HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: georgec@eng.umd.edu (George B. Clark)
Subject: Re: ADVICE NEEDED: Former Apartment deducted $300 from rental deposit without reason
Date: Sat, 22 Aug 92 03:35:23 GMT
Organization: University of Maryland
Distribution: usa

In the future, you should have the owner inspect the apartment in your
presence on the day you finish moving. This leaves no room for
a misunderstanding because you are both there together.

This happened to a friend of mine. He filed suit in a small claims
court. The apartment owner was served by the sheriff. This motivated
the owner to return the deposit, and the court date was cancelled.

You made it very easy for the owner to keep your deposit. Think about
it. All they had to do was fabricate a story.

Most county and city governments have landlord-tenant counselors to
resolve disputes. Their decision is not binding, but they may have
some good free advice, and you will feel better knowing there is someone
who will listen to you.

Don't lose any sleep over this, and don't get emotionally involved, or
let it tear you to pieces. Unless the matter can be resolved quickly,
which assumes you are dealing with honest people, it's really not
worth pursuing.
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: anderson@world.std.com (Dave Anderson)
Subject: First/Last experience with Alamo...
Organization: The World Public Access UNIX, Brookline, MA
Distribution: na
Date: Thu, 13 Aug 1992 14:42:43 GMT


  Last year my wife and I arranged with Alamo, through a travel agent, that
  we would be charged for two "weekly" specials for our 11-day vacation.
  However, upon arrival at the Alamo office in San Francisco, the clerk
  disavowed all knowledge of such an agreement (confirmation number and all),
  and would only give us the weekly rate for the first 7 days, and the
  daily rate for the rest of the time, which was significantly more
  expensive.  After having waited in the cattle line for about 25 minutes,
  it just wasn't worth the aggravation to carry the dispute any farther.

  We've got the same deal pending this year with General in San Diego.
  Hopefully they'll honor it, since their weekly special is 5 to 7 days,
  so we can split the time accordingly into two "weeks".

===============================================================================
  Dave Anderson                                508-392-2441
  Concurrent Computer Corporation              dla@westford.ccur.com
  One Technology Way                           anderson@world.std.com 
  Westford, MA 01886
===============================================================================
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: acheng@ncsa.uiuc.edu (Albert Cheng)
Subject: Re: Boric Acid--the best roach killer!
Originator: acheng@shalom.ncsa.uiuc.edu
Organization: Nat'l Ctr for Supercomp App (NCSA) @ University of Illinois
Date: Tue, 18 Aug 1992 15:04:35 GMT


In article <1992Aug17.205232.1663@ucbeh.san.uc.edu>, yuanj@ucbeh.san.uc.edu writes:
>I have found that the Boric Acis roach killer works best after comparison with
>all Raid, BlackFlag, JohnsonWax products (in aerosol cans).
>
>Boric acid is much cheaper and less harmful to human beings.  It takes effect
>slowly, which may not appeal to some consumers, but is a more effective way to
>kill the insects since they will not panic when some of the species dies in
>peace.
>
>Any one know how boric acid kills roaches?

I am not a biologist nor chemist.  I heard their "skin" dries up and
withered.  Pretty horrible slow death but would anyone cry over
roaches?  Not me.


Xref: sparky misc.consumers:15209 alt.locksmithing:1454
From: alan@elroy.Jpl.Nasa.Gov (Alan S. Mazer)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,alt.locksmithing
Subject: Re: Was this a ripoff?
Keywords: locksmith
Date: 15 Aug 92 01:31:59 GMT
Organization: Image Analysis Systems Group, JPL

In article <BsxzBp.I8L@hatch.socal.com> richg@hatch.socal.com (Rich Greenberg) writes:
>Does the following tale sound like a ripoff?
>She called me, and I spoke to the locksmith.  Here is what he told
>me he had done:
>   2 hours waiting
>   5 new locks @ $95(!) because the originals were too old to be rekeyed.
>                        Is this possible?  My frient (later) told me they
>                        had been rekeyed in the past.
>   re-key 4 of the locks to match the fifth.
>   A few extra keys (don't know how many.)
>   Install the new locks.
>
>Is $800 plus reasonable for this?  Was she cheated?  If so, I feel 
>sorry for this locksmith if she decides to get even.

