HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: augi@cbmvax.commodore.com (Joe Augenbraun)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers.house
Subject: Re: Improvement Value Adds?
Date: 8 Apr 92 17:32:57 GMT
Reply-To: augi@cbmvax.commodore.com (Joe Augenbraun)
Distribution: usa
Organization: Commodore, West Chester, PA

Every book I've read says that you basically cannot get back more than
100% on a home improvement.  The ones that consistantly come closest to
giving back 100% are bathrooms, kitchens, and fireplaces.  The ones that
do worst are things like converting a garage to a family room or adding
a pool in Buffalo.

So, since you don't get back 100% of what the improvement cost, you must
personally derive a benefit from the improvement for it to make sense for
you to do it.  If it were me, I would assume that anything that doesn't
add square footage to the house or isn't an improvement of a bathroom,
kitchen, or fireplace will add no value to the house.  I would then be
pleasantly surprised if it turns out that upon selling the house that it
did.

So decide for each improvement if it is worth the cost incurred for you to
enjoy the feature for the duration of your ownership of the house.  I suspect
that the stained trim is not worth it, and that repairing hardwood floors
might be.

For kitchen and bath improvements I suspect that real value is only received
when objective specifications are improved.  For instance adding a jacuzzi
to the master bath will raise the value of the house, but updating the color
scheme in the master bath probably won't.  Likewise in the kitchen, adding
counter space, cabinet space, improving lighting will add value.  Replacing
cabinet doors and drawer fronts is less likely to add value.  Also, make sure
that your lot, neighborhood, and configuration support whatever improvements
you make.  The same $25,000 kitchen remodel that might add $20,000 to an
executive house might add only $2,000 to a starter townhouse.



This is of course just my opinion.  I hope other people post, because I would
be most interested in seeing what other people think.

							Joe


-- 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is the sort of thing that people who like this sort of thing really like
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Joe "Augi" Augenbraun                   ucp: {uunet|ihnp4|rutgers}!cbmvax!augi
System Engineering                     	arpa: cbmvax!augi@uunet.uu.net
Commodore Business Machines		Phone: 215-431-9332 
From: brooksp@hpcc01.corp.hp.com (Peter Brooks)
Date: Mon, 13 Apr 1992 17:30:54 GMT
Subject: Re: concrete slab over sprinkler lines
Organization: the HP Corporate notes server
Newsgroups: misc.consumers.house

Not much expense, just a lot of work; move the lines, or route a
new supply line and tie the lines to a new manifold.

I'd worry about any foundation work cutting the lines as the 
slab is going in.  

Pete Brooks

Newsgroups: misc.consumers.house
From: phil@eos.arc.nasa.gov (Phil Stone)
Subject: Drought-resistant groundcover
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, CA
Distribution: ca
Date: Mon, 6 Apr 1992 17:52:15 GMT


(Note the California distribution)

I have just moved into a new home that has a nice, three-tiered
back yard.  The first tier is approximately 15' by 15', and I
would like to use this area for barbecues, general lounging, etc.
Is there a good groundcover that can take moderate traffic but
not be so thirsty as turf?  All the so-called "drought-resistant"
groundcovers I have seen don't seem to be designed to be trodden
upon.

Suggestions will be greatly appreciated.  The house, by the way,
is in San Francisco.


	Phil Stone     (phil@eos.arc.nasa.gov | ...ames!eos!phil)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers.house
From: bcrowley@hamp.hampshire.edu
Subject: Heat pumps
Organization: Hampshire College
Date: Wed, 8 Apr 1992 16:46:55 GMT

I am currently thinking about replacing a forty yr. old furnace with something
more effiecent.  The old unit was wood,to coal,to oil, conversion, that is 
running steam radiators. You can hear it sucking dollars out of my wallet
on a cold night. My question to the collective wisdom of the net is would
a heat pump using a buried loop setup work here in the northeast.  I have
access to a small backhoe and could do the digging etc. myself. Any info
on pros cons vs oil and gas systems would be appriciated, also could it be run
in tandem with one of these systems?

 
Bob C  
Millers Falls, Mass.           



Newsgroups: misc.consumers.house
From: rudoff@mdd.comm.mot.com (Doug Rudoff)
Subject: Skylights
Organization: Motorola, Mobile Data Division - Seattle, WA
Date: Tue, 7 Apr 1992 18:36:59 GMT


I'm planning to install some skylights in an attic that I'm converting
to living space.

