Unbiased Expert Advice. Always. Powered by the UK’s largest consumer organisation June 2013, `150 Test reports Sound bars Tablets Budget smartphones Food processors Child care products Our testing cuts through the jargon to ensure that you buy only the best Ketchup Sodium and sugar levels in seven brands Paint job Step-by-step guide to painting your home Online shopping E-retailers that offer hassle-free buying Dental check-ups What to look for and how much they cost ALSO INSIDE Big pictures Big pictures
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Transcript
Unbiased Expert Advice. Always.
Powered by the UK’s largest consumer organisation
June 2013, `150
Test reports Sound bars
Tablets
Budget smartphones
Food processors Child care products
Our testing cuts through the jargon to ensure that you
buy only the best
KetchupSodium and sugar levels in seven brands
Paint jobStep-by-step guide to painting your home
Online shoppingE-retailers that offer hassle-free buying
Dental check-upsWhat to look for and how much they cost
ALSO INSIDE
Big pictures
Big pictures
Contents
whichrightchoice.com02 I Right Choice I June 2013
Consumer news
04 We look at the latest
consumer news and
give you advice on using
generic medication,
credit card transactions
and getting airline
refunds
Your complaints resolved
08 Consumer issues
pertaining to products
and services and how
they have been resolved
New products
10 Gadgets
We explore
various
products that
have just hit
the shelves
14 Home appliances
A recently-launched
convection oven, a
hairdryer that conditions
your hair, a Right Choice
cof ee maker and more
home appliances
Test reports
17 Televisions
Deceptive schemes by
retailers may lead to bad
buying decisions
23 Sound bars
Pair your fl at screen TV
with these sleek Right
Choice speakers
26 Tablets
Find out which tablet
lives up to its maker’s
claims in our test report
32 Mobiles
We feature fi ve
smartphones that
are great at the
basics and well
within your reach
34 Food processors
Need to whisk, grind,
knead, chop – all within
a short time span?
These mean machines
are the answer
38 Right Choice
round-up
Keep your baby safe,
with these products
43 Ketchup test
We tested
seven dif erent
brands of
this go-to
condiment for
their salt and
sugar content
How to
46 Get your home painted
Whether you are hiring
a painting contractor or
want to tackle it yourself,
we demystify the art of
repainting your home
Test drives
50 Mid-size sedans
We investigate nine
mid-size sedans so that
you know which one is
well worth your money
Service report
56 Online shopping
Satisfaction survey of
online shopping sites,
their policies and other
issues that matter
23
46
whichrightchoice.com June 2013 I Right Choice I 03
Health report
63 Dental health
Zeroing in on a dentist,
how often you should
go for a check-up,
average cost of various
procedures and more
Money report
68 Credit cards
With multiple choices
and clauses, we read
the fi ne print for you
Features
62 10 ways to...
... shop safely on
the internet
73 Spin doctor
Does a
regular oil
massage
actually
keep
your hair
healthy?
74 Ask the experts
We answer your queries
on topics ranging from
types of suitcases to
maintaining car tyres
Published and printed by Paul Antony Smith for and on behalf of the owners M/s BGG Information Pvt Ltd. Published at BGG Information Pvt Ltd, 106, Prospect Chambers, 317/321, Dr D N Road, Fort, Mumbai 400 001. Printed at Thomson Press (India) Ltd, 18-35, Mile Stone, Delhi-Mathura Road, Faridabad (Haryana) Editor: Paul Antony Smith Distributed by Living Media India Limited, branch oi ce: A-61, Sec 57, Noida 201 301. (Registered Oi ce: 9 K Connaught Circus, New Delhi 110001). Customer care contact details: Toll-free: 1-800-1800200, land line: 0120-2479800, fax: 0120-4078080.To contact us, send an email to [email protected] Design, production and editorial services: Hill Road Media Vol 2 Issue 1
We acknowledge that the trademarks shown/featured in this magazine are the property/s of the respective owners. All rights reserved. No part of this publication shall be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of BGG Information Private Limited. It shall not be used for any form of advertising, sales promotion or publicity.
Editor’s Letter
You can now do just about anything online, and shopping from your armchair can save time and money if you get it right. But it can be hard
to know where to buy – and what to expect when you do. Our online shopping survey (p56) looked at customer satisfaction with some of the biggest names in e-retail, including Flipkart, Snapdeal and Naaptol, to reveal which sites you rated best.
You don’t always know what you’re getting when you shop online, but there’s no guarantee you get the full picture in a shop, either. Electronics retailers can use clever tricks to show products off at their best, so you could end up disappointed if you don’t get the same experience at home (see ‘Televisions’, p17). And some manufacturers can be equally sneaky; some of the tablets we’ve tested only let you use about half of the space advertised on the box (see ‘Tablets’, p26).
Whether you’re in the market for a new TV, are considering a food processor upgrade or want to fi nd the best budget mobile, you can trust our reviews to give you the whole picture, and help you pick a Right Choice that won’t disappoint.
Paul An tony Sm ith Edito r
Unbiased Expert Advice. Always.
Our promiseWe at Right Choice test and research goods and services. Our tests are rigorous and we give you the most comprehensive reviews. Our USP is that we give ‘Unbiased expert
advice. Always’ – meaning we do not take any freebies or inducements from manufacturers either directly or indirectly. We buy all the products we test, and we put products and services through their paces so you can get independent, unbiased advice on what to buy.
Our testsOur tests are comprehensive – examining all the key aspects of a product or service. We are transparent in our approach and write about how we test in every test report. And we test a wide range of things, from cof ee to air-conditioners.
Our ratingsAdorns the ones that excel in our rigorous tests.
The ones which perform poorly get this label.
Perform well in our tests and are relatively low-cost.
Peourel
GREATVALUE
Theperthis
WRONGCHOICE
Adtharigo
RIGHTCHOICE
whichrightchoice.com04 I Right Choice I June 2013
News
In April, the Supreme Court of India rejected the demands for patent
rights by the Swiss drug company Novartis for the anti-cancer drug
Glivec. The court felt that the newer Glivec, which is very expensive,
was just a modifi ed version of the older drug.
The ruling is a step forward for India’s ef orts to make medicines
af ordable and accessible to every strata of society and reduce
‘evergreening’ – a strategy where drug companies try to extend
their patent life by making small changes to their drugs. However,
Novartis said that ‘this decision discourages innovative drug discovery
essential to advancing medical science for patients.’
MAHARASHTA HOSPITALS FOLLOW SUITTaking a cue from the Novartis case, in April the Maharashtra State
Government declared that all public hospitals should now give
only generic drugs to patients. It also stated that the government
will formulate a module to create awareness on the benefi ts of
these drugs. Generic drugs – medicines that are usually known
by their chemical name and are not associated with any particular
company – can be just as ef ective as branded drugs – and
are much cheaper. They are especially critical for those who cannot
af ord branded medicines.
IS GENERIC MEDICATION SAFE TO USE? Generic drugs may be af ordable, but are they up to the mark? Dr
Gopal Chaturvedi, Mumbai, says, ‘Generic drugs are basically made
out of the same compounds as branded drugs. When it is a basic
drug like paracetamol or antacids, it is perfectly alright. These are
the medicines that general practitioners usually give to patients in
small pouches and their side-ef ects and mechanisms are well known
and can be safely administered orally. However, for cancer drugs,
for example, the stakes are much higher. Cancer drugs need to
undergo lots of clinical trials. Number of drug therapies and standard
treatment doses and protocols are frequently revised by cancer
societies all over the world. Since drugs produced and manufactured
by pharmaceutical companies undergo lot of trials before they are
marketed they usually recover their R&D costs through patents, which
are usually for up to 10-12yrs or as per the drug policies of the country
and then are produced as generics. Generic drugs are not extensively
Generic drugs: good or bad?Maharashtra defends most af ordable drugs – but is it wise?
tested and so it is di� cult to predict their e� cacy in case
of such diseases.’
BEWARE OF SUB-STANDARD QUALITY A B Pharm graduate working in the pharmaceutical
with skin or layers may be left unsliced on the outer layers.
When this happens the plastic pusher is dii cult to remove,
as the leftover food creates a suction.
Everyday use We found the diagrams in the manual
relatively easy to follow. However, making sure the cone
was correctly secured in the cone holder did prove a
little tricky. You then have to put it into the tube above the
cone and push down using a plastic pusher, while at the
same time holding down the motor button. The majority
of attachments were quite quick and easy to clean by just
swilling in water.
FIRST IMPRESSION If you cook a lot, especially for
large parties, the Fresh Express could be a time
saver – though it’s not comprehensive enough to
replace a standalone mixer grinder.
VGUARD VIC 400 INDUCTION HOB, `4,670The VIC 400 is a mid-range model
in V-Guard’s new range of induction
hobs. It claims to use quality materials
as seen in the more premium brands
such as Siemens, though we’re yet to
test their durability.
Pre-set cooking functions It includes
pre-set temperatures for common
preparations such as boiling water
and heating milk and rice. A panel
on the front displays the power that
it consumes for each preparation – a
useful inclusion to help you monitor
your overall power use.
Induction hobs versus gas hobs
Our tests have shown that induction
hobs are safer than traditional gas
hobs as they only heat the cookware
so you can touch the hob surface
without burning yourself. They are
also quicker and cheaper to run
than other types of hob, because
they use only the amount of
energy required.
FIRST IMPRESSION Handy,
portable hob that could serve as a
smart alternative to a gas hob.
71% DE’LONGHI EC152 COFFEE MAKER, `14,000This compact De’Longhi cof ee
machine is a Right Choice
because it can make a mean
espresso and cappuccino quickly.
It’s simple to use but doesn’t
take pre-packaged cof ee pods,
which means you’ll have to use
either ground cof ee or ESE (Easy
Serving Espresso) pods. Steam is
produced quickly, and the steam
pipe heats milk fast.
Great cappuccinos The
De’Longhi cof ee maker makes
creamy cappuccinos with rich
fl avours. While it takes a bit
of ef ort to brew the best cup,
fl avours are complemented
by the ef ective mix of froth
with espresso.
How is it to use? Priming this
machine before fi rst use is
relatively simple, but it needs
about two tanks of water fl ushed
through and takes longer than
others. The steam knob is a bit
stif and the pipe can be tricky
to unscrew for cleaning. The
portafi lter, which holds the fi lter
basket, is fairly simple to use, but
can be dii cult to fi t back into
position. It includes a clip to keep
the fi lter basket in place when
removing the used cof ee grinds.
Dii cult to clean This model loses
points for having a low-capacity
drip tray, which gets full quickly
and overfl ows when removed. This
means that the cavity below also
needs cleaning out. We like the
instructions as they contain lots of
useful information. Descaling every
200 uses is recommended.
VERDICT Makes great espresso
and is fairly simple to use,
though it’s tricky to clean.
JUSTOUT
FIRSTLOOK
RIGHTCHOICE
JUSTTESTED
All prices are guide prices as of April 19, 2013 and are subject to change
17 TelevisionsChoose from ten Right Choice
televisions to get the best
audio-visual experience
23 Sound barsOur test report on sound bars will
help you pick the perfect add-on
to your television to help boost
audio quality
26 TabletsWe’ve tested over 25 tablets and
rated them on various criteria, such
as performance and the ease of
using app stores
32 Mobile phonesWe focus on budget smartphones,
which have smart features and also
perform the basics well
34 Food processorsOur test report reveals the best food
processors to help blitz through
kitchen tasks
38 Child care productsWe help you select the safest
products for your toddler in our
round-up of the best baby carriers,
strollers and more
Test lab Independent expert advice
How we choose productsThese include, where possible, most recent bestsellers from popular brands, af ordable models from lesser-known brands or those with innovative features. We are independent and pay for what we test. For all the products we test and feature, we give widely available shop or online prices.
Get in touchIf you are experiencing a problem with a manufacturer, retailer or service provider – for example a malfunctioning product, something that wasn’t delivered as promised, or a defi cient service – write to us at [email protected] and we’ll do our best to resolve the issue.
GREATVALUE
WRONGCHOICE
RIGHTCHOICE
Our ratingsThis label adorns those products that excel in our
rigorous tests. These products have high total test scores.
