HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: klf@druwa.ATT.COM (FranklinKL)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: re: Rockport Shoes
Keywords: Used to be GREAT but--
Date: 23 Jul 92 17:24:16 GMT
Distribution: misc

I have two pair of Rockperts that I have had for many years.  One pair is
about trashed.  The other still looks good and has been resoled 3 or 4
times.  Great shoes BUT the Rockports of today are not the same level
of quality.  Since Reebock bought them out, Rockports have largely been
living on their reputation.  It's good to see that people are finally
beginning to recognize the decline in the quality of the product.

As one poster pointed out, several manufacturers make a line of shoes
similar to Rockports.  From what I have observed, when I finally retire
the current pair of Rockports, I will look at one of the competitors.

As to Timberlines.  They are of good quality and will give good service
but they are outrageously expensive.  Dexter, Bass, Lands' End and LL
Bean all make shoes of comperable quality and style to Timberlines
at significantly better prices.

--
Ken Franklin 	They say there's a heaven for people who wait
AMA #553197 	And some say it's better but I say it ain't
DoD # 0126      I'd rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints
		The sinners are lots more fun, Y'know only the good die young
From: linda@net.com (Linda Hill)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: vinyl cleaner?
Date: 27 Jul 92 16:29:26 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: Network Equipment Technologies
Originator: linda@gratton

Some time ago I think I saw a recommendation for a vinyl cleaner that
was called three hundred something (3xx) and could be gotten only from
a car dealership?  One of its features was that it actually had some
type of a sunscreen in it, to help prevent breakdown from the sun.  The
poster said that other cleaners were ineffective and could actually cause
more harm than good.

I would like something to use to clean clear vinyl used for "windows"
on a sailboat dodger (the canvas/vinyl/stainless steel contraption used to
protect one from spray and waves - _not_ a hard windshield).

Does anyone know what this product is?

Thanks,
linda@net.com
From: barmar@think.com (Barry Margolin)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: PPV Olympics: Oh, so now it's free
Date: 30 Jul 1992 19:07:41 GMT
Organization: Thinking Machines Corporation, Cambridge MA, USA
Distribution: na
NNTP-Posting-Host: telecaster.think.com

In article <1992Jul30.144313.7272@news.acns.nwu.edu> staggers@casbah.acns.nwu.edu (Ken Staggers) writes:
>Anyway, did you pay $125 for the Triplecast?  If so, what do you think about
>the fact that, if I was really interested, I can watch it for free tonight
>and tomorrow?  NBC, in order to lure more suckers, I mean viewers, to pay
>the $29.95 daily coverage, will be offering cable viewers 14 hours of
>PPV Olympics for free.

First you complain that Cablevision is going to pass on its loss to you,
and then you complain about a measure that is hoped to reduce the loss.
Make up your mind.

As for the fairness of the free broadcast, what makes it any different from
any other giveaways that cable companies do?  I pay for several movie
channels, but I don't get a refund during those preview weeks.  And this
kind of stuff certainly isn't limited to the cable business.  Magazines
have special giveaways to new subscribers, but they're not available with
renewals.  And didn't you ever kick yourself for buying something the day
before it went on sale?

>Using a split screen with 4 quadrants, NBC will again invade another cable
>channel 

I don't see how a split screen could possibly compare to the real three
channels.  The resolution will be horrible, and they obviously can't have
the sound from all three.  This is clearly just a teaser, not a "real"
broadcast.

>America has spoken about the future of paying per every view...we don't
>really want it, and we really can't afford it.

But it's my understanding that PPV bikini contests have been doing pretty
well.  I guess the Olympics folks just don't understand where Americans'
priorities are.
-- 
Barry Margolin
System Manager, Thinking Machines Corp.

barmar@think.com          {uunet,harvard}!think!barmar
From: lh24+@andrew.cmu.edu (Li-Chun Hsu)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Air Miles Program???
Date: 21 Jul 92 07:18:15 GMT
Article-I.D.: huxley.711731895.1712.0
Organization: Sophomore, IM - MCS/CIT Track, Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA


Info wanted on Air Miles Program.

I recently learnt that AT&T gives
air miles for using their services.
Want to know how it works.

