HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: de@moscom.UUCP (David Esan)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: MCI Telemarketing (was MCI = Morons)
Date: 8 Apr 92 19:50:56 GMT
Reply-To: de@moscom.UUCP (David Esan)
Distribution: usa
Organization: Moscom Corp., Pittsford, NY

In article <1992Apr1.173030.10200@u.washington.edu> kevin@milton.u.washington.edu (Kevin Caskey) writes:
>I like MCI!, and I liked Sprint too! It doesn't bother me a bit that in May
>my wife can call her mother in Holland for 35cents/min (47 otherwise). ATT
>can't even come close.

I would love to find these plans.  These are the standard rates for calls 
from the US to Holland.  Prowats is an ATT service.  Your price, even ATT
is much less than existing rates.  Reach-Out-World, which I have not included
in .62/minute, but your are limited in times that you can call.

Both MCI and SPRINT have other plans that cost less than their standard
plans, and they will cost you a flat fee per month.  I have not included
them here.

Carrier    STANDARD    DISCOUNT    ECONOMY
ATT        1.70/1.05   1.35/.80    1.15/.65
MCI        1.69/1.04   1.34/.79    1.14/.64
SPRINT     1.70/1.05   1.35/.80    1.15/.65
PROWATS    1.21/.99    .97/.75      .94/.68   Costs $5/month




>BUT ATT calls my unlisted home tele no to market their
>non-service. Great way to build a customer base. My no. is unpublished to
>avoid marketting. Way to go! ATT . AND a previous post called MCI morons?
>If you don't want to save when calling your friends, you don't need to give
>MCI their Nos.

Telemarketers operate in several manners.  One way they call is using every
number in the phone book.  Another way is calling consecutive numbers,
381-0000, 381-0001, 381-0002, etc.  This way they will call everybody.  
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  Have an unpublished number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.  Don't blame ATT
for your ignorance.

You do not save money with MCI F&F unless your F&F switch to MCI as well.
Did you know that you can check your list with MCI to find out who is on
your F&F list?  Did you know that everyone else can also?  Do you think
this is just wonderful for the weirdos who like to harass people.

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.

-- 
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 -->     David Esan      de@moscom.com  
 
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xref: sparky misc.consumers:10336 rec.music.misc:13995
From: czo84228@dcsc.dla.mil (Kevin L. Wright)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,rec.music.misc
Subject: Herman's Hermits Album
Keywords: Peter Noone
Date: 9 Apr 92 19:11:20 GMT
Followup-To: poster
Distribution: usa
Organization: Defense Construction Supply Center, Columbus

Does anyone know where you can find a "Greatest Hits" collection of theirs
with Peter Noone on lead vocals?  LP if possible, Cassette is fine, too!

Thanks!

Kevin Wright
E-Mail:  czo84228@dcsc.dla.mil 
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: jreiser@scott.skidmore.edu (jason reiser)
Subject: Re: Sales Tax on Mail Orders
Organization: Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs NY
Distribution: usa
Date: Wed, 15 Apr 1992 03:54:10 GMT

barry@playfair.Stanford.EDU (Barrett P. Eynon) writes:
> 
> I just ordered a computer from Dell in Texas and was charged sales
> tax.  I live in California.  I have heard several opinions(wife,
> friends, colleagues) about the legality of this. (My accountant,
> presumably the most likely of these personal sources, didn't know).
> 
> Does anyone on the net have an *authoritative* source of information
> on this?   
> 

Over the summer, I was working in Canon's Consumer Relation Dept. and
took phone orders.  The general rule that I had been accustomed to was
that you did not pay tax when an item was shipped out of state.  In
fact, working on Long Island, I received several complaints from
people who insisted that charging them tax would be illegal.  If a
company has a location in any state that could sell you the product,
they must charge you tax (usually your local tax).  Many companies now
choose to tax anyone in a state where they have any offices,
wearhouses, etc., as the IRS often ask for the tax on those purchases.
I don't know that that is fair, but that's the way it works.

