HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: rcm@col.hp.com (hpctdfc)
Subject: Re: US to Europe electrical transformers
Date: Wed, 11 Nov 1992 21:46:39 GMT
Organization: Don't ask me, I'm Lost!

> > o Which appliances and stuff will work in Europe?  I already know that
> >   a TV & VCR won't.  Nor will electric clocks keep time properly.  What

>     Your clock will work properly, it converts AC to DC.
>     TV & VCR will not work because of different Video Standards NTSC vs SECAM

Your 'electric' clock will not work properly because of the line
frequency (50Hz vs 60Hz), not because it "converts AC to DC" (which it
does not).  Your "electronic" clock may or may not work properly,
depending upon whether or not it was designed to handle the variation
in line frequency, or if it was designed to ignore line frequency
altogether.

Rick
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: bill@bilver.uucp (Bill Vermillion)
Subject: Re: Yup, Amway's a scam
Organization: W. J. Vermillion - Winter Park, FL
Date: Sun, 8 Nov 1992 01:09:59 GMT

In article <1992Nov4.152300.28040@chpc.org> rboudrie@chpc.org (Rob Boudrie) writes:

>  Other MLM's are far worse - I've heard countless stories of people
>  being stuck with a roomfull of water & air filtration equipment.

Well that's their fault for not investigating properly.   I'm
just becoming involved with an MLM, and they guarantee to take
back any unsold product from a distributor - unopened that is -
and charge a 10% re-stocking fee.   End user customers have a
100% refund if they are not satisfied.

>  Also, sales presentations from these firms seem to make it sound
>  much easier to make big money as an MLM kingpin than it really is.

This company's philosophy (you notice I am not naming them) is
that doing MLM is going to be hard work, and if you really want
to work at it, you can make great money - bot don't expect
something for nothing.  They are also upfront about the fact
that many distributors drop out, and/or just become consumers.


-- 
Bill Vermillion - bill@bilver.oau.org  bill.vermillion@oau.org
                - bill@bilver.uucp 
                - ..!{peora|tous|tarpit}!bilver!bill
From: green@wharton.upenn.edu (SCOTT GREEN)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: The unhappy byproduct of gas stations and ATM cards
Date: 6 Nov 92 14:43:38 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: Wharton ATS

In article <Bx9vxr.7zu@chinet.chi.il.us> koziarz@chinet.chi.il.us (Louis Koziarz) writes:
>Well I decide to stop at the local Amoco tonight and fill up the car.  
>There's not much money in my wallet, so I decide to use the nifty new ATM
>debit feature.  Same as cash, how can I go wrong?  
>
>I fill up, walk inside, hand the girl my ATM card, she replies 'Our Cash
>Station connection is down'.  NOW what am I gonna do?  I tell her 'I wish you
>had a sign outside that said that'.  She shrugs.  I take out my credit card,
>I don't have enough cash, she replies 'Well I'm going to have to charge you
>the credit rate now instead of cash'.  Now I'm steamed.  I'm gonna talk to the
>owner in the morning.

Mobil stations here have 'manual authorization procedures' to handle system 
downtime.  Presumably, if they follow the directions, the bank will cover 
the sale.  btw, they DO NOT record your PIN; your signature on the sales 
draft is your authorization.  After all, they must certainly have similar 
manual systems for when the credit card authorizer goes down.  Probably, the 
clerk was either not trained or not in the mood to deal with it manually, 
and that's the issue to take up with the manager, as well as a refund on the 
difference between credit and cash.
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: tobias@athena.mit.edu (John W Tobias)
Subject: Breadmaking Machines
Organization: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Date: Fri, 6 Nov 1992 14:44:46 GMT

HELP!

My wife has expressed interest in getting a breadmaking machine, and I would
like to get one for Chrismas.  I have no experience with the devices, however,
and don't quite know where to start in figuring out which one is best.

