HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: lstowell@pyrnova.mis.pyramid.com (Lon Stowell)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Advice needed for Extended Warranties
Date: 16 Oct 92 23:41:51 GMT
Reply-To: lstowell@pyrnova.pyramid.com (Lon Stowell)
Organization: Pyramid Technology Corp., Mountain View, CA

In article <pwai-161092123353@maca512.mv.us.adobe.com> pwai (Patrick Wai) writes:
>
>
>Folks:
>
>I will be purchasing 2 CD boom boxes ($175, $325) w/i the next few weeks.
   Depending on the price of the EW, if the boomboxes are for
   youngsters, it might not be a bad idea...on those items.  But I'd
   guess that GG is aware of this and is gonna price accordingly.

>
>The salesperson at Good Guys INSISTED that it's a good idea to get extended
>warranties for them.
>What do you think?
>
    I think the management at Good Guys fires salespeople who don't
    push those HIGHLY profitable extended warranties.
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: wouk@alumni.cs.colorado.edu (Arthur Wouk)
Subject: Re: How can I stop telemarketers from calling??
Organization: University of Colorado, Boulder
Date: Tue, 13 Oct 1992 16:46:13 GMT

when telemarketing started up a few years ago i made it a matter of
principle to respond immediatley to all calls:

   i never respond to telemarketing calls.

then i would hang up.

within a few weeks it all stopped. i believe they have a special
category for people like me. they get us off their lists fast. it does
cost them money to make the call, you know.
-- 
arthur wouk 
internet: wouk@alumni.cs.colorado.edu
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,rec.boats
From: meyer@dbsun.uucp (Don Meyer)
Subject: Re: Houseboating on Lake Powell
Organization: BioMerieux-Vitek, St. Louis Mo.
Distribution: na
Date: Mon, 12 Oct 1992 18:52:02 GMT

I really appreciate the information posted so far on this topic.
We have called the houseboat place, and the only one with any
available (for the period we desire) is Hite, the northernmost of
the marinas.  Assuming we would not be traveling down to
the lower portions of the lake (time), is the scenery up north
worth it?  I'm asuming there is a reason that Hite books up last.


Here are the phone numbers of the "Houseboat Marinas":
 Advanced reservations (all): (800) 528-6154
 Wahweap:         (602) 645-2433
 Bullfrog:        (801) 684-2233
 Hall's Crossing: (801) 684-2261
 Hite:            (801) 684-2278

According to one of the pamplets we recieved, publications may be
ordered via the reservation phone number.  A sampling:
   Houseboating On Lake Powell by Bob Hirsh (94 pp, $6.95)
   Planning & Enjoying a Lake Powell Houseboat vacation (24 pp, $1.00)
   Video: Lake Powell Houseboating (31 min., $19.95)

Don
-- 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
meyer%dbsun.uucp@wupost.wustl.edu        |||     I am at two with nature.
Opinions expressed are personal.         |||       -- Woody Allen
From: Brady_David@Tandem.Com (David Brady)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Question about bounced check
Date: 16 Oct 92 22:27:53 GMT
Organization: Tandem, Inc.
X-Xxdate: Fri, 16 Oct 92 23:34:41 GMT
X-Useragent: Nuntius v1.1.1d11

In article <183921@pyramid.pyramid.com> Lon Stowell,
lstowell@pyrnova.mis.pyramid.com writes:
>   Yes, in most states.  Of course YOU can collect this fee from the
>   check writer, but in most states you have to file charges to do
>   so.
>
>   Why the bank expects you to know the check is rubber is beyond
>   me, but that's the way it is....   businesses get hurt bad by
>   this double-dip policy.

I'm just throwing this out but I've imagined that your signature on the
back of check was sort of like saying "I'm responsible for the check." 
That is, you sign the check and it bounces: you pay the rubber check fee.

That, at least, is what I think.  (Very different from what is actually
the truth though!)
-----------------------------------
email: Brady_David@Tandem.Com

Remember, David Brady IS Lee Harvey!
Xref: sparky misc.consumers:17839 alt.politics.elections:16993
From: dave@frackit.UUCP (Dave Ratcliffe)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,alt.politics.elections
Subject: Re: Cable Bill Rip-off
Summary: I don't think so...
Date: 14 Oct 92 20:02:04 GMT
Followup-To: misc.consumers
Organization: Data Factory Services, Harrisburg, Pa.


 In article <1992Oct8.181916.7952@netcom.com>, strnlght@netcom.com (David Sternlight) writes:
 > 
 > Alan L. Peterman argues that the local broadcasters produce programming
 > which the cable companies should pay for.
 > 
 > Fine. If the local braodcasters would provide the programming without
 > advertising attached, and the cable companies could optionally choose
 > such programming according to their judgement as to viewer interest,
 > and could add their own advertising, no problem.

