HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: johne@PROBLEM_WITH_INEWS_GATEWAY_FILE (John Eaton)
Subject: Re: Help!    (stolen wallet troubles)
Date: Mon, 25 Jan 1993 21:21:44 GMT
Organization: Hewlett-Packard VCD
X-Newsreader: Tin 1.1 PL5

Ajay Shah (ajayshah@almaak.usc.edu) wrote:
: In March last year my wallet was stolen.  It contained many credit
: cards (all of which I dealt with by calling the companies) and a
: drivers license.
:--------------------------
Local paper has a similiar story of a man who lost his wallet. The person
who found (or stole) it later broke into his house and swiped his checkbook.
He then went dowm to DMV with all the ID (minus Drivers License) and requested
a duplicate license. DMV now gives the thief a brand new license with the
thiefs picture on it. (at least they know what the guy looks like). He has
since run up about 40K$ in bad checks.

Most people worry that if their wallet is stolen that the thief will use
their credit cards. Their biggest worry should be that the thief will use
their idendity. If they use your cards to buy something then they will get
caught, but they can use your ID to open up new accounts. 

That is a good reason for not carrying your SSN card in your wallet.

John Eaton
!hp-vcd!johne


Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: dhoward@novell.com (Dirk W. Howard)
Subject: Re: How to fight telemarketers
Organization: Novell, Inc.
Distribution: na
Date: Thu, 21 Jan 1993 23:20:06 GMT

If you really want to fight telemarketers you have to know where to hit 
them.  Out-bound telemarketers are trying to sell you something that you 
either don't need or don't know that you want.  They use high pressure 
techniques to separate you from your money.  They are NOT concerned with 
your well-being or your mothers.  All they want is to make a buck off of 
you.  In other words all that they understand is MONEY.

During the first part of 1992 my wife and I tried telling these 
telemarketers that we were not interested and then would ask them not to 
call.  This was to no avail.  The later part of the year we changed our 
tactic and the calls are declining rapidly.  It requires a little work on 
our part, but it is well worth it.

What we do is keep a log (notebook) by the phone.  When we receive a call 
from a telemarketer we note the company and the name of the caller.  We then 
tell the caller that our time is very valuable and that we BILL for our time 
at $100 per hour in 15 minute increments.  We tell the caller that we do not 
wish their product and ask them to remove our name from their list.  We 
then tell them that if we receive another call from their company, we will 
have to bill them for this call and the next one as well.  So far they all 
quickly appologize and tell us that our name will be removed.  Results have 
been that I have yet to receive a repeat call from a company that I have 
notified in this manner.  In a way, I am kind of disappointed.  I really 
would like to collect a little cash for talking on the phone to someone and 
telling them that I am not interested in buying what they are selling.

It seems that when you threaten someone elses wallet, they quickly become 
less interested in yours.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dirk W. Howard              These are my personal opinions.  No one else 
Novell Technical Support    in their right mind would claim them.
dhoward@novell.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: dbw@crash.cts.com (David B. Whiteman)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Banks that offer debit cards???????
Date: 21 Jan 93 12:00:41 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: CTS Network Services (crash, ctsnet), El Cajon, CA

While not a bank Charles Schwab & Co. offers an asset management account called
a Schwab One account.  The account includes a brokerage account with the ability
to borrow on margin, a checking account (but the checks are not returned to you,
and a VISA debit card which also has ATM access.  The cash balance earns daily
interest, or the free cash can automatically be invested into several
government and municipal money market funds, some of which pay federal tax
extempt, or federal and state tax extempt interest.  Checkwriting privledges
are unlimited without a per check charge, and the VISA has no transaction
charges except for a $1 charge per ATM use.   There is no monthly charge at
this time, but starting in June there is a $5/month charge if the total
equity balance is less than $5000 on the last day of the month.  This charge
is also waived if you make two commissionable transactions during the preceding
6 months.  The other requirement is an opening balance of $5000 in cash and
securities.  

Charles Schwab's 800 phone number is 800 435 4000.  

Merill Lynch, and Fidelity Investments are two other stock brokers that offer
an attached debit card to an asset management account.
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: mike%jim.uucp@wupost.wustl.edu (Mike S.)
Subject: Re: Insurance question
Organization: BITS, St. Louis, MO
Date: Fri, 22 Jan 1993 05:35:08 GMT

acheng@ncsa.uiuc.edu (Albert Cheng) writes:


>>Every life insurance policy I have had required a blood test.
>>I also believe the insurance companies check medical databases
>>to see what medical treatment you have had recently.