				-Jason Reiser
 
 
  /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
  \                                                            /
  / Jason Reiser  Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 \
  \            E-Mail at jreiser@scott.skidmore.edu            /
  /                    Or Call 518-581-7079                    \
  \                                                            /
   \/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
From: ashabana@agsm.ucla.edu (Ahmed Shabana)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Short term Health Insurance info request
Organization: UCLA, Anderson Graduate School Of Management
Distribution: na
Date: 12 Apr 92 08:13:06 PDT

My family plans to visit during the summer and I need to find an
insurance policy that provides short trem coverage. I seem to remember
that a similar inquiry was posted a year or so ago. A copy of the
replies would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Ahmed 
--
_________________________________________________________________________
Ahmed A. Shabana	          |'There is no reason for any individual
Anderson Graduate School Of Mgmt. |to have a computer in their home'  
U.C.L.A.                          |Ken Olson, President of DEC, 1977 
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,misc.consumers.house
From: bower@hfsi.uucp (Michael Bower Comm. )
Subject: cricket invasion
Reply-To: bower@hfsi.UUCP (Michael Bower Comm. )
Organization: HFSI, McLean VA.
Distribution: usa
Date: Wed, 8 Apr 1992 13:53:07 GMT

It is that time again.  We have an annual infestation of crickets
in our house.  If I go to the basement in the middle of the night, when
I turn on the light, there are many, many crickets sitting on the floor.

Can anybody tell me if there is a solution or preventative cure that
I can put on the places the get into the house to stop them.  I am talking
about under the doors and around the base of the house.  I know there is
one for ants but don't about crickets.  Anybody got any info?

Me, my wife, and my family will certainly appreciate it.  I doubt if
the crickets will.  (I don't have anything against crickets as long as
they stay outside.)

Thanks in advance.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Michael Bower - N4NMR                                    HFS Inc. 
e-mail: uunet!hfsi!bower                     7900 Westpark Drive.
phone:(h) 703-435-5081  (o) 703-827-3559         McLean, VA 22102
Compuserve: 72050,1577 (uunet!Compuserve.com!72050.1577) 
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Speaking of Insurance and Tickets...
From: mdresser@pbs.org (Melanie Dresser)
Date: 14 Apr 92 17:11:25 GMT
Organization: PBS:Public Broadcasting Service, Alexandria, VA

In article <1992Apr10.165104.15330@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu>, tmkk@uiuc.edu (K. Khan) writes:
> What sorts of violations will cause your insurance rates to go up?
> Clearly a claimiable accident will raise your rates, but what about
> things like speeding tickets and other "victimless" moving violations?
> What's your experience?
> 

speeding tickets can affect your insurance if the company
finds out.  

it will definitely affect your rates if you try to go to
a new insurance carrier--when I was looking for estimates
it significantly increased the rates for most carriers.
I had 1 speeding ticket, was 30 yrs old at the time, and
had had no accidents. (by the way, how fast you were going
counts--I was going 65 in a 50, 15 mph over the limit)

Most companies go back 3 years, some go back 5 years, when
they do a check.
-- 
**************************************************************
          Melanie L. Dresser	  mdresser@pbs.org    
**************************************************************
"In this world, you must be oh so smart, or oh so pleasant.
Well, for years I was smart; I recommend pleasant.  You may
quote me."  Elwood P. Dowd
**************************************************************
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: musick@sanquentin.berkeley.edu (Ron Musick)
Subject: Re: New Canadian Lotto Scam?
Organization: University of California at Berkeley
Distribution: na
Date: Sat, 11 Apr 1992 21:55:42 GMT

THIS IS A SCAM!!!
I ALSO GOT ONE OF THESE LETTERS, AND SENT IT BACK FOR MY "FREE" ENTRY.
THE LETTER WAS INTERCEPTED BY THE POST OFFICE AND RETURNED TO ME, WITH
A NOTE SAYING THAT THE COMPANY WHO SENT THE SOLICITATION WAS UNDER
INVESTIATION FOR MAIL FRAUD IN THE U.S. (or something like that!).
From: jack@myamiga.mixcom.com (Jack Decker)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Outrageous telephone rate for local calls..
Date: 11 Apr 92 16:21:00 GMT
Article-I.D.: f8.1992Apr12.111703
Organization: Northern Bytes BBS - Sault Ste. Marie, MI U.S.A.