A freind of mine swears by her DAK TurboBaker II, and they also make a Turbo-
Baker IV.  I know there are many other models out there, and perhaps some of
you have checked them out.

Email is fine as a response... I'm not sure this topic will rivet the entire
group.

Thanks for your help!

John Tobias
(tobias@athena.mit.edu)

Xref: sparky misc.consumers:18921 misc.fitness:8334 misc.misc:3760 rec.misc:278
From: noring@netcom.com (Jon Noring)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,misc.fitness,misc.misc,rec.misc
Subject: Re: Advice Wanted on Home Workout Equipment
Date: 10 Nov 92 17:05:34 GMT
Article-I.D.: netcom.1992Nov10.170534.10812
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services  (408 241-9760 guest)

In article smay@boi.hp.com (Scott Smay) writes:

>Geez, I was gonna give you some fabulous recommendations on equipment, but I
>see now that it would be utterly wasted on someone who's already perfect!
>5 * :)

Well, I may be perfect  :^)

but I'd still like your recommendation(s).

Jon "I didn't realize I was perfect" Noring


-- 
=============================================================================
| Jon Noring          | noring@netcom.com        | "The dogs bark, but the  |
| JKN International   | IP    : 192.100.81.100   |  caravan moves on."      |
| 1312 Carlton Place  | Phone : (510) 294-8153   | "Pack your lunch, sit in |
| Livermore, CA 94550 | V-Mail: (510) 862-1101   |  the bushes, and watch." |
=============================================================================
"If your annual income today is $50,000, you have the same buying power as
the average coal miner did in 1949, adjusted for taxes and inflation," John
Sestina, nationally recognized Certified Financial Planner;  quoted in 1987.

------->   I VOTED FOR PEROT IN '92
------->   support UNITED WE STAND!
From: paul.westley@uttsbbs.uucp (Paul Westley) 
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: RE: IS IT A SCAM????
Date: 10 Nov 92 21:56:00 GMT
Distribution: world
Organization: The Transfer Station BBS, Danville, CA - 510-837-4610/837-5591
Reply-To: paul.westley@uttsbbs.uucp (Paul Westley) 

-> would fall for this.  Not that they were necessarily offering a bad
-> deal in itself, but that they did it in such a consumer unfriendly
-> manner.  I figure that it is sad that if people fall for this
-> (possibly, though doubtfully) real offer, how easy scams can be run.
-> sigh.
A great reply, except for that bit.  YES IT'S A SCAM, any company that
would ask you for money over the phone and not have the same offer
available if you call back (ha!) IS A SCAM.  Most times, the 1-800
number is just a come on to the 1-900 (pay through the nose) number that
is the real scam, or they want your credit card number AND EXPIRATION
DATE, then they are all set for the multi-billion dollar credit card
fraud schemes that take place each year.  If the company won't give you
time to think about it, if they want money or credit cards up front, if
the offer expires in 30 seconds, if they won't send you literature, if
they think BBB means "big bucks bozo", it's A SCAM. SCAM SCAM SCAM SCAM
SCAM.  SCAM.

                  
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: rubin@watson.ibm.com (Bill Rubin)
Subject: Re: FORD visa vs. DISCOVER
Date: Thu, 05 Nov 1992 15:37:49 GMT
News-Software: IBM OS/2 PM RN (NR/2) v0.14j by O. Vishnepolsky and R. Rogers
Reply-To: rubin@watson.ibm.com (Bill Rubin)
Disclaimer: This posting represents the poster's views, not necessarily those of IBM
Organization: IBM T.J. Watson Research Center

In <1992Nov4.141930.20887@Princeton.EDU> nfs@elan (Norbert Schlenker) writes:
>Sure, I'll disagree.  Am I the only one who has one of these cards?
>Are you getting a commission on the issuance of Discover cards?
>
>The rebate is uniformly better than Discover, for a card that is
>useful at many more places.  I confirmed these terms with customer
>service at 800-638-FORD ten minutes ago.