>What do you mean?  I thought my medical record is private.  Or
>did you mean they check with my doctor(s)?
 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Yep

Mike
-- 
mike%jim.uucp@wupost.wustl.edu
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: epm52766@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Agent_X)
Subject: Re: Discover Card - Pffff
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
Date: Thu, 21 Jan 1993 02:15:36 GMT

andrew.carpenter@idcbbs.com (Andrew Carpenter)  writes:

>TH>The Discover card is the only card I know of that will PAY you
>TH>to use it (No annual fee in Ohio yet).

>Core States Visa does (or at least used to) offers a straight 1% rebate
>on all purchases *each month*, regardless of volume. There is a fee,
>however, unless you charge a fairly high amount per year (I think either
>$5,000 or $10,000).

Actually, Citibank offers a "dividend" card.  $20 annual fee, but you
get 1% yearly.


>+==================================================================+ E >
>+------------------------------------------------------------------+ E >
>!  Andrew N. Carpenter                Department of Philosophy    !+ E >
>!  Fax:  510-642-4164                 University of California    !! E >
>!  CIS:  75146,1155                   Berkeley, CA  94720         !! E >
>!                                                                 !! E >
>!                            internet:                            !! E >
>!   andrew.carpenter@idcbbs.com -<>- phlos-ad@violet.berkeley.edu !! E >
>+-----------------------------------------------------------------+! E >
>+==================================================================+ E >



> * KingQWK 1.05 # 6 * 
>                                                  
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: reb@Ingres.COM (Phydeaux)
Subject: Re: Seeking info: VCR Voice Remote
Reply-To: reb@Ingres.COM (Phydeaux)
Organization: E 4th St Home For The Overeducated Underemployed - New Jersey Div.
Distribution: usa
Date: 27 Jan 93 16:42:37 GMT

In article <1993Jan25.214932.23859@berlioz.nsc.com> mds@condor.nsc.com writes:
>
>I recently saw one of those "infomercials" for a VCR Voice Remote.
>This remote is entirely voice activated. It is a "smart" remote
>that can learn four voices, and operate your VCR, TV, and Cable box.
>It sells for about $149, and is purchased through an 800 number.
>
>Does anybody have any experience with one of these? Do they work
>as well as they claim? Any info regarding this product would be
>greatly appreciated.

I read something about this in an electronics trade magazine recently.
It sounds like a nice idea, but in practice there are apparantly some
drawbacks.  First, it takes time to train it for your voice.  Second,
I believe you have to press a button to tell the thing to listen to
you to tell it what to do. 

In other words, you can't just say 'channel thirteen' and have it jump
to that number, you've got to press a button  (always the same button)
and then say 'channel thirteen' ...
					reb
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: poulsen@sp91.csrd.uiuc.edu (David K. Poulsen)
Subject: Re: PEPSI CLEAR & TAB CLEAR
Organization: UIUC Center for Supercomputing Research and Development
Date: Thu, 21 Jan 93 00:59:28 GMT

Well, since everyone else has said all the obvious bad things about Pepsi
Clear, let me add a more interesting (and inflammatory) one:

I thought it was absolutely lousy, because it tasted exactly like Coke!

(don flame-retardant suit now)

Really, the stuff does taste like Coke to me.

DP
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: laird@pasture.ecn.purdue.edu (Kyler Laird)
Subject: Re: Lightweight bullet-proof vests illegal?
Organization: Purdue University Engineering Computer Network
Date: 26 Jan 93 00:21:46 GMT

Sam's here requires "a badge" for purchase of Kevlar vests.  (I hate
saying "bullet-proof" 'cause we all know they're not.)  I asked if
just any badge would do and got a "dirty" look...

You might try:

	U.S. Cavalry
	Department AR
	2855 Centennial Ave.
	Radcliff, KY  40160-9000
	800-777-7732


--kyler
From: tvervaek@col.hp.com (Tom Vervaeke)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Radar Detectors
Date: 26 Jan 93 16:25:14 GMT
Article-I.D.: hp-col.1k3olaINN2vj
Distribution: usa
Organization: HP Colorado Springs Division
NNTP-Posting-Host: itchub21.cs.itc.hp.com


We never got one till last year. They definetely work. No assurance you
won't get a ticket though. Locally, on sideroads here, the cops like to
sit off to the side of the road.  When someone gets real close, they pop
the old gun on. If you're a speerer, ever with a detector, you'r
history. If you're okay, they turn it right off. This is what I believe
they call instant on. The detector doesn't do any good as there is
nothing to detect until it's too late.

