Baby’s dummy scores CHOICE Shonky award
a crystal encrusted baby’s dummy has been given a shonky award by consumer advocate choice.
the sixth annual event for bad goods and services aims to highlight dodgy, dubious, deceitful or dangerous products.
tests by choice showed the crystals on the dummies could easily come off and become a choking hazard. though banned by the australian competition and consumer commission they are still available from overseas suppliers using descriptions such as jewellery to avoid suspicion at customs.
other winners include a $300 plug in energy saving device, which the organisation claims does little to cut power bills and a smurfs’ village game app which was free to download but had expensive in-game purchases and warnings were inadequate, choice says.
“the aim of our giant lemon trophy is to remind businesses that they can’t take advantage of others by being less than truthful, bending the rules or putting risky products into the market,” says christopher zinn, choice director of campaigns and communications.
“while no business wants to get a shonky, we believe the awards also make consumers look more critically and ask serious questions about vacuous health and energy claims, poor service and other slippery tricks and traps.”