Wrong.  BIG problem.  If what you propose were to happen then the cable
companies would need a HELLUVA lot of new equipment just to be able to
play those commercials you mentioned.  1 machine for each commercial
channel they carry, dedicated to inserting commercials at the appropriate
place. Guess who'll pay for that equipment in the end. Add in the cost
of preparing the commercials (production), scheduling (traffic),
selling commercial time (Account Executives), suddenly it's not such a
good idea is it. 

You think cable is expensive now? Hooooo boy!


-- 
 ...uunet!wa3wbu!frackit!dave -or-                       |  Dave Ratcliffe  |
 frackit!dave@uunet.UU.NET -or- dave@frackit.uucp -or-   |  Sys. <*> Admin. |
 vogon1!compnect!frackit!dave@psuvax1.psu.edu            | Harrisburg,  Pa. |
From: C058SJLX@ubvm.cc.buffalo.edu
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: auto-repair question
Date: 13 Oct 92 17:46:12 GMT
Article-I.D.: acsu.Bw2MwD.77D
Organization: University at Buffalo


    I took my car to the shop.  I gave my authorization to replace
  some parts (spark-plugs cables, rotor cap, and gas filter).  The
  car has exactly the same problems as before.  The mechanic does
   not find the cause of the problem.
    My question is:  May I ask for a refund?, If so, it should be
   a refund for labor, for parts, for both?
    Thank you in advance for any help .
            Eleazar Puente.
From: kelley@vet.vet.purdue.edu (Stephen Kelley)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Cheap glasses
Date: 9 Oct 92 21:32:20 GMT
Organization: Purdue University SVM

In article <9210092029.AA20279@ucbvax.Berkeley.EDU> asa@STL-09SIMA.ARMY.MIL (Will Martin on 9000) writes:
- I have some questions about getting cheap glasses from opticians and
- optical companies that advertise a lot and are usually found in mall
- 
- 
- that they actually might harm my eyes? Are these so flimsy that they'll
- fall apart in a couple weeks and thus, even though only costing $25 or
- so, be a waste of that amount? 
- 
- Anyone have any comments on this? 
- 

My guess is you'll find that the low prices for glasses are available 
only with an exam by the optometrist on staff or in the office next
door.  

I doubt you'd find major problems with the glasses you buy at that
price assuming you find acceptable styles.

Steve
From: sean@cobra.dra.com
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Cable Bill Rip-off
Date: 11 Oct 92 15:41:25 CDT
Organization: Data Ressearch Associates, Inc.

In article <1992Oct11.014650.18987@src4src.linet.org>, bill@src4src.linet.org (Bill Lanides) writes:
> What if the cable company just made a converter that was also an antenna?
> When a cable subscriber tunes his box to the lower channels the converter
> switches to the antenna to pick up the broadcasts??

That would be an acceptable use.  The problem with the cable companies is the
law grants them MORE rights to retransmit a broadcast television signal than
other people.  Not even the so called "wireless" cable companies are allowed
to retransmit broadcast television stations without permission from the
copyright owners.

It is this inequity that I find so appalling.  Either everyone should be
able to resell a broadcast television station's signal, or no one should.
From: neilw@informix.com (Neil Williams)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: How do I handle Phone harassment?
Date: 12 Oct 92 21:19:49 GMT
Organization: Informix Software, Inc.

In article <1992Oct11.152712.4956@eng.umd.edu> georgec@eng.umd.edu (George B. Clark) writes:
>In article <cT2gsB5w165w@pcsnode.uucp> bazelmans@pcsnode.uucp (Rudy Bazelmans) writes:
>>
>>Simply report them to the phone company.  They will handle it.
>
>The phone company in all probability will do nothing. Their department
>that deals with investigating abusive phone calls is so swamped with
>work that you will probably get nothing but a busy signal when
>you try to call them.

My experience backs this up.  My (now) wife had been receiving
harrassing phone calls for several months before she called the
phone company.  They told her they couldn't do anything and that
she had to file a police report. 

--Neil

-- 
Neil Williams: neilw@informix.com

Seen on my last trip on United: "If you are seated in an exit row 
and can not (sic) read this card... please notify a crew member."
From: wb8foz@skybridge.SCL.CWRU.Edu (David Lesher)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: "Roadkill" in the luggage (Re: Damn those airlines!)
Date: 10 Oct 92 01:57:48 GMT
Article-I.D.: usenet.1b5dasINN7l8
Reply-To: wb8foz@skybridge.scl.cwru.edu (David Lesher)
Distribution: usa
Organization: NRK Clinic for habitual NetNews abusers - Beltway Annex
NNTP-Posting-Host: skybridge.scl.cwru.edu

My boss once took ill and exited a domestic flight just before
the door shut.

