# CHOICE Announces Annual Shonky Awards for Deceptive Consumer Practices Major brands face scrutiny over misleading energy ratings, dynamic pricing, and restrictive policies. - **Source:** [Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News](https://www.smh.com.au/rss/feed.xml) - **Published:** 2026-11-03 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/20a9db1d-0e21-4346-b728-b128237d6193 ## The Shonky Awards Overview The annual Shonky Awards, now in their 21st year, identify Australian businesses engaging in questionable consumer practices. CHOICE, the consumer advocacy group, announced the latest winners on Wednesday. The awards aim to expose companies that treat customers poorly, particularly during challenging economic times, by highlighting specific products and corporate policies. ## Hisense Washer-Dryer Efficiency Claims Hisense received a Shonky for its Series 8i washer-dryer, which advertised high energy efficiency ratings. CHOICE noted these ratings only apply to a specific Eco mode. Running a full laundry cycle using these settings takes over 25 hours, which is impractical for most households compared to standard daily usage cycles. ## Dynamic Pricing and Ticket Tactics Ticketek and Ticketmaster were awarded for their implementation of dynamic pricing, which fluctuates based on demand. CHOICE highlighted instances where ticket prices reached extreme levels, such as $1650 for a tribute concert. Companies argue this strategy reduces scalping, but critics claim it unfairly inflates costs for fans seeking popular event access. ## Virgin Australia Credit Expirations Virgin Australia faced criticism for applying strict deadlines to flight credits issued during the COVID-19 pandemic. CHOICE reported that the airline retained $75 million in expired credits. Although the airline extended travel deadlines to May 2027, many customers who failed to book flights within the specified windows lost their original funds. ## Sony Digital Licensing Concerns Sony was recognized for phasing out physical PlayStation game copies by January 2028, forcing users into digital-only purchases. CHOICE warned that customers only buy access licenses, not ownership. This model poses risks, as demonstrated when Sony removed 500 films from European libraries following the expiration of a licensing agreement with StudioCanal. ## Petcover Insurance Policy Restrictions Petcover earned a Shonky for a policy that reclassifies previously experienced conditions as pre-existing every year. This broad definition excludes coverage for recurring issues even if the customer remains with the same provider. CHOICE stated this mechanism effectively reduces the scope of insurance protection every time a customer makes a claim. ## Quest Nutrition Price Discrepancy Quest Nutrition was cited for the pricing of its Protein Chips, which were found to be 886 percent more expensive than comparable non-protein alternatives. At over $20 per 100g, the product represents a significant price premium that CHOICE identified as excessive compared to standard market offerings available to everyday retail consumers. ## Impact of Consumer Advocacy The Shonky Awards serve as a mechanism to pressure corporations into transparency regarding product performance and service terms. By publicizing these specific failures, CHOICE forces companies to defend their internal policies. This annual scrutiny highlights the ongoing tension between corporate profit-maximizing strategies and the actual needs of the average consumer. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.smh.com.au/business/consumer-affairs/from-fleecing-fans-to-25-hour-washer-dryer-cycle-shonky-s-top-awards-named-20261104-p61avy.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_feed — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._