Products which perform poorly in our tests get this label.
They have low total test scores.
This award is held by those products which are
comparatively easy on your pocket and perform
well in our tests, too.
whichrightchoice.com16 I Right Choice I June 2013
From the experts at our
Right Choice labWe test food processors
for their chopping, grating,
slicing, blending and other
abilities so you can
buy with ease.
whichrightchoice.com
Test report
∨ ∨
June 2013 I Right Choice I 17
Televisions
∨ ∨
Prices of TVs launched last year are dropping fast – but watch out when buying as you could fall prey to retailer tricks
W ith new television models all set to
launch, you can bag discounts of
over ̀ 10,000 if you buy last year’s
ranges. We found the Right Choice Samsung
UA40ES6800 (MRP ̀94,900) for less than
`79,994 and 42-inch LG 42LM6200 – worth
`86,000 – for just ̀77,990. But attractive
discounts aren’t the only thing to watch out
for when you shop.
Many stores display televisions in their
best light by playing the highest quality video
on the optimum picture settings. Speakers
are often on mute which makes it hard to
detect poor quality sound before you buy.
All this means that the product you take
home might not match up to your in-store
experience and expectations.
To get the best bargains, look out for good
deals on these Right Choice TVs. Each has
great picture quality and won’t disappoint
when you get it home.
Our top-scorer, the 40-inch Samsung
UA40ES6800 (78%), combines great
standard defi nition (SD) and high defi nition
(HD) image quality with fi ve-star sound –
and is the cheapest featured here in the
high-end range. If you’re looking for
something cheaper, the 32-inch LG 32LS5700
(63%) rivals the Samsung for SD and HD
picture quality – and is less than half the
price (̀ 42,500).
We’ve grouped the best on test by price
to help you get the best performance for
your budget.
Screen grab
In this report
We’ve tested 32 LED, LCD
and plasma TVs in a range
of sizes to fi nd out which
ones give the best
picture quality and
value for money.
Ma
dh
urj
ya
Sa
ikia
Screen grab
whichrightchoice.com
Televisions Test report
18 I Right Choice I June 2013
PROS This TV sports the same features
as the UA55ES8000 (above), including a
classy chrome design that will look good
in any living room. It displays HD pictures
in their best light, revealing impressive
levels of clarity and depth. Ordinary SD
pictures also look great, with noise levels
65% SAMSUNG UA46ES8000, `1,51,000
kept nice and low. 3D pictures are
top-notch, too, and the supplied glasses
are comfortable. It has a front camera
for video chats, which doubles as a
device that detects hand movements
for scrolling across dif erent screens.
CONS Some sounds are unnatural and
lack refi nement. Viewing angles are
narrow, so you don’t get the best from
this TV if you sit too far to the side.
PROS Not only does this Samsung
deliver brilliant SD and HD pictures, it
also has an energy-ei cient Eco mode,
which adds just `42 to the average
monthly electricity bill (when used for
four hours a day). State-of-the-art
features of UA55ES8000 include being
75% SAMSUNG UA55ES8000, `2,68,000
able to control basic functions with a
wave of the hand or by saying pre-set
words and phrases. This television
supports a huge range of apps and
services, connecting through either the
ethernet port or built-in Wi-Fi.
CONS The on-screen instruction manual
is hard to read and requires too much
scrolling. Sound quality is mediocre with
a slight grain in the tones.
PROS It has a slim metallic frame that’s
fi tted on a solid metallic stand. Pictures
have great defi nition and a strong
impression of depth. It’s also a good 3D
TV. There is a strong line-up of internet
services including catch-up TV shows
and video-on-demand applications. The
65% SONY BRAVIA KDL46HX850, `1,23,900
quality of internet video is mostly good,
but some fi lms and programmes look a
little soft when blown up on such a big
screen. It comes with a generous range
of sockets, which will help you connect to
almost any kind of hi-fi system.
CONS This TV produces just average
sound. Viewing angles are poor – colours
grow paler as you move beyond 70
degrees from the TV.
High-end TVs
PROS As well as HD pictures from
Blu-ray discs, this Samsung delivers
exceptional picture quality – even in
SD and broadcast TV shows. It’s also
a fi ne 3D TV. One of the best TVs for
sound, it has plenty of high-quality bass
and clear tones. There’s a wide stereo
78% SAMSUNG UA40ES6800, `94,900
soundstage and nice dynamics – perfect
for action feature fi lms. You can stream
music, photos and movies from PCs or
other devices over a Wi-Fi connection,
and there’s a huge line-up of Smart TV
features to keep you entertained.
CONS The remote has keys cramped
around the navigation buttons, making
it awkward to select and use apps or
services, enter text or browse the web.
These are premium televisions that combine cutting-edge technology with sleek design
RIGHTCHOICE
RIGHTCHOICE
RIGHTCHOICE
RIGHTCHOICE
Screen size 40 inches
Screen size 55 inches
Screen size 46 inches
Screen size 40 inches
whichrightchoice.com
∨ ∨
June 2013 I Right Choice I 19
PROS The 42LS3400 lets you enjoy a
wide screen without burning a hole in
your pocket. It produces good pictures,
whether in SD or HD. For a 42-incher it’s
pretty energy-ei cient, too, adding no
more than `46 rupees to your monthly
bill. You can bring this lower still by
66% LG 42LS3400, `56,000
switching it to Eco mode. It delivers good
clarity and defi nition in tones and the
stereo output is dynamic. There’s a USB
port for playing movies and songs from
an external hard drive or memory stick.
CONS The on-screen manual can be
dii cult to access and tricky to read. It has
limited audio connections, which means
you’ll have to be careful with the sound
system you choose.
PROS SD pictures look great on this
32-incher, just as HD fi lms and
programmes do. It’s easy to use and,
despite the smaller screen, 3D pictures
are quite impressive. It doesn’t skimp on
important sockets, so there’s plenty of
fl exibility when connecting to a sound
65% SONY BRAVIA KDL32HX750, `57,900
system or a PC. Wi-Fi is built-in, which
will give you access to plenty of
musically-focused services to keep you
entertained no matter what.
CONS Sound is a bit underwhelming,
as it lacks fuller tones and the energy
desired in high musical drama and action
fl icks. Poor viewing angles mean colours
fade and the picture loses detail if you
don’t sit directly in front of the TV.
PROS This LG delivers great 3D pictures
and good HD images. Its 3D ef ects
are very convincing and it comes with
comfortable glasses. HD pictures are
above average and it upscales lower
resolution pictures to give an enhanced
SD viewing experience. There’s plenty
65% LG 32LM6200, `51,000
of clarity and detail in the sound and,
compared with the 42LS3400 (above),
it’s better equipped with sockets for
attaching a good surround sound system.
It’s also fairly cheap to run as it consumes
just over 7 watts.
CONS Its Smart TV features aren’t the
easiest to use and understand and it’s
hard to organise apps and services in a
way that suits you.
PROS It is a big screen TV without a big
price. HD picture quality is very good
and, while non-HD can’t quite match
the crisp defi nition of high-end TVs, it’s
still watchable. It’s a fantastic 3D TV that
creates a great impression of depth.
Viewing angles are wide enough to
63% LG 42LM6200, `86,000
work in a large room with many people
sitting around the TV. It’s surprisingly
energy-ei cient for its size, using just
over 10 watts when used on its
optimum settings.
CONS Smart TV features are quite
complex – as is the layout of the remote.
The instructions – both printed and
on-screen – miss some key details. The
web browser is awkward and sluggish.
Mid-range TVs These mid-priced televisions forego pricey extras while delivering good picture and sound
RIGHTCHOICE
RIGHTCHOICE
RIGHTCHOICE
RIGHTCHOICE
GREATVALUE
Screen size 42 inches
Screen size 32 inches
Screen size 32 inches
Screen size 42 inches
whichrightchoice.com
Televisions Test report
20 I Right Choice I June 2013
Our testers found that
you would need to
stand close to the LED
indicator on the Sharp
as this TV struggles to
respond to the remote
control. Picture quality
is very poor – HD
pictures are way too
dull (see p21) and non-
HD pictures can sometimes show a prominent blue tinge. It lacks
any remarkable features, and the savings you make may end up
feeling like false economy when you get this Sharp home.
39% SHARP 32LE341M, `23,499Picture quality is just
about satisfactory
on this Toshiba
32PT2000ZE LED
television. But the
thing to watch out
for is the sound,
which is shockingly
poor when watching
broadcast television
programmes. Despite the small, 32-inch screen, the Toshiba
32PT2000ZE’s power consumption is on the high side –
gobbling around 67 watts when running.
42% TOSHIBA 32PT2000ZE, `28,999
Budget TVs to avoidHigh defi nition TVs ideally produce pictures that are full of clarity, depth, detail and natural colours. But some televisions – such as this Sharp and Toshiba – could turn out to be a disappointment
Worth considering
PROS It’s a large-screen Plasma TV that
delivers superb picture and sound quality.
It produces fi ne, clear HD pictures with
natural colours, and non-HD pictures
are better than most LEDs we’ve tested.
Viewing angles are impressively wide,
61% LG 50PA6500, `75,000
which will suit large living rooms. There
are ample connections for connecting
up a console, set-top box and DVD or
Blu-ray player.
CONS It’s not the best TV to consider
if you want to cut down on your annual
electricity bill, as it consumes over twice
the amount of electricity of an average
LED TV.
Screen size 50 inches
Budget TV
PROS Our testers were impressed with
the picture quality from this budget
television. With both HD and SD
programmes there’s a real sense of
depth and a nice grasp of colour. At an
af ordable price of just `42,500, you
63% LG 32LS5700, `42,500
get top-notch Smart TV features. LG has
also included a good set of connections
such as a USB port that lets you use
an external hard disk as a surprisingly
versatile PVR.
CONS The sound from this television is
not the best and defi nitely leaves room
for improvement. Its Smart TV features
are not the easiest to use.
Screen size 32 inches
RIGHTCHOICE
whichrightchoice.com
∨ ∨
June 2013 I Right Choice I 21
What makes a poor TV?
HOW WE TEST
We put every TV through the same
tests – a mixture of panel assessments
from independent picture and sound
experts and technical lab testing – so we
can answer the important, no-nonsense
questions with confi dence and give you a
verdict you can trust.
Our independent expert viewing panel
assess picture quality in a dimmed room in
our lab. Brightness and contrast levels are
set as equally as possible, and the LED, LCD
and plasma TVs on test all receive the same
quality picture signal. The same experts
take part each time, and we conceal
brand names.
Sound is tested by listening to, and
scoring, voices, bass-fi lled audio and TV
drama under controlled conditions.
We test the energy use of each TV in a
variety of viewing modes and estimate the
annual running costs, which generates our
energy use star rating.
Finally, we test each set for ease of use
by running through everyday scenarios that
replicate how you use your TV.
Of all the televisions in our latest test, the Sharp
32LE341M, which scored just 39%, the lowest in our tests.
Below (left) is a still displayed on the Sharp during testing.
Notice how it fails to distinguish the various levels of
black in the background from the woman’s scarf. It also
ignores the details in her hair and objects around her in
this moving sequence, and her skin tone looks unnatural.
On the other hand, the Right Choice TV used for
reference (below right) is full of depth and colour –
picking out the dif erent shades of black and highlighting
the details in the background and the woman’s skin
Overall, the TV gives you pleasant, well-defi ned
images – and this is what you should expect from a
good quality TV.
There’s a vast dif erence in picture quality between a Right Choice television and a poorly-performing TV set —
though this might not be obvious in-store (see p17). To illustrate the dif erence, we compare an image from the
lowest-scorer in our latest test (the Sharp 32LE341M) with a Right Choice model (used for reference). Just looking
at the pictures you can immediately see which is better
7 PHILIPS HTS5131 34,990 95x18x10 40 to 55 Wired 36
Subwoofer These add in extra bass,
which makes for a good movie-watching
experience. For single sound bars,
there’s normally a subwoofer built
into the sound bar, but some have an
external subwoofer speaker that’s
about the same size as a bookshelf
speaker. Our tests found you can
get outstanding sound quality from
both types, so don’t let this infl uence
your choice.