I just had two new locks put in my place, both rekeyed at the same time.  It
was around $240, I believe.  $70 per lock plus $50 an hour or something like
that.  I thought it was fairly reasonable.  I've never seen locks of that
quality in hardware stores, plus he had to drill holes.  Extrapolating to 5
locks it looks like she paid a little much although perhaps her locks are
even better than mine.
-- 
 
-- Alan                        # Mountain Dew and doughnuts...
   ..!ames!elroy!alan          # because breakfast is the most important meal
   alan@elroy.jpl.nasa.gov     # of the day.
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: rion@Ingres.COM (Rion Cassidy (x3357) OGT)
Subject: Re: Problems making a purchase from a small business - request advice
Keywords: restocking fee, threats, credit bureau
Reply-To: rion@Ingres.COM (Rion Cassidy (x3357) OGT)
Organization: Ask Computer Systems Inc., Ingres Division, Alameda CA 94501
Date: 14 Aug 92 00:54:46 GMT

In article <1992Aug7.203349.17644@b11.b11.ingr.com> heller@heller.b11.ingr.com (Anne A. Heller) writes:
>
>him.  The owner told Jeff that if we did not purchase the computer, he would 
>bill us for a 15% restocking fee (a "restocking fee" had never been mentioned
>or indicated in any way until this point!) and would turn the bill over to a 
>collection agency if unpaid which would eventually report us to a credit bureau.
 As you mentioned, you signed nothing so there was no commitment on your part.
 How can he charge a restocking fee on something that was never taken out of
 stock?  What he is threatening to do is charge you for deciding to take
 your business elsewhere.  If he reports you to the credit bureau, he is
 acting fraudulently because he knows you have done nothing wrong; you can
 have him prosecuted for this.  Let him know and he will back off.

 Rion


Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: heflin@rtsg.mot.com (Suzanne Stratton Heflin)
Subject: Re: Shopping for a home loan...
Organization: Motorola Inc., Cellular Infrastructure Group
Distribution: usa
Date: Wed, 19 Aug 1992 19:44:00 GMT

yms@osc.osc.com (Yuh-Ming Shyy) writes:


>Hi, I am new in the process of looking around for a mortage loan 
>and I was wondering if anyone can shed me some light on this 
>complicated market. What puzzles me most at this moment is that 
>I noticed almost all the private lenders (loan companies) have a 
>mucu lower interest rate for both fixed and flexible rate. I don't 
>understand that if this is true, then what is the catch up? Whay 
>those major banks with higher interest rate can still survive? 
>What should be the criteria when shopping for a loan? Any advise 
>or comment is highly appreciated. Thanks. 

>email: yms@osc.com

I have heard from other people that very often with mortgage brokers,
if rates are moving at all, they almost never are able, somehow, to close
within the lock period.  Also, they often make up for low rates by having
exhorbitant "fees" associated with the mortgage.  When comparing, DON'T
just look at interest rates and points.  The extra fees associated with
the loan can often be a point or more, so ask about ALL fees.
From: mtam@wsl.dec.com (Mimi Tam)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Cellular phone recommendations needed
Date: 14 Aug 92 22:38:09 GMT
Reply-To: mtam@wsl.dec.com (Mimi Tam)
Followup-To: misc.consumers
Organization: DEC Western Software Lab

My friend is thinking of buying a handheld cellular phone for personal
use. She needs something small enough to put in the handbag and not too
heavy. Any recommendation?
 
----
Mimi Tam
DEC Western Software Laboratory - Palo Alto, CA
{uunet,sun,pyramid}!decwrl!mtam		mtam@wsl.dec.com 
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: tmkk@uiuc.edu (Khan)
Subject: Re: BUTTONEER
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
Date: Wed, 19 Aug 1992 16:25:46 GMT


In article <2373.2546.uupcb@factory.com> ray.normandeau@factory.com (Ray Normandeau)  writes:
>
>steck@ccs.northeastern.edu (Paul Steckler) writes:
>
>>-Years ago, there was a product called "Buttoneer" which allowed you
>>-to attach buttons to clothing using little plastic doohickeys, no
>>-thread required. The button would stay attached better than if
>>-sewn.
>
>Yes that item was made by Dennison. I still have one.
>I demonstrated the item at A&S Department store in Brooklyn, NY in
>1968.
>
>While working as a demonstrator in the store, I met a customer who I
>married in 1969. We are still married.

