The consumer advocacy group Choice held its annual Shonky awards for misleading advertising and dangerous or ineffectual products in Sydney on Wednesday. Green & Clean, founded by Sydney residents John Dickinson and Theo Ruygrok, was recognised by Choice for “literally selling thin air” with its cans of “100% pure Australian air” retailing for $18.80 each. A Cash Converters spokeswoman said its CommonCents website gave advice for how to work within small budgets and “in no way advisers consumers to take out a personal loan with Cash Converters”. She said no links on the site led to Cash Converters’ Personal Finance page and said it was clearly branded. The group receives hundreds of nominations for products and services for the Shonky awards each year, with awards allocated on the basis that their “shonkiness” is quantifiable and affects a lot of people.

Source: The Guardian October 05, 2016 03:10 UTC