HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: fester@island.COM (Mike Fester)
Subject: Re: America doesn't have a clue: (was DOES AMERICA SAY YES TO JAPAN? - Off track!!)
Organization: /usr/local/rn/organization
Date: Wed, 23 Dec 1992 16:23:36 GMT

In article <1992Dec21.215358.4886@netcom.com> strnlght@netcom.com (David Sternlight) writes:
>
>Thomas Day is correct in pointing out, in effect, that free trade is not
>an ethical or moral principle, but is an economic principle we have
>been taught, based on some fundamental assumptions.
>
>Those assumptions are basically those of symmetry--each country does what
>it does best, and exports that to the others. Without those assumptions,
>free trade breaks down and is without merit.
>
>The Japanese massively and deliberately violate those assumptions, for
>their own advantage. They do so in the import, capital investment,
>patent, public bidding, ownership, and distribution areas. The facts
>are massively and incontrovertibly documented.

Then you should have only the SLIGHTEST difficulty in pointing them out. I'll
point out some sources; Peter Druckers books of the past 25 years on management
(he was pointing out the dangers to the US in the 50s!), who couned the term
"adversarial trade", which is the term you're groping for. 

>Thus the free trade model cannot be used with Japan. Instead a
>mercantilist model must be used, hence the arguments for protectionism,
>symmetrical barriers with respect to Japan, etc. until they sign on
>to the assumptions of free trade principles.

Yes, we must protect our auto industry. After all, how can we continue to 
produce autos of the caliber of the 70s Pinto, Mustang II (ugh), Camaro, etc,
unless our manufacturers are protected from quality competition? No doubt, 
you'd prefer to have a TV with vacuum tubes.

>Everything else is noise and self-serving propaganda by the Japanese
>and their apologists.

This last is SHEER brilliance. With one grand "I don't want to hear it" state-
ment, this guy labels everything that disagrees with what he "thinks" as
"propagands'. Must have taken a PR course from the communists.

Mike
-- 
Disclaimer - Oh come on! You didn't think I was serious, did you?
From: lakia@ipact.com
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: TYCO Half Track R.C. Car Review
Date: 30 Dec 92 16:20:38 CDT
Organization: IPACT, Valparaiso IN


After seeing comments about TYCO, though you all might
wat a review on another TYCO product.

I recently purchased a TYCO Radio Controlled Car for my
child for Christmas.  Just to let the rest of you know that
the "Half Track" version should not be purchased.  The
design of the front end allows the suspension springs to be
ground off when running over rough concrete.  My son ran
his one day and lost of of the springs and there was
substantial wear on the posts for the other.   He was very
carefull and ran it in the driveway only.  The pictures on
the box indicate its ability to "climb" rocks etc.  I took
it back to Toy "R" Us and exchanged it for the full track
model which doesn't have this flaw (it was $20 more).   But
to avoid the hassle, don't purchase it. 

		- earl

Earl Lakia			Email:  LAKIA@IPACT.COM
IPACT Inc.			Voice:  219-464-7212
260 South Campbell		FAX:    219-462-5387
Valparaiso, IN   46383
From: v120q4jf@ubvmsd.cc.buffalo.edu (Vax Crazie (ROB B.))
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Calling consumer 800 numbers and general complaining
Date: 22 Dec 92 04:44:00 GMT
Organization: University at Buffalo
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41