Hmm... So I guess you could say that the Buttoneer attaches spouses
almost as well as it attaches buttons. ;-)
From: C058SJLX@ubvm.cc.buffalo.edu
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: DAK's short-wave radio ??
Date: 19 Aug 92 15:39:05 GMT
Organization: University at Buffalo


  I have seen a portable short wave radio advertised in the
 DAK catalogue.  The few technical specifications the ad gives
 seem to be good, however the price is well below the prices of
 similar products from other sources.  I am talking about
 $40  vs  $100+.  I want to buy a radio like this, but the
 price looks suspicious.
  On the other hand,  the Miracle piano teaching
 system ($350-$399 from other sources) sells for $199 in
 the same catalog, the lowest price I have ever seen for this
 product.
  Please post or e-mail any comments/recommendations.
                      Thank you
          Eleazar Puente
From: cep@taligent.com (Christophe Pettus)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: ChexSystems Purgatory, Part II
Date: 17 Aug 92 20:32:49 GMT
Organization: Taligent, a little subsidiary of two really big companies.

A bit over a week ago I posted a note about my attempt to get an
incorrect entry removed from ChexSystems' database.  Here's a quick
update.

1. I was able to open an account merely by being frank with the bank,
   telling them that the entry existed and was in dispute.  They did
   say that they would likely close the account if an NSF history
   developed, but I don't have a (serious) problem with that.

2. I sent a certified letter to ChexSystems, requesting all information
   that they have on me.  I haven't heard back, but (interestingly
   enough) when the new bank called them to get the entry, it was noted
   as being "under inquiry."

Bank of America, who put the entry in ChexSystems, continues to insist
that I pay for any research that they do to find my record, and even
then, they refuse to say if they'll remove it.

Which brings me to my point, which is that ChexSystems is a more
dangerous vehicle than a credit reporting agency (which is bad
enough).  Specifically, any subscriber can report to ChexSystems, but
the entry is completely subjective.  BofA just decides, "gee, this
account looks bad," and reports it, but does not need to publicize, or
even have, criteria on what constitutes a "bad" account.  With a
standard credit report, it contains entries that are, in theory,
objectively determinable facts that you can protest, but ChexSystems
entries just say that BofA was unhappy with you for some general
reason; since you can't dispute the fact that they were unhappy (even
if you believe it is unreasonable that they were), you can't dispute
the entry.

I'm definitely contacting the California Attorney General on this
matter.
--
-- Christophe

"Be calm.  Look cute."
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: audit038@spacm1.spac.spc.com (John Coffman)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Weed wackers
Date: 13 Aug 92 09:42:46 PDT
Organization: Security Pacific Automation Co., LA, CA

While lurking here the other day, I noticed a thread on weed eaters.
It wasn't apropos until my Ryan died last night.
If there was a summary of that discussion could someone please mail it
to me?  Thanks.-- 

John Coffman

Internet:  audit038@spacm1.spac.spc.com
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: dedek@meaddata.com (Mike Dedek)
Subject: Re: Terrible Experience With Alamo
Organization: Mead Data Central, Dayton OH
Date: Tue, 18 Aug 1992 14:53:21 GMT

In article <17AUG92.11849639.0017@lafibm.lafayette.edu>, JW#0@lafibm.lafayette.edu (JW#0) writes:
|> >.
|> During the holiday season in December 1989 we rented a car from
|> Alamo (from whom else in Texas?) at Hobby Airport in Houston in
|> order to visit with two of our children and to spend some time in
|> Galveston.  No problems, no pressure, car was fine.
|> 
|> The unusual circumstance was that several months earlier I had
|> injured my knee in a bicycling accident.  It seemed to be improving,
|> but far too slowly.  However, during the vacation it was giving me
|> considerable pain, particularly climbing stairs, and I had promised
|> my wife that I would, in fact, see a doctor when we got home.
|> 
|> On the final day of the vacation we returned the car to the office
|> near Hobby and rode the van back to the airport.  It was a rainy
|> day, and as I was leaving the van, I slipped on the step and landed
|> hard on my foot, really jarring the injured knee.  On the flight
|> home, I noticed than there was no pain in the knee any longer, and
|> there hasn't been any since.  Consequently, I broke my promise to
|> my wife and didn't go to the doctor.
|> 
|> I know there are a lot of amateur (and maybe even professional)
|> lawyers on the net.  My question is:  how can I file a negative
|> lawsuit against Alamo for the medical expenses I didn't incur?
|> 
|>                               Bill Jeffers
|>                               Cyclist and Physics Prof
|>                               Lafayette College
|>                               Easton, PA

I assume there are missing smilies from this.  If you really want to donate
some money to Alamo to make up for the medical non-expenses, feel free :)
However, you might satisfy your moral obligation by writing to Alamo and
explaining what happened.  Mention that you were very lucky, but that the
slippery step might cause you, or someone else, medical injury in the future.
If they fix it, they may be incurring "negative expenses" by preventing a
future lawsuit.