In article <1992Apr10.000825.14345@leland.Stanford.EDU> dated 10 Apr 92
00:08:25 GMT, shiela@goliath.Stanford.EDU wrote:

 > But get this:  a friend in Illinois, in area 618-236-xxxx
 > is having to pay: $55 installation charge + $16 per month
 > PLUS A PER CALL CHARGE of 0.045$... is this reasonable?

No it isn't, but Illionis Bell does it anyway.

 > How could Ilinois bell charge so much more than pacific bell?

Because they are the last of the robber barons (seriously... when the old Bell
System broke up, I think Ameritech got all the really greedy executives).

I think that when competition in local telephone service becomes a reality,
Chicago will be one of the first places to get it.  There are already
competitive companies offering service to high volume business customers, and
it's only a matter of time before someone else decides there's money to be made
in local telephone service (I should say, someone with deep enough pockets to
lobby the state and federal legislators to get the current restrictions on
local competition lifted).

Jack Decker                               | No, I don't own an Amiga; I just
Internet address: jack@myamiga.mixcom.com | get Internet mail via a gateway
Fidonet address:  1:154/8                 | system that runs on an Amiga.
From: mpolen@gelato.mips.com (Michael Polen)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Amway, Just the Facts please
Date: 9 Apr 92 16:01:45 GMT
Article-I.D.: spim.ku8qj9INN3m9
Organization: MIPS Computer Systems, Inc.
NNTP-Posting-Host: gelato.mips.com

In article <1992Apr8.213142.26731@usenet.ins.cwru.edu>, bf644@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (D. C. Chuang) writes:
|> 
|>    I hate to bring this topic up again, but this multi-level marketing
|> thing is like a monster that can't be killed.  I've heard their sales
|> pitch many times and once it was even self inflicted (attended a seminar
|> or rally or whatever they call it) so I'm familiar with how they work.
|>    What I wanted to know is the "real" story of the people working at the
|> bottom, like "I try to sell these products door to door and make X
|> amount of money in a week" or something to that effect.  The "official"
|> line is always how wonderful it is and how rich you can become, but I'm
|> sure we all know this talk doesn't reflect reality (at least for the
|> majority).  So any stories, anecdotes, or comments would be appreciated,
|> however no sales pitches please.  Thanks.
|> 
If you can become rich with Amway, then you could probably do it with many
other businesses.  It requires a lot of work, a good relationship with your
neighbors and extended family, self discipline, and desire. 

Most people who sign up as Amway distributors, don't even distribute.  Just
do the arithmetic.  If each distributor signs up 6 sub-distributors, etc.,
then in just 11 levels, you would have over 300 million distributors.  That's
everyone in the US, including new-borns and convalecent hospital residents.

Many, including me, have a problem with AMWAY because they sell the dream, not the 
products.  If you like the product at those inflated prices, sign up.  It's
a cheaper way to get them (still not competitive).  If you want to get rich
evaluate other options as well.  Just don't focus on the few who did well.
Look at the average income of the business you are getting into.

Be sure to talk to people that have failed, as well as those that have
succeeded.  Find out why.  How many of those 300 million distributors are
getting wealthy?

The problem with working for yourself is that you may find out you don't
make a great boss.
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: staffan@ca.serum.kodak.com (Kenneth Staffan (x37507))
Subject: Re: Question about care of a porcelain sink
Organization: Eastman Kodak
Distribution: usa
Date: Thu, 9 Apr 1992 12:16:45 GMT

In article <1992Apr8.160941.8389@Cadence.COM> ahearn@cds2050.cadence.com (John Ahearn) writes:
>
>	I was hoping someone out there could tell me how to properly
>care for a porcelain sink.  The house I am in has one in the kitchen
>and the bottom is starting to stain.  We have have used abrasive cleaners
>on it (probably should not have) and while they do a good job they aren't
>perfect.  Presumably abrasive cleaners are bad, is this true?

Well, my mom always swore by Bon Ami cleaner, and her sink still looks
good (33 years old).

>  If so, can
>we correct this with some kind of liquid touch up?  Any help would be
>appreciated.  Please email me directly since I don't read this group that
>often.  Thanks in advance.

Please post, as well, if possible.  While my mom's sink still looks good,
mine doesn't!  I'd be interested in any suggestions for rejuvenating it.
Bleach only works until the next time it is used.