Of course, most folks here still flick their lights so you know what's
coming. Also, the cops tend to use the same places over and over.....

For long interstate trips, get a cheapie cb radio. Just listen to
channel 19 or follow large trucks. Pretty safe.


( ___ )------------------------------------------------------------( ___ )
 | / | Tom Vervaeke           Email:tom_vervaeke@hp0800.desk.hp.com | \ |
 | / | Technology Specialist  Snail: 1900 Garden of the Gods Rd.    | \ |
 | / | Hewlett Packard Co.           Colorado Springs, CO 80901     | \ |
 | / | Colorado Springs, CO   Voice    : 719-590-2133               | \ |
 | / | USA                    Fax      : 719-590-2117               | \ |
 | / |--------------------------------------------------------------| \ |
 | / | Quote of the week...                                         | \ |
 |___|           Quote deleted do to lack of creativity !!!         |___|
(_____)------------------------------------------------------------(_____)
   ^                                                                  ^
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: baer1@berlioz.nsc.com (Jeff Baer)
Subject: Re: Word processors
Organization: National Semiconductor Corporation, Santa Clara
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 1993 19:15:14 GMT

In article <D7yVXB1w164w@rbyte.proteus.qc.ca> grb@rbyte.proteus.qc.ca (G. Randolph Bickerton) writes:
>dwn@bnl.gov (Dave Niebuhr) writes:
>
>> In article 8093@b8.b8.ingr.com, egsalmon@b8.b8.ingr.com (Emmett Salmons) writ
>> >Dear Net People,
>> >
>> >My brother is considering buying a Brother word processor for his daughter t
>> >use for school. This is a subject that I have not seen on this net before an
>> >I was wondering if anyone had any good/bad experiences with a Brother W/P.
>> >I do not have a model number but it is currently on sale at Sears for ~$230.
>> 
>> I have the Brother WP-2200 and like it a lot.  The only two drawbacks are
>> the spreadsheet capabilities that take up too much space on the hard disk
>> and the floppy holds 1/10th of what a DOS formatted floppy does.
>> 
>> Spring for a few extra bucks and get one of the Brother models that format
>> the floppy is MS-DOS format.  It'll be worth it later if a MDS-DOS pc comes
>> into the picture.
>> 
>> ---
>> Dave Niebuhr      Internet: niebuhr@bnl.gov / Bitnet: niebuhr@bnl
>> Brookhaven National Laboratory Upton, NY 11973  (516)-282-3093
>> 
>> 
>
>Why not get a used XT rather than just a word processor!

Why buy something well past its product lifecycle, just to get some
additional capabilities that they aren't interested in anyways? Why
not buy something new that does exactly what they want it to do? 

You gotta remember that a lot of people are scared of computers, and
a lot of people aren't really interested in doing more than a very
minimal amount of stuff with it. For these non-power-users, a PWP
is a pretty good compromise.

jeff

>
>G. Randolph Bickerton              GRB@rbyte.proteus.qc.ca
>P.O. Box 751                       TEL (514)744-5524
>Pte-Claire Dorval, PQ  H9S 2L5     FAX (514)748-8109


Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: bryanw@iastate.edu (Bryan J Welch)
Subject: Is Maryland expensive (COL)?
Organization: Iowa State University, Ames, IA
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 1993 19:55:59 GMT

Thanks for the help!

-Bryan Welch
bryanw@iastate.edu

-- 
Bryan Welch	N0SFG
Center for Nondestructive Evaluation
Internet: bryanw@iastate.edu, bwelch@cnde.iastate.edu 

Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: pshuang@athena.mit.edu (Ping Huang)
Subject: Re: Where to file complains when disputing with an airlines?
Organization: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 1993 06:08:47 GMT

In article <1993Jan24.050918.2154@walter.bellcore.com> jchen@wind.bellcore.com (Jason Chen) writes:

 > I would like to demand reasonable compensations from NW for the lost of time
 > and emotional stress that it has caused to myself and my family. My question
 > is where I can file complains if NW ignore my demand?  and what do you think
 > an "reasonable compensations" should be?