Did you ask them about a new account or your existing account?  I was told 
by someone who applied for a new card that as of August the terms for new 
accounts has changed and that they will be receiving the 1/2% rebate.  I had 
heard of multiple programs in the past but this was the first time I ever 
had a plausible explanation given to me.  

I have a card and still get 1.5% as well.

-- Bill rubin@watson.ibm.com
From: kan@bugs-bunny.rtp.dg.com (Victor Kan)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: quality of IKEA stuff (was Re: IKEA MAIL ORDER: YES!!!)
Date: 12 Nov 92 16:40:10 GMT
	<1drhk7INN1pi@usenet.INS.CWRU.Edu> <1992Nov11.202549.4479@ncsu.edu>
Reply-To: kan@dg-rtp.dg.com
Distribution: misc
Organization: Program Development Environments, Data General Corp., RTP, NC

>>>>> On Wed, 11 Nov 1992 20:25:49 GMT, kester@mte.ncsu.edu (Dan Kester) said:

Dan> I've bought much furniture from IKEA, and been very pleased. Of
Dan> course much of it is of so-so quality, but to get top quality
Dan> furniture, you'll generally have to pay much more.  What you get
Dan> at IKEA is excellent value, good to excellent design, and a large
Dan> selection. You can get cheaper furniture at Kmart/walmart, but it
Dan> tends to be UGLY and much shoddier than IKEA's.

About three years ago, I bought some of those cheap ($18), unfinished
pine end tables (RANST) and have been very satisfied with them.  The
wood had almost no knots, no discoloring, and was adequately sanded
for unfinished wood.  It felt solid and quite hard for pine.

Now, they've replaced them with something significantly smaller that
costs more ($19 for RAST).  Yep, the name's pretty close and they look
similar, but they are lightyears apart in quality!

The wood is very knotty, soft and a little too rough (though not
splintery), some of it has dark brown discoloring near the knots, some
of it is even a bit green.  There are quite a few dings on the edges,
and there was lots of sawdust in the packaging.  The wood panels are
built up from many, many small pieces rather than a few, long pieces
as in the older product.  It looks as if they make these things from
all the scrap they can find on the shop floor.  I can accept the
smaller size and lowered bottom shelf, but the drop in wood quality
really sucks.

Did I just get a bad batch, or is it like this everywhere?  My parents
got a sofa and loveseat a year ago and it's been great.  Solid frame,
firm cushioning, strong fabric.  Maybe it's just their low end stuff
that's junk nowadays?

--
| Victor Kan               | Internet: kan@dg-rtp.dg.com            |  ***
| Data General Corporation | Usenet:   ...!mcnc!rti!dg-rtp!kan      | ****
| 62 T.W. Alexander Drive  | Them: "It was delivered to Georgia."   | **** %%%%
| RTP, NC  27709           | Me:   "But the label said Arizona!"    |  *** %%%
From: grund@pyrite.SOM.CWRU.edu (Victor Grund)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: 900Mhz Cordless Phone :anyone bought one?
Date: 13 Nov 92 00:06:17
Organization: International Business Machines, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
	<1992Oct27.225502.8157@col.hp.com>
	<Oct28.184714.77784@yuma.ACNS.ColoState.EDU> <2065@coyote.UUCP>
NNTP-Posting-Host: calypso.som.cwru.edu
In-reply-to: drake@drake.almaden.ibm.com's message of 29 Oct 92 08:12:07 GMT

In article <2065@coyote.UUCP> drake@drake.almaden.ibm.com (Sam Drake) writes:

   I have a Tropez.  The range is about 4 houses ... NOT a mile.  It works 
   fine, but all in all is not worth the premium.

What do you specifically like/dislike about the phone?  Why did you
buy it over other similar models?  Did you compare with other 900Mhz
phones?