Ken
---
staffan@serum.kodak.com
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: gilbert@mdd.comm.mot.com (John Gilbert)
Subject: Re: capturing caller id data
Organization: Motorola, Mobile Data Division - Seattle, WA
Distribution: usa
Date: Mon, 13 Apr 1992 17:30:56 GMT

In article <35147@nntpd.lkg.dec.com> edp@MATH.zko.dec.com (Eric Postpischil) writes:
>In article <1992Apr13.025516.2543@mdd.comm.mot.com>,
>gilbert@mdd.comm.mot.com (John Gilbert) writes:
>
>>There is no such thing as a "security aspect" to CLID.  CLID is not even
>>close to a security feature.  For one thing, it assumes the line ID of
>>the device used to place the call is somehow associated with the person
>>placing the call.  In any area where CLID is implemented, anybody who
>>wants to do bad things will do it from a phone that has nothing to do
>>with them.
>
>You overstate the case -- there IS such a thing as a security aspect to
>calling-line identification.  First, many criminals aren't very
>intelligent and will do something as stupid as using a phone associated
>with them to make calls.

Ain't no guarantees, and this is a weak presumption.  I would not buy
any kind of security system founded on guessed like this.

>          Second, the added trouble of going to an
>anonymous phone will reduce the incidences of problem phone calls. 

Don't believe it.

>Third, calls from such phones will go to my answering machine, thus both
>reducing the chance the caller will say anything harassing and reducing
>the impact of the call should any message be left.

But still not a "security" feature.  What you describe is convenience.

>By the way, you asked for explanation of how calling-line identification
>would be used, and I explained clearly the advantages it would provide
>to me.  You have not responded.

Must not have seen it.  Send it in mail if you want a direct reply.
Else, perhaps someone else responded with essentially my thoughts,
so I didn't directly.  I can tell you, the only replys on that subject
I have seen fall into providing moderate convenience.  Nothing I have
read would provide anything substantial over an answering machine, and
for 20% more per month added to your basic phone charges.

John

-- 
John Gilbert
gilbert@mdd.comm.mot.com
..!uunet!mdisea!gilbert
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: jreiser@scott.skidmore.edu (jason reiser)
Subject: Re: ----- Follow up -----
Organization: Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs NY
Date: Wed, 15 Apr 1992 03:27:47 GMT

Yes, this is very possible.  I too am nearsighted (about -2.5 in both
eyes) and found that when I first got my lenses, I would get headaches
for about a week and had trouble adjusting to near vision.  I had
trouble focusing when reading and would sometimes take my lenses out.
This is especially a problem when changing to a higher power of
magnification (more negative for nearsightedness).  The eyes have to
learn how to focus at close distances with this new and different
obstacle you have placed in front of them.  Try this... grab a book
and start reading.  If at first, you find yourself struggling to
focus, but ARE ABLE to do so, it's just a matter of adjusting to your
new perscription.  If you are not at all able to focus the letters on
the page, there might be some kind of problem
BTW, I've never heard of any lens that is OK to wear for more than a
week w/o enzyme.  I COULD be wrong, but I don't think that a
particular design of lens should make a difference.  In a weeks time,
(more if your eyes tear a lot) your lenses build up a deposit of
protein that makes vision more difficult, can cause irritation, and
for those people who neglect enzyme for extended periods of time, can
lead to some serious eye problems!  Double check with your
opthomologist as to proper cleaning and lens replacement procedures.
Best of luck!

				- Jason Reiser
 
 
  /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
  \                                                            /
  / Jason Reiser  Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 \
  \           E-Mail at jreiser@scott.skidmore.edu            /
  /                    Or Call 518-581-7079                    \
  \                                                            /
   \/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
From: lstowell@pyrnova.pyramid.com (Lon Stowell)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Question about care of a porcelain sink
Date: 8 Apr 92 23:33:42 GMT
Reply-To: lstowell@pyrnova.pyramid.com (Lon Stowell)
Distribution: usa
Organization: Pyramid Technology Corp., Mountain View, CA

In article <1992Apr8.160941.8389@Cadence.COM> ahearn@cds2050.cadence.com (John Ahearn) writes:
>
>	I was hoping someone out there could tell me how to properly
>care for a porcelain sink.  The house I am in has one in the kitchen
>and the bottom is starting to stain.  We have have used abrasive cleaners
>on it (probably should not have) and while they do a good job they aren't
>perfect.  Presumably abrasive cleaners are bad, is this true?  If so, can
>we correct this with some kind of liquid touch up?  Any help would be
>appreciated.  Please email me directly since I don't read this group that
>often.  Thanks in advance.
>
   If you've used an abrasive (just about ALL of them) cleanser
   enough to damage the glaze, about the only REAL technique is to 
   replace the sink....TV adverts to the contrary.