Thank you very much.
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,rec.radio.shortwave,rec.photo
From: kenny@osf.org (Kenneth Crudup)
Subject: Re: WARNING KODAK batteries leaked!
Organization: Open Software Foundation
Date: Fri, 31 Jul 1992 18:16:00 GMT


Just another data point: the local Bradlee's (akin to a "WalMart/K-Mart") in
Dedham, MA had a load of Kodak's on drastic discount....they weren't going to
carry them anymore, and a lot of the ones they had on the clearance table 
were leaking. I shuffled thru the pile looking for the latest expiry dates
and put the ones I didn't use immediately in the fridge.

	-Kenny
-- 
Kenneth R. Crudup, Contractor, OSF DCE QA
OSF, 11 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142	+1 617 621 7306
kenny@osf.osf.org			OSF has nothing to do with this post.
Not one of the "PC" weenies.
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,rec.autos.tech,rec.autos,rec.woodworking
From: kenny@osf.org (Kenneth Crudup)
Subject: Re: Compressors & Air Tools
Organization: Open Software Foundation
Distribution: usa
Date: Wed, 22 Jul 1992 14:32:19 GMT

In article <1992Jul20.182720.26606@bnr.ca> Peon w/o Email priv
(Eric Youngblood) writes:
>...I will relate my experience purchasing a 3.5 HP 25
>gal unit. Paid $299 at Sears. After close inspection this *is* a high quality
>piece of equipment. It has a 120/240 15/17.5 amp GE electric direct drive
>motor.

In article <1992Jul21.201325.2308@adobe.com> pngai@adobe.com
(Phil Ngai) writes:
>These are Sears horses, of course, about half the size of a real horse.

I'm sorry to hear that. I've got Eric's very compressor. (Model 15573, right?)
Paid $215 refurb off their clearance table. I think it's well made too, 
and it doesn't cycle much, even under continuous use.

>Of course, anyone who shops at Sears these days gets what they deserve.

Yeah, but have all things changed? I get a *lot* of garage stuff from them.

-- 
Kenneth R. Crudup, Contractor, OSF DCE QA
OSF, 11 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142	+1 617 621 7306
kenny@osf.osf.org			OSF has nothing to do with this post.
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,misc.taxes
From: burke@tss.com (Jim Burke)
Subject: Wierd CA Sales Tax Law
Reply-To: burke@tss.com (Jim Burke)
Organization: Teknekron Software Systems. Inc.
Date: Wed, 29 Jul 1992 23:00:00 GMT


I went to Togo's to get a sub for lunch this afternoon.  I stop in there
about once a week, sometimes eating there and sometimes bringing it back
to the office.  My first surprise was to find that if I eat my sandwich
at Togo's, the state of California figures it is entitled to collect a 
tax on that.  Eating at the restaurant is taxed, whereas getting the sub
to go is not taxed.  Today, however, I noticed that I was charged tax even
though I got my sandwich to go.  "Why" I asked the counter person.  She
didn't know.  But she had to charge what the cash register told her.  Okay,
there was a long line so I didn't make a fuss.  But, I called the manager
when I got back to my office.  "Why did she charge tax?" I asked.  "Well,
what did you get?", the manager replied.  I told him I got a large #8.
"Was that cold or hot?".  Cold or hot?  What the hell difference does that
make?  Well, as it turns out, if they put something hot on the sandwich
then it is considered hot food and the state gets sales tax on it.  In this
case, the beef was hot, while the turkey and everything else was cold.
Perhaps they should only charge sales tax on the part of the sandwich that
was hot.  Anyway, this whole episode just makes me more sick of living 
with California's opressive tax structure.  By the way, he also informed
me that they have to keep track of whether drinks are carbonated or not
because if they are carbonated they get taxed.  Otherwise they don't.
Unless you drink it there, in which case it always gets taxed.  I didn't
have the nerve to ask him about if the drink was hot or cold...

-- 

	Jim Burke	"Life is uncertain - eat dessert first!"
	Teknekron Software Systems		... burke@tss.com
  	phone:(415) 617-2432			... uunet!tekbspa!burke
From: r1156c@sps.mot/com (Michael R. Dow)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Uncut dollar bills... What's the number/address?
Date: 21 Jul 92 13:19:44 GMT
Reply-To: r1156c@sps.mot/com (Michael R. Dow)
Organization: David Mitchell & Associates - Austin


    I didn't get the phone number/address to request uncut dollar bills..
Could someone please post it again?	

Thanx.

