HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: lenny@bmerh174.BNR.CA (Len DePalma)
Subject: Re: Weedeater recommendations
Reply-To: lenny@x400gate.bnr.ca
Organization: BNR Ottawa, Fiber Systems Development
Date: Wed, 29 Jul 92 17:11:11 GMT


One method I have found useful is to take a trip to your local 'Rent-
Everything-Under-the-Sun' place and check out the brand(s) they rent
out.  In my experience, this is the fastest way to find a good quality,
dependable product.  It doesn't hurt to ask an employee or two either...
and if you're real lucky, you just might happen upon the individual(s)
who repairs the stuff!  (they always have lots of opinions *and* 
experience)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
INTERNET: lenny@bnr.ca                 Any opinions expressed are mine.

Kill a Union, save an Industry. 
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: billn@hpcvaac.cv.hp.com (bill nelson)
Subject: Re: Sharpening knives (was: Using your friends)
Organization: Hewlett-Packard Company, Corvallis, Oregon USA
Date: Wed, 29 Jul 1992 04:06:41 GMT

lstowell@pyrnova.mis.pyramid.com (Lon Stowell) writes:
: >
:    You shouldn't HAVE foldback pieces unless you are using a much
:    too coarse stone or hone.  
: 
:    Actually I tend to use a circular motion, but it takes a lot of
:    practice to do it right, the simple shave forward exclusively is
:    the most idiot-proof method.  

And the best for getting a straight bevel on the edge, rather than
rounding it off, like most people do.

Bill
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: banchy@aplcen.apl.jhu.edu (Banchy thomas g (410) 461-2216)
Subject: Re: PPV Olympics: Oh, so now it's free
Reply-To: banchy@aplcen (Banchy thomas g (410) 461-2216)
Organization: Johns Hopkins University
Distribution: na
Date: Thu, 30 Jul 92 15:27:28 GMT

In article <1992Jul30.144313.7272@news.acns.nwu.edu> staggers@casbah.acns.nwu.edu (Ken Staggers) writes:
[good stuff deleted]
>I hope cable executives are paying attention this month.  First, the FCC
>grants the baby bells permission to deliver video to the home.  Finally,
>competition.  Then the House passes new cable re-regulation laws so that
>these monopolies will stop gouging us (but will it take effect before
>Cablevision can pass on their stupid loss to me?).  And then finally
>America has spoken about the future of paying per every view...we don't
>really want it, and we really can't afford it.
>
>--Ken

This whole PPV debacle is kind of like watching a train wreck in slow
motion: you feel a sort of detached concern for all the money that is
being hemorrhaged, but you can't tear your eyes away from the carnage.
All I can say is, those sleazy jerks in the cable industry deserve to
get bankrupted for such a greedy, shortsighted ploy, and it's a real
shame that the consumer is probably going to end up paying for the
cleanup (just like always).

$24/month for basic cable?!?!  Just say NO!!!

Tom

-- 
****
test signature file
***
Xref: sparky misc.consumers:14471 pa.general:250
From: n9020351@henson.cc.wwu.edu (James Douglas Del-Vecchio)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,pa.general
Subject: Re: Time-sharing condos - Win a free trip - ??
Keywords: free trip, condos, time-sharing
Date: 25 Jul 92 20:06:47 GMT
Article-I.D.: henson.1992Jul25.200647.16692
Distribution: usa
Organization: Western Washington University

littlec1@jaguar.uofs.edu (Chris Little) writes:

>After dropping my name, number, and salary range in a "Win a FREE trip to
>Orlando" box at the mall the other day, I got a call lastnight telling me
>that I was a winner of a 3 night/four day expenses paid trip for two to
>Orlando, valued at $1200.  The caller was a representative from "SplitRock
>Lodge" in the Pocono's near Scranton, Pennsylvania.  I believe SplitRock
>sells these time-sharing condos; I really know little about real estate. 
>Anyway, the representative said all I have to do is go to SplitRock and take
>a 1.5 hour tour of their place - no other obligations.  After the tour I
>will receive the vouchers for the trip.

>I'm curious to know if any of you out there have had similar LUCKY
>experiences, in particular with SplitRock Lodge.  I will check these
>newsgroups periodically, but would appreciate direct e-mail if possible.

	I worked as a timeshare salesman for a very short time, before
I realised it was all fraud.  The place I worked for had the same deal.
The vacation is your wages for coming and listen to them try to swindle
you out of thousands of dollars for 90 minutes.  Come in, if it's worth
your misery, but don't bring your checkbook.    