I don't know.  This is about the weirdest thing I've seen in misc.consumers
lately!

-Mike Dedek
Date: Wed, 12 Aug 1992 22:35:56 EDT
From: <U4400@wvnvm.wvnet.edu>
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Problems making a purchase from a small business - request advice

I may have just had bad experiences, but I have NEVER gotten good
service from a local dealer.  I work with computers and consult, and
anyone I have ever set up has been frustrated and angry by the time they
got through with their dealer.  Never had a problem with the big
mail-order firms, though (have dealt with Northgate, Gateway 2000 and
Dell).  As for the restocking fee, I once worked for a guy who tried to
charge a 15% restocking fee if people returnded a product he advertised
as "30 day money back guarantee-no questions asked" without telling them
about it beforehand.  I refused to tell people about the 30 day
guarantee until he got rid of the restocking fee (although a co-worker
lost a bet with me when they reinstituted the restocking fee 6 days
after I left the company!  He thought it would take more than 2 weeks
for them to turn bakc into slime!)  It is DEFINATELY unethical, IMHO,
but I've never checked into its legality if not advertised as such.
|
/--------------------------/----------------------:
|      Eric T. Meyer      /   u4400@wvnvm.bitnet  |
|                        / u4400@wvnvm.wvnet.edu  |
|-----------------------/-------------------------|
|  Our life is more than our work, and            |
|  our work is more than our job.                 |
|                                 - Charlie King  |
:-------------------------------------------------/
|
In article <1992Aug7.203349.17644@b11.b11.ingr.com>, heller@heller.b11.ingr.com
(Anne A. Heller) says:
>
>I am facing a potential dispute with a local business which sells small
>computer systems.  I am appealing to anyone who has had a similar experience

>  [Stuff deleted - story about trying to buy computer]

>him.  The owner told Jeff that if we did not purchase the computer, he would
>bill us for a 15% restocking fee (a "restocking fee" had never been mentioned
>or indicated in any way until this point!) and would turn the bill over to a
>  [More stuff about collection agency threats deleted]
>
>-Anne
>heller@heller.b11.ingr.com  -or-  ..!uunet!ingr!b11!heller!heller
From: rz66026@mcvax4.d48.lilly.com (Bob Shew <Shew@Lilly.Com>)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Looking for Information on Mail Order Furniture
Date: 20 Aug 92 18:24:53 GMT
Reply-To: Shew@Lilly.Com
Distribution: local,world
Organization: Eli Lilly and Company


Please ignore my previous message.  Someone referred me to the misc.consumers
archives, and I found the info I needed.  

Thanks,

Bob

In article <1992Aug20.091818.1@mcvax4.d48.lilly.com>, rz66026@mcvax4.d48.lilly.com (Bob Shew <Shew@Lilly.Com>) writes:
> 
> I am looking for information on companies that sell QUALITY furniture by mail
> order.  I believe North Carolina is the hotspot for this.  I would be very
> interested in hearing both good and bad stories about these mail order
> companies.  Any information on what brands of furniture (Cochrane, Thomasville,
> etc.) that can be purchased would also be very helpful.
> 
> I will summarize to the net.
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Bob
> 
-- 
 ____________________________________________________________________
| Robert W. Shew                  | Shew@Lilly.Com         (email)   |
| Scientific Information Services | (317) 276-9854         (phone)   |
| Lilly Research Laboratories     | (317) 276-4127         (FAX)     |
| Eli Lilly and Company           | These are my PERSONAL opinions.  |
|____________________________________________________________________|
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: singer@uwovax.uwo.ca
Subject: Compac's new line: Evaluations Sought
Organization: University of Western Ont, London
Date: Tue, 18 Aug 1992 11:44:59 GMT

Has anybody had a chance to evaluate the latest Compac line of computers,
partiuclarly the Linea line and the QVision line?-- 
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: root@evolving.com
Subject: bread makers
Date: Wed, 19 Aug 1992 21:47:05 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: Evolving Systems, Inc.

does anyone have any knowledge regarding brands of breadmakers made in the
usa.  in particular i am interested in peoples experiences with different
brands.
thanks,
dxs@evolving.com
From: reb@Ingres.COM (Phydeaux)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Terrible Experience With Alamo
Date: 17 Aug 92 22:36:49 GMT
Reply-To: reb@Ingres.COM (Phydeaux)
Distribution: usa
Organization: E 4th St Home For The Overeducated Underemployed - Chicago Div.