Place to start are: State Attorney's office for Northwest's corporate
headquarters (Minnesota?) and Department of Transportation. However, I'm
not sure what the exact rules are that cover international transport
liability for delays. NW may have already provided you with everything
which they are legally bound to do, and your suit may not get anywhere.

On the other hand, does anybody know if anybody has contested in court
the validity of these "contracts" outlining what the airline's "sole"
obligations are in cases of delayed flights (or luggage loss, etc.) when
the customer never signed the contract or saw the terms before payment?
(Reminds me in some ways of the "shrink-wrap" license controversy.)

--
Ping Huang (INTERNET: pshuang@athena.mit.edu), probably speaking for himself

Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: dwn@bnl.gov (Dave Niebuhr)
Subject: Re: Word processors
Reply-To: dwn@bnl.gov
Organization: Brookhaven National Laboratory
Date: Thu, 21 Jan 1993 21:44:03 GMT

In article 8093@b8.b8.ingr.com, egsalmon@b8.b8.ingr.com (Emmett Salmons) writes:
>Dear Net People,
>
>My brother is considering buying a Brother word processor for his daughter to
>use for school. This is a subject that I have not seen on this net before and
>I was wondering if anyone had any good/bad experiences with a Brother W/P.
>I do not have a model number but it is currently on sale at Sears for ~$230.

I have the Brother WP-2200 and like it a lot.  The only two drawbacks are
the spreadsheet capabilities that take up too much space on the hard disk
and the floppy holds 1/10th of what a DOS formatted floppy does.

Spring for a few extra bucks and get one of the Brother models that format
the floppy is MS-DOS format.  It'll be worth it later if a MDS-DOS pc comes
into the picture.

---
Dave Niebuhr      Internet: niebuhr@bnl.gov / Bitnet: niebuhr@bnl
Brookhaven National Laboratory Upton, NY 11973  (516)-282-3093


Newsgroups: misc.consumers,co.general
From: fcrary@ucsu.Colorado.EDU (Frank Crary)
Subject: Re: Illegal telephone recording
Organization: University of Colorado, Boulder
Date: Thu, 21 Jan 1993 23:37:33 GMT

In article <JASON.93Jan21101055@jazz.cnd.hp.com> jason@jazz.cnd.hp.com (Jason Zions) writes:
>   This isn't really the case: The entire idea of entrapment, is the
>   police tricking someone into self-incrimination before they
>   arrest him.

>Bzzzzt! Nice try, though.
>Entrapment occurs when law enforcement officials commit some illegal act
>(e.g. making drugs available) without court order to assist them in getting
>the victim of entrapment to commit an illegal act.

If the police encourage someone to commit a crime in any way, it's
legally entrapment. It's prefectly legal to say, "Would you like
to buy some cocaine?", but the police can't say this, and then
arrest someone for buying from them. (Actually, they can but
_only_ if there is also evidence of the accused commonly being
offered and buying drugs; if their only evidence is an act
which the police, themselves, suggested, that's entrapment.)

>...Self-incrimination has
>nothing to do with this;

Is that why court cases on the subject refer to Fifth Amendment
rights?

>Example: Mailing someone a solicitation to purchase child pornography may
>not be legal if samples are included or if the mailings continue to the
>point of being legally classifiable as harrassment.

Mailings like this are illegal entrapment, even if the offer is
legally mailed, unless the police can show the accused regularly
receives such offers. 

                                              Frank Crary
                                              CU Boulder
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: sam@wa4phy.async.com (Sam Drinkard)
Subject: Re: Gevalia Kaffe Offer
Organization: none
Distribution: na,local
Date: Fri, 22 Jan 1993 12:38:12 GMT


I bought a pound of their coffee about 10 years ago when they put on a
promotion for a coffee canister.  I personally didn't like the coffee,
so I dropped the subscription.  You might like it, but I prefer the 
columbian bean.  I've been using Yuban for about 8 years now, and havnen't 
even bothered to try any others.