Supplied cables Some brands do not
supply cables, so you’ll need to purchase
them separately in order to set up the
sound bar. It’s always good to check
with your retailer for any added costs
involved in buying and running your
sound bar.
Subwoofers add in extra bass, which makes for a good movie-watching experience
whichrightchoice.com
TabletsTest report
26 I Right Choice I June 2013
De
sig
n: G
yne
lle A
lve
s
whichrightchoice.com June 2013 I Right Choice I 27
∨ ∨∨ ∨Best Windows tabletWi-Fi `49,999 (64GB)
PROS This Acer tablet runs the
Windows 8 operating system, which
allows you to use apps like Word,
PowerPoint and Excel on the go.
It’s great to use with the supplied
keyboard – a useful addition if you
need to type a lot. It has a fantastic
10-inch screen that holds up really well
in bright light. It has a solid build so it’s
good to use even as a laptop. It’s quick
to transfer fi les and the decent battery
life of ers eight and a half hours of web
browsing. Sound quality is the best
we’ve seen on a tablet.
CONS There’s no built-in 3G function,
though you can plug-in a dongle if you
need the Internet on the move.
78% ACER ICONIA W510
Best full-sized tablets Large screen tablets make good alternatives to laptops if you'll mainly be surfi ng the web and typing emails and documents
Wi-Fi+3G `34,948 (16GB)
PROS The AF201 is quick at most
operations and has a great battery
that lasts more than fi ve hours in
everyday use. The touchscreen is very
responsive and the 10 touch-points
are a plus for trying out dif erent
gaming apps. About 27.36GB of the
32GB space is available for use (86%),
making it one of the most ef ective
tablets at optimising disk space. You
also have the option of upgrading the
memory with a micro SD card. It comes
with a well-made detachable keyboard.
CONS Lacks a high speed USB port
so, for example, a 500MB fi le via USB
takes around half a minute to move.
Screen suf ers from refl ections in bright
light. Sound quality could be better.
Wi-Fi `26,590 (16GB)
PROS The P5100 is a great alternative
to the pricey iPad. It’s one of the fastest
tablets to charge – a quick 30-minute
boost will give you more than two
hours before the battery is completely
drained. Unlike most tablets, if the
battery stops working in the future
you can get it replaced by Samsung
instead of spending on a new tablet.
It’s a great option if you have a huge
collection of music and video as you
can upgrade the memory with an
external micro SD card in addition
to its 16GB memory (of which 10.6GB
is available).
CONS The plastic build gives it a
cheaper feel. Sound quality suf ers
because of its diminutive speakers.
Wi-Fi `31,900 (16GB), `37,900 (32GB)
`43,900 (64GB) Wi-Fi+Cellular `39,900
(16GB), `45,900 (32GB), `51,900 (64GB)
PROS This 9.7-inch iPad has the best
graphics for games and largest range
of high-quality tablet apps. Its battery
provides a jaw-dropping 13.5 hours of
web browsing – the highest that any
tablet has ever achieved in our tests
and over seven hours more than an
average tablet. It is slick at most tasks
and quick to transfer large fi les from
your PC. The on-screen keyboard is
easy to use and responsive.
CONS There’s no memory card slot so
you’ll have to get by with the available
internal storage or store your fi les on
the Cloud. Audio quality from the mono
speakers is on the weak side.
82% APPLE iPAD WITH RETINA DISPLAY
77% ASUS TRANSFORMER PRIME AF201
76% SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB 2 P5100
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whichrightchoice.com
TabletsTest report
28 I Right Choice I June 2013
Best mid-size tablets Smaller tablets are great for browsing the web and reading ebooks and they also cost less. Plus they are easier to handle and carry on a commute
Wi-Fi+3G `16,499 (16GB)
PROS The P310 provides an excellent
screen, along with a 3G option, at an
af ordable price. Photos and videos
look great on the 7-inch display. It’s
one of the fastest tablets to charge –
a quick 30-minute recharge will last
more than two hours. The overall
battery life is superb, too. You can
browse the web for nearly seven hours
after a full recharge. Its slim design
makes it easy to slip inside a handbag
or hold with one hand without causing
too much strain.
CONS Processing speed is not as fast
as that of rival tablets. Audio quality is
only mediocre.
Wi-Fi `15,999 (16GB)
PROS If you are looking for optimum
storage space from a 16GB tablet, the
Google Nexus 7 is the one to go for.
After the operating system and built-in
apps are taken into account, it leaves
13.2GB of space free for storing your
own music, photos and fi les. It has an
impressive 1,280x800 pixel screen
which means sharper text, photos and
videos. It’s also faster than most 7-inch
tablets, including the iPad Mini. The
fast graphics chip and 1GB RAM make
it ideal for gaming enthusiasts.
CONS There’s no camera for capturing
photos and videos. The lack of a faster
USB 3.0 port makes fi le transfers
pretty slow.
Wi-Fi `21,900 (16GB), `27,900 (32GB),
`33,900 (64GB) Wi-Fi+Cellular `29,900
(16GB), `35,900 (32GB), `41,900 (64GB)
PROS The iPad Mini is slim and
lightweight and is extremely easy
to hold in one hand. It weighs about
the same as an average paperback
book. It has stereo speakers that
produce better-quality sound than
most tablets – and all iPads we've
tested – can manage. It has one of the
longest-lasting batteries, managing 13
hours of web browsing and 11 hours of
video playback. A 500MB fi le transfers
in just 28 seconds.
CONS It lacks the Retina Display screen
of the newer iPad models. There’s no
expandable memory card slot.
81% APPLE iPAD MINI 74% SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB 2 P310
72% GOOGLE NEXUS 7
HOW WE TEST
To save you from buying a tablet with
complex features and settings, we check
the ease of using each tablet. Our experts
assess how easy it is to perform tasks,
connect to a Wi-Fi network and set up a 3G
connection. We also test how easy it is to
perform practical tasks, such as setting up
and using an email account and the ease
of backing up and restoring the tablet after
a potential system failure.
ScreenWe perform an in-depth test of screen
quality, assessing brightness, accuracy
of colours, presence of noise or
refl ections, performance in bright light
conditions (which make poor quality
screens diffi cult to view) and viewing
angles, so that you can share your content
with those around you.
SpeakersWe test sound quality from both the
built-in speakers and headphones.
Some tablets can suff er from small,
weak speakers, so we test the depth and
richness of sound as well as its volume.
Battery lifeEach time we test a tablet, we check the
battery life for web browsing over Wi-Fi,
3G (if relevant) and for video playback. To
ensure our tests are fair, we set the screen
brightness to 200 nits (measured using a
light meter) before performing each task,
so every tablet has to perform under the
same conditions.
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whichrightchoice.com June 2013 I Right Choice I 29
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USING THE TABLEThe more stars the better. Right Choices are highlighted in red.SPECIFICATION Price Prices given are for the lowest specifi cation model, typically the lowest memory option and Wi-Fi only version. As on April 8, 2013 Internal storage Available storage options Screen size Diagonally, in inches 3G option Whether you can add a Simcard to connect to the internet via 3GTEST PERFORMANCE Screen Viewing angle, colour purity and absence of refl ection Touchscreen response Responsiveness and touch accuracy of the tablet Battery Includes how long a fully-charged battery lasts when playing HD video and browsing the web; charging time and other features Sound quality Music, speech and video quality, compatibility with dif erent fi le types Features Range and quality of features, including wireless and wired connections, memory and build quality Ease of use Assessed by running through everyday scenariosSCOREThis ignores price and is based on:Hardware (touchscreen, battery, camera, speakers) ................................... 45%Internet browsing ............................................................................................................ 20%Watching videos, looking at photos and display quality ............................. 10%File transfer ............................................................................................................................ 8%Contact/email functions ................................................................................................. 7%Making videos/photos ..................................................................................................... 5%Video calling ......................................................................................................................... 5%
TEST SCO
RE (%)
Ease of use
Features
Sound quality
Battery
Rear camera
Touchscreen
response
Screen
Operating system
Screen resolution
(pixels)
3G option
Screen size (inch)
Mem
ory available (G
B)
Price (`)
SPECIFICATION TEST PERFORMANCE
TEST AND RATINGS
BRAND
1 APPLE iPad with Retina Display 31,900 16,32,64 9.7 2048x1536 iOS 6.0.1 82
11 JAIPAN New Food Processor 4,199 650 22x19x33 71
12 INALSA Maxie Plus 7,795 650 21x21x35 59
USING THE TABLEThe more stars, the better. Right Choices are highlighted in red.SPECIFICATION Price (`) Guide price as of April 15, 2013 Wattage The appliance’s stated power, in watts Dimensions The measured height, width and depth of the applianceTEST PERFORMANCE Chopping How evenly and quickly nuts and coriander are chopped Grinding How quickly and evenly coconut and garam masala spices are ground (where possible) Mixing The smoothness and consistency of dosa dough (where possible) Blending the smoothness and consistency of three types of
lassi: fruit, spiced and iced Grating How quickly and evenly cheese and carrots are grated Slicing How quickly and evenly cucumbers and carrots are sliced Juicing The smoothness, frothiness, fi brousness and taste of juice produced, how quickly it’s delivered and whether it contains sediment Ease of use How straightforward the food processor is to use, clean and store
SCORE This ignores price and is based onPerformance ........................................................................75%Ease of use ..........................................................................20%Build quality .............................................................................5%
whichrightchoice.com
Food processorsTest report
36 I Right Choice I June 2013
Worth considering
By far the cheapest on test, this basic but
high-scoring Nova food processor is about a
fi fth of the price of our most expensive Right
Choice – and defi nitely worth considering. It
has the lowest wattage (250W) of all the food
processors we’ve tested. It rivals the Right Choice
models with its grinding, grating and slicing
abilities, and produced perfectly evenly chopped
nuts in our test. It struggled a bit with softer herbs;
it doesn’t come with the extra features of our
Right Choice models, such as juicing, blending
89% NOVA FP 551, `2,149
and sometimes mixing and ice-crushing, so you’ll
probably need other food preparation appliances
in your kitchen. But if you already have a mixer
grinder, blender and juicer and are just looking for
an appliance to bridge the gaps, this fi ts the bill.
Operated by a simple push-button control for
power and a pulse function, it’s also extremely
easy to use. All parts are easy to attach, remove
and clean, and the FP - 551 is comfortable to grip
and manoeuvre.
PROS Cheap, excellent grinding and slicing
CONS Few functions, poor herb-chopping
HOW WE TEST
To test chopping abilities, we chopped both
nuts and fresh coriander, assessing how
quickly and evenly the processor chops
up hard and soft food. We tested grinding
powers by blitzing coconut into a chutney,
and the hard spices that go into a garam
masala spice blend. Each food processor
was assessed for the evenness of the
results and how long it took to produce
them. Grating and slicing are assessed
using cheese and carrots and cucumber and
carrots respectively, with each processor
rated for the speed and evenness of the
results. To test blending, our lab experts
used each processor to produce three
diff erent lassis: one with fruit, one with
cardamom and ginger and the third with
ice. In each case, the smoothness and
consistency of the lassi was rated. Where
available, the juicing feature was used
to produce fresh orange juice. The end
result was assessed for the smoothness,
frothiness, fi brousness and taste of the
juice produced, how quickly it’s delivered
and whether it contains sediment. 18
individual tests make up the overall ease
of use rating, covering everything from
the ease of attaching and cleaning the
accessories to the manoeuvrability of
the appliance.
whichrightchoice.com June 2013 I Right Choice I 37
Things you can do with your food processorFood processors can be complex appliances at the best of times, with multiple functions that aren’t always obvious from the markings and switches. If you only use your food processor for slicing and dicing, or got one as a gift and have never taken it out of its box, here are some ideas that might inspire you to make the most of the features available
MANGO LASSI 2 mangoes, peeled, stoned and sliced, 2 cups
CONS It of ers no waist or lumbar support for the parent and the
shoulder straps are not padded. Larger babies may fi nd it too tight.
