Well Known Brands
Price Survey (August 2008) NEW
Official date of release:
13 October 2008
Detailed of the survey results can be found
here.
CASE's Grocery Price Survey (Round
4)
Official date of release:
9 October 2008
Detailed of the survey results can be found
here.
CASE's Grocery Price Survey (Round 3)
Official date of release:
22 August 2008
Detailed of the survey results can be found
here.
Well Known Brands
Price Survey
Official date of release:
11 August 2008
Detailed of the survey results can be found
here.
Fragrant Rice
Price Survey (Round 3)
Official date of release:
23 July 2008
Detailed results of the latest survey can be viewed
here.
CASE's Grocery
Price Survey (Round 2)
Official date of release: June 2008
Detailed results of the latest survey can be viewed
here.
Fragrant
Rice Price Survey (Round 1 & 2)
Official date of
release: 14 May 2008
To address
concerns on rising rice prices, the Consumers Association of Singapore
(CASE) conducted a price survey in early May 2008 on fragrant rice sold in the
major supermarkets. We focused on fragrant rice due to its popularity amongst
Singapore consumers. This survey aims to provide consumers with an overview of
fragrant rice prices, as well as to highlight the price differences across the
supermarkets to encourage competitive pricing. Detailed results of the survey
can be viewed
here.
CASE’s
Grocery Price Survey (Round 1)
Official date of
release: 2 May 2008
During the month of April,
the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) conducted 2 rounds of price
survey to find out about the prices of 21 household items. These items include
basic necessities such as rice and cooking oil, as well as toiletries, baby
products, and household cleaning agents. A total of 8 supermarkets are
surveyed, and their locations were randomly picked. The objective of this
survey was to highlight the low-priced or ‘budget’ items available in each
product category to help consumers save cost in their grocery purchase. In
addition, we hope to encourage competitive pricing amongst retailers and
provide consumers a convenient avenue to compare grocery prices. For this
round, we published the prices of 12 well-known brands for greater consumer
choice. Similar surveys will be conducted on a monthly basis for a period of 6
months until September 2008. See this
link for results.
CASE
ESSENTIAL HOUSEHOLD ITEMS PRICE SURVEY
Official date of release: 3 January 2008
In view of rising prices, the Consumers Association of Singapore
(CASE) has launched a bi-weekly price survey on essential household items. Once
every 2 weeks, we would be identifying one specific product for the price
survey. The objectives of this survey are to encourage competitive pricing
amongst retailers and provide consumers a convenient avenue to compare the
prices of essential household items. For the first round of survey in the week
of 24 to 30 December 2007, the product surveyed was 'House Brand White Bread'.
Details of the survey results can be viewed
here. If you are interested to participate in the next price survey, or wish
to find out more information on the survey, do drop us an email at
survey@case.org.sg.
CASE CONDUCTS PRICE SURVEY OF HOUSEHOLD ITEMS
Official date of release: 24 July 2007
Following recent concerns on condensed milk price increases and clarifications from supermarkets about the increased price of milk supplies, the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) conducted a price survey of 40 milk and sugar products retailed at four major supermarket chains: Carrefour, NTUC Fairprice, Giant and Sheng Siong. The types of goods surveyed include: baby products, beverages, bodycare, groceries and essential items in June 2007. Please click
here for the survey result.
CASE SUPERMARKET SURVEY ON MILK & SUGAR PRICES
Official date of release: 1 June 2007
Following recent concerns on condensed milk price increases and clarifications from supermarkets about the increased price of milk supplies, the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) conducted a price survey of 40 milk and sugar products retailed at four major supermarket chains: Carrefour, NTUC Fairprice, Giant and Sheng Siong. CASE requested for the price information from the supermarket chains for dates, as of 1 March 2007 and as of 28 May 2007. Please click
here for the survey result.
CASE ISLANDWIDE PRICE SURVEY OF COFFEE & TEA & SOFT OR CANNED DRINK
Official date of release: 2 April 2007
From February to March 2007, CASE conducted a price survey of coffee, tea and soft/canned drinks sold at major coffee shops. CASE requested for the price information from the members of three merchants’ associations and four major groups of companies. Please click
HERE for the survey result.
Price Survey of
Medications for Diabetes, High Blood Cholesterol and High Blood Pressure
Official date of release: 14
March 2007
From December 2006 to end January 2007, CASE and the Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore (PSS) conducted a price survey of more than 300 medications used for the treatment of Diabetes, High Blood Cholesterol and High Blood Pressure. Prices are obtained from three major retail chain pharmacies, Guardian, Unity and Watsons. Check out our price survey
here and our articles on Diabetes, High Blood Cholesterol and High Blood Pressure below:
Price Survey of
Household Items
Official date of release: 14
Feb 2007
CASE did a recent of price
survey of 75 household items that are sold at supermarket chains and
convenience stores. Check out our price survey
here
Comparison of
credit card charges
CASE did a recent
cross-comparison of credit card charges. Find out how the cards compare in terms of
- annual fee
- minimum sum payment
- grace period
- late payment fees
- interest
- currency conversion rate
- termination fee
Click
here to look at our cross-comparison chart!
And for some handy tips on using your credit card
and managing your finances, check out the MAS
MoneySENSE consumer portal.
Credit Card Information for consumers
Understanding the
commitment, benefits and penalties involved before you sign up for a credit or charge card
will help you to manage your finances more wisely. So read the terms and conditions of
your card before you use it.
A credit
or charge card allows you to buy
goods and services without using cash. When you make a purchase with one, you have to sign
the sales slip. The merchant keeps a copy and gives you the receipt. Your card issuer (for
example, a card company or bank) pays the merchant and then collects the sale sum from you
in a bill that totals your purchases for a period, usually a month. You can use your card
locally and overseas in establishments that display the brand of your credit or charge
card.
As quoted from "Dollars &
Sense"
But while you are
enjoying all the benefits of holding a credit card, do you really realise the interest
rates and charges of various credit cards, for example, its Penalty charges, Cash Advance
charges, Annual fee and so forth?
Qotion.com has done a
comparison of the major credit card charges
in November 2005 for your information so that you can make an informed choice when
choosing for a credit card.
Disclaimer:
the
information above is provided by Qotion.com. CASE will not be liable for any
inaccuracy in the above information
Tips on using your card wisely
CASE feels that banks
are charging unusual high interest rate for outstanding credit card balance at 24% when
the other borrowings incur interest rate of less than 5%. We are very concerned with the
fact that most of the banks seem to charge the same high interest rate, giving the public
very few choices to choose from a bank that offers the best rate. We like to see more
competition in this area.
Below
are the tips provided by CASE
-
Only use credit cards when you can afford to pay off your monthly bill. Do not lose track
of how much you have spent. Once you cannot pay off your debts, you weaken your credit
history and this may affect future loan applications.
- If you pay the minimum sum monthly, you are paying interest on your outstanding balance.
This interest will be compounded if you continue to roll over your outstanding balance
month after month. So try to pay off the entire sum as fast as possible. If
you are in a situation whereby you are unable to fully pay off the outstanding balance on
your credit card, you should look for other financing facilities that charge a lower
interest rate than your credit card.
- Cancel
cards you do not use. Lenders may be more concerned about your ability to repay a loan if
they know that you already have a lot of credit extended to you.
- Pay
your bills promptly to save money on late fees. Mail or submit online payments so they
arrive before the due date.
- Avoid
spending to your credit limit as you will not be able to use the credit for emergencies.
- It may be wiser not to have too many credit cards, or else you may overspend or may not be
able to track your monthly expenditure.
Last Updated as at
2 February 2008, 2.00am
