Tag: pricing transparency
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Instacart Dynamic Pricing Scrutiny: AI-Led Surges Reported in New Study
Overview: What the study alleges about Instacart A recent Consumer Reports (CR) study, conducted with research partner Groundwork Collab, raises questions about Instacart’s pricing practices. The investigation suggests that Instacart has been running AI-led dynamic pricing experiments that, in some cases, significantly raise the price of certain items compared with traditional retail channels. While the…
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Study Claims Instacart May Charge Some Shoppers 20% More for the Same Product
Overview: What the study alleges A recent Consumer Reports (CR) study, conducted with a research partner, raises questions about AI-led dynamic pricing on Instacart. The investigation suggests that in certain cases, some shoppers may be paying up to a 20% premium for identical products compared with standard pricing. The findings center on price variability across…
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Ontario Car Dealers Hidden Charges Exposed by CBC Probe
Hidden charges complicate a straightforward car purchase Buying a new car should be a straightforward experience: the price on the window, the features you want, and the final deal. But a CBC Marketplace investigation into Ontario dealerships has highlighted a pattern that could leave buyers surprised at the lot: extra charges and optional features tacked…
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Hidden Charges at Ontario Car Dealerships: What the CBC Investigation Reveals
Ontario Car Dealers Under Scrutiny for Hidden Add‑Ons When you spot a tempting new-car deal, the last thing you expect is a surprise fee tacked onto the price at the end of the shopping journey. A recent CBC Marketplace hidden camera investigation shines a light on how some Ontario car dealerships allegedly add costs to…
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Microsoft apologises and offers refunds to 2.7 million Australians over subscription mix-up
Microsoft apologises and offers refunds to millions in Australia In a move that could reshape trust in tech subscription practices, Microsoft has publicly apologised to customers in Australia and announced refunds following a dispute over subscription pricing. The case, brought by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and supported by consumer advocacy groups, alleges…
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Choice Names 2025 Shonky Award Winners: Banking, Insurance, and Online Marketplace Draw Fire
Choice Reveals 2025 Shonky Awards: A Critical Look at Consumer Traps Australia’s consumer advocacy group Choice has unveiled the winners of its 20th annual Shonky Awards, a tongue-in-cheek ranking that highlights products and services deemed unfriendly or confusing to shoppers. The awards, which Choice describes as a lighthearted but pointed critique, focus on areas where…
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Choice Reveals 2025 Shonky Awards Winners: A Critical Look at Consumer Pitfalls
Overview: What the Shonky Awards Are Really About in 2025 Choice has announced the winners of its 20th annual Shonky Awards, a tongue-in-cheek set of accolades aimed at highlighting products, services, and companies that fall short for Australian consumers. While the term “Shonky” signals a lighthearted tone, the criticisms often reflect genuine concerns about value,…
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Choice Reveals Shonky Awards 2025 Winners: What Failed Consumers This Year
Introduction: What the Shonky Awards Are Australia’s consumer advocacy group Choice has released the 20th annual Shonky Awards, a tongue‑in‑cheek but purposefully pointed critique of products, services, and companies that fail consumers. Unlike prestigious accolades, the Shonky Awards spotlight practices or features that leave customers frustrated, misled, or stuck with poor value. The 2025 winners…
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Choice Shonky Awards 2025: Big names shamed as CommBank, Temu and HCF called out
Choice Shonky Awards 2025: A reckoning for consumer missteps Australia’s consumer watchdog, Choice, has released its annual Shonky Awards for 2025, turning the spotlight on products, services, and brands that fall short on value, transparency, or customer fairness. The awards, which are selected by researchers and consumer advocates, aim to help shoppers steer clear of…
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Shrinking Packs, Rising Costs: How Shrinkflation Is Pressuring Everyday Shoppers
What is shrinkflation and why it matters now Shrinkflation is the practice of reducing the size or quantity of a product while keeping the price the same or higher. For households already battling tight budgets, this behind-the-scenes tactic means you’re paying more per unit even when the sticker price hasn’t changed. Recent consumer watchdog reports…