In article <Dec.18.14.56.44.1992.12616@net.bio.net>, charleen@net.bio.net (Charleen Bunjiovianna) writes...
>Some months ago, someone here suggested calling the 800 number for
>consumer relations for various companies, because many times they
>send you free coupons even though you called to complain about the
>product.
> 
>I called Burger King's number (1-800-YES-1-800, I keep wanting it to
>be a palindrome) because the containers they serve their salads in
>are too small.  The lettuce is packed in there, and when you peel
>the top off and add dressing & croutons, it all slides off.  A very
>polite man made a note of my comments, but didn't take my name or
>anything.  Oh well.  Burger King's consumer relations department is
>in Florida, BTW.
> 
>Complaining to a magazine about missed issues did help, though.  I've
>been moving about every 6 to 9 months on average, but always informed
>_Bon Appetit_ well in advance of the move.  Yet, each time I'd miss
>one or two issues before they'd "find" me again.  This time, they 
>couldn't seem to get the magazines to me, but gee, their renewal notices
>kept coming, one after the other.  That ticked me off, so I wrote and
>told them they had a lot of nerve asking me to renew when I've already
>missed the October and November issues.  I got a letter back letting
>me know that they're extending my subscription for free.
> 
>Charleen


I called  the burger king 800 # and left my name and address and it was
useless.

I WROTE to Post cereal about their honeycombs and they sent me a certificate
good for a free box of cereal.

I guess writing works better!

________________________________________________________________________________
........>>Rob                                 v120q4jf@ubvms.cc.buffalo.edu 
________________________________________________________________________________
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: ggawron@comm.mot.com (Glenn Gawron)
Subject: Professional Carpet Cleaning or Rental Unit???
Organization: Motorola
Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1992 13:10:59 GMT

We recently closed on our first house and need to do some cleaning before 
moving in.  The carpets are in good shape but the previous owner has a dog 
and we would like to get the carpets cleaned.  I have a couple of questions 
about this.
1.  Is it better to rent a carpet "steam cleaner" from the local super 
    market or have a professional service come in and do it?  (Are cleaning 
    fluids the same and is the equipment comparable?)  
2.  If we have a professional do it then what questions should I ask 
    potential services (cleaning fluids, suction equipment etc...)?
3.  Should we go with the stain guard and other "extras"?

Thanks for all your help in advance!!

+----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|Glenn Gawron                          | Internet: ggawron@comm.mot.com|
|Motorola Central Systems Engineering  |    X.400: C10836@email.mot.com|
|1301 E. Algonquin Road - IL02 Rm 0436 |    Voice: (708) 538-3756      |
|Schaumburg, Illinois. 60196 USA       |      Fax: (708) 576-5640      |
+----------------------------------------------------------------------+
>> Disclaimer-Opinions expressed are those of the sender NOT Motorola <<
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: daw@jhunix.hcf.jhu.edu (Dave Webb)
Subject: NES + 19 games for sale.. BEST OFFER!
Organization: HAC - Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore
Distribution: na
Date: Sun, 27 Dec 1992 00:25:55 GMT

FOR SALE!
	Nintendo Entertainment System
		-Base Unit
		-2 Controllers
		-12+ issues of Nintendo Power Magazine
		-Tip sheet with passwords, etc.
		-The following games (includes box and instructions:
	-Mario Bros. , Super Mario Bros. , Ninja Gaiden , Ninja Gaiden II
	-Tennis , Kung-Fu , Baseball , Castlevania , Castlevania III 
	-Top Gun , Excitebike , Magic Johnsons Fastbreak , Goonies II
	-Platoon , X-Men , 10 yard Fight , John Elways Quarterback
	-RBI Baseball , Jeopardy

Note: ALL items are in MINT condition 

PRICE:  * BEST REASONABLE OFFER * 

					Thanx,
						Dave Webb
From: singley@helix.nih.gov (Erick Singley)
Subject: Re: Foreign ATM Fees
Organization: (National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD)
Distribution: usa
Date: Thu, 31 Dec 1992 17:20:33 GMT

>Now the question is, are there banks or S&Ls which allow free foreign ATM
>use (even if only a few times per month) that (1) are not unreasonably
>expensive in other ways (e.g. high fee, high balance requirement), and
>(2) are reasonably accessible to most people?  The $3000 balance requirement
>for the bank named above fails (1), while a credit union named in another
>article fails (2) because most people cannot use it.

