HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: bills@sequent.com (Bill Sears)
Subject: Re: Wierd CA Sales Tax Law
Organization: Sequent Computer Systems Inc.
Distribution: usa
Date: Fri, 31 Jul 92 17:36:54 GMT

In article <1992Jul31.161038.6852@cco.caltech.edu> roder@cco.caltech.edu (Brenda J. Roder) writes:
>burke@tss.com (Jim Burke) writes:
>
>>Oh, I forgot to mention another piece of the insanity.  The Togo's manager
>>also told me that he has to note whether a cookie has nuts in it or not
>>because if it has nuts it doesn't get taxed, but if it has no nuts it
>>gets taxed.  This one makes even less sense.
>
>This could have to do with nutritional value.  The nuts give the cookie some
>protein and therefore it is no longer a 'junk' food item.

When I worked in a convenience store/gas station in WA several years ago,
this was the case.  WA has a state sales tax, but not on grocery items.
It was interesting to note that candy bars and chewing gum were taxable,
but the little bags of planters peanuts were not.  I was told that if I
judged the item to have nutritional value, that I was not to charge sales
tax on that item.  In addition, a single can of soda pop was taxable, but
if you bought a six-pack or two liter bottle it was not.  Go figure.

  bills
--------
Bill Sears            Sequent Computer Systems            bills@sequent.com

While a transcendant vocabulary is laudable, one must be eternally careful
to ensure that the calculated objective of the communication does not become
ensconsed in obscurity.  Stated simply, it is invariably preferable to 
eschew obfuscation.                                           - Unknown

Verbosity leads to unclear, inarticulate, ... things.         - VP Dan Quayle

If God had meant for us to vote, He would have given us candidates.  - Anon
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: rion@Ingres.COM (Rion Cassidy (x3357) OGT)
Subject: Re: MSG
Reply-To: rion@Ingres.COM (Rion Cassidy (x3357) OGT)
Organization: Ask Computer Systems Inc., Ingres Division, Alameda CA 94501
Date: 22 Jul 92 18:41:55 GMT

In article <1992Jul22.144117.20399@walter.bellcore.com> jchen@ctt.bellcore.com writes:
>In article <1992Jul22.031156.29799@pony.Ingres.COM>, rion@Ingres.COM (Rion Cassidy (x3357) OGT) writes:
>|> I imagine that most people who frequent this newsgroup have seen or at least
>|> heard about the 60 Minutes story on Monosodium Glutamate.  
>
>There are a lot of misconceptions about MSG. 
>
>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.
>
>The whole thing was blown out of proportion in 60 Minutes.
>
>C. Jason Chen                 

First, I was not spreading any misconceptions about MSG.  Second, why do you
take such a defensive stance towards the stuff? 

Are you implying that anyone who has a reaction to MSG is not "normal"?
While not being allergic to it, I do believe that it gives me headaches.
Becuase no one has died from it there's nothing to worry about?

I think that a very rational view (and the way I percieved the 60 minutes
report) is that this stuff has no real benefit, but can cause real problems
for some people. We have a right to know what products its in so we 
can avoid it if we want to.

Rion
Organization: Comp & Comm - Telecommunications, Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Date: Sat, 25 Jul 1992 20:33:17 -0400 
From: Stephen Chan <sc1u+@andrew.cmu.edu>
Subject: Advice on VCR and CD players

	I'd like to pick up an inexpensive and durable VCR and CD
player.
	Can anyone recommend models and dealers? I don't want or need
expensive features, but solid performance and dependability are
important.

	(is this consumer electronics stuff on a FAQ anywhere?)

Stephen Y. Chan		Programmer Analyst	CMU Telecommunications
stevec+@cmu.edu		(412)268-5115 [me] 	(412)268-4987 [FAX]
From: green@wharton.upenn.edu (SCOTT GREEN)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: universal card payments
Date: 23 Jul 92 04:00:00 GMT
Organization: Wharton ATS

In article <Jul.21.17.33.37.1992.20357@math.rutgers.edu> kuplinsk@math.rutgers.edu (Julio Kuplinsky) writes:


>I mailed a payment to ATT's Universal Card on July 1st, which was posted on the
>13th, so that finance charges were assessed. It is possible (but
>unlikely) that my letter was 12 days in the mail. 

>Has anyone in the net experience the same problem?

Yes!!  Month after month.  They kept claiming that it took that long to 
process the payment.  I showed them that other visa/mc banks managed to 
credit my account within 3-5 days on a regular basis.  Their's was always 
>7 days.  I didn't get any satisfaction until I e-mailed AT&T's chairman, 
Robert Allen (reallen@att.com) and received a nice call back from someone on 
his staff.  They are much more conscientious now about crediting my account.