Does anyone have any information on ease of installation for the
average person, recommeded brands, costs, and any other useful advice?
-- 
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Doug Rudoff          Motorola, Seattle    INTERNET:rudoff@mdd.comm.mot.com
                                            USENET:uunet!mdisea!rudoff   
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Newsgroups: misc.consumers.house
From: naiming@eng.umd.edu (Naiming Shen)
Subject: My builder just went to Chapter 11, any advice?
Date: Tue, 07 Apr 92 16:11:32 GMT
Organization: Electrical Engineering, University of Maryland
Distribution: usa



I signed a contrast last December with Ryan Homes, (Ryan Homes is part of
the NVR. NVR is the eighth largest builders in the nation, and largest
in Washington DC area. Yesterday my sales rep called me to let me know
that NVR just went Chapter 11 and promised me nothing will be changed.
Before they only had builder's warrenty, now they add 'insured warrenty'
which I also don't need to pay for. My house is up and under roof. All 
the electrical, duct, copper work is done. I will have settlement in
about 2 months. Can someone think of any reason I should be worried?
thanks in advance.

Naiming,

From: lisa@hpfcbig.SDE.HP.COM (Lisa Stroyan)
Date: Tue, 7 Apr 1992 00:22:37 GMT
Subject: What is a fair realtor's commission?
Organization: HP SESD, Fort Collins, CO
Newsgroups: misc.consumers.house

We are going to be selling a condo soon (after we move into the house we
are buying!).  We don't want to sell it ourselves. We like the realtor that
found us the house that we are buying, so we are thinking about having
him sell the condo as well.  He is with the Group, which is big around
here (Fort Collins, CO).  Anyway, I am wondering what kind of commission/
selling fee is reasonable.  He says that he generally charges 7% (although
he might be willing to make a deal since we are buying the house from
him; don't worry, we'll get it in writing and won't count on it).  Is this
reasonable?  I expect that I could get a little better deal from a less
well known realtor/agency, but we would like to sell it fairly quickly.

Any advice or insight would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Lisa


Lisa Stroyan 	
HP Software Engineering Systems Division
Fort Collins, CO				       
lisa@fc.sde.hp.com
From: smb@ulysses.att.com (Steven Bellovin)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers.house
Subject: Re: GFI question
Date: 10 Apr 92 21:00:29 GMT

In article <1992Apr09.143601.2042@fincomp.raidernet.com>, root@fincomp.raidernet.com (Neal McClain) writes:
> ronnie@cisco.com (Ronnie B. Kon) writes:
> >Remember that a GFI recepticle protects all recepticles further on the
> >circuit as well as itself.
> 
> It does?  Are you sure?  Somehow, this doesn't seem right to me.
> 
> Anyone care to comment?

Yes, it does, if wired properly.  Yes, I'm certain of this.  Yes, I've
seen this not only in the instructions for installation, but also in
the NEC.

I suppose you want an explanation, not just an appeal to authority.
And while there will be a lot about GFCI's in the FAQ Chris Lewis and
I are writing (and it's almost ready), a simple followup is worthwhile.

A GFCI works by comparing the ``outbound'' current in the hot wire with
the ``inbound'' current in the neutral (white) wire.  If the currents
differ by more than a few milliamps, the GFCI trips.  The key is the
definition of ``outbound'' -- where is it monitoring?  Obviously, it's
got to protect any device plugged into the outlet, or the GFCI would
be useless.  But outlets wired up ``downstream'' of the GFCI -- that is,
past the sensors -- are electrically equivalent to the outlet contacts.
The GFCI doesn't know the difference between current drain from the
hair dryer you just dropped into the sink and from another outlet that
was wired to the output side of the GFCI.

Like most outlets, a GFCI will have four connectors -- two for hot, and
two for neutral.  Unlike a standard outlet, these are not interchangeable.
The side marked ``LINE'' must be wired to the voltage source; the side
marked ``LOAD'' must be wired to outlets downstream of the GFCI.  If,
for some reason, you don't want to protect the outlets downstream, connect
them and the voltage source to the LINE side of the GFCI.
Xref: sparky misc.consumers:10345 alt.privacy:1003
Newsgroups: misc.consumers

In misc.consumers, monty%roscom@think.com (Monty Solomon) writes:

>A HVAC installer recommended powering the thermostat via a different  
>transformer from the one in the furnace.  He claims that transients and surges  
>could occur when the motor comes on and would have a detrimental effect on the  
>thermostat.
>    Is there any validity to his claim?
>What is involved in installing a separate transformer to power the thermostat?
>Is there a listing available of what the different contacts are for in the  
>thermostat?