>------------------------------------------------------------------------
>Timothy J. Lee                                        timlee@netcom.com
>No warranty of any kind is provided with this message.

In Baltimore, MD there is a bank [Maryland National] that offers account for
full time college students: no minumum balance, free ATM use (I think for a 
small first time fee?) free checking (with savings account no min balance)
no interest to checking account

Erick
--
singley@clinpharm.niaaa.nih.gov
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: timlee@netcom.com (Timothy J. Lee)
Subject: Re: Foreign ATM Fees
Followup-To: misc.consumers
Reply-To: timlee@netcom.com (Timothy J. Lee)
Distribution: usa
Date: Thu, 31 Dec 1992 06:44:21 GMT

afriend@dial.Princeton.EDU (A. Friend) writes:
|by avk@hafnium.cchem.berkeley.edu (Tony Konashenok):
|> There still are banks which won't charge you a penny for using other banks'
|> ATMs. Most of them are very small, have only a few ATMs, and simply *need* to
|
|I know that the United Jersey Bank has a progrom called preferred banking,
|which allows unlimited use of the ATMs. You have to have a combined balance
|of $3,000 in your checking and saving accounts.

Now the question is, are there banks or S&Ls which allow free foreign ATM
use (even if only a few times per month) that (1) are not unreasonably
expensive in other ways (e.g. high fee, high balance requirement), and
(2) are reasonably accessible to most people?  The $3000 balance requirement
for the bank named above fails (1), while a credit union named in another
article fails (2) because most people cannot use it.

-- 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Timothy J. Lee                                        timlee@netcom.com
No warranty of any kind is provided with this message.
Xref: sparky misc.consumers:21112 ca.driving:2630
From: wtfxston@netcom.com (William Todd Featherston)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,ca.driving
Subject: Re: Fines for not registering a vehicle?
Date: 22 Dec 92 23:04:00 GMT
Distribution: ca
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services  (408 241-9760 guest)

daniels@netcom.com (Daniel A. Segel) writes:
: I recently purchased an older motorcycle that had not been registered by
: the last two owners. Because of this, all I have are a bunch of receipts
: showing transfer of ownership.
: 
: I know there will probably be a sizable fine for not having registered it
: before, but does anybody know how the procedure to license it will work 
: or what kind of fine there will be?
: 
: BTW the purchase price had the potential fines figured into it, so I'm
: not totaly screwed if it ends up being $$$.
: 
: Thanks for any info, either e-mail or posted...
: 
: Daniel A. Segel
: daniels@netcom.com
: 
I *THINK* that all you need to do is get a signed letter from each
of the two previous owners stating that *they* did not register the
cycle.  I know this because I just recently sold a bike that I didn't
have registered for about a year and that was what the guy that bought
it asked me for.
Todd Featherston
wtfxston@netcom.com
From: billn@hpcvaac.cv.hp.com (bill nelson)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Interplak vs. Braun
Date: 27 Dec 92 21:34:14 GMT
Organization: Hewlett-Packard Company, Corvallis, Oregon USA

Nope. I agree with you 100%. The field from a hair dryer or vacuum cleaner
is much greater than anything you will receive from a power line, or an
electric blanket.  The field from an electic blanket is 1-5uT (micro Tesla).
That of a vacuum is 200-1000uT and of a hair dryer 10-2000uT. 

Bill
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: fredch@phx.mcd.mot.com (Fred Christiansen)
Subject: Re: Compact Dishwashers?
Organization: Motorola Computer Group, RT Software
Distribution: na
Date: Tue, 29 Dec 1992 17:02:14 GMT

In article <friedric-281292180223@appletalk-59.mdd.comm.mot.com> friedric@mdd.comm.mot.com (Bernd Friedrich) writes:
>Does anyone have a recommendation for a particular brand/model of small
>dishwashers?

