensland Police told <a href="https://www.news.com.au">news.com.au </a>that they utilise a “suite of strategies” to increase road safety. “There is clear evidence that increasing the chance and uncertainty of detection is a powerful motivator in changing peoples’ driving habits,” the spokesperson said. “The very nature of a covert vehicle is to ensure that it doesn’t stand out, that it is inconspicuous, and it looks like any other vehicle parked on the side of the road. “Unmarked vehicles are used anywhere, anytime in Queensland to detect offences and enhance safety on Queensland roads.” Other people have claimed to see undercover police cars with customised numberplates and paint decals. Last year in NSW, an unmarked police car was spotted on the side of a highway disguised with P-plates. The photo was uploaded of the undercover police car with the caption: “NSW undercovers busted trying to manipulate road users.” Some suggested the P-plates were used to “fool the young ones and encourage street racing”. What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments below.

Legal

ACCC report reveals shocking tactics used by energy companies

The government has been urged to stop a sneaky tactic used by energy providers that costs Australian households hundreds of dollars each year. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has taken aim at electricity retailers who are disguising late payment fees as “discounts” to trick people into they’re getting a better deal. A report released today by the consumer watchdog slams the tactic whereby energy providers charge exorbitant late fees on bills under the guide of providing a discount for paying on time. As <a href="https://campaigns.choice.com.au/late-fees/">Choice</a> reports, “these ‘discounts’ are actually sneaky late payment fees designed to punish people so they end up paying more than they should.” <img width="374" height="575" src="https://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/21a2249204af3a4a31011fa924a090e5" alt="It sounds like a good deal, until you get stung." style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/> <img width="374" height="210" src="https://campaigns.choice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/energy-bill-late-fees.jpg" alt="Graphic illustration based on figures from an actual electricity bill." class="aligncenter wp-image-2029" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/> The ACCC argues that power prices had reached “unacceptable” level and outlined measures that would save an average household $409 a year. The damning review into the national energy market recommends a “reset” of the market and accuses energy companies of gouging customers with unnecessary and unfair costs. Through market manipulation and misleading practices by energy providers, the ACCC said Australians were losing “hundreds of dollars a year”. The report, commissioned by Treasurer Scott Morrison in March last year, outlines 56 recommendations that are needed to bring down prices and restore consumer confidence. Some of the recommendations of the report include: • The Australian Energy Regulator should be given more powers to target market manipulation • Discounts can often be misleading and need to be made fairer • Customers should be able to compare discounts from a default or benchmark rate set by the regulator • Special conditions like pay on time discounts should not operate like harsh late penalties • Customer transfer process should be sped up so customers can move to new offers quickly • Third-party comparator sites should declare commissions they receive • The introduction of default offers consistent across all retailers, set at a price determined by the Australian Energy Regulator Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg labelled the report as “an extremely comprehensive and important piece of work”. “There is good news for consumers out of these recommendations, which the ACCC has said will reset the market and drive power prices lower,” Mr Frydenberg told Sky News this morning. “There are 56 recommendations and the Turnbull Government will carefully consider them and we will consult with the states because a number of the recommendations have an impact on state responsibilities,” he said.

Retirement Income

Aldi’s new tactic to stop shoppers fighting over Special Buys

Aldi is renowned for its huge discounts and shoppers are prepared to line up in the early hours of the morning to get their hands on the retail giant’s ‘Special Buys’ range. However, the discount supermarket has been trying to combat shopper rage, as shoppers fight to get their hands on the highly sought-after deals. Now, one Aldi store has come up with the perfect solution to stop chaos erupting whenever there is a Special Buys sale. Last year in July, a rocking chair went on sale in the Special Buys range and it was quickly praised on parenting forums around Australia. Yesterday, the same rocking chair went on sale for less than $200, and shoppers eagerly lined up outside stores to not miss out on the bargain. The furniture, which comes with two sets of legs to allow conversion from a rocking chair to an occasional chair, was so popular, that one store organised a way to avoid any fighting over the product. <img width="500" height="320" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7819637/1_500x320.jpg" alt="1 (168)"/> As pregnant women, mothers, and their family members lined up for the product, an employee told customers outside the Bondi Junction Aldi that there was a limited number of chairs, so tickets would be given to the first in line. “Giving the tickets out is a safer way of doing it,” acting store manager Aaron told news.com.au. “Last time this chair went on sale it was a bit crazy and there were pregnant women involved trying to get the chair. And to me, this is just a safer way to do it”. <blockquote 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: 658px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media"> <div style="padding: 8px;"> <div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 62.5% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"> <div style="background: url(data:image/png; base64,ivborw0kggoaaaansuheugaaacwaaaascamaaaapwqozaaaabgdbtueaalgpc/xhbqaaaafzukdcak7ohokaaaamuexurczmzpf399fx1+bm5mzy9amaaadisurbvdjlvzxbesmgces5/p8/t9furvcrmu73jwlzosgsiizurcjo/ad+eqjjb4hv8bft+idpqocx1wjosbfhh2xssxeiyn3uli/6mnree07uiwjev8ueowds88ly97kqytlijkktuybbruayvh5wohixmpi5we58ek028czwyuqdlkpg1bkb4nnm+veanfhqn1k4+gpt6ugqcvu2h2ovuif/gwufyy8owepdyzsa3avcqpvovvzzz2vtnn2wu8qzvjddeto90gsy9mvlqtgysy231mxry6i2ggqjrty0l8fxcxfcbbhwrsyyaaaaaelftksuqmcc); display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;"></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/BeB5fhqFbvb/" target="_blank">A post shared by Lana (@alannah.jean)</a> on Jan 16, 2018 at 3:59pm PST </div> </blockquote> Some shoppers who had been lining up since 7am at the Bondi store, still missed out. However, customers around the country have shared stories of other shoppers showing them kindness as they attempted to buy the item. “Thank you to the kind lady at ALDI Australia Preston Victoria store this morning, who so generously gave up her rocking chair to me,” Melbourne dad Sam Viavattene wrote on Facebook. “My faith in humanity was restored after the barbaric behaviour I had witnessed only moments earlier!” Another expectant mum said she was able to purchase the rocking chair after another customer returned it earlier in the day. “We dropped into a store at lunch time and found it. Apparently a guy had returned it because it didn’t fit through his door. Meant to be!” Ingrid wrote on Instagram. However, Lisa Marie Scutti from Perth, criticised Aldi for the limited amount of rocking chairs that were in stock. “Absolutely pathetic… lined up for 50 minutes in the cold for the Saturday sale and the store received 6 chairs for over 100 people in the line,” she reported on the Aldi Facebook page. “Poor excuse for a sale. Don’t advertise if you can’t deliver the goods. I’ll stick to Coles and Woolies from now on.” Do you want to see this solution in stores? Let us know in the comments below.