Victor
--
Victor D. Grund        | grund@pyrite.som.cwru.edu 
IBM Cleveland Mktg Ops | grund@vnet.ibm.com        
RISC System/6000 & AIX | DETVMIC6(VGRUND)          
(216) 664-7381         | FAX: (216) 664-7348
From: pjh@mccc.edu (Pete Holsberg)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Norelco, Remington or Braun shavers ?
Date: 7 Nov 92 19:49:29 GMT
Organization: The College On The Other Side Of Route One

Having tried many different electric razors over the past 40 years, I
can state unequivocally that I got the best, most comfortable shaves
when I used Old Spice Pre-Electric Shave regardless of the type of razor.
From: lou@hpkslx.mayfield.HP.COM (Lou Kvitek)
Date: Wed, 4 Nov 1992 16:33:16 GMT
Subject: Re: Re: Kerby Vacuum Cleaners Information (great attachments)
Organization: HP Response Center Lab
Newsgroups: misc.consumers

In misc.consumers, MANOJ.MUNJAL@OFFICE.WANG.COM ("Manoj Munjal") writes:

> Does any one has experience in using Kerby Vacuum Cleaners?
> It does a good job but is it worth the price they ask for?
> The salesman I am dealing with for Kerby Vacuum cleaner is asking
> for $1275.  How low they go?

They will go at least as low as $800 if they really need to make the sale.
These salesman have regular contests like:  most units sold in 
November gets a trip to Hawaii.   Wait till the end of the month
to buy if you are considering it, and then play hard ball.  Be
prepared to say NO.  These salesman are like car salesman.  They
will *sigh* and act disgusted at you offer; they will say, "let 
me call the manager", etc.  They will use high-pressure tactics.

Friends of ours bought one this way.  They paid $800 and I'm sure
that Kirby still made a nice profit.  Its a good vacuum, but is
it really worth the price?  Dunno.  Depends what your needs are.
Make sure all attachments are included in the price.

Some excellent vacuums with comparable functionality:

1) Amway's CMS 1000   $650        (money back guarantee if not satsified)
2) Kirby              $800-$1500  (no one pays the same price; no guarantee)

> Are they comparable to Rainbow vacuum?

I have no experience with the Rainbow vacuum, but I hear it is good.

Lou
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: rbaist@cbnewsi.cb.att.com (robert.t.baist)
Subject: Re: After-market auto glass tinting
Organization: AT&T
Distribution: usa
Date: Thu, 5 Nov 1992 16:06:48 GMT

In article <kuchan.720713518@barracuda1> kuchan@rtsg.mot.com (Joseph M. Kuchan) writes:
>I'm about to order a minivan and would like to get the "privacy glass" option
>which consists of darkly tinted side and rear windows. The dealers invoice
>cost of this is $351. As an alternative, I can order the van without this optionand go to an after market auto glass tinter who'll do the job for $200 and give
>Thanks,
>Joe
>
Joe-
The factory tint in the Dodge van is internal to the glass so it can't be 
scrapped off. After market tints are films applied to the interior of the 
window like a decal using a squeege and if not done right can get air 
bubbles. One caution, check with the department of motor vehicles about 
how dark the tint can legally be or it won't pass inspection.
Bob B.     I disclaim everything

Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: jadams@vixen.uucp (22475-adams)
Subject: Re: phone gets locked up
Organization: Bellcore, Livingston, NJ
Distribution: usa
Date: Tue, 10 Nov 92 15:27:14 GMT
Summary: Oops, one more thing!
Keywords: call waiting

In article <4220@novavax.UUCP>, vaccaro@novavax.UUCP (N. Trafford Vaccaro) writes:
> Did anyone ever have the following problem: you pick
> up the phone and no dial tone.

I almost forgot, this all assumes that your sister in disconnecting your call was
a "little too quick" with her switch hook.  She actually left your call connected
which is how this suspend timer thing gets kicked off.

