The award that no brand wants to win
We’re no strangers to hearing about your disappointing consumer experiences – from products that don’t perform to power-hungry companies. The Yeah, Nahs call out businesses that let consumers down. It’s our way of pressuring these businesses to do better.
Scorched by Shrinkflation Award
🤏 For shrinking the “perfect little gift” by 25% but only dropping the price by 11%
In Nestlé's memorable 1993 ad campaign, a sweet-toothed girl made a packet of scorched almonds stretch much further than intended (“to Mummy aaand Daddy”). Thirty years later, the “perfect little gift” will have to stretch even further. Cute from a four-year-old. Less cute from a corporate giant.
Read morePower Trip Award
🤑For raking in record earnings while people struggled with their power bills
Satisfaction is falling for energy customers. Hardship is rising. Yet the earnings of Contact, Meridian, Mercury and Genesis have hit a record high. They collectively earned over $1 billion more this year than in 2025. The big four are rolling in it, while one in four households struggles to pay its power bill. Is it fair? Yeah, nah.
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Sick of It Award
🙄 For a health insurer in need of a customer service check-up
When it comes to customer satisfaction ratings, nib isn’t in great shape. Its net satisfaction score limped in at just +1, while more than a third of customers (36%) reported experiencing a problem with the insurer over the past three years. With the worst result of any service provider across all our surveys – that includes banks, KiwiSaver, real estate, power, internet, mobile and all sorts of insurance – nib needs 500mg of customer-service training, stat.
Read moreGrounds for Divorce Award
💔 For a $1,000+ home espresso machine whose coffee isn’t worth getting out of bed for
Every great love story starts with good intentions. This one started with a four-figure price tag and a dream of lazy mornings with the perfect brew. Unfortunately, it was anything but love at first sip. When a premium espresso machine leaves a bitter taste in more ways than one – you’ve got to call it quits.
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The winning criteria
To be a contender for a Yeah, Nah Award, a product, service or business must meet one or more of the following criteria.
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Failing a legal standard
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Stinging customers with hidden charges
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Using false claims or broken promises
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Selling products or services that are absolute rip-offs
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Using unclear messaging or designs that cause consumers confusion, frustration or just plain outrage
The “You Had One Job” Award
For sticky plasters that don’t really stick.
A Consumer member tipped us off that Pams plastic plasters “do not stick properly” and our in-house trial confirmed it. Unable to manage the one job they’re named for – these plasters just couldn’t stick it out. If you’ve got one job, you should probably do it.
Read moreThe “On Bad Terms” Award
For potentially misleading consumers about their consumer rights.
If those briefs don’t meet the brief, yes you can return your undies. We did a sweep of 30 online stores return policies and we were unimpressed with Barkers for making the highest number of dubious claims about your rights – earning a dishonorable mention in this years’ disappointment stakes.
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The “Unsubscribe Impossible” Award
For a subscription that’s a mission to escape.
Signing up to HelloFresh is easy – but unsubscribing is a mission. After months of research into deceptive online design practices, this food delivery service stood out for designing a particularly exasperating cancellation process, also known as a subscription trap. No-one should need to Tom Cruise their way out of their meal box service.
Read moreThe “No, Harvey Norman, No” Award
For promoting specials that are more usual than special.
Following a review of pricing at some of New Zealand’s big box retailers, we were bewildered by the number of specials that Harvey Norman labelled as a “super deal”, “great price” or “huge deal.” When something says it’s on sale – you need to trust it really is. Harvey Norman makes that a surprisingly difficult task.
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