In article <1992Aug13.155738.26119@cs.wm.edu> wm@cs.wm.edu (Weizhen Mao) writes:
>  When I rented a car at Alamo a few months ago,
>the person there pushed me very hard to buy 
>insurance even though I used my visa gold card,
>which as I understood, covered that. The sales-
>man said that the card only has the so-called 
>secondary coverage, which only takes care of
>the car I hit, not the car I rent, or something
>like that. Is that true?

No, secondary coverage covers what  your own car  insurance  does  not
cover.   Most  credit card insurnace  policies   work as follows: Many
personal car insurance policies cover rental cars.   If yours does not
or  if you do not  have a car  insurance   policy then the credit card
insurance becomes your primary insurance.  Don't let the person behind
the counter bully you into buying  their LDW  (Loss damage waiver) ...
I've  heard people  behind rental  counters *scream*  down the hall at
potential  customers  things like "Go  ahead, call  your   credit card
company -- they'll tell you you aren't covered!"

Just make sure to  read the fine  print in the information your credit
card company sends so that you know what you are  covered for.  By all
means do NOT just buy it 'to be sure' ...   you either *have* coverage
with your credit card/personal policy or you do not.
							reb

ps: Stay away from Alamo.  I've had good results with Hertz and Dollar.
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: berger@atropa (Mike Berger)
Subject: Re: Movie Rental Place wants my Credit Card #
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
Date: Wed, 12 Aug 1992 19:11:39 GMT

rvn@icd.teradyne.com (Rafael Vidaillet) writes:
>In article 12737@meteor.wisc.edu, moonunit@meteor.wisc.edu (Chris Bovitz) writes:
>>I went to a movie rental store last night (in Madison, WI) to rent a movie.
>>to rent, you need to be a member.  So I ask to sign up.  The guy says that
>>he needs to see 2 forms of ID - driver's license & {credit card | checking
>>account #}.  I asked him "is that legal?" and he said he didn't know.
>>I didn't sign.

>	Well this is the way all the movie rental places I have been a member
>	of work. The idea is that if you take off with the tape and dissappear
>	they will be able to charge you the price of the movie.  I have never 
>	had a problem with it (and I've had memberships in more than 10 different
>	places). So I would not worry much about it, if you don't like it,
>	some places will take a cash deposit, and will limit how many tapes
>	you can take out at any given time, depending on the size of the
>	deposit (on credit cards I think it is 4 tapes).
>	
>		I don't know of the legalities, but every place I know in Boston
>	does this, and I have not heard of anyone having any problems,
>	unless they take off with the tapes :-)....
*----
I have memberships at four places here in Champaign - none of them
required a credit card.

On several occasions, I have rented tapes that were defective.  They
often ended up right back on the shelves after I returned them, even
though I mentioned the problem.  I don't want to take the chance that
the store will decide to charge me for replacement sometime on their
own volition.
--
	Mike Berger
	Department of Statistics, University of Illinois
	AT&TNET     217-244-6067
	Internet    berger@atropa.stat.uiuc.edu
From: meltsner@crd.ge.com (Kenneth J Meltsner)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Junk mail warning - "Exposures" catalog
Date: 17 Aug 92 14:35:24 GMT
Reply-To: meltsner@crd.ge.com
Distribution: usa
Organization: GE Research and Development Center



Don't take out your frustrations on Exposures.

Most mail order places resell your name.  Magazine publishers love to,
especially specialty zines.  So do many manufacturers (ever wondered
why your VCR warranty card asks about your hobbies?).  You can usually
prevent this by looking for the box on the order form that says "Don't
sell my name," or by telling the phone person that you'll never order
from them again if they resell your name.

[The worst has been the Williams-Sonoma empire of mail order
companies.  One food order and we have received catalogs from about a
dozen companies in the W-S conglomerate.]

In the case of magazines, I always let them resell my name -- the kind
of mags I get need all the income they can find since they don't get
rich from cigarette and liquor ads.  And since we're going to be
decorating a house, I've actually appreciated all the home-stuff
catalogs, although I still wonder how we got on the mailing lists for
Frederick's and Victoria's Secret.


===============================================================================
Ken Meltsner                        | meltsner@crd.ge.com (518) 387-6391
GE Research and Development Center  | Fax:  (518) 387-7495
P.O. Box 8, Room K1/MB207	    | Nothing I say should be attributed
Schenectady, NY 12301               | to my employer, and probably vice-versa
================ Materials and Manufacturing, World O' Stuff ==================