HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: florence@infonode.ingr.com (John Florence)
Subject: Re: A problem on 1990 Dodge CaraVan
Keywords: Dodge, CaraVan
Organization: Intergraph Corporation, Huntsville, AL.
Date: Fri, 13 Nov 1992 16:49:18 GMT

In article <402@yak.COM>, clg2521@yak.COM (Cindy Guo) writes:
> 
> I have problems with my 1990 Dodge Caravan (around 30,000 miles), 
> and I wonder if anyone there similiar problem ? The car died once 
> when I drove it, but the dealer and a local shop could not find any 
> problem.  
> 
  I could not restart the car, but I can restart it after 40 mins. 
> 
   you probably have a marginal heat sensitive computer chip that 
   controls the flow of fuel........
	
	I am working on my third Caravan/Voyager....so far have only
	experienced what you describe once and that was the prob.
	
	replaced chip and no more problem.............good luck !!

BTW: Net please excuse bandwidth usage....tried email and bounced...

-- 
   John N. Florence     **** All opinions expressed herein are mine
   Intergraph Corp.     **** and mine alone. ****
   Huntsville, Al.      uunet!infonode!florence OR florence@infonode.ingr.com
                    "This line intentionally left blank"
From: jimh@pongo.Eng.Sun.COM (jim hori)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: 20th century ins company?
Date: 12 Nov 92 16:25:56 GMT
Distribution: world, rec, usa
Organization: Sun Microsystems, Mt. View, Ca.
NNTP-Posting-Host: pongo

In article <4090113@hpcc01.corp.hp.com> quan@hpcc01.corp.hp.com (Suu Quan) writes:
>|On 20th Century Insurance:
>|>   They got rid of their 800 number, but you can call COLLECT
>|>   (818) 704-3100
>|That's odd, because just yesterday I called 18005551212 to ask for
>Because of my reimbursement for towing, I called the 800 number I used to.
>Got a "the number you have reached .... ". I then called their local number
>and asked them about their NEW 800 number : they don't have any was the
>answer.

I called them yesterday regarding a quote at: 800 443 3100

If they don't have an 800 number the several people I spoke to
were doing the acting jobs of their lives.


....
jimh@west.sun.com
From: kester@mte.ncsu.edu (Dan Kester)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: The unhappy byproduct of gas stations and ATM cards
Date: 10 Nov 92 17:28:04 GMT
Article-I.D.: ncsu.1992Nov10.172804.10255
Organization: North Carolina State University

In article <n|#@byu.edu> $stephan@sasb (Stephan Fassmann, Software) writes:


>I thought it was illegel to charge more for using a credit card then for 
>cash. 
It is not against the law, but it is against Visa policy (the agreements the
stores sign with Visa).  However, it is okay to give a discount for cash.

What's the difference?  If the posted price is $10, you can't be asked to pay
$11 for using your Visa, but you can be given a discounted price of $9 for
paying cash.
From: charleen@net.bio.net (Charleen Bunjiovianna)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Bally's Health Club SUCKS Read this...
Date: 13 Nov 92 18:45:55 GMT
Organization: BIOSCI International Newsgroups for Biology

In article <1992Nov13.180202.20173@hubcap.clemson.edu> hubcap@hubcap.clemson.edu (System Janitor) writes:
>>>You evidently have learned how to victimize yourself.
>>I have to agree with Ray.  You did yourself in on this one.
>
>The original poster may not have a legal let to stand on, but it still 
>seems to me as if he was slimed over by a slick scumbag. He told the Bally's
>guy his situation, and the Bally's guy looked him in the eye and lied, while
>thinking to himself ``Now if this sucker just believes me and doesn't read
>the reference pointed to by the addendum to the fine print...''.