My check of catalogs a year ago indicated one or two makers of 18" wide units.
I vaguely recall Fridgidaire, but I cannot check as someone "permanently
borrowed" my catalogs.  Sears has and may still sell a model under the
Kenmore name.
-- 
Fred Christiansen, Motorola, 2900 S Diablo Way, Tempe, AZ 85282  "Canajun, eh?"
fredch@phx.mcd.mot.com  ||  uunet!phx.mcd.mot.com!fredch  ||  +1 602-438-3464
  ".. I have set before you Life and Death, blessing and cursing;  therefore
      choose Life, that both you and your children may live"  Deut 30:19
From: rdictus@vnet3.vub.ac.be (Roy Dictus)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Getting rich -- this is no joke!
Date: 2 Jan 93 19:52:28 GMT

If anyone is interested in reaping $69984 in six to eighteen
months' time, virtually effortless, for every $96 investment
you make, drop me a line and I'll send you more information.

I'm talking about a foolproof way of making money.  This is
serious!!

-Roy D., rdictus@vnet3.vub.ac.be
Xref: sparky misc.consumers:21269 misc.kids:31193
From: tigger@satyr.Sylvan.COM (Grace Sylvan)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,misc.kids
Subject: Re: TYCO Super Duper Double Looper and returning things
Date: 29 Dec 92 06:54:42 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: Sylvan Associates


You can *always* return items to a Toys R Us. *Without* a receipt. You
can say it was a gift, and you can get store credit. That's how it
works around here -- so while you can't get cash back, you can go and
buy something that works.

I would return the track to Target (where you got it) and tell them
it's defective - that the loop part doesn't work. Pack it back in the
box as best as you can - and I'd also write a letter to the
manufacturer complaining about the product and the misleading
commercial.

Good luck!
-- 

Tigger (Grace Sylvan)                Mom of Katherine Yelena, 8/8/89,
tigger@satyr.sylvan.com              Corey 1/31/91; we loved him so,
                                     Robin Gregory born 2/28/92

 "It seems to me that our large goal is to find the ways to help our
 children become humane and strong."
 
              - Dr Haim Ginott quoted by Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlish
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: lchoqu%asylum.cs.utah.edu@cs.utah.edu (Lee Choquette)
Subject: Re: Marlboro promotion
Date: 27 Dec 92 22:29:50 MST
Organization: University of Utah CS Dept

In article <168C11298E.O1EVERT@VM1.CC.UAKRON.EDU> O1EVERT@VM1.CC.UAKRON.EDU
(Tom Evert) writes:
 > Phillip Morris started printing Marlboro packs with "Adventure Team" and
 > 5 miles above the UPC.  I called their 1-800 number and the person said
 > this was for a promotion of certain items that would be announced soon.
 > 2 weeks later and I haven't seen anything any place.  Has anyone
 > seen any announcements for this promotion?

At the New Mexico State Fair in mid-September, and presumably at other fairs,
Marlboro had one of those hydraulic theaters (the ones that move around while
you watch footage taken from an airplane or speeding car).  They were offering
smokers a chance to make the Adventure Team and "take on the West," five days
of horseback riding, kayaking, dirt biking, and so on.  Unfortunately, I did
not save the brochure they gave me, and I haven't heard anything about this
promotion since then.  I don't remember any requirement for sending in proofs
of purchase, though, just answering a quiz about camping and the other
activities the Team would be doing, and writing an essay on why the applicant
thought s/he should make the Team.  Oh, you also had to have a motorcycle
license and be a smoker.  No, I don't remember any dates, although I imagine
the activity would have to be during the summer of 1993, and therefore the
application deadline should be coming up in a couple of months.
  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
   . . . . Lee Choquette . . . . . . . . . .The early worm . . . . . . . . .
  . . . .lchoqu@cs.utah.edu . . . . . . . . . gets eaten. . . . . . . . . .
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
From: ken@wybbs.mi.org (Ken Jongsma)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Dedicated ATM card?
Date: 30 Dec 92 13:31:06 GMT
Reply-To: jongsma@benzie.si.com
Organization: Smiths Industries

ChazL@county.lmt.mn.org (Chaz Larson) writes:

>In my experience, these designations are no longer of much significance.  My 
>current "Plus" affliated card has been accepted by every ATM machine I've 
>stuck it into in every city I've tried it in.  I've never checked in advance 
>to see if the machine was "Plus" affiliated.  5 years [or so] ago, my Norwest 
>card would not work in a Twin City Federal ATM, and vice versa.