	There is no way that most people come out ahead with even the best
timeshare, because the "cost of hotels vs cost of timeshare" equations
they show you to "prove" what a savings it is fails to take into consideration
the time value of money.

	Timeshare, as an industry, is a fraud.  There is no resale value,
unlike what they will tell you.  You will be lucky to get a dime on the
dollar, or even to give it away in some cases.   They depend on the 5%
of the people who come in and just get talked into writing that $10,000
check, w/o thinking too hard.   They know they have lost you if you say
I'll think about it and come back, because _nobody_ comes back.   Most
of the money you pay goes into commissions, with a small amount going
to rental or purchace of the units.   It is common to have other "clients"
come with you for the pitch, or sit near you, and pretend to buy the product,
in the hopes that, lemminglike, you will buy it too.

Jim Del Vecchio


>Chris Little, Programmer/DBA
>                                                University Computing Systems
>                                                University of Scranton
>  LITTLEC1@JAGUAR.UOFS.EDU                      Scranton, PA 18510
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: niebuhr@bnlux1.bnl.gov (david niebuhr)
Subject: Name/Address Needed`
Organization: Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY 11973
Date: Mon, 27 Jul 1992 17:29:09 GMT

I'm looking for the e-mail address of R. Kaplan at the Mayo Clinic.
He and I were having a discussion and I forgot to keep his.

Assistance needed.

Dave

-- 

Dave Niebuhr      Internet: niebuhr@bnl.gov / Bitnet: niebuhr@bnl
Brookhaven National Laboratory Upton, NY 11973  (516)-282-3093
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: ylee@oracle.uucp (Yichin Lee)
Subject: Misprinted Ad with great prices
Reply-To: ylee@oracle.uucp (Yichin Lee)
Organization: Oracle Corporation, Belmont, CA
Distribution: usa
Date: Thu, 23 Jul 1992 00:46:20 GMT
X-Disclaimer: This message was written by an unauthenticated user
              at Oracle Corporation.  The opinions expressed are those
              of the user and not necessarily those of Oracle.



Consumer advocates among the netters,

A local golf equipment shop, the Nevada Bob's in Belmont, California, put out 
an ad in a direct mail package that reached me yesterday. In the ad they 
advertised golf gloves for 4.99, golf balls for 13.99 etc., and also, let
me quote: " ANY SHOE IN STOCK $5.00,  Limit 1, must present coupon,
Expires 10/15/92."

That was all they have for this item in the ad. It was obviously a misprint
from "$5.00 off". I went in anyway to see how they plan to honor the ad.
Since I recall that the local Good Guys made a similar booboo a couple of
months ago, selling 25" Sharp color TV for 129.00. They end up having to
sell every such TV in store for that price.

Well, Neveda Bob simply put a A-4 size poster in front of their door saying
that this was a misprint, and they are not going to honor it.

Please tell me if they are doing the right thing? Do I have something
in my hand that I can nail them? I'm not going to raise havoc but am curious.
Thanks.

			Yichin Lee

Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: billj@b11.ingr.com (Bill Johnson)
Subject: Re: Buying Furniture from North/South Carolina
Organization: Intergraph Corp. Huntsville, AL
Distribution: usa
Date: Fri, 24 Jul 1992 22:11:42 GMT

In article <1992Jul21.215810.20570@cgrg.ohio-state.edu>, frankie@osc.edu (Frankie Harris) writes:
|> A few years back, I recall hearing people speak about what a good deal
|> they got buying furniture from manufacturers in either North or South
|> Carolina (can't remember which) via catalogs. Are any of you familiar with
|> this method and does it really give you a much better selection and
|> price? I'm specifically looking for a kitchen set and can't find any thing
|> that is really high quality. I don't mind paying a good price as long as
|> it's worth it but so far I've seen a lot of junk, IMO. 
|> 
|> If you know of a way to go through the manufacturers (or are they wholesalers;
|> I know, they're probably manufacturers selling at wholesale prices:)), please
|> write. I'll gladly take addresses and phone numbers, too!
|> 
|> Frankie
|> 
|> 

I have purchased several rooms full of furniture from a North Carolina 
wholesaler.  I have had VERY good service from them, and have saved about
50% off of local retail prices for the EXACT SAME furniture!

They are:  Triplett's Furniture Fashions, 2084 Hickory Blvd. S.W., Lenoir,
NC  28645  704-728-8211.