They delayed the flight 45 minutes to pull his luggage....
--
A host is a host from coast to coast..wb8foz@skybridge.scl.cwru.edu
& no one will talk to a host that's close..........................
Unless the host (that isn't close).........................pob 1433
is busy, hung or dead....................................20915-1433
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,rec.autos,alt.activism
From: lee@ace.npac.syr.edu (Lee C. Brink)
Subject: Re: Dangerous Truck Safety Proposals
In-reply-to: Nigel.Allen@bbs.oit.unc.edu's message of Wed, 14 Oct 1992 00:25:37 GMT
Organization: Northeast Parallel Architectures Center, Syracuse, NY
Date: Thu, 15 Oct 92 08:07:25 EDT

What no one tells you is that the DOT keeps track of the number of hours driven
by a log book WHICH THE DRIVER HIMSELF FILLS OUT.  I used to deliver medicine
in northern New York State, and I knew many truckers who had to drive way
over the DOT limit (For various reasons.  The usual response to my questions
was "company orders to get from point a to point b in a ridiculously small
amount of time) and then forged their log books to make it look like they
had followed DOT rules.

Add to that the fact the DOT checkpoints (At least in NY) are few and far 
between, and also that truckers report these checkpoints via CB for people to
avoid them, and it's a wonder why even more people aren't killed.

 Lee

--
+---------------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| Lee C Brink	            | Office Support Co-ordinator at NPAC	   |
| lee@nova.npac.syr.edu     | Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244-4100 |
|			    | 315-443-1722				   |
+---------------------------+----------------------------------------------+
From: egreen@east.sun.com (Ed Green - Pixel Cruncher)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Fire Extinguishers
Date: 13 Oct 1992 14:02:27 GMT
Organization: Sun Microsystems, RTP, NC
Distribution: world
Reply-To: egreen@east.sun.com
NNTP-Posting-Host: laser.east.sun.com

In article 7356@netcom.com, royg@netcom.com (Roy H. Gordon) writes:
>We need to purchase new fire extinguishers for our home and autos.
>
>What should we get?  

Fire types:
A - Paper, wood, trash, etc.
B - Gasolene, oil, paint thinner, etc.
C - Electrical, computers, etc.
D - ? (I *think* this is certain metals and other unusual compounds)

Get fire extinguishers rated for A, B, and C type fires.  The dry agent
discharge types are the most common, and I think the least expensive.
They discharge a fine powder, which you aim at the base of the fire,
and the powder (agent) covers the fire, smothering it.

Halogen fire extinguishers were popular recently, used in corporate
computer rooms and aircraft.  The halogen displaces the oxygen in the
area, starving the fire.  No mess, but no air to breath.  Also less
environmentally friendly.

For the car, be aware that burning tires refuse to be put out.  The
rubber and metal cords in the tire are heated up by the flame.  An
extinguisher will kill the flame, but the heat of the rubber will
re-ignite it a few minutes later.

Contact your insurance agent and request a discount on your home and
auto insurance for carrying the extinguishers.

---
Ed Green, former Ninjaite |I was drinking last night with a biker,
  Ed.Green@East.Sun.COM   |and I showed him a picture of you.  I said,
DoD #0111  (919)460-8302  |"Go on, get to know her, you'll like her!"
 (The Grateful Dead) -->  |It seemed like the least I could do...
From: lane@duphy4.physics.drexel.edu
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: GM Parts Ripoff
Date: 8 Oct 92 12:53:31 GMT
Distribution: all
Organization: Drexel University Physics

In article <1992Oct8.004346.18535@hpcvaac.cv.hp.com>, billn@hpcvaac.cv.hp.com (bill nelson) writes:
> bkottmann@falcon.aamrl.wpafb.af.mil (Brett Kottmann) writes:
>
> : >>is starting to leak a little in the rain.  When the parts man told me
> : >>the cost, I said "I'm not paying $192 for $5 worth of rubber" and
> : >>walked out. Yes, that's $192 for about 15 feet of weatherstripping.
> : >
> : > Just a side note, in the future treat all your weatherstripping with
> : > Silicon spray about every six months and it will last lots longer.
> :
> :     Vaseline works well, too.
>
> I am not so sure about that. It seems that I recall Vaseline being bad
> for the rubber. I believe it causes it to rot.
>

I don't have recent information about this, but recall that among
model-airplane people it was common practice to keep high-quality
rubber ("Pirelli" rubber; for "rubber-band" powered planes) in a
mixture of glycerol and green soap.