Michael R. Dow
From: julian@baldur.lbl.gov (julian cortella)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Supplemantal Health Insurance??? Does it exist???
Date: 24 Jul 1992 17:35:58 GMT
Organization: Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, Berkeley CA USA
Distribution: usa
Reply-To: julian@baldur.lbl.gov (julian cortella)
NNTP-Posting-Host: 128.3.128.80

In article <1992Jul24.163910.20927@cbnewsl.cb.att.com> kstell@cbnewsl.cb.att.com (kevin.l.stell) writes:
>In article <BrwIDt.4w0@news.cso.uiuc.edu> weller@osiris.cso.uiuc.edu (Bonnie Weller) writes:
>
>Stinks doesn't it!
>
>Soapbox mode on:
>
>I find it ostounding, that well baby care is not covered, but achohol and
>drug rehab is....
>
>BEWARE: most policies only cover initial physician vist only. I found out the
>        the hard way, when the "doc" just happened to be in the nursery to
>        check up and I got the bill!!!  I don't blame the doc, he cares about
>        his patients. I blame the insurance industry, slimey bast....
>
>We need Health Care reform now !!!!!
>
>
 I couldn't agree more.  However, good HMOs do exist.  In the past two years I have
 been "lucky" enough to suffer a serious boken leg requiring surgery and extensive
 rehab, and now my wife and I are expecting our first rug rat in another 6 weeks.
 
 Total cost for our medical services : $4 for each bottle of anti-inflammatory pills (me)
                        $4 for each bottle of prenatal vitamins (her), coming to $16 for
                        two years.

 My job pays for the entire HMO bill.

 Also, pediatric care is covered as well.  The HMO is Qual-Med (used to be Heals). It has
 a number of limitations, but I would never use an 80-20 plan. 

 I realize not everyone can get the coverage I've got, and it's a shame.  That's why I'm
 voting for Ren and Stimpy in November.  They're likely to do as much about this problem
 as anyone else.
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: wb8foz@skybridge.SCL.CWRU.Edu (David Lesher)
Subject: Re: advice needed for dealing with dentist/insurance
Reply-To: wb8foz@skybridge.scl.cwru.edu (David Lesher)
Organization: NRK Clinic for habitual NetNews abusers - Beltway Annex
Date: Thu, 30 Jul 92 01:58:05 GMT

I have a very different approach for dealing with this.

I pay my doctor. I pay my dentist. After all, I'm the guy who 'hired'
them, right?

Then I submit the forms, and get {hopefully} something back.  I do not
need to tell my doctor/dentist who I work for or where.  They do their
job {medicine} and don't waste time on mine.  On one occasion (all 4
Wisdom teeth impacted, sectioned them out, weeks of agony & I'll NEVER
eat applesauce again!) the carrier tried to claim that "UCR" said the
job was worth 60% of the bill. The Board-certified oral surgeon wrote a
nice letter pointing out the exact procedures he had used, and
suggesting they were full of it. They paid 100% and I didn't even need
to follow up with Phase two - the attorney letter.

Aside: Folks, one of the best moves you can make in life is to get a
personal relationship with a good attorney. I started out with a friend
of a friend that needed computer advice back before PC was anything but
two initials. I help him out on things he cannot comprehend (anything
with more than 1 wire ;-) and he handles my legal trifles. It's a fair
bargain. There is something about legal letterhead that just.........

Aside #2:
Get your Wisdom teeth out when you are young. They NEVER get easier -
only harder to do. Don't make my mistake and avoid it...


--
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
From: weller@osiris.cso.uiuc.edu (Bonnie Weller)
Subject: Re: Supplemantal Health Insurance??? Does it exist???
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
Distribution: usa
Date: Sat, 25 Jul 1992 18:34:35 GMT

joseph@emmax5crd.ge.com (joseph) writes:
>>
>  It has been my experience that most insurers who allow free choice
>  of doctors/facilities have significant deductibles. And they typically
>  don't cover well baby care.  However, most HMOs do not have significant
>  deductibles, cover well baby care, and allows you to do away with the
>  paper work, in return for using their doctors and their approved
>  facilities in non-emergency situations.

>  When my family and I were in Champaign Urbana area, we have used
>  Christie Clinic's Personal Care HMO and Carle Clinic's HMO.  Both
>  provided satisfactory service.  Most employers offer a choice of
>  HMOs or the regular Blue Cross type insurance.  I don't know if
>  UIUC does that, but I can't imagine why not.  If you do go with
>  Christie Clinic, consider Dr. Boucek (or Bouchek ?) for pediatrician.
>  My (3 year old) son was so impressed with him.