Where to buy online eBay.in, Shoppers Stop
70% MEDELA SWING BREAST PUMP, `14,999
78% CHICCO JAZZY HIGH CHAIR, `4,990
73% MOTOROLA MBP36 BABY MONITOR, `13,990
PROS This pump is ideal for
working mothers and was
rated highly by all those who
tried it. It’s comfortable, quick
and easy to use and clean. It
comes with a small storing bag
and works on two batteries.
CONS There’s no breast shield cover, which may
cause issues if you need to transport it. The bottle is
not leak-proof when attached to the pump.
Where to buy online Flipkart, Medela India,
BabyOye, Hoopos
PROS Well-designed and easy
to use, this durable high chair
is also simple to assemble.
The position of the tray can
be moved to suit children as
they grow.
CONS There’s not much
padding on the base of the
seat, which is also a bit shallow
for children older than two.
Where to buy online Firstcry,
BabyOye, Flipkart
PROS The sound
quality on this baby
monitor is good,
though it does gets
distorted at the highest
volume. The parent unit
is stable and has a rechargeable battery
that lasts up to six hours. The baby unit is
similarly stable.
CONS The range outside the house may not
be enough. Instructions in the manual could
be clearer.
Where to buy online Flipkart, Firstcry, BabyOye
RIGHTCHOICE
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RIGHTCHOICE
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RIGHTCHOICE
All prices are guide prices as of April 22, 2013 and are subject to change
NOW
IN
INDIA
For over 50 years in the UK, independence has been the cornerstone of our editorial
philosophy. While some magazines have advertising disguised as editorial, we buy and
rigorously test around 2,700 products every year to ensure that the only people who
influence our recommendations are our scientists. Make your choices without hesitation
or doubt, with Right Choice.
whichrightchoice.com
Unbiased Expert Advice. Always.
We examine the usability of MP3 player speaker docks, including ease of setting up and remote control operation.
In order to keep ouradvice independent,we do not carry anyads. Except our own
Save time, money and effort. Make the Right Choice.
Test reportKetchup
Does your favourite brand of ketchup score as high on the health front as it does on taste? We fi nd out with our lab test of seven brands
whichrightchoice.com
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Secret sauce
June 2013 I Right Choice I 43
From American burgers and French fries
to Indian samosas and pakoras, ketchup
is one of the most popular, versatile, easily
available and affordable condiments. Kids love
it, so its tasty tanginess is a great mask for
healthy food when feeding fussy eaters. Being
tomato-based, most don’t think twice before
slathering their food with the red stuff. But
though ketchup is low in fat (unlike another
popular condiment, mayonnaise), it does contain
signifi cant amounts of salt and sugar – which can
be detrimental to health if consumed in excess. So
should we be going so easy with the squeezy bottle?
WHAT WE FOUND: SUGARFour of the seven brands exceeded the sugar
content listed on each of their labels. While
most – Kissan, Heinz and Reliance – went over
by 0.5-1.5%, Maggi’s Rich Tomato Ketchup had
a whopping 17.5% more sugar than stated on its
label. This is particularly misleading as the brand’s
stated sugar content was the lowest among those
we tested – a mere 12.7g per 100g, whereas other
ketchups all stated their sugar content was above
20g per 100g.
WHAT WE FOUND: SALTSurprisingly, our tests found that the sodium
content was lower than the value stated on the
label (where listed). Kissan, Smith & Jones
and Reliance ketchups were the only ones that
mentioned their sodium content. While each of
the labels declared sodium levels of above
1,000mg per 100g, our tests found all to be in the
700-800mg range.
Tellingly, the brands that did not mention their
sodium content were found to be much higher in
sodium when tested. Maggi, Heinz and Del Monte
were all found to have sodium levels above 800mg
per 100g in our tests. Tasty Treat’s content was a
little higher than Reliance’s, at 794mg per 100g.
What we didWe tested seven popular brands
of ketchup – Kissan Fresh Tomato
Ketchup, Maggi Rich Tomato
Ketchup, Heinz Tomato Ketchup,
Smith & Jones Tomato Ketchup,
Del Monte Tomato Ketchup,
Tasty Treat Tomato Ketchup and
Reliance Select Tomato Ketchup –
to fi nd out which have the highest
levels of sodium and sugar.
Ma
dh
urj
ya
Sa
ikia
whichrightchoice.com
Test report Ketchup
44 I Right Choice I June 2013
We tested widely available ketchups for sodium and sugar content, to see which is the healthiest choice for your dinner table. We also compared these tested fi gures with what is stated on each brand’s nutritional label
SUGAR
Claimed sugar
25.33g per 100g
Tested sugar
20.4g per 100g
Actual sugar per serving 3.06g
SODIUM
Claimed sodium
1,110mg per 100g
Tested sodium
717mg per 100g
Actual sodium per serving 107.55mg
`110 `125 `110 `75SUGAR
Claimed sugar
22g per 100g
Tested Sugar
22.4g per 100g
Actual sugar per serving 3.36g
SUGAR
Claimed sugar
25g per 100g
Tested sugar
23.5g per 100g
Actual sugar per serving 3.53g
SUGAR
Claimed sugar
27.6g per 100g
Tested sugar
26.6g per 100g
Actual sugar per serving 3.99g
SODIUM
Claimed sodium
NA
Tested sodium
902mg per 100g
Actual sodium per serving 135.3mg
SODIUM
Claimed sodium
NA
Tested sodium
934mg per 100g
Actual sodium per serving 140.1mg
SODIUM
Claimed sodium
NA
Tested sodium
794mg per 100g
Actual sodium per serving 119.1mg
SMITH & JONES TOMATO KETCHUP
HEINZ TOMATO KETCHUP
DEL MONTE TOMATO KETCHUP
TASTY TREAT TOMATO KETCHUP
Smith & Jones ketchup contains the least sugar and
the second lowest amount of sodium (slightly higher than Kissan’s ketchup). Good for those with sugar-restricted diet; though keep a track of
your intake.
It doesn’t state sodium content on its label and it had
the second highest tested sodium content (after Del Monte). So though one of
the most popular brands, it doesn’t score too well on the
health front.
Del Monte doesn’t state the salt content on the label and
it has the highest sodium content here. Avoid it if you
need to limit salt in your diet – those suf ering from high blood pressure and
other heart-related diseases.
The cheapest here, it stands exactly at the mid-level for its salt and sugar content – neither on the low nor on
the high side. It doesn’t provide information on sodium content on the
bottle’s label.
Lowest Sugar
Highest Sodium
whichrightchoice.com June 2013 I Right Choice I 45
`115 `85 `115
You’re likely to use more, but a single serving size of ketchup is about one tablespoon, or around 15g. We used this as a guide to calculate how much salt and sugar you’d consume using diff erent brands.
SUGAR
Claimed sugar
26g per 100g
Tested sugar
27.5g per 100g
Actual sugar per serving 4.13g
SUGAR
Claimed sugar
27.9g per 100g
Tested sugar
29.1g per 100g
Actual sugar per serving 4.37g
SUGAR
Claimed sugar
12.07g per 100g
Tested sugar
30.2g per 100g
Actual sugar per serving 4.53g
SODIUM
Claimed sodium
1,070mg per 100g
Tested sodium
708mg per 100g
Actual sodium per serving 106.2mg
SODIUM
Claimed sodium
1,100mg per 100g
Tested sodium
785mg per 100g
Actual sodium per serving 117.75mg
SODIUM
Claimed sodium
NA
Tested sodium
887mg per 100g
Actual sodium per serving 133.05mg
What’s good about ketchup?Low fat While a tablespoon of mayonnaise contains about 100 calories and 12g of fat, ketchup has no fat and far fewer calories (15 per tablespoon).
Contains lycopene The main ingredient is tomato which, once cooked, has high levels of lycopene. This is an antioxidant with many benefi ts: it’s been linked to reduced risk of many cancers, helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and is said to ward off liver disease.
How much lycopene does ketchup contain?While raw tomatoes contain around 3mg of lycopene per 100g, ketchup contains about 17g per 100g. But it all depends on the tomato content in the ketchup. There are also healthier alternatives of lycopene, like processed tomatoes in the form of purée.
What’s bad?Ketchup can fall under the unhealthy bracket if it contains too much salt and sugar.
Too much salt Eating too much salt can result in high blood pressure, heart problems, water retention and hypertension. According to the WHO, adults should consume less than 2,000mg of sodium or a teaspoon of salt a day.
Too much sugar Excess sugar causes a rise in blood sugar levels and suppresses your immunity. Too much sugar can result in problems like obesity, diabetes, fatigue and tooth decay.
RELIANCE SELECT 100% TOMATO KETCHUP
KISSAN FRESH TOMATO KETCHUP
MAGGI RICH TOMATO KETCHUP
What’s a serving size?
Kissan’s ketchup has the lowest level of sodium here,
making it comparatively better for those with high
blood pressure or other cardiovascular issues.
However, its sugar content is on the higher side.
While its sugar is more than the stated amount, sodium is signii cantly lower. Eating it
will not aggravate the pre-existing issues, though Smith & Jones or Kissan are
healthier alternatives when it comes to salt and sugar.
The tested sugar content was the highest here – almost a
teaspoon per serving. Sodium content isn’t stated on the
pack but proved higher than most. It’s not the best option
if you have sugar-related complications like diabetes.
Lowest Sodium
Highest Sugar
whichrightchoice.com
Get your house paintedTest report
46 I Right Choice I June 2013
How to
You know when your house needs a paint job,
but the very thought of being inconvenienced
for a week or two can make you put it off.
Before you know it, the monsoons are not too far away
and you decide to wait until October, at which time
you may try postponing again. This is not a good idea,
because the longer you wait, the more expensive your
next paint job could be.
As counter-intuitive as it may sound, you may end
up saving by painting more regularly than waiting
longer than you should. This report will tell you all
you need to know about the process, what your
options are and all the information you need to get
your house painted.
WHEN TO PAINTThe state of your current paint-job will of course
dictate where to start. Elrica D’Souza, an interior
designer with Zyk Designs, says, ‘Discolouration of
your current paint-job and dust collection, which
leads to patchiness and stains, are signs that your
walls need a fresh coat of paint.’
These factors, and not the fact that you’re fed up of
seeing the same colour on your walls, should decide
whether or not your house needs painting.
Because of the long monsoon in India, some
seasonal considerations do need to be factored into
your next painting project. It is generally advised to
wait until after the monsoon to see whether there is
any leakage. If you paint before the rains and your
walls leak during the monsoon, the work may be
seriously compromised.
Elrica adds, ‘When it rains, your walls could face
leakages. This can lead to cracking and peeling of
the paint. It’s best to be sure there’s no problem or,
Repainting? Know your options, whether hiring professionals or doing it yourself
Colour concepts
whichrightchoice.com
∨ ∨
June 2013 I Right Choice I 47
∨ ∨
if you’re unsure, have your walls examined
before attempting a new paint job. If it’s not
leakages causing the cracking and peeling
of the paint, it could be a sign of poor paint
quality or improper application.’
How often you repaint your house
depends on the kind of the paint you’ve
previously applied. For example, a fungus-
and mildew-resistant paint will obviously
last longer than a normal distemper (read
‘Types of paint’, below).
Elrica says that, as a general rule of
thumb, consider whether you need to
repaint around once every fi ve years. At this
point you’ll need to assess the quality of your
current paint job before deciding whether
you need a new one.
TYPES OF PAINTS When you do decide to get your house
repainted, you’ll need to know the tools of
the trade. There are basically four types
of paint: distemper, lustre, emulsion and
enamel. Each type contains various options
with different fi nishes and properties. You
can read about those paints in detail in our
brand-wise comparison table on p49, but
here’s a brief outline of the types of paint
available and what they’re for.
Distemper This is the most economical
paint type and is often associated with
whitewash. Different shades can be
achieved by adding colouring agents to
the paint, and paint companies now even
have distempers in different colours.
About 30-35 litres of distemper – costing
around ̀2,000 – will be required to paint
a house 1,000 sq feet in area.
Lustre This is an oil-based paint that is
most commonly used for interiors. It is
washable and thus easy to maintain.