The procedure is that you must determine exactly what piece(s) of furniture
you want, call them to get the "piece number" (most retailers will not give
you this number), write them a letter detailing what you want and enclose 50%
payment.  When the furniture is ready, which can take up to several months,
they will notify you via US mail. You then send the remaining 50% balance,
and they schedule your furniture for shipment.  You must pay the delivery
people in cash when they deliver the furniture.  Triplett's uses one of their
local trucking services, and it's the trucking service that requires either
cash payment or cashier's check -- no personal checks.

The whole process from order time to delivery has taken as long as 6 months,
but saving 50% (or more) seemed worth it to me.

One example:  Thomasville table and 4 chairs for my kitchen plus a tri-fold
mirror for the Thomasville dresser I had purchased earlier cost me $1836 +
about $120 shipping.  I checked the local Thomasville dealer, who said their
price just for the table and chairs was $4400, but they were having a sale and
had it priced at $2600.  

Bill Johnson
Intergraph Corporation
billj@wcj.b11.ingr.com
Xref: sparky misc.consumers:14666 rec.travel.air:3653
From: kaplan@sol1.lrsm.upenn.edu (Peter Kaplan -Yodh)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,rec.travel.air
Subject: Re: Airline Antitrust Litigation
Summary: Another sham.
Keywords: Love Lawyers
Date: 30 Jul 92 13:28:12 GMT
Followup-To: misc.consumers
Distribution: usa
Organization: Laboratory for Research on the Structure of Matter, University of Pennsylvania


Doesn't it bother anyone that the airlines, after apparently engaging in
unlawful activity, are going to get away with it by being forced to run
a minor promotion?

Well, it bugs me that some lawyers who dreamed up this class action are
going to earn millions in legal fees for forcing the airlines to run a
minor, coupon-based promotion.


--Peter (kaplan@sol1.lrsm.upenn.edu)
From: zapantis@uvphys.phys.uvic.ca (Nik Zapantis)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: How do you repaint canvas awnings?
Keywords: awnings,canvas,repaint
Date: 28 Jul 92 15:51:26 GMT
Reply-To: zapantis@uvphys.phys.uvic.ca (Nik Zapantis)
Organization: University of Victoria, Physics & Astronomy


I would like to ask for advice on how to repaint,if possible, canvas awnings. 
What kind of preparation is needed (need to scrape waterproof/wax(?) coating), kind of paint to use, any special technique/hints, what to do after painting (waterproof again? with what?), and
anything else you may want to pass along from your experience of doing the same.

thanks in advance

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
| Nik Zapantis                  | zapantis@uvphys     (BITNET)  |
| Physics and Astronomy         | 45393::zapantis(HEPnet/SPAN)  |
| University of Victoria        | zapantis@uvphys.phys.UVic.CA  |
| Victoria, BC                  | Phone: (604)721-7729          |
| V8W 3P6                       | FAX:   (604)721-7715          |
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: dw@unislc.uucp (Dan Wright)
Subject: Re: cordless phones
X-Newsreader: Tin 1.1 PL4
Organization: Unisys Corporation SLC
Distribution: na
Date: Thu, 23 Jul 1992 02:12:47 GMT

mccrate@netcom.com (Joe McCrate) writes:
: crawford@ben.dev.upenn.edu (Lauren L. Crawford) writes:
: 
: >regarding buying a cordless phone?  I currently have a Panasonic,
: >but it's lousy.  Lots of static, noise, etc., and I can't get
: 
: The high-end AT&T cordless phones are excellent.  I have the AT&T 5510
: and like it very much.

I bought a low-end AT&T model which closely resembled the high-end AT&T
model I saw top-rated in Consumer Reports.  The high end may be top-rated
but my 4-year old Cobra performed better than my new low-end AT&T.

If you're going for AT&T buy the high end!

  -- Dan Wright
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: stank@cbnewsl.cb.att.com (Stan Krieger)
Subject: Re: How do I know if it's beneficial to file jointly?
Organization: Summit NJ
Distribution: na
Date: Wed, 22 Jul 1992 20:56:25 GMT

In article <1992Jul22.162137.20407@mdd.comm.mot.com> ceng@mdd.comm.mot.com (Curtis Eng) writes:
>O.K. here's some questions for all you tax experts:
>
>I'm getting married on new year's eve at 5:00 p.m.  If I sign the marriage
>license on Dec. 31, does that mean we can file jointly on April 15, 1993?

It means your only choices are married filing jointly or married filing
separately; yoy don't have the choice of each filing as single.
>
>And if I can, would it help us out to file jointly if:
>
>a.  Our household income is about $70,000+.
>b.  I make more money than she does.
>c.  She is somewhat wealthy, and had to pay a lot because she has
>    a lot of stocks and investments and a house.
>d.  I will get a decent refund.