Jack (John) Adams	| Bellcore NVC 2Z-220	| - Never trouble trouble
(908) 758-5372 {Voice}	| (908) 758-4389 {FAX}	| till trouble troubles
jadams@vixen.bcr.com	| kahuna@attmail.com	| you - (Fortune cookie)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jack (John) Adams			| Bellcore NVC 2Z-220
(908) 758-5372 {Voice}			| (908) 758-4389 {Facsimile}
jadams@vixen.bellcore.com		| kahuna@attmail.com
	-- Illigitimi non carborundum est -- Kris Kristofferson
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: syd@en.ecn.purdue.edu (Dennis P Hilgenberg)
Subject: Re: The unhappy byproduct of gas stations and ATM cards
Organization: Purdue University Engineering Computer Network
Distribution: usa
Date: Mon, 9 Nov 92 01:43:21 GMT

$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?

At least in the case of gas cards, you are not explicitly charged "extra"
for paying with credit, but rather are given a "discount" for paying cash.

Is there actually a law against charging extra for credit card transactions?
I thought that was a policy of Visa and Mastercard, not a legal restriction.

-- 
Dennis Hilgenberg
syd@ecn.purdue.edu
LaRouche in '96
From: rboudrie@chpc.org (Rob Boudrie)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Financial records (how long to keep?)
Date: 9 Nov 92 19:05:48 GMT
Organization: Center For High Perf. Computing of WPI; Marlboro Ma

In article <1dm5n0INNlq6@uwm.edu> fino@point.cs.uwm.edu (Alexander Finogenov) writes:
>In article <1992Nov7.221625.29262@cbfsb.cb.att.com> vinlai@cbnewsb.cb.att.com (vincent.lai) writes:
>: I'd like to know how long should I keep records like my paycheck stubs,
>: my bank statements, etc.  They're accumulating to the point where I have
>: to do some housecleaning.  What's the recommended rule of thumb?

I have (Twice!!!) recieved notice that I was part of some "class" which
had brought a "class action suit", requesting me to provide documentation
substantiating any claim I may have.

In the first case (A Mistibishi TV I bought), I was able to produce the
reciept and obtain a $40 settlement.  I have not yet heard the second
case (a bad investment I bought years ago), but I was able to find the 
original brokerage transaction reciept and file a claim.  Financial 
records can easily fit into less than 1 box/year (actually, I fit about 4
years in one small box), so I find it easier to save everything than
worry about limitations.

Rob Boudrie
plaintinff at large
rboudrie@chpc.org
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: kester@mte.ncsu.edu (Dan Kester)
Subject: Re: IKEA MAIL ORDER: YES!!!
Organization: North Carolina State University
Date: Wed, 11 Nov 1992 20:25:49 GMT

In article <1drhk7INN1pi@usenet.INS.CWRU.Edu> jxs18@po.CWRU.Edu (Jerry Sy)
writes:
>

>
>Although there are some REAL good deals at IKEA, ... most of  the items are
not worth the price,
>be it on their high or low price range.
>

>
>Plus I found that a lot of the items you can find cheaper at stores like
>Kmart, Ames, Walmart and the like.
>
>

I've bought much furniture from IKEA, and been very pleased. Of course much of
it is of so-so quality, but to get top quality furniture, you'll generally have
to pay much more.  What you get at IKEA is excellent value, good to excellent
design, and a large selection. You can get cheaper furniture at Kmart/walmart,
but it tends to be UGLY and much shoddier than IKEA's.
From: paula@nlbbs.UUCP (Paula Stockholm)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Hair removal devices (Epilady etc)
Date: Sat, 07 Nov 92 00:23:59 GMT
Reply-To: paula@nlbbs.UUCP
Distribution: world
Organization: The Electronics Workbench


In article <1dcohkINNaot@pollux.anu.edu.au> drew@cs.anu.edu.au writes:  
>                                                                       
> My wife is interested in one of these "Epilady" devices but would     
like some opinions from others. Are they effective?                     
                                                                        
                            Do they hurt?                               
>                                                                       
> Any comments and opinions appreciated.                                
>                                                                       


        Ha!  I often thought the S&M crowd ought to get into these
        things. I encourage her to trust her instincts - these things
        grab onto gobs of hair and rip them out.