I can't figure out how you concluded that the Bally salesperson lied.
Here's Eric's account again:

"I told him exactly what my situation was.  I said I was only going to be in
town for the next two months, and I didn't want to be liable for a full
year's membership.  ( $600.00 odd dollars ).  He said that was `no problem',
because if I showed proof that I moved more than 30 miles from the
Center, I wouldn't be held liable for any additional payments."

...which is exactly the case; Eric wouldn't be held liable for any
additional payments on the $600 contract.  Eric didn't ask about a
cancellation fee, and as far as I'm concerned, the salesperson was under
no obligation to tell him since it was set out in the contract, which
Eric is supposed to have read.

Health spas are often accused of unshady business dealings, but I'm
not sure it's justified in this case.

Charleen
From: quan@hpcc01.corp.hp.com (Suu Quan)
Date: Wed, 11 Nov 1992 21:21:32 GMT
Subject: Re: 20th century ins company?
Organization: the HP Corporate notes server
Newsgroups: misc.consumers

/ hpcc01:misc.consumers / gjohn@ostrich.Stanford.EDU (George John) /  9:41 am  Nov 10, 1992 /

|On 20th Century Insurance:
|>   They got rid of their 800 number, but you can call COLLECT
|>   (818) 704-3100
|
|That's odd, because just yesterday I called 18005551212 to ask for
|their number (by the way, 800 info is *free*) and they gave it
|to me.  (Sorry, number isn't handy, but don't be shy about using
|your own phone to get it.)

Because of my reimbursement for towing, I called the 800 number I used to.
Got a "the number you have reached .... ". I then called their local number
and asked them about their NEW 800 number : they don't have any was the
answer.
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: rcarter@nyx.cs.du.edu (Ron Carter)
Subject: Re: Citybank Choice card
X-Disclaimer: Nyx is a public access Unix system run by the University
	of Denver for the Denver community.  The University has neither
	control over nor responsibility for the opinions of users.
Organization: Nyx, Public Access Unix at U. of Denver Math/CS dept.
Distribution: usa
Date: Fri, 13 Nov 92 19:06:45 GMT

zeng@hplvec.LVLD.HP.COM (Charles Zeng) writes:

>In misc.consumers, schep@math.scarolina.edu (Anton Schep) writes:
>
>>    My wife got in the mail an offer for the Citybank Choice Visacard
>>    ... wondering whether there was a catch ... no fee, 25 day grace
>>    period, and up to 2% rebate! 
>
>Are you sure there is no catch for that card?  I have gotten several credit
>card offers that offer no fee, 25 days grace period, and 2% rebate.  But,
>the catch is, in order to get the 2% rebate, you have to carry a balance
>beyond 25 days grace period (i.e. you have to borrow money from them).
>If you pay off the balance on time each month, you won't get the rebate
>at all.  Correct me if I am wrong.

From the app terms...

"Open accounts in good standing will receive a rebate on annual
 purchases as a credit to your account each January, calculated
 as follows:
 
 Purchases of:               Receive a rebate of:
 0-1000.00                   .5 percent
 1000.01-2000.00             1.0 " "
 2000.01-3000.00             1.5 " "
 3000.01 and up              2.0 " "                            "

I had several email requests for phone number for this card; no
phone but here is address:

CHOICE Card Products
PO Box 10718
Baltimore, MD 21285

I don't work for CHOICE or Citibank or VISA, etc. etc.  I am
posting this for informational purposes only...

I used to have a CHOICE card (it wasn't a Visa card then) and
only cancelled it because they implemented a fee.  The CHOICE
card I had before never made the claim of `CHOICE Visa has no
annual fee.  And it never will.' though.

IMO, if you are the kind of person that pays off their monthly
balance -every- month, and enjoys their Discover card, then this
card should appeal to you.  I am looking forward to using it;
it looks like the real thing.