I suppose this COULD be a problem with all-electronic thermostats.  But anything
that uses mechanical contacts is rugged enough to be immune to this kind of
stuff.

But, if the all-electronic thermostat is so sensitive that it might fail using
one transformer, it probably would fail due to power line transients,
separate transformer or no.


Donald Borowski    WA6OMI    Hewlett-Packard, Spokane Division
"Angels are able to fly because they take themselves so lightly."
                                       -G.K. Chesterton
From: rmrin@cbnewsk.cb.att.com (r.m.rickert)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: REAL shaving soap
Date: 10 Apr 92 14:44:48 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: AT&T

In article <92097.120609TACON019@ysub.ysu.edu> TACON019@ysub.ysu.edu (Fred Ullom) writes:
>Am I the only one left in the world that shaves with a shaving mug and a
>brush? I can't find OLD SPICE cake soap any more. Does anybody know if they
>have discontinued it? I can get one made by Williamson but the cake is
>smaller and doesn't fit right in my Old Spice shaving mug.
>
>I'd be willing to pay if someone could find me a dozen:-)


Last time I looked it was still on sale in our local Pharmore.  Personally,
I perfer using the Williamson in the Old Spice mug.  Much cheaper, less smelly,
and seems to work well.  Regards, Dick Rickert

-- 

Dick Rickert  AT&T Consumer Products Laboratory
From: rinehart@aramis.rutgers.edu (Mark J. Rinehart)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: MCI Telemarketing (was MCI = Morons)
Date: 9 Apr 92 16:22:59 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: Rutgers Univ., New Brunswick, N.J.

In article <3461@moscom.UUCP> de@moscom.UUCP (David Esan) writes:

> F&F can save money if everyone is on the program.  F&F can also get MCI to
> start harrassing your F&F to switch to MCI.  And it will cost you money
> over other plans if your F&F refuse to switch.

F&F strikes me as a plan by MCI to have MCI customers do MCIs
telemarketing for them. Ingenious, isn't it? MCI customers pay MCI to
do MCIs telemarketing. Only in America!!!!!


Mark
From: timlee@public.btr.com
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: ***WARNING: BE CAREFUL WHEN DEALING WITH [whatever] INSURANCE!***
Date: 10 Apr 92 04:19:39 GMT
Reply-To: timlee@btr.com (Timothy J. Lee)
Followup-To: misc.consumers
Distribution: usa

This thread pops up periodically, usually with a different company
each time (Allstate, AAA, State Farm, GEICO, etc.).  It is always
when someone is making a claim against someone else's insurance
company that the company gets intransigent about paying up.
I'd say that is expected behavior -- the claimant is not paying
the premiums, so what incentive does the company have to be nice
to the claimant?  Not that this is always right, but that's how
the business is (no doubt accentuated by insurance companies'
paranoia about fraud).
From: kevin@milton.u.washington.edu (Kevin Caskey)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: MCI Telemarketing (was MCI = Morons)
Date: 9 Apr 92 17:39:27 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: University of Washington, Seattle

In article <1992Apr8.224822.13406@PA.dec.com> mayo@pa.dec.com (Bob Mayo) writes:
>In article <3461@moscom.UUCP> de@moscom.UUCP (David Esan) writes:
>> [...discussion about sequential dialling by telemarketers...]
>>Obviously, ATT is using the last method, and called you.  There is no way
>>to prevent sales slime from calling you, yet.  Have an unpublished number
>>will not prevent sales calls, but it will reduce them.  

Again, not so obvoius, how would they then know my name?
Kevin at U dub.
From: sstout@yukon.EBay.Sun.COM
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: ***WARNING: BE CAREFUL WHEN DEALING WITH ALLSTATE INSURANCE!***
Date: 9 Apr 92 15:22:16 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: Sun Microsystems, Mt. View, Ca.
NNTP-Posting-Host: yukon.ebay.sun.com

In article <1992Apr9.001136.6358@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu> kh43543@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Ford Prefect) writes:
>
>****Don't buy Allstate Insurance--- You'll have a hard time getting money
>from them when you need it.....****
>
I think you are forgetting the fact that Allstate doesn't represent you
or your aunt and you aren't the one paying the insurance premiums.  They
are not impowered to judge fault in an accident, if their insured says
it wasn't his fault, they have to do what he says, they have a contract
with him, not you, and it doesn't matter if you have a notarized
statement from God that it was his fault, they cannot pay.  They do have
to pay when/if you get a court to0 decide he was actually at fault, and
I would expect them to advise him that the costs are going to increase
if you are forced to sue.