Never did figure out where to find the "green soap", but I have
treated weatherstripping with glycerol, and it does seem to help (with
no ill effects).  I guess the main thing is to keep the rubber from
drying out and cracking.

Can anyone who's familiar with current practice (particularly with
"indoor" model plane techniques) give some updated information?
--

 Drexel University       \V                     --Chuck Lane
----------------->--------*------------<--------lane@duphy4.hepnet
     (215) 895-1545      / \  Particle Physics  lane@duphy1.bitnet
FAX: (215) 895-5934        /~~~~~~~~~~~         lane@duphy4.physics.drexel.edu
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: charleen@ADS.COM (Charleen Bunjiovianna)
Subject: Re: Don't use CHECKS IN THE MAIL
Organization: The Original Estrogen-Crazed Lust Bunnies
Distribution: usa
Date: Tue, 13 Oct 1992 23:42:56 GMT

In article <1992Oct11.140121.2641@news.miami.edu> aem@news.miami.edu (andrew mossberg) writes:
> I've used Checks In The Mail once, and got the order much quicker than
>from the bank itself.  It seems from the pricing of these companies that
>the only way you'll consistently save over the bank's fee is to switch
>companies each time, and use their introductary offer, never the "reorder"

Current, Inc. (and maybe others) keep track of whether or not you've
ordered from them before, and will bill you for the difference in price
if you try to use the introductory offer again.

Charleen

--
I have the world's largest collection of seashells.  I keep it
scattered around the beaches of the world ... Perhaps you've seen it.
                -- Steven Wright
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Personal Digital Assitants...
From: erkamp@JANUS.ARC.AB.CA (Bob Erkamp)
Date: 14 Oct 92 15:16:42 -0700
Reply-To: erkamp@JANUS.ARC.AB.CA
Organization: Alberta Research Council

In article <Bw2FLG.2L@news.cso.uiuc.edu>, tmkk@uiuc.edu (Khan) writes:
>
>Whatever happened to the Atari Portfolio? It's small enough to make a
>good PDA, and it has a connector on the back which will allow it to
>connect with a PC for data exchange. Are they still around?
>

Yes they are still around and new software is available for them.

Bob
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,ba.general
From: king@glacier.Stanford.EDU (Robin King)
Subject: Re: URGENT -- Info needed on Lifespring
Organization: Center for Integrated Systems, Stanford University, California
Distribution: usa
Date: Fri, 9 Oct 92 01:52:50 GMT

chucko@kronos.arc.nasa.gov (Chuck Fry) writes:
>
>I attended Lifespring Basic Training last weekend, and am now finding
>myself aggressively pursued to continue to their 5-day, $900 advanced
>course.  I urgently need feedback from others who have been involved
>in Lifespring and/or those with knowledge of the way they operate.
>
>Please respond via email.  Time is of the essence!
>
> -- Chuck Fry  Chucko@charon.arc.nasa.gov

	To Chuck and anyone else:  If you feel yourself *compelled*
	*SO STRONGLY*------  STOP!!!  Back off.  Wait.  Think about
	it.  Have your friends take your checkbook for a fortnight.
	("Friends don't let friends join Lifespring")

	These people are after your money, big-time!

	What I know about it is that a sister of mine got wrapped
	up in this and it was a constant drain on her finances
	till she wised up.  Now, they might have some useful things
	to share but I went with her to "Guest Speaker Night" and
	found it was nothing but an "inspirational" talk about "how
	I was a Nobody, depressed, shy, etc and then became Ms./Mr.
	Successful through Lifespring" followed by INTENSE pressure
	to join.  The newbies were ID'd by brightly colored tags
	and if you hadn't joined, the big-wigs would come around
	to find out what the problem was.  I said, 'Hey, I'm buying
	a house and don't want to spend the money"  Their response:
	money will always come, you'd better join now or you'll
	be sorry later.  Riiiight.   

	Yech.  Stay away from hard sell cults.
From: derx@vax5.cit.cornell.edu
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Auto Insurance by Mail--Address needed
Date: 9 Oct 92 16:01:31 EDT
Distribution: misc
Organization: Cornell University


Dear netters. I am looking for the address of the auto insurence company which
is listed as number one in Consumer's Report this year and the last few years.
I forgot the name of the company. If you happen to have the address or their
phone number, please send to me. I will highly appreciate it.
Thank you in advance.