Regards,

--
Ron Carter \ Director \ Center for the Study of Creative Intelligence
 CSCI \ Denver, CO USA \ "A ... mind stretched by a new idea can never
  rcarter@nyx.cs.du.edu \ go back to its original dimensions."  -Holmes
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: ldcolto@PacBell.COM (Larry Colton)
Subject: Re: Nope again (was Re: Yup, Amway's a scam)
Organization: Pacific * Bell
Date: Fri, 13 Nov 1992 14:34:17 GMT

In article <2070035@hpkslx.mayfield.HP.COM> lou@hpkslx.mayfield.HP.COM (Lou Kvitek) writes:
>In misc.consumers, adams@spss.com (Steve Adams) writes:
>
>> Pepsi products, too.  Do you sell competing products?
>
>Amway distributors do not sell "competing" products (ie, Coke and Pepsi).  
>However, Amway distributors do carry products from over 300 different vendors.
>
>Including:
>
>Coca-Cola
>MCI
>VISA

I wasn't aware VISA sold products to consumers.  Could you please offer
some examples.

Thanks
--Larry
  ldcolto@pacbell.com
From: cooper@seismo.CSS.GOV (Dale Cooper)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Bally's Health Club SUCKS Read this...
Date: 13 Nov 92 17:05:56 GMT
Article-I.D.: seismo.51464
Organization: Center for Seismic Studies, Arlington, VA

In article <1992Nov13.150206.7417@nntpd.lkg.dec.com> rosch@cpdw.enet.dec.com (Ray Rosch) writes:
>
>In article <69388@cup.portal.com>, Ripped-Off@cup.portal.com (Eric J Rainbolt) writes...
>>To whom it may concern,
>> 
->I told him exactly what my situation was.  I said I was only going to be in
->town for the next two months, and I didn't want to be liable for a full
->year's membership.  ( $600.00 odd dollars ).  He said that was "no problem",
->because if I showed proof that I moved more than 30 miles from the
->Center, I wouldn't be held liable for any additional payments.  Now
->I realize that he just told me a lie.  Or he was displaying his lack of
->knowledge of the contract.  The trouble all started because I didn't
->read all the 'fine print'.  One of the "un-cirlcled" portions of the contract
->refered to a $50.00 cancellation fee.
-> 
->Being a typical college student, and with little experience in dealing
->big corporations, and contracts in general, I neglected to send the
->required documentation to Bally's Headquarters in Dearborn Michigan.
->The paperwork requires at least 2 utility bills with my
->distant address on them, proof of changing the address on my driver's
->licence and/or a copy of my current lease, and a letter from my landlord
->stating that I do indeed live in a trailer park in Southern Illinois.

>So what you are saying is that you should be excused from a contractural
>obligation because 1) You did not carefully read the contract, 2) You did
>not comply with the cancellation terms or procedures, 3) You are a typical
>college student so you shouldn't be expected to fullfill the terms of the
>contract.
>
>You evidently have learned how to victimize yourself.

I have to agree with Ray.  You did yourself in on this one.

You even hang yourself with the follwing statements:

   "The trouble all started because I didn't read all the 'fine print'."

   "One of the "un-cirlcled" portions of the contract refered to a $50.00
    cancellation fee."

   "Being a typical college student...I neglected to send the required 
    documentation..."

I would, however, question the added fee quoted by the collection agency.
Ask for a written explanation of the add on costs.  If that is not satisfied
then you do have a legit bitch.  Otherwise, you have learned an important 
lesson in contractual obligations...
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,misc.fitness,misc.misc
From: danr@ais.org (Daniel Romanchik)
Subject: Re: Advice Wanted on Home Workout Equipment
Organization: UMCC
Distribution: na
Date: Tue, 10 Nov 1992 23:36:49 GMT