A few years ago, Cirrus and Plus signed an interconnect agreement. It doesn't
much matter any more which machine/card combo you use. 
-- 
Ken Jongsma                                     jongsma@benzie.si.com
Smiths Industries                                    ken@wybbs.mi.org 
Grand Rapids, Michigan                      73115.1041@compuserve.com 
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: kieran@world.std.com (Aaron L Dickey)
Subject: Re: PRODIGY New and improved STILL SUCKS, HORRIBLE as before
Organization: The World Public Access UNIX, Brookline, MA
Date: Sun, 27 Dec 1992 06:32:11 GMT

lief@hpfcso.FC.HP.COM (Lief Sorensen) writes:

>for those folks, they can use Compuserve.  But let me tell you - its the
>advertising on Prodigy that makes it such a great service for the members.
>Why?  Because Prodigy is in large part financed by its advertisers, and thus
>the members do not have to pay such outrageous connect fees.  On the other
>hand, your other online services are almost 100% financed by member fees, and
>thus they are much much more expensive.

The fact that *P* makes most of their money from advertising will also be
their downfall.  IBM/Sears have already lost literally several hundred
MILLION dollars on *P*, and it's still not making a profit.  A major
financial analysis firm recently issued a report on *P* that essentially
said, "Either Prodigy has to clean up their act and start making money
FAST or they're going to die."  And remember, IBM and Sears are not
exactly two of the most profitable companies in the world right now.

You like Prodigy; that's fine with me.  But I really wouldn't get too
attached to it.  The other services may cost a lot more, but at least
they're profitable.

--Aaron

Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: aggie@wealthy.ocean.fsu.edu (I R A Aggie)
Subject: Re: PRODIGY New and improved STILL SUCKS, HORRIBLE as before
Followup-To: misc.consumers,misc.misc,comp.sys.mac.comm,comp.sys.mac,comp.sys.ibm.pc
Organization: An Ol Ag surrounded by a bunch of unfriendly Seminoles
Date: Sat, 19 Dec 92 23:46:10 GMT

In article <1992Dec18.173723.38291@watson.ibm.com>, rubin@watson.ibm.com
(Bill Rubin) wrote:

> But to make the 
> claim that Prodigy is snooping on your machine is just ridiculous.  I do not 
> care what the anonymous letter to that magazine said, it simply is not true.  

From what I've read here, it's not impossible for them to snoop on their
customers. If it's not impossible, then it's not "ridiculous". Imagine
the wealth of data that can be obtained just by looking at what apps
the user uses!

Do they have lots of games? Which word processor? What disk utilities?
Break that down, and software publishers can zero in on like candidates
for sidegrades and special deals!

After all the difficulty they've had, Prodigy should know that they can't
afford the merest *hint* of impropriety. I for one am quite happy without
them, and will continue to be that way.

James
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: bobpassl@boi.hp.com (Bob Passell)
Subject: ASKO - ASEA - ABB Washer/Dryer?
Date: Tue, 29 Dec 1992 20:51:21 GMT
Organization: Hewlett-Packard / Boise, Idaho
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1.4 PL6]

Does anyone have any experience with the ASKO/ASEA (a unit
of Swedish Asea Brown Boveri) washer and dryer? They claim
greatly reduced water consumption and clothes dryness
(with superior cleaning, btw) for the 220V washer. The dryer
is electric with a condenser for the water vapor and
_no external vent requirement_. After all the recurring
discussions about the toxicity of clothes dryer exhaust,
I'm a little leary about this. We have an ASEA dishwasher
which we love dearly (no, I don't own a Volvo, too ;->) and
are thinking about trying them out for the laundry as well.

