The Good Guys and Panasonic are the people's CHOICE

The Good Guys and Panasonic have received the blessing of CHOICE in the consumer group's inaugural awards for top-performing companies and products in 2009.

The Good Guys won the 'People's Choice' best retailer award, having been selected by 'popular vote' when judging was opened up to the organisation's 180,000 members. More than 1000 CHOICE members went online, sent a fax or mailed their vote for the 'most consumer-friendly retailer' for 2009.

Almost 500 local retailers received votes of confidence; however the short-listed top 10 retailers combined attracted 60% of the vote. The criteria for the best retailer included customer service, value-for-money, product knowledge and after sales service.

The other shortlisted retailers were:

- Aldi

- Apple

- Bing Lee

- Bunnings

- David Jones

- Dick Smith Electronics

- Harvey Norman

- JB Hi-Fi

- Myer

According to CHOICE members, The Good Guys staff members are knowledgeable about the products they sell, as well as willing to match or beat competitors' price offers.

"They are product knowledgeable, friendly, polite, honest and very professional," said one CHOICE member. Another said: "They have plenty of staff, make good on their promises and provide very good prices on products. I continue to purchase goods and recommend them to friends."

Although The Good Guys won by a significant margin, Harvey Norman finished 'strongly' in second place, followed closely by JB Hi-Fi.

Stores with a big home electronics focus attracted favourable comments, particularly about staff being able to deal with customer requests without appearing patronising or putting them under undue pressure, according to CHOICE.

To mark its 50th anniversary, CHOICE presented the Heritage Award to Panasonic to recognise the most consistently recommended brand over the past 50 years.

CHOICE also short-listed Sony and Philips for its Heritage Award, having 'earned their place' because of the number of products (mainly TVs) included in CHOICE's 'What to Buy' or 'Recommended' lists over the past 50 years.