All-in-all, I'd say htey are giving their customer exactly the service
he is asking for.  Further, I would expect that if you exhibited the
same attitude to them that you did in your distribe their cooperation
factor is going to be very low.  Certainly your advice quoted above is
inappropriate to the facts presented.  Perhaps it would be better to
advise people to avoid accidents with people who refuse to take
responsibility for their actions.

Personally, I detest the entire insurance industry and believe they
should be nationalized, but in this case they are doing their jobs
properly.

'Steve
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,alt.privacy
From: brad@clarinet.com (Brad Templeton)
Subject: Re: capturing caller id data
Organization: ClariNet Communications Corp.
Distribution: usa
Date: Mon, 06 Apr 1992 10:11:45 GMT

It all depends on where the market goes.  We could see a world where
almost every residence blocks anonymous non-emergency calls, and so
everybody does caller-ID by default when calling a residence line.

We could see a world where nobody uses caller-ID at home, and so
most people use default-blocked calling.

We could see something in-between.   But should it not be up to the
market to decide this?

Indeed, with the market deciding, and the provision of the information
optional, why not allow tons of information?

At work, my secretary answers the phone for me.   If it is not somebody
known, she finds out the purpose of the call as well as who the caller is.
Then this is run by me before I decide to take the call.  This is the way
it works for almost everybody who has somebody taking their calls.

Is this an invasion of privacy on the part of the caller?   The caller
is free, as they would be in a computerized system, to refuse to identify
themselves.  They also probably won't get through in this case.

I don't want to see "555-1234" on the screen on my phone.  I want to see
"George Smith of Sell-a-lot wants to sell you stuff" so I can push the
"decline" button.
-- 
Brad Templeton, ClariNet Communications Corp. -- Sunnyvale, CA 408/296-0366
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,rec.autos
From: matth@progress.COM (Matthew J. Harper)
Subject: Re: Attempted cheating by Sears Auto
Organization: Progress Software Corp.
Distribution: na
Date: Tue, 7 Apr 1992 16:07:51 GMT

bphdarcy@ubvmsb.cc.buffalo.edu (SJ Roc D'Arcy, MBP) writes:

>In article <1992Apr3.155255.9379@b17d.ingr.com>, andy@b17d.ingr.com (Andrew Brezinski) writes...
>>Well, then, I guess we can all sue Sears for false advertising then, huh?
>> 
>>I just saw a commercial on TV last night for Sears Craftsman tools.
>> 
>>"...1600 hand tools, all American made, and all guaranteed for life..."
>> 
>>I know I just bought a socket set that's guaranteed for life.  Where have
>>you been lately?

>Really.  I got a Craftsman drill for x-mas and the second time I used
>it, it failed.  Sears gave me one hell of a hassle trying to return it.  I
>told my wife not to by from them in the future.  Snap-on may cost more but
>they DO stand behind what they sell.


You are mixing apples and oranges.  Sears *does* give lifetime warrenties on
their HAND TOOLS.  You know, no power.  The quality of their hand tools has
dropped a little bit over the years, but they are still a good deal.  I'm a
garage mechanic.  I don't need Snap-on.  I've never bent or damaged a Sears tool
when I was using it right.  (There was the time I put a pipe on the end of a
wrench...Hey, what else are ya' gonna do at 2:00 am?!-)

As far as sears *power* tools go, I have found they usually don't meet what I
feel are must-haves:  ample power, sturdy case...

-Matth

>>I will admit that they MAY (repeat MAY) not be making them as durable as they
>>used to, but that would be cutting their own throat if they did.  I used
>>to work for a tool manufacturer and they took and still take a great deal
>>of pride in their reputation.  Quality does still mean something in some
>>companies in this country.

>Sears is NOT one of them.  They now have moved most of their efforts into
>cheap telemarketing ploys (they hassle me all the time).  Sad.  This used
>to be one of the best chains in America.

>SJRD


Actually, Sears still *is* one of the best chains in America.  Granted, it's
not at the top of *my* hit parade, but in many out-lying areas in most states
Sears has satellite catelog offices.  Sometimes it's the only place an item
can be obtained without a many hour drive.  Heck, that's one of the reasons
Sears has the reputation they have.  They're accessable.