   Bon Ami cleanser used to be specifically designed to contain no
   abrasives that would scratch porcelain...

   Any cleanser with these common ingredients WILL be abrasive:

   Alumina, silica, fuller's earth, diatomaceous earth, (there are
   more....try it on a cheap glass).

   I also use ordinary bleach (and lotsa ventilation) every now and
   then to remove stains without scrubbing.
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: to@mdd.comm.mot.com (Ricky To)
Subject: Re: New Canadian Lotto Scam?
Organization: Motorola - Mobile Data Division; Richmond, BC
Distribution: na
Date: Thu, 9 Apr 1992 23:26:54 GMT

In article <1992Apr7.222806.13398@dg-rtp.dg.com> miller@dg-rtp.dg.com (Mark T. Miller) writes:
>I just received in the mail an offer to depart with $9.95 to
>participate in the Canadian lottery.  Text below, then a couple
>questions about it's scam-i-ness:
>
>	"YOU have been selected for entry in a special Canadian Lotto
>	6/49 group program. You and your group get 84 sets of computer
>	selected Lotto numbers in the official Canadian Lotto 6/49 game
>	for the next 10 drawings.  You and 249 other Americans in your 
>	group will share all the proze money won duriong the 5 weeks of
>	play. (Prizes are drawn twice weekly, on Wednesday and Saturday)
>	The total prize money given away in prizes over 10 drawings should
>	be well over $100 million dollars. All prize money is paid out
>	lump sum, and no taxes are paid in Canada on lottery winnings."
>
>This offer was interesting, in that recently some European grouping of
>people won a huge pot in one of the state's lotteries.
>
>anyways, seems like the first scam is that they take your money and do nothing!
>Next scam thougt is, how can they buy "840 chances to win" for 9.95? 
>How much does it cost to enter the 6/49 Lotto? My guess is $.50 to $1.00
>per entry (though I don't mess with lotteries, I lose my money on Wall St!:()
>So if it costs much more to buy all these chances, and they claim it all
>is distibuted, then it must be a scam - right?
>
I haven't heard about such a mail offer, but I can fill you with some
information about the lottery.  Lotto 6/49 costs $1 per entry.  Each
entry needs six numbers.  The way they get 84 set of numbers is to draw
9 numbers out of the 49 available numbers, then come up with all the
possible combinations of a set of six numbers from the numbers drawn.
It turns out that there are altogether 84 sets of numbers.

Ricky

-- 
Ricky To                          Internet: to@mdd.comm.mot.com 
Motorola Mobile Data Division     Voice: (604) 241-6111
11411 Number Five Road            Fax: (604) 241-6042
Richmond, BC Canada V7A 4Z3
From: jack@myamiga.mixcom.com (Jack Decker)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: MCI Telemarketing (was MCI = Morons)
Date: 10 Apr 92 19:01:00 GMT
Article-I.D.: f8.1992Apr10.1208e5
Organization: Northern Bytes BBS - Sault Ste. Marie, MI U.S.A.

In article <3461@moscom.UUCP> dated 8 Apr 92 19:50:56 GMT, de@moscom.UUCP
(David Esan) wrote:

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

How do you figure THAT?  F&F doesn't cost you anything and you can still
subscribe to an MCI optional plan (PrimeTime or SuperSaver) if you really want
a plan with a fixed monthly fee (and your F&F discount is then applied on top
of the optional calling plan discount!).  If you compare apples with apples, no
possible way does AT&T come out cheaper!

I've checked.  I know.  If you want to dispute this, please quote SPECIFIC
rates using equivalent plans.

Jack Decker                               | No, I don't own an Amiga; I just
Internet address: jack@myamiga.mixcom.com | get Internet mail via a gateway
Fidonet address:  1:154/8                 | system that runs on an Amiga.