This paint provides a very good
fi nish and is long-lasting. However,
since it is oil-based, it takes longer to
dry than distempers and also has a
strong odour.
Emulsion Emulsion is a water-based
paint and, just like lustre paints, is
washable, making your walls easy to
maintain. It provides a matt fi nish
to your walls and as it is fungus- and
mildew-resistant, it lasts longer. Basic
versions of the other three types aren’t
fungus- or mildew-resistant, whereas
all emulsions are.
Enamels Enamel is a type of
oil-based paint, but it has better
adhesion capabilities than lustre paints.
This means that these paints can be used
for both interiors and exteriors. Enamel
paints can also be used on furniture
and are available in dull as well as
glossy fi nishes.
CHOOSING THE SHADE While choosing the exact shade will be a
personal decision, you can follow a few rules
to ensure that your house looks appealing.
Shehzad Khan, Director, Gold Leafi ng
Studio, gives us tips for interiors and
exteriors. She says, ‘The exterior of big
houses should be painted in warm colours
such as reds and oranges. Smaller and
medium-sized houses should be painted
in bright but cooler colours such as white,
cream and champagne.’
For your interiors, refer to the table
below, where we get Shehzad and Elrica to
give their tips on how to go about painting
your different rooms.
Touch-up jobs When you’re getting minor work on your
walls, such as electrical fi tting, it will
invariably cause the paint around the
area to get damaged. Quite obviously,
you can’t repaint the whole wall just
to repair that minor damage, so a
touch-up job is needed. However,
achieving the exact shade can be tough
without the exact same paint can. This
is why it’s good to save leftover paint
rather than let the contractor take it
back. Alternatively, note down the shade
number of the paint. If you’d like to do
this job on your own, remember to start
painting with a very light hand. You can
always apply another coat if you feel the
shade is too light, but there is no coming
back from a darker shade.
You can also check out the website
of the brand you got your paint
from – it should have detailed guides
on both preparing the paint mixture
and the actual process of painting itself.
For example, the Asian Paints website
(www.asianpaints.com) will tell you
that, if you’re using the Royale Luxury
Emulsion, you’ll need to apply three
coats and dilute the paint in a 60:40
paint-to-water ratio. Similarly, the
Dulux Paints website (www.dulux.in)
will tell you that if you’re painting with
Dulux Velvet Touch, you will need to
apply two coats and dilute the paint
with 250-400ml of water for every litre
of paint.
ROOM TIPS
Living room Mostly light colours such as white. Three white walls with one dark wall is a safe bet
Master bedroom Extremely light and soothing colours such as sky blue
Children’s bedroom
Bright and fl uorescent colours which can be washed easily to take care of hand prints and food and crayon stains
Guest room Warm and bright colours such as orange or yellow
Kitchen You can choose any colour you like, but it should be highly washable. Avoid white
whichrightchoice.com
Get your house paintedHow to
48 I Right Choice I June 2013
BRAND SERVICES VERSUS INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS Generally, paint companies are more
expensive than independent contractors, but
they’re more likely to do a much better job.
However, hiring an independent contractor
may not exactly be a bad idea as he could
also do a good job. Shehzad says, ‘While
brands provide good quality at a price, it
doesn’t mean that independent contractors
provide bad quality.’ It all comes down to
your budget and the quality you want. The
best chance of getting best-possible quality
is to go in for branded services, but it isn’t
always practical.
HIRING AN INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR If you’ve decided to hire an independent
contractor to do the paint job, here are a few
tips to keep in mind.
Make sure that the contractor has
experience of at least fi ve years.
Ask him for references.
Visit one of his ongoing sites to evaluate
his services in action.
Ask him to paint a small sample on your
wall to check the quality.
Ask your friends and acquaintances for
recommendations rather than visiting a
neighbourhood store.
PAINTING ON YOUR OWN
Painting your house on your own will mean
saving on labour costs for sure. If you’re
willing to be adventurous and are planning a
DIY job, here’s what you need to know.
Preparation You will fi rst need to
scrape your walls with sandpaper to
ensure that your wall surface is dry, free
from loose particles, dust and grease. If
you notice any damage to the wall, use
putty to fi ll up the cracks or holes and
leave it overnight.
Pre-painting Before the actual painting
process, you will need to apply a coat
of primer to the wall. Primer basically
ensures that the paint sticks to the
surface and does not chip off. Then, you
need to apply a coating of putty on the
wall for smoothness. Once the putty is
dry, use sandpaper and ensure that the
surface of the wall is completely even.
After that you will need to apply a
second coat of the primer. Allow it to
dry for 10-12 hours.
Painting For instructions on preparing
paint mixture, refer to the can or the
bucket the paint came in. Alternatively,
check the paint manufacturer’s website
for instructions on mixing the paint.
Once you’ve prepared the mixture you’re
ready to start painting. The number of
coats you will need to apply depends on
the type of paint you’ve chosen. Usually,
two or three are recommended. Apply
the paint using a thick paint brush. An
effective strategy is to paint the fi rst
coats using a brush and paint the last
coat with a roller. Allow the paint to dry
in between coats (the time needed will be
mentioned on the leafl et that came along
with the paint).
VOC-free paintsToxic substances known as volatile organic
compounds (VOCs) are emitted as fumes
from fresh paint. When inhaled in large
amounts, these gases can lead to eye
irritation, headache, dizziness and, in
extreme cases, even cause memory loss.
Ensure that the room is well-ventilated
as it will allow for faster drying and let
the toxic gases escape. Alternatively, use
low-VOC or VOC-free paints such as Royale
Luxury Emulsion from Asian Paints, Lotus
Touch from Nerolac and Breathe Easy from
Berger Paints.
Painting your bathroomsYou should remember that you need a
paint that’s highly resistant to water. A
simple rule that you can follow is that
the dullest matt fi nish is the most water
absorbent, while the high gloss fi nish,
which you need to pick, is the most
water resistant.
Texture painting Texture painting creates a pattern-based
fi nish on your wall. In this method, special
tools are used to create patterns on the
walls. Paint brands have special paints
such as the Royale Play or the Velvet Touch
Trends along with various pattern options
that you can choose from.
Paint points
whichrightchoice.com June 2013 I Right Choice I 49
Royale Shyne Luxury Emulsion Emulsion Similar to Royale Luxury Emulsion but with a sheen fi nish (meaning that it will give a slightly shinier fi nish)
9,300-9,700 12,600-15,500
Premium Emulsion Emulsion Fungus- and mildew-resistant, anti-stain, matt fi nish 8,000-9,900 8,000-10,000
Tractor Emulsion Emulsion/Distemper
Low cost alternative to the above emulsions – emulsion-like fi nish for a price similar to distemper
3,600-3,800 5,000-6,000
Tractor Acrylic Distemper Distemper Water-based, matt fi nish 2,800-3,000 3,800-4,700
Tractor Synthetic Distemper Distemper Water-based, no special fi nish 2,800 3,700-4,500
Picking paint Here are some of the paints on of er, their features, the cost of paint required to paint a 1,000-sq ft house as well as the cost of using the company’s services to get the job done
Prices are guide prices as on April 17, 2013 and are subject to change
whichrightchoice.com50 I Right Choice I June 2013
Test drives
Sedans make no compromises. They
offer space, perform well and have
powerful engines. Therefore, even
the mid-size sedan segment is expensive,
starting at ̀7 lakh and going up to just over
`11 lakh. The mid-size segment currently
consists of nine players, with petrol and
diesel engine options available for all but
the Honda City (see p52). Six of the nine
cars compared here already have automatic
versions, with the Nissan Sunny all set to
join the majority soon. Given the vast `4
lakh price difference, it’s best to investigate
which cars are worth their price tag. In this
report, we give you the lowdown on each car
on offer, compare the two top-sellers in this
category and reveal what you can get for the
same price in the SUV/ MUV category.
MARKET TALKOver 15,000 mid-size sedans are sold each
month. In March, 4,489 Hyundai Verna
cars were sold, making it the highest-selling
mid-size sedan, while the lowest-selling
models were the Ford Fiesta and Fiat Linea.
If you’re buying one of these cars, it’s most
likely that you are either moving up from a
premium hatchback or an entry-level sedan,
or just looking for a second car – perhaps for
outstation trips.
In either case, features and comfort will
be high priorities. Here is a breakdown of
what’s on offer.
KEY PARAMETERSMid-size sedans aren’t manufactured
with low prices in mind; even the base
models come with extra comfort, features
and performance.
Mid-size sedans
Find out which mid-size sedan gives the best value for money
Middleground
In this report
Take a look at the
af ordable mid-size sedans
segment. Find out which of
the nine models of er the
best combination of
class and comfort.
whichrightchoice.com June 2013 I Right Choice I 51
Size Entry-level sedans – such as the Maruti
Dzire, Tata Indigo and Honda Amaze – are
typically under 4m in length, and reap tax
benefi ts as a result. Other options like the
Hyundai Accent, Mahindra Verito and
Chevrolet Sail are over 4m but still can’t
compete with mid-size sedans in terms of
width and wheelbase. The extra room in
mid-size sedans provides more space for
passengers and luggage – and also creates
better road presence.
Design Thanks to their unrestricted length,
mid-size sedans have sharper looks and a more
modern feel than entry-level models. While
entry-level sedans aren’t typically the most
noticeable, the Linea stands out for its Italian
design and the SX4 for its bulky looks.
Performance You can expect around 100
horsepower (PS) from a mid-size petrol sedan,
with the greatest power coming from the
Verna 1.6 (123PS). Most diesel mid-size
sedans have a power output of around
90PS, compared with around 70PS for the
entry-level sedans. Mid-size sedans offer great
performance without compromising on fuel
economy. The most effi cient offerings are
Hyundai Verna diesel 1.4 and the diesel variant
of the Ford Fiesta, both of which give 23.5kmpl.
Cabin space Due to their smaller size, entry-
level sedans don’t offer the ample leg, knee and
shoulder room provided by mid-size sedans,
which have a longer wheel base.
Features Keyless entry and keyless start-stop,
rear view camera and voice-assisted commands
are some of the features absent from entry-level
models. However, if you’re willing to shell out
more for these luxuries, they can most likely
be accommodated.
MARUTI ERTIGAPetrol range `6.34-7.90 lakh
Diesel range `7.8-9.21 lakh
Why look at this Loads of
space, practical, very effi cient
diesel engine
TATA SAFARIDiesel range `8.67-9.86 lakh
Why look at this Loads of
space, very comfortable
NISSAN EVALIADiesel range `8.69-10.22 lakh
Why look at this Spacious, very
effi cient diesel engine, seats
seven very comfortably
MAHINDRA XYLODiesel range `7.3-10.4 lakh
Why look at this Spacious,
comfortable, feature-packed
RENAULT DUSTERPetrol range `7.79-8.71 lakh
Diesel range `8.94-12.5 lakh
Why look at this Big yet easy to
drive, effi cient diesel engine
MAHINDRA SCORPIODiesel range `7.68-12.1 lakh
Why look at this Good
automatic option, powerful
diesel engine
TOYOTA INNOVAPetrol range `10-13.5 lakh
Diesel range `9.6-14.27 lakh
Why look at this Very reliable,
good resale value, stylish and
comfortable interiors
Boot space (litres)
Gears
ARA
I (kmpl)
Height (m
)
Width (m
)
Length (m)
Torque (NM
)
Power (PS)
Engine capacity (cc)
Price (lakh)(`)
SPECIFICATIONS
1 FIAT Linea (Petrol) 7.29-8.32 1,368 90 115 4.56 1.73 1.49 14.6 5-MT 500
2 FIAT Linea (Diesel) 8.35-9.79 1,248 98 209 4.56 1.73 1.49 20.4 5-MT 500
When buying from eBay, check the return policy for each seller as there may not even be one
you will ‘bear the shipment charges for
the replaced/ reshipped product’. Even
Indiatimes Shopping requires you to ship
the product back to the company yourself,
but at least it will reimburse you with a gift
coupon of ̀250.