I had Personal Care before I moved out of state.  Because I was
pregnant before we moved I had to take the 80-20 (the only policy
through the UI that covered health care out of state...Im in NM now)
insurance offered by the UI as my husband's new policy did not cover 
pre-existing conditions, including pregnancy!  We will put us on his 
policy AFTER the baby is born, but the benifits are negligable as his 
policy is an 80-20 also.  Neither of our employers offer an HMO, so 
this is not an option for us.  What I really want to know is if there 
is a supplemental health insurance policy out there that will take care 
of that 20% we are responsible for?  Are there some that would pay for
well care?  Physicals?  chiropractics?  

Anyone out there know about this???

Thanks in advance.
From: rravi@cbnewsj.cb.att.com (ramesh.ravi)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: nicotine patches
Date: 23 Jul 92 15:13:44 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: AT&T

Has anybody in the netland used Nicotine patches. How effective are they?
What are the side effects of using it. How long do you need to use the
patches. I know few companies are making patches now. Which brand name
patches are better than the others.

I like to hear any openions from the people who used it.

Ramesh Ravi
ramesh@hugo.att.com
908-615-5082
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: billn@hpcvaac.cv.hp.com (bill nelson)
Subject: Re: MSG
Organization: Hewlett-Packard Company, Corvallis, Oregon USA
Date: Wed, 29 Jul 1992 05:56:58 GMT

lstowell@pyrnova.mis.pyramid.com (Lon Stowell) writes:
: In article <1992Jul22.144117.20399@walter.bellcore.com> jchen@ctt.bellcore.com writes:
: >
: >There is  no clinical evidence to link MSG to any health problem to a
: >normal person. Even for those who are allergic to it, the symptoms are
: >typically short and mild. Very few had strong reactions, none has died
: >of it.
: >
:     I am allergic to the stuff...if you think migraine headaches are
:     a "short and mild" symptom, how about I come over and give YOU
:     one?   

According to the double blind testing - this claimed link does not exist.

: >That is why FDA does not regulate the use of it, only the labeling of it for
: >those who are allergic to it.
: >
: >The whole thing was blown out of proportion in 60 Minutes.
: >
:     You are obviously not allergic to the stuff...nor a physician
:     who has to deal with people who are.  

See above.

:     Sensational yes, but if you've ever had a cluster or migraine, I
:     seriously doubt if you'd consider the experience "mildly
:     annoying".   Maybe if you enjoy brushing your teeth with an air
:     hammer...   

I have had cluster headaches - very painful. But, once again, see above.

Bill
From: Lyle_Seaman@transarc.com
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: MSG
Date: 23 Jul 92 17:42:51 GMT
Organization: Mail to News Gateway at Wang Labs

I had an excruciating headache one Saturday evening about three years
ago while eating dinner at a Chinese restaurant.  I couldn't finish
the meal, and had to leave.  The headach went away by morning.  I
suspected that maybe I had gotten overdosed with MSG, but it was just
a suspicion.   Sunday afternoon I ate the leftovers, and promptly the
headache returned.

For about six or nine months after that, I was discovering MSG (the
hard way) in *everything* (well, snack food, mostly -- peanuts,
popcorn, etc), and I had to be very careful about what I ate.  

But eventually, the sensitivity faded, and I no longer pay any
attention to the MSG.  I don't intentionally add MSG to food I cook at
home, though I'm sure some of my condiments include it.  I tend to
prefer restaurants which advertise "no MSG" but I don't completely
believe them.  And I do eat out at places which don't so advertise,
and I do eat junk food again.

Draw your own conclusions.

I can sympathize with people who are more sensitive to MSG than I am,
but I also have a friend who is allergic to bannanas.  Therefore, 
I cannot support an outright ban on the stuff, or what seems to be
an overblown concern.  I *do* support better disclosure.

Lyle
From: richard@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Credit Union
Date: 25 Jul 92 14:25:38 CDT
Distribution: usa
Organization: University of Kansas Academic Computing Services

>Sorry if it is a FAQ, but could somebody send me a pointer so as where
>to get information about credit unions and what this is all about
>thanx in advance

You can ask your local credit union for the address or phone number of your
state Credit Union League.  They can give you information about credit unions
and how they work.