Guess it's all in the taste.. but they are legit.. or were :-)

sam
-- 
	S.W. Drinkard			| Internet: sam@wa4phy.async.com
	4428 Branchwood Drive		| Internet: sam@galois.nscf.org
	Martinez, GA  30907		| Amprnet : sam@wa4phy.ampr.org
	(706) 868-8029			 
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: bparrish@rose.hp.com (Bill Parrish)
Subject: Re: Strange call from "Franchise Tax Board"
Date: Mon, 25 Jan 1993 17:55:28 GMT
Distribution: ca
Organization: HP - Systems Technology Division
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1.8 PL6]

I just looked in the Sacramento phone book.  Franchise Tax Board
also has an 800 number (800-852-5711) if you want to call them without
the charge.  My guess is they are trying to collect deadbeat taxes...
but who knows?  they may have a large refund for someone!  (Although
in that case I wouldn't expect them to be very enthusiastic about it).

(Personally, I'd be inclined to ignore the call).

Bill
From: georgec@eng.umd.edu (George B. Clark)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re:  Need help in resolving lawyer's bill dispute!
Date: 26 Jan 93 22:06:23 GMT
Article-I.D.: mojo.1k4ckvINN15o
Organization: University of Maryland
NNTP-Posting-Host: athens.eng.umd.edu

In article <9301262110.AA23638@cs.utexas.edu> asa@STL-07SIMA.ARMY.MIL (Will Martin on 7000) writes:
>I thought most local bar associations had arbitration and complaint 
>panels to review just this sort of dispute...

That's a good point. Arbitration is an alternative, but the lawyers I know
would rather sue their deliquent clients. Suing them, smearing their
credit history, and destroying their personal lives is more gratifying,
especially when your dealing with some deadbeat who doesn't respond to
past-due notices, and won't even pay the undisputed part of a bill.

The number of delinqent clients at a typical law firm is significant, and
they deserve the harsh consequences they are given.
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: schwartz@nynexst.com (Steven Schwartz)
Subject: Re: Making your own cheques...
Originator: schwartz@baba
Reply-To: schwartz@nynexst.com
Organization: Expert Systems Lab., NYNEX Sci. and Tech., White Plains NY
Distribution: usa
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 93 18:16:58 GMT


In article <28555@sybase.sybase.com>, joe@sybase.com (Joseph Weinstein) writes:
> 
> Can I use cheques I've made myself by duplicating cheques issued
> from the bank or cheque printing firm?

If you meet the Federal requirements for checks, including but not
limited to:
-- the MICR code numbers on the bottom of the front
-- the three endorsement regions on the back
then you probably can.  Lots of us use independent check printers
(I use Current; very satisfied) who charge a fraction of the bank's fee.

EXCEPTION:  One guy posted some time back that his credit union had an
account agreement clause that required that he use only checks 
ordered from the CU.  A nice moneymaker for them, and
legally enforceable, but most banks have no such requirement.
-- 
Steven H. Schwartz		Expert Systems Laboratory
schwartz@nynexst.com		NYNEX Science and Technology Center
PROFS: SCHWARTZ@UNIX		500 Westchester Avenue
914-644-2960			White Plains NY 10604
Xref: sparky misc.consumers:22376 rec.food.cooking:25776
From: ellert@v32.uh.cwru.edu ()
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,rec.food.cooking
Subject: Re: Kitchen Aid mixers
Date: 22 Jan 1993 15:01:47 GMT
Organization: Image Analysis Center, Univ. Hospitals of Cleveland
Distribution: usa
Reply-To: ellert@nu1.uh.cwru.edu
NNTP-Posting-Host: max.uh.cwru.edu


In article <1993Jan21.115746.9478@ncrcae.ColumbiaSC.NCR.COM>, bdewey@grok116.ColumbiaSC.NCR.COM (Bob Dewey) writes:
>
>I am looking for a mail order (read inexpensive/discount) source for a Kitchen
>Aid food mixer. I am looking for the larger size where you move the bowl
>up to the beaters rather than having the head tilt.
>
>Someone posted a similar query a short time ago but I did not see any
>responses. 

This may seem a bit strange, but I have yet to find a mail-order source for
KitchenAid mixers that can compete with the prices at a local department
store.  The store used to be Higbees but is now Dillard's which, I think,
is a national chain.  I don't think the prices of KitchenAid's have been
changed, but I haven't paid too close attention.

Just for comparison: they had a 350 Watts for $350 special a hear and a half
ago, I think that was for the 350 Watt version of the KSM90.

>-- 
>Bob Dewey                       e-mail: Bob.Dewey@ColumbiaSC.NCR.COM 
>Customer Satisfaction, MSBU        fax: (803) 739-7317
>MCPD Columbia                    phone: (803) 791-6425 or VoicePlus 632-6425
>

Ed