	This last point is totally meaningless.  A "refund" is merely
	"change" resulting from an overpayment.  If you want a big
	refund, just have your boss withhold an extra $100 a month from
	your paycheck.  If you want a bigger refund, have your employer
	withhold an extra $200, or maybe $300, a month from you pay.
>
>Thanks in advance for any advice.
>

Now, here's what the "marital tax penalty" is all about and how it
may affect the two of you.  As singles, you each get a standard
deduction; as a married couple, the standard deduction isn't double
what it is for singles, so the net result is that you have more
taxable income.

I believe either the rates or the size of the 15% bracket is bigger
for two singles than for a couple.  The result is that more of your
income could end up in the 28% bracket.

Where married filing separately helps are in those cases where deductions
start at a certain percentage of income (like medical and the miscellaneous
ones).  If only one of you paid such expenses, then the exclusion will
be less because it will be 10% or 2% of that one spouse's income, and
not of the total combined income.  For married filing separately, you
both must itemize or both must take standard deduction (which is half
the married std deduction; not the single filer's deduction); I think
you both lose the deductible IRA choice if married filing separately.

Now, if only of one you has substantial income, the total tax for
the two of you drops, since much more of your total income is taxed
at 15%, and if only one of you has income, the tax drops even more 
because of the bigger std deduction.

-- 
Stan Krieger                     All opinions, advice, or suggestions, even
AT&T UNIX System Laboratories    if related to my employment, are my own.
Summit, NJ
smk@usl.com
From: sns@bondi.jpl.nasa.gov (Sam Southard)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: MSG
Date: 30 Jul 92 23:25:22 GMT
Organization: SAR Systems Development & Processing, JPL

In article <1992Jul30.210928.11417@cs.yale.edu> nathan@laplace.biology.yale.edu writes:
>You dumb schmuck, wake up and smell the coffee.  There have been
>several postings from different folks that are saying they have
>exactly the problem you are denying exists.  Here is the real
>world, research hasn't always been done, or done correctly, or
>it lags behind.  Meanwhile, these folks continue to suffer -
>some might not even know what the problem is.  All I and other
>MSG-wary people want is to be able make our personal decision
>not to ingest MSG by being able to read a clear labeling of the
>food.  For all I care, you can bathe in the stuff if you want.

No, you want to require all the rest of the world to pay for any changes the
manufacturers have to make to their labels.  Even if it's just a minor label
change it will still require some cost to the manufacturer to change it.  That
cost will then be passed on the the consumer.

It's also not just the labling cost.  It's also a regulation cost.  What if
they use an ingredient from another supplier?  Do they have to label it then?
If so, since nothing about MSG is proven to be special, you're going to have
some very long labels.

What if I get enough of my friends together and say "we think xxx gives us
migrane headaches and therefore should always be labeled on products."  Should
all manufacturers be required to do so?

The fact is that there are some people who imagine this type of thing (I don't
mean MSG allergies specifically).  Even some people who imagine themselves into
the hospital.  If there is no objective evidence that a significant percentage
of the population (and I won't attempt to define what that is) is affected by
it, then manufacturers should not be required to label it.

It sounds like you believe that MSG causes you to get sick (minor or major).  I
believe you - my wife has the same type of reaction.  However, the MSG
possibility has been so widely publicised (whether it's true or not), that many
people are aware of it.

The solution is easy.  If you see a package which has MSG on it, don't buy it.
If you buy something which makes you feel sick, don't buy it again.  If the
problems didn't happen until weeks after you ate the MSG this would be
difficult.  However, the symptoms usually show up before the next meal.  It's
not that hard to figure out what caused you to get sick.  I'm sure you've heard:

"Doctor, it hurts when I do this"
"Then don't do it"
Xref: sparky misc.consumers:14365 alt.folklore.urban:19572
From: pkrause@triton.unm.edu (Paul Krause CIRT)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,alt.folklore.urban
Subject: Re: Banks + Short Term Car Loans = Scam?
Date: 23 Jul 92 16:00:13 GMT
Organization: University of New Mexico, Albuquerque

In article <1992Jul22.181051.28205@news.columbia.edu> lasner@watsun.cc.columbia.edu (Charles Lasner) writes:
>
>But in a declining economy, the bank has no incentive to get the owner's
>equity back, and could be inclined to an expedient third-party sale just
>to get their money back.  No accomplice needed.