In article <1992Nov10.172941.1@stsci.edu> younger@stsci.edu writes:
>In article <1992Nov10.121923.107@janus.arc.ab.ca>, erkamp@JANUS.ARC.AB.CA (Bob Erkamp) writes:
>> 
>> I seem to recall that one of the consumer mags stated that if you are looking 
>> for one piece of equipment that a rowing machine was the way to go. Just my
>> $.02.
>
>    I bought a concept II rowing ergometer this past January and cancelled
>  my health club membership.  It's great.  I work out ~45 minutes on it
> almost every day and this is the best I've felt in years.  I actually look
> forward to the workout after work.  It helps to crank up the stereo. 
>

    I'll second the nomination for the Concept II.  I used one at a
YMCA for about a year and felt that I was in the best shape of my
life.  After playing around with a cheap rowing machine, I finally
broke down and bought one for my home.
    For muscle toning, just buy a cheap set of free weights.  Why
spend $500+ for a machine when a $50 set of hunks of iron will do?

Have fun, Dan
From: jmalloy@itsmail1.hamilton.edu (Joseph T. Malloy)
Subject: Re: Yup, Amway's a scam
Organization: Hamilton College - Clinton, NY
Date: Thu, 5 Nov 1992 15:33:12 GMT

In article <2070030@hpkslx.mayfield.HP.COM> lou@hpkslx.mayfield.HP.COM (Lou Kvitek) writes:
>To Joel's original post I respond (also in alt.business.multi-level):
>
>I'd be upset too.  Whoever these people are they are really conducting
>their business in an extremely unprofessional manner.
>
>Of course, one must remember that every Amway distributor is in
>business for themselves.  That's right, they do NOT (repeat, DO NOT)
>work FOR Amway.  They work for themsleves.  Amway merely has agreed
>to provide them products and pay them bonuses.  Amway does not teach
>a single solitary distributor how to conduct business.  They merely
>publish guidelines on business conduct - but, as you have seen, they
>do not (cannot) enforce them.
>

This certainly sounds odd.  Plenty of corporation set high standards for
their independently-owned dealers.  When dealers fail to serve the
public properly, the corporation may, indeed, cancel their relationship
with a given dealer.  What you're saying, then, is that Amway either
doesn't have high standards of dealer conduct or doesn't care to enforce
them.  Regardless, it makes Amway look bad. 

Joe 
jmalloy@hamilton.edu

Newsgroups: misc.consumers,misc.fitness,misc.misc,rec.misc
From: mack@oakhill.sps.mot.com (Gregg Mack ( Sun ))
Subject: Re: Advice Wanted on Home Workout Equipment
Organization: Motorola Inc., Austin, Texas
Date: Wed, 11 Nov 1992 14:41:50 GMT

glex@nitro.cray.com (Jeff Gleixner) writes:


>FYI: The sports listed above, not including bicycling, are not going to do
>much for you aerobic/cardiovascular wise.  They are short duration, anerobic 
>type exercises.  So don't count on them to help you lose weight, or strengthen
>your heart, they will help fight bordom.

I strongly disagree with your assesment of bicycling not being aerobic.
it all depends on how you ride the thing.  Riding a century (100 miles)
in 4.5 hours is one hell of an aerobic/endurance workout (for me anyway).
Now if you are talking about home workout equipment (that's what's on the
subject line here), you can get an excellent aerobic workout on an indoor
bicycle.  I do it when I can't ride outside.  I wear a heart rate monitor
when I'm on my indoor bike, to insure that I get an aerobic workout. Of
course, this gets pretty damn BORING, and I'd much rather ride outside
or get on my NordicTrak.


