Consumers may be lulled into a false sense of security using some funeral price comparison websites according to eziFunerals Founder, Peter Erceg.
The problem is that while funeral price comparison websites may save ‘some’ money – that does not correlate with the best possible deal.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has had price comparison websites in its sights for some time levying huge fines for misleading conduct.
In essence, many funeral price comparison websites make lofty claims that they compare the market and offer you a better price for the service.
Why you should be wary of some funeral price comparison websites?
According to eziFunerals, there are five main reasons why consumers should be wary of some comparison sites.
- The funeral prices listed on funeral comparison sites may not be accurate and are usually out of date.
- The funeral industry has poor governance, so it is easy to get away with hidden terms, conditions and commission deals with some funeral price comparison sites.
- Consumers lack any real understanding of funeral costs apart from the information provided on the funeral price comparison site, and it tells them very little.
- Funeral Directors just add the funeral price comparison site commissions on their quotes, so consumers are still not getting the best deal.
How do these funeral comparison sites make money?
Simply put these so-called objective funeral price comparison websites are purely money-making machines. By getting you to select one of their partner funeral directors – they make big commissions from your selection. However, funeral directors are not going to give up their margins, so they just add the commission to the funeral price. Essentially, Australians should to be wary of these funeral price comparison sites, particularly if they are oblivious to the way the funeral industry works.
How is eziFunerals different to other comparison websites?
Simple. eziFunerals IS NOT like other funeral comparison sites. We DO NOT get involved in the final selection of funeral director and WE DON’T receive commissions from funeral directors. We are Australia’s only online collaboration platform that connects informed consumers with independent funeral homes, anywhere, anytime, making the organising of funerals, much easier in the process.
‘We do not get involved with the customers final selection of funeral director. We do not receive commissions from funeral directors’
With eziFunerals, the consumer is in total control. Clients are asked a number of questions and are able to organise and document their funeral needs in an easy to read, downloadable PDF format, before connecting with a Funeral Director. Your PDF funeral plan can be used to share with your family (pre-need) or get itemised quotes from multiple funeral directors (at-need).
“Instead of picking a funeral company by guesswork, families will be able to shop around for funeral directors, before proceeding to contract”, said Erceg.
As with any industry, consumer education is the answer. “It’s time to shift the power back to consumers. Our mission is to provide consumers with greater transparency and control to manage the financial and emotional stress of funerals, from Cradle2grave®. We want to be recognised as the ‘trusted funeral go to brand’ for consumers in Australia”, he said.
About eziFunerals
eziFunerals supports individuals and families cope with end of life decisions, death and funerals. We are an independent, Australian-owned and operated company, and are not a subsidiary of any other corporation. We do not conduct funerals and we are not part of any other funeral company.