MOST UNPREDICTABLE Of ered by eBay Why Varying conditions, som e m ay
no t even have a re turn po licyWith eBay, nothing is standard. You are
connected directly with the seller and have
to deal with this individual, rather than
eBay, if you need to ship the products back
for any reason. So check the return policy
for each seller as there may not even be
one. If a return policy isn’t mentioned,
it’s up to you to fi nd out what happens if
the product is damaged. This is usually
the case with cheaper products, including
perfumes and clothes. If the dealer you are
buying from specifi es a return policy, good.
Unfortunately, this only tends to be the case
with bigger purchases, such as cameras or
smartphones – but even a D-SLR camera
with a price tag of over `50,000 may need to
be returned within a week.
Feature
1 Keep your web browser updated
An updated web browser can ensure
the latest security protection. Most of
the modern browsers have automatic
updating systems.
2 Shop on reliable web-stores
Ask friends for their experiences and visit
the store’s page on a social network site
to scan reviews and ratings.
3 Avoid using public computers
If you are on a public computer, use the
private browsing or incognito mode to
avoid any search history or personal data
from being accessed.
4 Ensure the security of the portal
Look for VeriSign Secured Seal, or a
green address bar in your web browser
(a padlock icon). Also verify the URL. The
URL of a secure website will always start
with https, not http.
5 Check the store’s shipping policies
Take due note of the shipping methods
and policies to fi nd out what carriers they
use, their shipping rates and insurance so
that, in case of any unfortunate event, you
know where to seek redressal.
6 Deal wisely with failed transactions
Make a note of the date and time at
which the transaction took place and
immediately inform both the customer
care of the web store and your bank.
7 Avoid third-party payment
Responding to emails from third-party
payment services is as good as inviting
theft. Never provide your account or
banking information over such e-mails.
It is always advisable to type the address
of the payment service directly into the
browser or use personal bookmarks.
8 Vigilance while using mobile applications
The thumb rule of shopping online
through mobile applications (apps) is to
stick to the apps you know or only choose
apps that are provided directly by the
retailer, such as, The Amazon Mobile app.
9 Avoid strangers on social media
Messages or chats regarding deals
that are sent to you on social media
may appear legitimate but remember,
fraudsters too keep a close eye on such
web stores. Only visit o� cially registered
web store pages.
10 Change your password often
Avoid passwords that are easy to guess.
Change your passwords for the web store
and the transaction password for your
credit or debit card regularly.
With online fraud becoming more common, here’s how to ensure that safety comes fi rst when e-buying
10 ways to...
...shop safely on the net
Contributed by the Consumer Education and Research Centre (CERC)
whichrightchoice.com62 I Right Choice I June 2013
whichrightchoice.com June 2013 I Right Choice I 63
∨ ∨
Dental health Health report
Dental health check-upsU
ntil a blinding toothache arises, a
trip to the dentist is often the least
of our many priorities. It’s so easy
to postpone or ignore appointments but
a possible hairline cavity needing a minor
fi lling, if neglected, may require a major root
canal surgery within a few months. Also,
consider the money you could save – while a
fi lling could cost you as little as `600, dental
surgery is likely to cost you `4,000 or more.
In this report, we tell you how often you
should book your dental check-ups and how
to choose a dentist. We also give you an
idea of how much you should be paying for
dental treatments so that you can choose
wisely when narrowing down on a clinic.
WHY GO TO THE DENTIST?Even with a good dental hygiene routine at
home, a host of dental problems can creep
A fi lling in time can save you from major hassles, such as a root canal, or worse, tooth extraction
in. Dr Neeraj Verma, senior consultant in
dental surgery, Delhi, tells us why.
Dental cavities occur due to acids caused
by oral bacteria that feed on leftover food
particles, which may be stuck between
teeth. These acids may cause a hole in the
tooth, known as a cavity.
A thin layer of plaque forms over
your teeth which, even when cleaned
completely, recurs in 10-12 hours. Dental
plaque releases toxins that lead to gum
infl ammation or pyorrhoea and you may
experience bleeding gums and pain. They
also cause bad breath.
Some people may brush very fast or some
areas may be harder to reach. Genetics
also play a role, as do food habits: those
who consume a lot of carbohydrate-
and sugar-rich food, soft drinks and
chips instead of fi brous food have more
chances of developing these problems.
Adults are at a higher risk of gum
diseases, and children – tooth decay.
These issues can often be nipped in the bud
if caught on time.
Some studies have shown a correlation
between heart disease and oral bacteria.
Dr K K Qasba, dentist, Mumbai says,
‘Patients with heart disease must maintain
good oral hygiene, especially those with
rheumatic heart disease, as bacteria in the
mouth can travel to the heart through the
bloodstream.’ Therefore, keeping your teeth
and gums in good condition is imperative.
HOW TO CHOOSE A DENTISTAsk around for recommendations. You
can also ask your family doctor. If you’re
shifting houses, ask your current dentist to
recommend a dentist in your new area. Find
out the dentist’s offi ce timings, and visit
the clinic to check if it’s clean and orderly
and has helpful staff. Also, note whether
the dentist and staff wear gloves and other
protective gear during treatment.
Even when cleaned completely, plaque recurs in 10-12 hours
ima
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64 I Right Choice I June 2013
Dental healthHealth report
whichrightchoice.com
Narayana
Hrudayalaya
Dental C
linic (`)
MyD
entist (`)
Dentzz (`)
Axiss D
ental (`)
Apollo
White D
ental (`)
COST COMPARISON
DENTAL PROCEDURE
Check-up 300 300 500 Free 200
Cleaning 600-1,500 700-1,500 2,400 300 2,500
Filling 600 600-1,200 2,500 500-1,000 900-2,000
Root Canal Treatment 3,000-4,500 NA NA 2,500 3,000-5,500
This chain is the result of a joint venture
between Apollo Hospitals and Trivitron
Healthcare and has clinics in Bangalore,
Chennai, Kolkata and Hyderabad. It started
of as Apollo Dental Centers in 1993
and was rebranded as White Dental
Care in 2012.
www.apollodentalcentre.com
APOLLO WHITE DENTAL
Dental chainsA few dental clinics have a presence in more than one city. Research well before you walk in
Present in 11 cities, the services available
in these clinics range from tooth whitening
to paediatric dentistry. Axiss Dental is
the brainchild of two dentists – Dr. Amit
Sachdeva and Dr. (Capt.) Sandeep Sharma.
The dental chain claims to of er expertise
and world-class technology.
www.axissdental.com
AXISS DENTAL
‘Based in the prime areas of Mumbai and
Delhi’ as mentioned on their website,
Dentzz clinic of ers cosmetic, implant,
conventional and preventive dentistry.
It also claims to of er a ‘relaxing and
comfortable ambience’ and competitive
prices for dental services.
www.dentzz.com
DENTZZ
With 37 clinics in Mumbai and a couple
in Pune, MyDentist of ers treatments for
common dental problems like misaligned
teeth and cavities. Its slogan is ‘Smile more,
pay less’, and MyDentist markets itself as
an af ordable option. A pricelist is provided
on its website.
www.mydentist.co.in
MYDENTIST
The NHDC network was created in 2008
and now has 30 clinics in Bangalore
and Kolkata, as well as a 24/7 dental
helpline. Its various services fall under four
categories: general dentistry, speciality
dentistry, cosmetic dental care and
emergency dental care.
www.nhdental.co
NARAYANA HRUDAYALAYA DENTAL CLINIC
Common problems
Cavities Cavities, which are caused
by tooth decay, can appear at any
age – from infants to adults. A
dental check-up can help determine
if you have cavities, even before
you feel any pain or develop any
complications.
Bleeding gums There are many
causes, including poor oral hygiene
or diet and gingivitis. To determine
whether it needs more attention than
brushing after every meal, you’ll need
to knock on a dentist’s clinic door.
Sensitivity Your teeth may be
sensitive to variations in temperature,
taste or even pressure. Tooth
sensitivity has various causes – the
most common being exposed dentine
(hard, dense, bony tissue forming the
bulk of a tooth, beneath the enamel).
Only a dentist will be able to pinpoint
the exact cause and off er a proper
solution.
Dental clinics or dental hospitals?‘Dental hospitals are those associated with dental colleges,’ Dr Qasba informs us. ‘Dental clinics can be multispeciality or single clinics. All dental colleges are teaching institutions and have all the facilities required for good dental treatment.’
Dr Kuhu Majumdar, dentist, Bangalore, says, ‘You might want to consider going to a dental hospital to get your treatment done, as it’s a lot cheaper than dental clinics. As long as you do your homework well, for example, which dentist is good for which treatment, and have patience – after all it is a hospital – you should be fi ne.’
These fairly prevalent culprits can cause a lot of discomfort
Prices are as on 17 April, 2013 and are subject to change
whichrightchoice.com June 2013 I Right Choice I 65
Dental procedures and costsCOMMON MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES Check-ups This is a screening for dental
cavities, periodontal disease and other
teeth and gum problems. Dr Qasba says,
‘Dentists also scrutinise the tongue, inner
parts of the mouth, soft tissue and hard
structure.’ It should be done about once
every six months.
Expect to pay `10 0 onwards. Som e clin ics o ffe r free check-ups. Cleaning and polishing It is the
removal of dental plaque and tartar
from teeth. On average, a professional
cleaning is recommended at least every
six months. Dr Kuhu says, ‘You should
get it done once in three months if you
have teeth problems or bad oral hygiene.
Cleaning involves tooth scaling and
polishing. In tooth scaling, instruments
are used to remove deposits from teeth.
In tooth polishing, dentists smooth out
the teeth so that no accumulation of
unwanted material occurs.’
Expect to pay `30 0 onwards X-rays Dental X-rays can be used to see
Expect to pay `6 ,0 0 0 -7,0 0 0 per too th Gum contouring It is done for people
with gums that cover either too much
(low gum line) or too little (high gum
line) of their teeth. The gum line of their
front teeth is restructured. It is usually
considered to be a cosmetic surgery, but
can also be done as part of necessary
periodontal procedures.
Expect to pay `1,50 0 fo r gum s o f three tee th Braces and retainers Dental braces
are used to straighten misaligned teeth.
They apply pressure on teeth, making
them move a bit at a time in the desired
direction. ‘After treatment is done and
braces are removed, retainers are used
to keep the teeth in the new position till
the bone stabilises,’ explains Dr Qasba.
‘Retainers are made out of acrylic and are
removable, unlike braces. They prevent
bone from adapting to older incorrect
alignment,’ says Dr Kuhu. Orthodontic
treatment, which includes braces and
retainers, goes on for a year or so.
Expect to pay The en tire treatm ent costs ̀ 25,0 0 0 onwards in to tal Clear aligners Dr Kuhu says, ‘Clear
aligners have been developed relatively
recently. Teeth measurements are taken
and then these transparent, acrylic clear
aligners, which are like braces, are made.
They help align your teeth without the
baggage of braces.’
Expect to pay `1,50 ,0 0 0 fo r the en tire treatm ent
Laser dentistryDr Neeraj says, ‘Lasers
can be used in some dental
treatments such as soft
tissue surgery, bleaching and
root canal sterilization. It is
popular nowadays as there is
less pain involved and much
less bleeding because of the
coagulated bleeding area. It
is better than electrocautery.
However, it has limited use and
the results may not be as good
as conventional methods.
According to me, a knife has
better precision. The cost
shouldn’t be much more than
traditional methods – maybe a
couple hundred rupees extra.’
Age-related issuesWISDOM TEETHThese are the last permanent teeth to grow
and usually sprout between teenage to 30
years. Evolution has reduced the size of
the human jaw and, sometimes, wisdom
teeth may not have suffi cient place to grow
properly or may get infected or may grow
in such a way as to affect the teeth around
them. In such cases, surgery might be
needed to extract the tooth. Dr Kuhu says,
‘You might think it is needed but don’t
remove your wisdom teeth if they aren’t
causing you any trouble.’
Expect to pay Extracting one im pacted w isdom too th costs ̀1,50 0 -3,0 0 0
DENTURES
Dentures are false teeth that are removable
and can either be a full set or partial. Senior
citizens usually opt for dentures but they
require a lot of care. You will need to brush
them regularly, just like you do natural
teeth, to prevent plaque from accumulating.