-- 
Gregg Mack    512-891-8704  ---------- __o       __o       __o       __o
gmack@paceline.sps.mot.com  -------- _`\<,_    _`\<,_    _`\<,_    _`\<,_
Motorola RISC uProcessors   ------- (*)/ (*)  (*)/ (*)  (*)/ (*)  (*)/ (*)
Austin, Texas  USA          ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From: lsnow@ncrclm.ClemsonSC.NCR.COM (Linda Snow)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: "Ultimate Outlet" catalog (Spiegel subsidiary)
Date: 4 Nov 92 17:46:45 GMT
Reply-To: lsnow@ncrclm.ClemsonSC.NCR.COM (Linda Snow)
Organization: NCR E&M CLEMSON Liberty, SC

In article <7817@transfer.stratus.com> amy@vineland.pubs.stratus.com (Amy McNulty) writes:
>I'm thinking of buying something from a catalog I recently received  
>from Ultimate Outlet, a subsidiary of Spiegel. Has anyone ever ordered  
>anything from this catalog? Any comments on the reliability of service,  
>accuracy of the catalog descriptions, merchandise quality, etc.?
>

I've been doing business with Spiegel pretty regularly for over 10 years.
They're very reliable on delivery; merchandise is generally very good.
Only a few minor problems during that time.  They also make it very easy
to return merchandise.
.
.
..

Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: paula@cbnewsl.cb.att.com (paula.valley)
Subject: Blockbuster Video
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories
Distribution: usa
Date: Wed, 11 Nov 1992 16:56:00 GMT

Would anyone happen to know the address of Blockbuster Video's headquarters
or main branch.  I've received very bad service from a local store and would
like to send my destroyed card to the main store with an explanation of why.

Thank you for your help.

Paula Borden
att!hogpb!paula1
From: drew@cs.anu.edu.au (Drew Corrigan)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Hair removal devices (Epilady etc)
Date: 6 Nov 1992 14:24:36 +1100
Organization: Computer Science Department, ANU, Australia
NNTP-Posting-Host: pollux.anu.edu.au

Hi,

My wife is interested in one of these "Epilady" devices but would like some
opinions from others. Are they effective? Do they hurt? How long before the
hairs regrow? There is also another device which looks like an electrolysis
gadget (called "Finally Free"). Is this similar to the Epilady? The ad says
it doesn't hurt - but does it? How long before the hairs regrow?

Any comments and opinions appreciated.

Drew. (drew@cs.anu.edu.au)
From: alasnik@casbah.acns.nwu.edu (Adam Lasnik)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: America Online (was somethin' about Prodigy)
Date: 7 Nov 92 05:56:58 GMT
Article-I.D.: news.1992Nov7.055658.22126
Organization: Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA

In <1992Nov6.212816.13202@ads.com> charleen@ADS.COM (Charleen Bunjiovianna) writes:

>In article <1992Nov4.195917.3497@news.acns.nwu.edu> alasnik@casbah.acns.nwu.edu (Adam Lasnik) writes:
>>
[comments about America Online Service condensed]

>>charge.  I became further annoyed when I heard substantiated claims that AOL
>>was charging many different rates to different groups of subscribers AND
>>wasn't even letting their current subscribers in on the deals.

>How is this any different from publishers who offer introductory rates
>to snare new subscribers, or from check printing companies who offer
[comments condensed]

>Seems like a common practice to me.

I think I did not make myself clear.  AOL has occasional intro offers that
allow the new subscribers to LOCK INTO lower rates than even the so-called
first "Charter-Members."  The charter members have quit in droves, and I don't
blame them.  How would you like to join a service, only to be spat upon when
the johnny-come-lately's get to pay HALF of what you do--permanently!

This differs from what you're referring to quite substantially.  Many
companies offer a reduced-price first purchase, or special deal.  Stores offer
sales on occasion.  Credit card companies will offer special deals to people
who sign up FIRST (like how AT&T made their mastercard free-for-life for
charter members)... All of these promotion types make sense.  The AOL
promotion schemes are rude and irrational.