Linn  
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,misc.consumers.house
From: jimh@pacdata.com (Jim Harkins)
Subject: Painting a condo complex
Organization: Pacific Data Products
Date: Fri, 9 Oct 1992 17:40:07 GMT

We're currently taking bids from contractors to paint our 64 unit condo
complex.  The prices range from $15,000 to $27,000.  As none of us on the
board has a clue about painting I'm wondering what we should look for.
From looking at the bids they all seem to plan to do the same thing (power
wash the building, latex paint, hand-paint the trim, etc).

I guess my problem is I don't even know enough about the subject to know
what questions to ask.  So, what questions should I be asking?  And if you
live in San Diego do you have any good/bad recommendations re: contractors?

Thanks.

jim

-- 
One of the great ironies of our time is that voters with brains are
greatly outnumbered by voters without brains, yet somehow the
intelligent fail to perceive that not everybody thinks the way they do,
thus they fail to argue persuasively for their points and then are
surprised when the majority makes dumb choices.

--------------------------------------------------------------
Jim Harkins                         [ucsd|uunet]!pacdata!jim
Pacific Data Products               jim@pacdata.com
--------------------------------------------------------------

Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: phr@telebit.com (Paul Rubin)
Subject: Re: Futons-do they last?
Organization: Telebit Corporation; Sunnyvale, CA, USA
Date: 14 Oct 92 20:07:19

In article <1992Oct13.212946.18755@guinness.idbsu.edu> djensen@claven.idbsu.edu (Dave J) writes:

   I am thinking about buying a futon (sofa to bed frame).

   I'm curious to know how long before they become uncomfortable due
   to matting?

   What is the life expectancy? 

   Are they particularly more or less uncomfortable than regular beds?

1. Get a futon frame that is intended for use with a futon, i.e. the
futon is supported on slats, so both sides are exposed to air.

2. They get matted after a few months or so.  When this happens to yours,
take it outside and beat it up with a stick to fluff it out.

3. Several years, but not permanent.

4. They feel different.  Whether they feel better is a matter of taste.
Go to your local futon store and try one out.  Note that you can get
them with a foam core, which makes them springier.  Some people like
this kind better.
From: henry@ADS.COM (Henry Mensch)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Revenge on a telemarketer!
Date: 16 Oct 92 21:51:38 GMT
Article-I.D.: ads.1992Oct16.215138.22040
Organization: Advanced Decision Systems; a div of Booz, Allen & Hamilton

savoia@sw.stratus.com (Rick Savoia) wrote: 
->> The things listed to do to teleslime so far have actually been quite mild.  
->> I find the freon boat horn, applied directly to the microphone, to be
->> quite effective. 
->
->	This is down right rude and can also be dangerous to the person
->	on the other end. 

unsolicited telemarketing is rude.  the boat horn is an occupational
hazard.

--
# henry mensch / booz, allen & hamilton, inc.  / <henry@ads.com>
# "fight the real enemy."  -- sinead o'connor, and many others.
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: charleen@ADS.COM (Charleen Bunjiovianna)
Subject: Re: New group proposal
Organization: The Original Estrogen-Crazed Lust Bunnies
Date: Fri, 16 Oct 1992 03:29:39 GMT

In article <13OCT199218123594@acad3.alaska.edu> fsspr@acad3.alaska.edu (Sean P. Ryan, Hardcore Alaskan) writes:
>[For your information.  Please follow-up to alt.config]

No.  This followup isn't relevant to alt.config.

>alt.tv.infomercials
>-------------------
>
>Yes, I will admit it, I've become an infomercial junkie.  For the
>benefit of those of you who live in caves, infomercials are half-hour
>paid advertisements for products and services, usually presented under 
>the guise of being talk shows, and usually airing late at night on cable
>TV.

Is the insult really necessary?  I don't watch TV.  I have never seen
an infomercial.  It will be difficult to convince me that my life is
poorer for this.

Charleen

--
Entirely too much time is being spent in the restroom.  In the future, we will 
go in alphabetical order.  Those whose name begins with "A" will go from 8:00 
to 8:15; "B" will go from 8:15 to 8:30, etc.  If you are unable to go at your 
time, it will be necessary to wait until your turn comes again.
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: aem@news.miami.edu (andrew mossberg)
Subject: Re: Don't use CHECKS IN THE MAIL
Organization: R.S.M.A.S.
Distribution: usa
Date: Sun, 11 Oct 92 14:01:21 GMT

 I've used Checks In The Mail once, and got the order much quicker than
from the bank itself.  It seems from the pricing of these companies that
the only way you'll consistently save over the bank's fee is to switch
companies each time, and use their introductary offer, never the "reorder"

aem


-- 
a.e.mossberg, aem@miavax.ir.miami.edu, aem@umigw.miami.edu