        I have heard of one person who actually got used to an Epilady.
        The rest of us whince when the topic comes up.

        I use a dephilatory - Nair, Neet or the K-Mart brand seem to work
        equally well for me.  Using them is a pain . . .

             but those hair-pullers from hell are  P A I N

        
           Paula Stockholm              paula@nlbbs.UUCP        
          Cumberland, Maine          !nlbbs!paula@uunet.uu.net  
        
             !
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: niebuhr@bnlux1.bnl.gov (david niebuhr)
Subject: Re: BIG BROTHER RADIO SH
Organization: Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY 11973
Date: Mon, 9 Nov 1992 01:00:06 GMT

In article <1992Nov7.141219.4373@samba.oit.unc.edu> Karen.Denbleyker@launchpad.unc.edu (Karen Denbleyker) writes:
>In article <7316.2546.uupcb@factory.com> ray.normandeau@factory.com (Ray Normandeau)  writes:
>>-> a drivers license is required to establish identity and blah blah
>>-> blah.... I reluctantly surrendered it because I was very curious to
>>-> see what was
>>
>
>Some states (maybe all, I don't know) will let you get an ID card that is
>not a driver's license.  In North Carolina, you can get one at the Driver's
>License office.  

New York also offers a non-drivers liscense ID which is very similar to
a drivers liscense sans DL number.

Dave


-- 

Dave Niebuhr      Internet: niebuhr@bnl.gov / Bitnet: niebuhr@bnl
Brookhaven National Laboratory Upton, NY 11973  (516)-282-3093
From: jsp@uts.amdahl.com (James Preston)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Encyclopedia Britannica - their obnoxious salesmen
Date: 7 Nov 92 22:21:15 GMT
Reply-To: jsp@pls.amdahl.com
Organization: Amdahl Corporation, Sunnyvale CA

wales@valeria.cs.ucla.edu (Rich Wales) writes:

}My recollection was that the least expensive (non-leather-bound) edi-
}tion cost something like $1300.  As I said, this was a few years ago,
}and the low-end price may well be different now.

Frankly, I don't see how they can sell any at that price in this day and
age.  For not much more than that, you can get yourself an inexpensive
computer, a CD-ROM drive, and an encyclopedia on CD-ROM.  Now you not 
only have an encyclopedia, but you can play Pac-Man.  If you already have 
a computer, you can buy a CD-ROM drive and the encyclopedia CD for less 
than half the cost of the books.  And if you already have a computer and
a CD-ROM drive . . .  Not to even mention that, with the books, you're
stuck with that edition forever.  Once you've got the computer and CD-ROM
drive, a few hundred dollars -- or less in most cases -- will get you
the latest edition of the encyclopedia.  Not to even mention that CD
encyclopedias now have movies and animations (having trouble explaining
to your child how a four-stroke engine works?  Just call up the engine
article and SHOW him).  Trying putting one of those in a book.

--James Preston
From: vaccaro@novavax.UUCP (N. Trafford Vaccaro)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: phone gets locked up
Keywords: call waiting
Date: 10 Nov 92 06:29:10 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: Nova University, Fort Lauderdale, FL

Did anyone ever have the following problem: you pick
up the phone and no dial tone.

This happened to me 3 times. No one could call in and I couldn't call
out. I noticed today that when my sister called from NY she had
a call come in while we were talking, so I said bye and she hung up
and my dial tone went away. I think her call waiting did something
to my phone line. 


Nick
Xref: sparky misc.consumers:18873 rec.photo:19461