--ADAM "KEYS" LASNIK
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: tom@osf.org (Tom Jordahl)
Subject: Re: AT&T 1539 DIGITAL ANSWERING TELEPHONE- ANY REPORTS?
Organization: Open Software Foundation, Cambridge MA
Distribution: usa
Date: Fri, 6 Nov 1992 18:30:24 GMT

In article <1992Nov4.212130.27828@cbfsb.cb.att.com> wb2qoq@cbnewsb.cb.att.com (r.j.anderson) writes:
>Has anyone had experience with the AT&T 1539 Digital Answering System Telephone.It is one of the possible gifts I am considering for my service anniversry. 
>Someone suggested that stay away from digital answering machines. Any reports
>would be appreciated. Please respond to Rick Anderson, AT&T Bell Labs.,
>Whippany, N.J. (201)386-3073, zeppo!rja . Thanks.

I bought one (I think its the 1539).
Its the one with 26 minutes of record time, no phone, for $139.
I just heard a rumor today that its now on sale at the ATT phone center
stores for $89.

All digital is great.  I would stay away from the ones with only 7 minutes
of recording time (this includes the new one w/phone unfortunately).

I am happy with it.

-- 
Tom Jordahl                                       Internet: tom@osf.org
Open Software Foundation                          UUCP:   ..!uunet!osf!tom
     "Go that way, *really* fast. If something gets in your way, turn."
From: bdewey@grok116.ColumbiaSC.NCR.COM (Bob Dewey)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Food Lion v. PrimeTime / The Jungle revisited???
Keywords: food, sanitation, punlic, national, practices, right-to-know
Date: 10 Nov 92 17:36:55 GMT
Article-I.D.: ncrcae.1992Nov10.123655.14170
Distribution: usa
Organization: NCR Corp., Columbia SC

In article <1992Nov07.122651.27657@disk.uucp> tony@disk.uucp (tony) writes:
>
>     According to the tv show PrimeTime a foodstore chain called Food Lion is
                       ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^      
>engaging in unscrupulous food retailing practices.  Allegedly they were seri-

Boy, if you can't believe the media, who can yo believe. 8^)

-- 
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
Organization: Freshman, MCS general, Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,alt.drugs
Date: Wed, 11 Nov 1992 05:36:42 -0500 
From: "Bartley R. Troyan" <bt26+@andrew.cmu.edu>
Subject: Re: Doctor ripoff, or just reality?

>         I went to a dermatologist the other day with a friend.
> We needed a perscription for a `bleaching agent' to treat
> some spots left over from a severe (98%) case of vitiligo
> (a disease that stops pigmentation of the skin, otherwise
> not particularly harmful).
>         By the time we were out of there, we were out $200.
> We felt ripped off.  I'd like to know if this is consistent
> with normal dermatology treatment or not.  Here is what
> we got out of it:
[...]
>         We expect that this stuff will be covered by the health
> insurance company, but we are still a bit enraged at this pricing.
> 
>         So tell me, is this normal, or is the doctor screwing
> us over?
 
Of course it's normal--all doctors screw you over (well, most).
The dermatologist I went to charged me I don't know how much ($100 or
so) to remove a wart, but she didn't do it right and it came back
anyway.
 
The costs just keep going up and we keep paying them in the form of
more costly insurance...and the insurance companies try to screw you
too by refusing to pay stuff that they should (at least mine does)
 
That's why we need some changes made, Mr. Clinton...

--Bart
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: jung@base.bellcore.com (Eric Jung)
Subject: Re: The unhappy byproduct of gas stations and ATM cards
Organization: Bellcore, Livingston, NJ
Distribution: usa
Date: Sat, 7 Nov 92 22:25:28 GMT

In article <n|#@byu.edu>, $stephan@sasb (Stephan Fassmann, Software) writes:
|> I thought it was illegel to charge more for using a credit card then for 
|> cash. I think I read this in the local paper but it was some time ago.
|> Anyone know for sure?

Well, I think you're right, but it's a useless law, because it is not
illegal to offer a cash discount.

Eric

-- 
Eric C. Jung                    Bellcore Advanced Software Environment
(908) 699-4684                  444 Hoes Lane  RRC 1S-222
jung@base.bellcore.com          Piscataway, NJ  08854