And furthermore...I don't suppose anyone knows of a good
place to acquire some of these units at bargain prices
near Boise, Idaho or Atlanta, Georgia, do they?

Bp

Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: cobarruvias@asd2.jsc.nasa.gov
Subject: HELP! TRW/Equifax/etc Phone #s needed
Organization: NASA/JSC
Distribution: usa
Date: Tue, 22 Dec 1992 14:06:05 GMT

Sorry for the FAQ, but I need the phone# for TRW, Equifax, and (the other
credit report company) ASAP. Can someone provide these for me please?

*****************************************************************
John R. Cobarruvias, Texas A&M Class of '78, 
NASA Johnson Space Center Houston Tx.
(713)483-9357

"And to think..................I hesitated" (Hellraiser II)
*****************************************************************
From: v120q4jf@ubvmsb.cc.buffalo.edu (Vax Crazie (ROB B.))
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: long distance calling
Date: 24 Dec 92 05:26:00 GMT
Organization: University at Buffalo
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41

In article <BzqqM3.5xI@cup.hp.com>, staggers@cup.hp.com (Ken Staggers) writes...
>(thomasl) (thomasl@silver.ucs.indiana.edu) wrote:
>: Final exam question:
> 
>: thomasl@silver is about to begin phone service.  It is necessary to
>: choose a long-distance carrier.  Which carrier is most recommended?
>: (note: all answers must contain reasons for the selection.  reasons
>: for deciding against a particular carrier are acceptable.  extra
>: credit: mention any incentives or bonuses associated with each carrier)
> 

Well Thomas it does really depend on the amount of calls you make. Since I dn't
make many calls per month, Sprint's THE MOST works out best. It has no miminum
amount of money that needs to be spent each month. It gives a 20% AUTOMATIC
discount ( MCI's Friends and Family requires you to make your own list of MCI
customers you can get a discount on). Also, Sprint's THE MOST gives you 20 %
off all calls to the person who you talked to the most minutes. (It sounds
confusing but it's a simple idea.)  Then you can get a 36% discount if the
person who you called the most often that month was also a Sprint customer.


Also, call the 800 #'s of the phone companies and ask about their sign up
promotions....... When I just signed up for Sprint, I got 70 minutes free or
something like that........ All you have to do is ask these representatives and
you will get the best deal.... hope I helped ya.

________________________________________________________________________________
........>>Rob                                 v120q4jf@ubvms.cc.buffalo.edu 
________________________________________________________________________________
From: rrw@sunset.cse.nau.edu (Bob Wier)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Dedicated ATM card?
Date: 30 Dec 92 22:48:57 GMT
Originator: rrw@sunset.cse.nau.edu

From article <1992Dec30.192254.3457@chpc.org>, by rboudrie@chpc.org (Rob Boudrie):
> 
>>FYI, Plus also has one:  1-800-THE-PLUS
> 
> 
> This service is automated - you are prompted to touch tone in the area 
> code and the first three digits of "the number you are calling from".
> 
> This makes a marvelous way to easily determine what town a phone number
> is in (unless it is one of those rare towns without a plus ATM 
> nearby).
  
  I just tried this - I got the ATM location in Telluride, Colorado.

  The only problem is their speech synthesis hardware can't handle
  Telluride - it pronounces it as "Tell ah rude" - I 'bout fell
  on the floor laughing when I heard that...

- Bob Wier

  ---------- insert favorite standard disclaimers here ----------
                   College of Engineering
      Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff Arizona
  Internet: rrw@naucse.cse.nau.edu | WB5KXH | fax:602 523 2300
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,sci.electronics,soc.culture.japan,misc.education,misc.entrepreneurs