Use a soft-bristled brush to do so. When
not worn, keep them in water or a denture
cleanser soaking solution as they need to be
kept moist. ‘Dentures should be taken out
while sleeping. You can wear them for as
many hours as needed,’ says Dr Kuhu.
Expect to pay Depends on the m aterial used fo r m aking the den tures. Partial den tures cost ̀2 ,50 0 -30 0 0 and fu ll den tures ̀ 8 ,0 0 0 plus
Start young – children as young as one
can be taken to the dentist. Ideally, kids
should be taken to paediatric dentists,
as they have the expertise to cope with
a child’s dental needs. Also, taking your
child to the dentist when he’s little will
help the dentist to establish a good
relationship with your child – setting
the foundation for good oral hygiene.
It is best to avoid references to
pain. Your child might go through
unnecessary fear when you use words
such as ‘needle’ or ‘hurt’. The dentist
will be better able to convey things in a
simple and non-threatening manner.
Come up with playful names for teeth
problems, for example, cavities can
be called ‘bug in your tooth’; instead
of fi llings, say ‘you’re getting a silver/
white star on your tooth’ depending on
if it’s a silver/ceramic fi lling.
Don’t bribe your child with rewards,
especially not with sugary treats.
Instead, lavish praise on them.
Make dental visits easy for children How often to go to a dentist On average, twice a year is a good
number for dental visits. However, it
really depends on your teeth and gums.
People who are susceptible to dental
problems (cavities and gum disease)
might have to make more frequent
visits – perhaps three to four times a
year. These include smokers, diabetics
and those who frequently get cavities
and plaque build-up.
If you have good dental health
and take care of your teeth, then
visiting the dentist even just once
a year should be fi ne. But ask your
dentist what is the best timeline for
your regular dental visits.
Tooth jewellery This is a procedure wherein
a jewel is fi xed on the tooth
surface. Dr Qasba says, ‘This
procedure starts from around
`5,000. It is not very popular.
The jewel is usually stuck with
an adhesive. There aren’t many
problems associated with it,
except, maybe abrasion of lips
due to the jewel sticking out.’
whichrightchoice.com June 2013 I Right Choice I 67
whichrightchoice.com
Money report Credit cards
68 I Right Choice I June 2013
Year after year, credit card-related
trouble is our number one grouse
with the banking sector – despite the
relatively small user base. It accounted for
25% of all complaints to the Reserve Bank
of India’s (RBI’s) Banking Ombudsman
Scheme in 2010-11 and 20% in 2011-12,
the last year for which fi gures have been
made available. The complaints ranged
from wrongful debits and erroneous billing
to charging annual fees on ‘free’ cards and
credit card skimming (see ‘Jargon Buster’
on p69). It's not known how many of these
cases were decided in the consumer’s favour,
but it is reasonable to assume that many of
these complaints could have been avoided
had the terms and conditions been read and
explained properly at the time of signing up.
It is well known that banks hide crucial
details about their products in the fi ne print,
and credit cards are no different. You may
well accuse the banks of mis-selling, but
don’t expect a ruling in your favour if you
have signed the document that makes clear
all the terms and conditions you dispute.
Simply put, the buyer must beware. If you're
not sure about the terms and conditions
Hidden charges, increasing interest rates and what to do about themCredit wise
In this report
We tell you how to manage
your credit card usage by
understanding interest charges,
the fi ne print and even opting
for balance transfers to
avoid the debt trap.
b d d l
Ma
dh
urj
ya
Sa
ikia
whichrightchoice.com June 2013 I Right Choice I 69
∨ ∨
because of the language used – or you didn’t
know what to look for in the fi rst place, read
on. This report reveals all those niggling
details buried in the fi ne print and tells you
what to do in case you’re in a credit jam.
BUYER BEWAREEven credit card companies offering the
lowest interest rates don’t advertise them;
it's unlikely you'll want a credit card if
you don't believe you'll be able to pay on
time. This is perhaps how it should be,
too, because credit cards are your most
expensive credit option. Delayed payment is
typically inadvertent.
A few reasons we use credit cards are
the reward points and discounts, so in
brochures and online, this takes precedence
over card details. No harm done by the card
company, of course. But lack of attention to
the charges could cause problems if the fi ne
print is ignored until the problem arrives. In
fact, often enough we don’t know what our
interest rates are or the charges applicable
on our cards. If you’re even considering
delaying payment or doing what you’ve not
tried before, read on.
DYNAMIC INTEREST RATESBanks are usually specifi c about your
interest rate in the brochure. It will simply
A cash advance, in fact, has no interest-free period
Your interest rate fl uctuates according to your spending patterns
say your rate of interest is 3.15% per month,
as Citibank does, or 2.75%, as ING Vysya
does. This is true, but only initially. After
using your card for the initial few months,
you card provider gains insight into your
spending patterns. If you were too close to
your card limit or were unable to pay your
bill in full on time, your rate of interest
will increase.
The range between which your interest
rate can fl uctuate is mentioned in the Most
Important Terms & Conditions (MITCs) of
your credit card. Some banks are specifi c
about it, others aren’t.
Both Citibank and ING Vysya say that
your interest rate will increase based on
usage in the fi ne print. ING Vysya’s initial
rate is 2.75% per month, but could be upped
to 3.3% per month, a sizeable difference of
6% per annum. For Citibank, the fl uctuation
range is 3.15% to 3.35% per month. One
bank that isn’t ever upfront about this is
Axis Bank, even though it allows itself to
increase the rate by nearly 8% per annum
in some cases. For example, in its MITCs
for its Titanium and Silver cards, it simply
says the rate is 3.25% per month (46.78%
per annum). We had to call the bank to fi nd
that the monthly rate was the lowest your
interest could be, whereas the annual rate
Jargon BusterCard skimmingSkimming is the theft of credit card information
used in an otherwise legitimate transaction. The
thief can procure a victim's credit card number
using photocopied receipts or by stealing credit
card numbers. Common scenarios for skimming are
restaurants or bars.
Banking OmbudsmanThe Banking Ombudsman is a senior offi cial
appointed by the RBI to redress customer
complaints against defi ciency in certain banking
services. These ombudsmen are located mostly
in state capitals. In recent months, however, there
have been reports claiming vacant offi ces of
ombudsmen in certain states.
Due dateThe date by which you must pay the full amount
on your bill. If you pay even a little less, you
will incur interest on this amount, and even on
your subsequent purchases from the day they
are made, until you are paid up 100%. If you don’t
even pay the minimum amount due, you will also
require to pay a late payment fee and risk losing
your card altogether.
Money report Credit cards
70 I Right Choice I June 2013
(46.78/ 12=3.9%) was what it could be if
you defaulted.
Our advice If you believe you’re
overusing your card – particularly if
you’re soon to delay payment – call up
your card company to fi nd out what
your rate of interest is. If you think it’s
unmanageable, consider transferring
your balance to a low-interest-rate card
(see ‘Transferring your balance’ on p72).
CASH ADVANCE DANGERYou may not be sure why such a feature
exists until you need it. It could be very
useful at times, particularly if there’s an
emergency. If you’ve only read the charges
applicable on your card, you may even
consider advance cash a good deal. You'll
be charged a certain percentage (2-2.5%)
per transaction, subject to a minimum
amount (usually ̀300). If your credit limit
is ̀ 1.5 lakh, for example, you can withdraw
`60,000 for ̀1,500.
A fair deal, you may reason. If you didn’t
have the money in savings, you’d otherwise
have to apply for a personal loan on which
there would anyway be processing charges.
With your credit card, there’d be no waiting.
If you were able to pay the amount back
without any delay, you’d also avoid paying
any interest, right? There was, after all,
nothing else mentioned in the brochure or
schedule of charges. If you thought this,
you’d be wrong.
A cash advance, in fact, has no interest-
free period. It’s the most expensive personal
loan on the market, attracting an interest
at the same rate as your credit card the
moment the cash is dispensed by the
machine. Even though it could easily be
explained to the consumer, at least when
declaring the length of the interest-free
period in the brochure, this is left out.
What’s even more interesting is that this
is generally explained last even in the fi ne
print, despite its potential to spike your
bill. If you were to withdraw ̀60,000 at
3.35% for 30 days, it would cost you an extra
`2,010, in addition to the transaction charge
of ̀ 1,500.
Our advice This is only for emergencies.
Don’t withdraw any more than 40% of
your credit limit. If you’ve already used
up 80% of your limit in that month, you
can still withdraw 40%, as this facility is
separate from your credit card facility.
Don’t wait for your statement to clear
if off. Pay it back as soon as possible
because you’re charged on a daily basis.
UNTOLD ANNUAL CHARGESRBI has received several complaints from
customers alleging that they have been
charged an annual fee on cards they were
told would be free. Whatever you’ve been
told, only a handful of credit cards are
actually free – despite advertisements to the
contrary. The fi rst or even the second year’s
charges may have been waived, but there
will be conditions. You will either have to
spend a certain amount over the year to have
these charges waived or perform a certain
number of transactions. This happens
with both private (HDFC, for example)
and public (Bank of Baroda) sector banks.
HDFC, for example, waives the fee annually
if you spend ̀30,000 over the year with
its Platinum card (̀299 a year) and if you
Only a handful of credit cards are actually free
whichrightchoice.com
When you convert purchases to EMI, you risk crossing your limit
whichrightchoice.com
∨ ∨
June 2013 I Right Choice I 71
spend ̀1.5 lakh with its Jet Airways Privilege
Titanium card (̀599). Bank of Baroda says
its cards have no renewal fee, but on reading
the entire brochure, you’ll learn that it
applies only if you make 12 transactions in
the year.
Our advice It is unfair if the card, which
you wish to use only occasionally, has an
annual charge despite promises to the
contrary. You could protest, but, given
the writing in the MITCs, it’s unlikely
you’ll win. The RBI has time and again
advised consumers to read the fi ne
print. Under no circumstance, though,
should you delay payment of the annual
charge, even if you’ve complained to the
Ombudsman. This is because if you lose
the case, you will have to pay interest on
the charge for as many months.
CROSSING YOUR LIMITCredit card companies don’t usually tell
you what your interest rate is in your bill.
Citibank, for example, only provides you
with a link in the online version of the bill.
If you click on it, it only takes you to the
main page of its website, not to the page that
tells you the interest rate. What is always
mentioned prominently in your bill is the
option to convert your bill into equated
monthly instalments (EMIs). Even at stores,
whether online or bricks-and-mortar, the
promotions for payment in instalments
are hard to miss. The deals are slightly
expensive, but good if you need them. You
pay a processing fee of around 1.5% and
around 18% per annum. You might convert
one or several of your payments to EMI.
What you may end up doing in the bargain
is exceeding your credit limit. This is
because even though you are paying an
instalment of say, 10% of the total value
per month, your credit limit is reduced by
the total value the moment you make the
purchase. So, let’s say your credit limit is
`60,000 and you purchase a refrigerator
from a store for ̀40,000 and will be
repaying this amount in 12 instalments
of ̀ 3,800 each with interest. In the next
month, if you make purchases worth
`25,000, you’d have exceeded your credit
limit. This is because after the fi rst payment
of ̀ 3,800, your credit limit will be ̀24,400
(`60,000 – ̀40,000 – ̀3,800). This will
result in an over-limit charge of `500 to
`750, or 1.5-2% of the amount by which you
exceed your limit, whichever is higher. This
is usually not even mentioned in the MITCs.
You need to fi gure it out.
Another danger of incurring the over-
limit charge lies in exceeding internal limits.
For example, with Bank of Baroda cards,
there’s an internal limit on everything from
restaurants (20%) to online purchases
(20%). The penalty for exceeding your limit
is 1% on the amount by which you exceed
the limit.
Our advice When you do convert
your purchases into EMI, bear in mind
the difference it makes to your credit
limit. Also, credit card companies share
information with credit bureaus. Too
many EMIs would indicate a lesser ability
to manage your money and, therefore,
drop your credit score.