Basically, a credit union is a financial institution based on a cooperative
model.  In other words, it's owned by its members, and not operated for profit. 
There may be paid staff members, but there will be a volunteer board of
directors and committees.  All revenue not used in the operation of the credit
union goes back to the members in the form of interest on savings, or loan
rebates.

Credit unions are usually required to limit their membership to a specific
group, e.g. folks who work for a certain company.  Some large credit unions
make this as broad as possible.  For example, a local telephone company credit
union limits its field of membership to "anyone who uses a telephone"!  Some of
these large credit unions are virtually indistinguishable from an S&L.  Others,
such as the one I work with, are much smaller and operate almost entirely on
volunteer labor.  Small groups who've banded together for the common good used
to represent the essense of the credit union movement, but they're increasingly
rare in this age of "bigger is better".  

But even with a huge CU, you can be assured that it exists and operates to
serve its members, not to make a profit for absentee owners.  That (and strict
regulation) may be why credit unions have been largely immune from the scandals
and financial disasters that have plauged banks and S&Ls lately.
-- 
					--- Richard

===============================================================================
|  Richard M. Kershenbaum          Bitnet:   richard@ukanvax                  | 
|  Manager, Technical Services     Internet: richard@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu       |
|  The University of Kansas        Fax:      (913)864-0485		      |
|  Computer Center                 Phone:    (913)864-0445                    |
|  Lawrence, Kansas 66045                                                     |
===============================================================================
Xref: sparky misc.consumers:14654 misc.consumers.house:9992
Date: Thursday, 30 Jul 1992 00:47:33 EDT
From: <U4400@wvnvm.wvnet.edu>
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,misc.consumers.house
Subject: Job in DC as a consumer advocate?

Maybe someone out in Netland can help me - I am moving to Washington DC
this Fall and would really like to find a job with a consumer advocacy
non-profit.  I'm looking for something at the level of
researcher/analyst.  I have an MA, 2 years toward a PhD, and 2 years of
business job experience.  My degrees are in anthropology, but what I
would really like to do is work as a consumer advocate "righting
wrongs".
Does anyone have any suggestions of places I can send my resume, or know
of people I might be able to call to find out about the best way to go
about pursuing this career path?  I appreciate any and all help you can
give me.  Thanks!
*
/-----------------------------------------------------------------:
|  Eric T. Meyer - u4400@wvnvm.bitnet  or  u4400@wvnvm.wvnet.edu  |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
|  Instructor of Soc/Anthro   |  Ph.D. Candidate, Anthropology    |
|  U. of Charleston, W.Va.    |  U. of California, Santa Barbara  |
:-----------------------------------------------------------------/
*
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: wwang@osf.org
Subject: Tax and selling a car
Organization: Open Software Foundation
Distribution: usa
Date: Tue, 28 Jul 1992 13:58:54 GMT


I just sold one of my old cars. Someone mentioned to me that I may have to
pay income tax for the money I got by selling the car. Is it true?

I don't think so because I did not get any tax benefit when I bought the car and 
I did not sel the car for more than what I paid it.

Weidong
-- 
    +--------------------------------------------------------------------+
    |  Weidong Wang                   |  Open Software Foundation        |
    |  wwang@osf.org                  |  11 Cambridge Center             |
    |  (617) 621-7272                 |  Cambridge, MA 02142             |
    +--------------------------------------------------------------------+


Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: stank@cbnewsl.cb.att.com (Stan Krieger)
Subject: Re: advice needed for dealing with dentist/insurance
Organization: Summit NJ
Distribution: usa
Date: Fri, 24 Jul 1992 16:56:08 GMT
Keywords: insurance, dentist

>One thing you could do is to submit the claim yourself.  Just get an itemized
>bill from the dentist and mail it in with the claim form.  Technically they
>are just doing you a favor by billing the insurance company.

I totally disagree with the conclusion about "doing you a favor".

As far as I am concerned, the only reason that 1) we have as many
medical practitioners as we do, and 2) the prices are as high as
they are, is due to insurance (all of government, employer-provided,
and individual coverage).  It's simply an implementation of the law
of supply and demand (like in my case, for normal illnesses, $5 of
doctors fees and prescriptions cost me $1, so the "demand curve"
is expanded by 400%; meaning that is I'm willing to pay $200 for
something, it maps to $1000 on a supply-demand curve).

When a medical provider tries to act as though my insurance is none
of his business or concern, I set him straight in a hurry as to where
his bread is buttered.
-- 
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
Newsgroups: misc.consumers