-Matth
--
          Matthew J. Harper ! Progress Software Corp. ! {disclaimer.i}         
   God created heaven and earth to grow barley and hops. Now he homebrews !-)  
Xref: sparky misc.consumers:10544 misc.legal:9360
From: crb2@Ra.MsState.Edu (Chad R. Berthelson)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,misc.legal
Subject: Re: Credit Rating & $$$ Collectors?
Date: 16 Apr 92 12:00:09 GMT
Organization: Mississippi State University

I hate to be the one to sound negative, but ANYONE that you deal with 
has the option of sending in negative info (right or wrong) to a credit
agency.  Your RIGHTS include an ammendment onto any credit reports stating
your side.  You need to get in touch with the Water Company directly and 
ask them what the problem is, it may be that you got thrown into the
'no longer a customer' bin and ended up with a form letter.  If you want
to know for sure what your credit report says (it's not really hard to read)
then you can either buy one direct from the credit agency (there is more
than one), or if anyone denies you credit because of a credit report then
you can ask for a copy of the one they looked at and they are obligated
to give it to you FREE.  If you buy your own it's gonna cost $10 - $20.

So, go to the local Chevy dealer (in a couple of months) and try to finance a 
match set of Corvette ZR-1's (I am assuming you can't afford that, who could)
and when they deny you credit, ask for a copy of your report, they are legally
obligated to give it to you free of charge.  If it has anything negative you
have the right to ammend it (with a blurb accross the bottom) by writing the
credit agency.  NOTE:  your ammendment won't 'fix' an error and is intended
to mediate disputed claims.

Chad
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Newsgroups: misc.consumers


We used to live half a block from a 3 tower 10 kw AM station.
We got it on everything....the toaster played music.  It modulated
the furnace controls so you could hear music out of the heating
ducts.

It was a real pain in the ...


Bill C.
From: przemek@rrdstrad.nist.gov (Przemek Klosowski)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Fighting Traffic Ticket
Date: 8 Apr 92 14:46:41 GMT
	<1992Apr7.190640.8068@cbnewsm.cb.att.com>
	<1992Apr7.205846.18350@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu>
Distribution: usa
Organization: U. Notre Dame/NIST
In-reply-to: berger@atropa's message of 7 Apr 92 20:58:46 GMT

>>>>> On 7 Apr 92 20:58:46 GMT, berger@atropa (Mike Berger) said:

Mike> srm1@cbnewsm.cb.att.com (steven.r.marcovici) writes:
>Also, if it's not a terrible burden, it sometimes pays to just go to
>court in hopes that the trooper that ticketed you doesn't show up. The judge
Mike> *----
Mike> Around here, the court date is scheduled for a date when the ticketing
Mike> officer is scheduled to be in court.  So chances of his not showing are
Mike> v-e-r-y small.

I personally know of a case in DC where the policeman did not show up, and
the judge asked the defendant "What do you plead?". The answer was "Not guilty",
and that was it. I believe that you can increase your chances of a policeman
not showing by requesting a reschedule of a court date at the last moment
(in MD it is allowed up to a couple of days before the court date)
--
			przemek klosowski (przemek@rrdstrad.nist.gov)
			Reactor Division (bldg. 235), E111
			National Institute of Standards and Technology
			Gaithersburg, MD 20899,      USA

			(301) 975 6249
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,alt.privacy
From: mac9167@tamsun.tamu.edu (Matthew Allen Costanza)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Read books/40k yr ?????????
Date: 11 Apr 92 03:52:29 GMT
Organization: Texas A&M University, College Station

I was looking though the local trade paper and I have some questions on some of
the jobs that were listed.

First, what is the catch with reading books and TV scrips for 40K a year?

Second, what is the catch with assembling products at home for $500/week?


I have a friend who is in need of money for the summer and he is taking these
job offers for real.  I am trying to save him from waisting time (and possibly
money).  

Anyone care to spread a little light on what these jobs are really about?


Thanks,

Matt


























Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: freimer@cs.cornell.edu (Robert Freimer)
Subject: Re: Outrageous telephone rate for local calls..
Organization: Cornell Univ. CS Dept, Ithaca NY 14853
Distribution: usa
Date: Fri, 10 Apr 1992 14:39:28 GMT

When I lived in the dorms, Cornell provided a phone and $4/month of
calls included in the room charges, but it may have changed in the
last six years.  However if you live off campus, New York Telephone is
much more expensive: $60+tax for installation and about $12/month
without any free calls and over $20 for unlimited calling.  Notice
that the unlimited rate is for Ithaca, a larger city would be even
more expensive.

-- 

-Robert