Money & Banking

Shoppers complain about "unfair" tactics at Aldi's chaotic snow gear sale

Customers who braved Aldi on Saturday morning encountered the chaos and frenzy of the annual snow gear sale. Customers ready for a jaw-dropping bargain lined up in the cold in the early hours of the morning just to get a chance to buy one of the slashed products. At an Aldi supermarket in Melbourne’s northern fringe, just before the doors opened an employee announced that there was enough stock for all those lined up, encouraging them to “be respectful and patient”. However, when the doors opened, all politeness was forgotten as customers frantically dashed around the store to get the hands on the sizes they were after. Customers were not keen to relive the disappointment of last year, when some left the store empty-handed and frustrated. In the middle of every store, giant baskets filled with jackets, pants, goggles, boots and underlayers were up for grabs. Men’s and women’s snow jackets were sold for an affordable $40, goggles from $14.99 and gloves for only $5. “This is nuts,” a customer told <a href="http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/fashion/long-lines-and-bargains-at-typically-chaotic-aldi-snow-gear-sale/news-story/6df5af41916d658fae74393bc5779739" target="_blank">news.com.au</a> about the special buys sale. “I’ve never been in a line like this for anything before.” Another customer said, “It’s not as bad as I thought it would be. I was worried about the line so got here super early.” Customers at the Aldi store in Preston South raved about the organisation of the store and the controlled crowd. “Well done to the Mornington Peninsula store,” Mishie Ivy wrote on Aldi’s Facebook page. “They were fantastic ... shop was set out in an easy to find way. No issues. No fighting. Especially dealing with a crowd that was over 100 people.” But not all customers had a similar experience. Emily Wood and her mum arrived at the Aldi store in Maroochydore in Queensland hoping to purchase snow gear for their trip to New Zealand. “We arrived at Aldi at 7.45 and the line had already filled the car park,” she said. “We sat in the car for a while debating whether we should even bother trying and decided we may as well. We saw lots of kids and mothers with trolleys looking ready to fight it out to the death. “There was at least 100 people in front of us and when the doors opened we were expecting to hear running and screaming but it was so relaxed. “My mum and I managed to score everything we wanted which included thermals, boots, gloves and ski jackets. We decided to try them on in the different aisles with a bit of space. “I started to notice a lot of trolleys being filled to the brim with things and I saw people going through their trolleys, trying things on and dumping stuff they didn’t want. “They had clearly gone in with a trolley, scooped up an armful of the same thing and hoped that their size was there. I found this a tad unfair for people that were really trying to find their size but these other people had dumped their unwanted clothes in different aisles.” Ski and snowboard industry expert Glenn Cullen described the sale as a “sh*t show” on his blog <a href="http://thesnowgauge.net/" target="_blank">The Snow Gauge.</a> “I’m calling for an end to (the Aldi snow sale) in its current set-up and here’s why,” he said. “Not because Aldi gear isn’t at least passably good ... to me it still seems like a great entry point for the casual to semi-regular snow enthusiast. And if it gets more people skiing or snowboarding — great. “No, the problem I have with the Aldi sale is the feeding frenzy concept that it very deliberately creates. I do geddit, you know. It’s economics 101. Create a limited supply and then, if your product and the word of mouth is good, develop extraordinary demand. Aldi do it and do it well. “In the early 2000s you had the major brands and the major stores with their major prices. The casual enthusiast either had to hire or shell out the big bucks. Sure, you might be able to get a cheap winter parka at Kmart — but what about some proper ski pants, a helmet and a dozen other ski-specific things you might need? “Aldi filled that void and kudos to them. But I reckon it has now turned into a bit of a sh*t show and an unnecessary one at that.” Have you ever been to the annual snow gear sale at Aldi? If so, share your experience in the comments below.

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