With mobile and internet banking it's
inexcusable, but it is very possible to forget
to pay your bill on time. You may be on
holiday or just plain busy. The solution is
setting up a direct debit facility so that the
bill is paid on time. Don’t give instructions
to make the payment too close to the due
date (see ‘Jargon Buster’, p69), though; a
system failure or delayed payment would
mean a barrage of charges, including late
payment fees (up to `700 with HDFC).
Not a rupee less A single rupee makes
all the diff erence. When card companies
say they require a 100% payment, they
mean it. The reason for this is that
even if you pay a rupee less than you
need to, you’ll end up paying interest
on it and all purchases you make in the
next month from the very day you make
a purchase.
Clear issue Payment is to be made by
the due date, so if you are issuing
a cheque, it needs to be in the drop
box at least two days before for it to
clear before the due date. There have
been instances of cheques being lost in
the drop box so it is advisable to make
the payment online. Cheques issued to
clear your own credit card are usually
credited even if the signature does
not tally.
Up to you It’s your credit card, so it’s up
to you to pay it even if you don’t receive
the bill. It seems unfair, but the bank
excuses itself from any consequence
if it doesn’t send you the bill. Axis
Bank, for example, writes, ‘Non receipt
of statement would not aff ect your
obligations and liabilities under this
agreement and you shall be liable to
settle the outstanding balance on the
card within payment due date.’
Possible silly mistakes
Money report Credit cards
whichrightchoice.com72 I Right Choice I June 2013
A credit card's convenience could turn
dangerous if misused. The interest may
not seem much if settled quickly, but the
eff ect of compounding (interest on new
purchases, interest on interest) can have
a disastrous eff ect. If you fi nd yourself in
a spot, consider the following options as
quickly as possible.
Rate increase? Don't payYour card company isn’t required to inform
you personally of changes to the MITCs.
It could just put it up on the notice board
at its branches or on the website. Usually,
the notice period will be one month.
Changes in interest rates, though, being
dynamic, are immediate. Now here’s the
interesting part: if a change in the terms
and conditions is to the disadvantage of
the consumer, you have two months from
the date of the notice to refuse to pay any
of the charges that arise out of the change.
Citibank, for example, says, ‘If the changes
are to the disadvantage of our customer,
the customer may close the account at any
time up to two months from the date of
the notice without having to pay any extra
charges or interest for doing this.’
Take your business elsewhere
Balance transfer is simply one bank trying
to poach another bank’s customer with a
What to do
Savings in three
months (`)
New
bill (`)
You pay 5% (`)
New
bill (`)
You pay 5% (`)
New
bill (`)
You pay 5%
(Minim
um due) (`)
Processing fee for
balance transfer (`)
Bill (`)
CONVERSION OPTIONS
Citibank (3.35% per month) 75,000 NA 3,750 73,636 3,681 72,298 3,615 70,984 NA
With Axis Bank (@0% for 3 months) 75,000 1,500 3,750 71,250 3,562 67,688 3,385 64,303 5,181 (includes processing fee)
With SBI (@1.7% for 6 months) 75,000 1,500 3,750 72,461 3,623 70,008 3,500 67,638 1,846 (includes processing fee)
TRANSFERRING YOUR BALANCE
Let's say you have a credit card from Citibank (interest rate of 3.35%) and, after months of not making full payment, your bill is `75,000. You could consider transferring your dues to another bank card, thereby saving yourself quite a sum of money
Take remedial measures before it’s too late
better introductory off er. This competition
between banks, though, can really sort
you out. Many banks off er balance
transfer deals (see table, above) with
an introductory rate of 0% (Citibank, for
example) to less than 1% (Bank of Baroda)
for the fi rst three to six months, which
allows you to bring your debt back under
control. With a balance transfer, your new
card provider settles your bill with your old
provider. This amount is then transferred
to your new credit card, but at lower initial
rates, if there’s any interest rate at all.
Get free help
If you have a serious problem
managing your debt, consider talking to
professionals. Many commercial banks
have set up free fi nancial counselling
centres to help those who have made
mistakes with their fi nances to reduce
their debt. Advice from such centres can
be helpful in keeping creditors or
recovery agents at bay. It shows that
you are sincerely willing to resolve the
matter. Counsellors will suggest ways
to lower the debt burden and possibly
changes in your lifestyle and spending.
You may visit a centre opened by your
own credit card provider or you can also
go to any other bank’s centre. ICICI’s
counselling centre, for example, is
called Disha, while Bank of India’s is
called Abhay.
FeatureSpin doctor
Do oil massages keep Does the most age-old method of hair care really help or is it just an archaic ritual? We fi nd out
Massaging one’s hair with oil is a
tradition that is so ingrained in
India, that most of us consider it
an integral part of hair care. It may have
been practised for generations, but we dig
deeper to see if this treatment really makes a
difference to the quality of your tresses.
‘Head oil massages are most commonly
associated with relaxation and enhancing
circulation. It’s the massage rather than
the oil that is helpful’, says Dr Pankaj
Chaturvedi, dermatologist and hair
transplant surgeon, New Delhi. A good oil
massage done in the right manner helps
reduce stress – a reason for hair loss.
GETTING TO THE ROOT OF ITDr Vinay Gopalani, dermatologist, Mumbai,
says that oiling helps in conditioning dry,
tangled or unmanageable hair. ‘It usually
gives immediate benefi ts and long term
use would help keep your hair in good
condition’, he adds.
‘The application of oil with a light
massage does soften the texture of the hair
and also stimulates blood circulation to
the follicles. Good blood circulation to the
whichrightchoice.com
follicles is necessary for the hair as it is fed
by the nutrients in the bloodstream. Oil
massages help to keep the scalp healthy,
nourish the hair and improve the look of
dry and damaged hair’, explains Shahnaz
Husain, beauty expert, New Delhi.
TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING?Despite the benefi ts, oil massages aren’t
completely harmless. ‘If there are hair
loss issues and the roots are already weak,
the hair should not be massaged, as it
may aggravate the problem’, cautions
Husain.
You need to keep in mind
the texture of your hair and
surface of your scalp before
oiling. Those with already
oily scalps should avoid oil
massages. Dr Vinay says
that oiling should be
done only when hair
feels dry or requires
conditioning. Excessive
application of oil can
increase the formation of
dandruff. ‘The organism
June 2013 I Right Choice I 73
your hair healthy?
Hair oil, if applied, should be massaged in the right
manner for maximum benefi t. The action of massage
can help in increasing the blood fl ow on the scalp. ‘The
right way of applying oil is by gently massaging it onto
your scalp in a circular motion, with the help of your
fi ngertips to improve blood circulation in your scalp,’
says Heena Duneja, hair expert, Berkowits Hair and
Skin Clinic, New Delhi. It is advisable that you oil your
hair one hour before you shampoo and wrap it with a
hot towel for better results.
Right way to apply oil
that causes dandruff is lipophilic, which
means it grows better in oily conditions.
This in turn can cause formation of dandruff
and boils and also severe itching which can
lead to hair loss.’
BOTTOM LINEOil massages have more positives than
negatives if you gauge your hair type
correctly before indulging. It may not
yield results as effective as promised by
a legacy of ancestral
practice, but balanced
application and a
good massage
should do
no harm.
whichrightchoice.com74 I Right Choice I June 2013
Ask your questions
Send your questions or ideas to editor@
whichrightchoice.com or write to
Ask the Experts,
Right Choice,
c/o Hill Road Media, 76, Pali Village,
Pali Naka, Bandra West,
Mumbai 400 050
Follow us on Twitter
@rightchoice_in
Ask the experts
Online bankingHow do I protect myself from fraud while banking
online?
Zareen Sheikh, Mumbai
Don’t click on any
links in emails
that say they’re
from your bank.
Instead, type your
bank’s full website
address into
your browser. If you want to double check whether
a message is genuine, ring your bank. Protect your
computer with good security software such as
Bullguard Internet Security 2013, (84%, `1,652) or
Avira Free Antivirus (75%, Free). Keep it and your
browser up-to-date. Before you enter your account
details into a website, make sure there is a padlock
symbol in your browser and that the beginning of
the web address changes from ‘http’ to https’, which
means the connection is secure. Avoid accessing
your bank account from public computers and check
your bank account statements regularly for suspicious
transactions. If you spot something unfamiliar, report it
to your bank as soon as you can.
Pop-upsI get several pop-up windows when I’m surfi ng the
net on my Firefox browser. How do I block them?
Mrinalini Tyagi, Kolkata
Pop-ups are
additional browser
windows that are
opened by a website.
Often annoying, as
they’re frequently
used to push
advertisements at the
viewer, pop-ups can
also be harmful. They can contain malicious links or
unsuitable material. Most browsers these days come
with fi lters and controls that automatically block pop-
ups or only allow those from benign sites. Here’s
how you block pop-ups in your Firefox web browser.
Go to Tools and select Options. In the dialog box
that appears, click on the Content tab. Make sure
there’s a tick next to ‘Block popup windows’. If you
wish to allow pop-ups for a certain website, click
on the Exceptions button next to the Block popup
option and type the address of a website. Click
Allow > Close > OK to fi nish.
Car tyresI just bought a new car and want
to know how to maintain the car
tyres.
Rahul Arora, Delhi
Check the tyre pressure (when
cold) every fortnight and before
long journeys. Low tyre pressure
leads to lower sideways grip,
higher fuel consumption and
excessive wear and tear.
Check your tyres weekly for
stones in the tread and remove
any you fi nd.
Inspect the tyres for cuts, bulges
and wear. If they are in bad shape,
go to a tyre fi tter to fi x them.
How you drive also af ects tyre
life. Avoid harsh braking, rapid
acceleration, fast cornering and
kerb strikes.
Replace tyres when the tread
depth falls below 3mm. The
performance will deteriorate
below 2mm or thereabouts. As a
guide, a new tyre will have about
8mm depth.
If you use a pressure washer,
avoid aiming the jet directly at
the tyres. This can damage the
tyre by washing away additives
in the rubber that protect them
from the harmful ef ects of
ultraviolet light.
whichrightchoice.com June 2013 I Right Choice I 75
Piped Natural Gas (PNG) connections are a
safe, environmentally friendly and convenient
way to get a continuous supply of gas in
your home. To switch to PNG or to get a new
connection, here’s what you need to do:
Book your connectionInform the company about your interest
in getting a PNG connection and get your
application form from the company.
Submit documentsDuly fi ll the application form and submit
it along with your address, identity and
ownership proof and the registration fees.
Necessary inspectionsOnce you submit the application to the
provider, a technical team will be sent to
your home to carry out a safety survey of
the premises.
Installation procedureOn completion of the safety survey, the team
will decide on the location of the pipeline
and other such technicalities. The technician
will also convert your LPG appliance to PNG,
install a meter and pressure regulator and
make other necessary fi ttings for the PNG
connection. Check how the connection works,
under their supervision, and get your queries
answered before the start of your tenure.
Final SettlementAdditional charges, like extra pipe length,
may be incurred during the process of
installation, based on the requirements.
Focus: Getting a piped gas connection
Suitcases
Blu-ray playersI want to buy a good Blu-ray player
without shelling out too much. Can
you tell me which one to go for?
Madhav Shah, Baroda
Blu-ray players make watching movies
even more enjoyable. Right Choices LG
BP620 and Panasonic DMP BDT220,
both scoring 83% and costing `13,990
are the top-scoring players from our
tests. Less expensive at `11,490, is the
Right Choice Samsung BD E5500,
which scored 78%. Its picture quality is
good whether you’re watching HD Blu-
ray movies or standard defi nition DVDs,
but it’s not the most feature-packed. If
all these sound costly, don’t worry – the
Philips BDP 3380, costing only `7,990,
gives good results as well. But be
warned – it can be a bit frustrating to
use and so just misses out on being a
Right Choice.
Sandwich-makersI’m looking to buy a sandwich-maker for quick
breakfasts. Which one toasts bread the quickest?
Viveka Rana, Mumbai
The Right Choice Oster CKSTSM 2222 (79%), priced
at `1,295, is a slim and light sandwich-maker. Crisp,
golden brown sandwiches can be made quickly – the
appliance is ready to use in just over 2.5 minutes and
toasts bread in about the same time. You can make two