That's why the property is sold at auction to the highest bidder on the
courthouse steps.  Forclosure specialists attend these and have cash or
lines of credit available.  The bank normally bids what it is owed, and if
no one bids higher they get the property.  If there is significant real
equity, the bank is unlikely to be the high bidder.

Paul
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,alt.folklore.urban,comp.admin.policy
From: reb@Ingres.COM (Phydeaux)
Subject: Re: Please help Craig
Reply-To: reb@Ingres.COM (Phydeaux)
Organization: E 4th St Home For The Overeducated Underemployed - Chicago Div.
Date: 21 Jul 92 22:17:20 GMT

In article <cos.711528491@chaos.cs.brandeis.edu> cos@chaos.cs.brandeis.edu (Ofer Inbar) writes:
>For those of you who have just joined us, look at these two articles:
>
>chiu@gpb-mac.sps.mot.com (Norman Chiu) writes:
>>I am forwarding this message to you.  Please take a moment to
>>read it and help toward this worthy cause.  Thanks.
>>---------------------------- begin ------------------------------
>>Craig Shergold is 7 years old and dying of terminal cancer. 

You know, it is sad.  Some people just don't get it.  While discussing
this very urban legend over the weekend, a friend told  me that at one
group within AT&T word came down from on high that all managers *must*
reply to the request for (in  this case) business  cards.  By the time
those in-the-know could respond with the  truth about this matter, the
deadline had passed, and the cards were on their way.  
		<sigh>
					reb
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Sears Service E-mail Address?
From: butler@vax.sonoma.edu
Date: 22 Jul 92 15:03:10 -0800
Organization: Sonoma State University

I was wondering if someone can give me the E-mail address of a Sears home
electronics repair (VCR) person or service department.  I've called their 
800 number and the woman tells me that a technician will return my call, 
but no one ever does.

I'd appreciate any info or comments on this matter.

Thanks,
Bob
From: ostroff@Oswego.EDU (Boyd Ostroff)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: WALK-BEHIND LAWNMOWER RECOMMEDATIONS SOUGHT.
Date: 21 Jul 92 17:56:01 GMT
Reply-To: ostroff@oswego.Oswego.EDU (Boyd Ostroff)
Organization: Instructional Computing Center, SUNY at Oswego, Oswego, NY

In article <JDAVIDSO.92Jul20141939@tigger.teknowledge.com> jdavidso@teknowledge.com (Jim Davidson) writes:
>
>The off brands may be just as good, although it's harder to say.  Consumer
>Reports covered this about 2-3 years ago.

Actually I think they did a feature much more recently - within the last
6 months.

I have a sort of unusual philosophy about lawnmowers.  First off, I have
a big lawn - over an acre.  It isn't a fancy lawn - just a mix of weeds
and grasses in the country.  I go out and buy a cheap semi-reliable mower
and then run it into the ground pretty much.  I don't like wasting my time
maintaining things like lawnmowers.  I check the oil and clean the air
filter but that's about it. I spend around $200-$300 and just run it until
it dies, then buy a new one.  They seem to last 4 or 5 years.  I figure
it's a lot cheaper than paying someone to mow and I always have a relatively
new mower. If I bought a more expensive mower I'd feel compelled to take
better care of it.

Years ago I got a used riding mower.  After awhile I realized I was spending
at least as much time repairing as I was mowing, so I junked it.  This
approach clearly is not for everyone, but it works well for me.

>> 	o Is self-propelled worth the extra money?
>
>No, IMHO.  Just one more thing to go wrong.  Unless the lawn is huge, the
>effort of pushing the mower is pretty minimal.  The self-propelled also
>makes it a little harder to maneuver in tight places.

Until recently I would have agreed.  For the hell of it I got a self-propelled
last year, though.  I do have a big lawn with uneven terrain, and find that
it makes the job less exhausting and a bit quicker.  A riding mower would be
nice but the cost difference is too much.  Anyway, this forces me to get
some excercise every week. :-)

.............................................................................
....Boyd Ostroff / Technical Director / SUNY Oswego Department of Theatre....
...............Voice: (315) 341-2987 /  Fax: (315) 341-3394..................
..............ostroff@oswego.oswego.edu / ostroff@cboard.UUCP................
From: brett@hpnmdla.sr.hp.com (Brett K. Carver)
Date: Fri, 24 Jul 1992 19:01:40 GMT
Subject: Recommendation for Flowbee hair cutters
Organization: Hewlett-Packard, Santa Rosa, CA