-scott
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,rec.autos.tech,rec.autos,rec.woodworking
From: (Eric Youngblood)
Subject: Re: Compressors & Air Tools
Reply-To: Peon w/o Email priv (Eric Youngblood)
Organization: Bell-Northern Research, Richardson, Tx
Distribution: usa
Date: Wed, 22 Jul 1992 15:44:22 GMT

In article <1992Jul22.143219.28963@osf.org>, kenny@osf.org (Kenneth Crudup) writes:
|> 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.
              ^^^^^
              General Electric horses actually,

|> 
|> 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.
|> 

I forgot to mention I had its GE motor wired in the 220V configuration, to date
it has been able to keep up without running continuously. My spray gun consumes
9 scfm @ 40 psi however, it is probably not intended for use as a commercial
unit, but it is reasonable for the home shop.


$0.02
Ericy
From: GCTHORNE@idbsu.idbsu.edu
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: $$$ for Middle Class ?
Date: 22 Jul 92 01:28:57 GMT
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From: anon@no.where (Anonymous)
Subject: $$$ for middle class

> Middle class: single return under $110K
>              joint return  under $150K

       Obviously this a congressman sounding out the net.
       About a raise.
From: lstowell@pyrnova.mis.pyramid.com (Lon Stowell)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Can foreigners call US 800 toll-free?
Date: 21 Jul 92 03:25:46 GMT
Reply-To: lstowell@pyrnova.pyramid.com (Lon Stowell)
Organization: Pyramid Technology Corp., Mountain View, CA
Originator: daemon@sword.eng.pyramid.com

In article <ashabana.711651154@uclagsm> ashabana@agsm.ucla.edu (Ahmed Shabana) writes:
>
>An 800 number is nothing but an acceptance by the company of the
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>charges incurred by the caller. In the same manner some 800 numbers
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>are only valid in designated areas/regions, a company can make their
>number accessible from overseas and thus pay for the call. This
>service was advertised by AT&T as a way to reach out for international 
>customers. Most credit cards companies have an 800 number for customer
>service in the U.S. and a regular (XXX) number to be called collect
>from outside the U.S. 
>

   Thanks to Ahmed for pointing out one of the most common
   misconceptions about "toll-free" numbers.  They are only free to
   the CALLING party.  The costs to the person OWNING the number can
   range from pennies/minute to a few dollars/minute from overseas.

   In the case of International 800 service, there are often
   problems, as you need to be able to dial to the providing
   carrier's Point Of Presence--and in some instances you will be
   charged (by the local Telco) for the connection between you and
   that POP.  

   The call from the [international 800] carrier's Point Of Presence
   is free.  

   USUALLY there are business arrangements between the International
   Carrier and local telco's to pass along the "local" charges as
   well, but not always.  

   To return to the initial question....the call is "free" only if
   it is to an International WATS number or you have some other
   arrangement with the provider of that WATS service.
From: bieber@felix.filenet.com (Douglas Bieber)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Middle-class salary range
Date: 22 Jul 92 19:49:59 GMT
Reply-To: bieber@fritz.filenet.com (Douglas Bieber)
Distribution: usa
Organization: FileNet Corp., Costa Mesa, CA

This is an interesting thread.  Just some points for discussion:

  o high-cost of living areas may typically provide more jobs, higher pay,
	more variety in life-styles, greater convenience, etc; in other-words
	a cost vs. benefit relation.
  o although a high-cost of living area may provide much of the above,
	is the ratio of cost-of-living to avg. salary in a high-cost area
	comparable to that of most low-cost areas?  

The example originally provided was from an individual who lives in the Bay
Area.  Admittedly, the cost of housing in that region is very high, whereas
housing costs in, say, Tampa Bay are much cheaper.  An individual making 
$50,000 on the San Francisco peninsula may pay higher-rent, or face an 
expensive housing market vs. the Tampa Bay individual making the same salary.  
Yet, the IRS views these individuals as equals under the tax law.  
Is this fair?  

It can be argued that the person making $50,000 in the Bay Area would not
be able to demand the same salary in Tampa, so the point is moot.  The
person making $50,000 in Tampa is probably more marketable and could demand
a much greater salary moving to the Bay Area.  BUT, (from above) is the
ratio of salary to cost in an average high-cost area comparable to the ratio
of salary to cost in an average low-cost area.  If it is, then the tax
brackets may be considered to be fair ;-) in this instance.  If it isn't, 
then I figure the marketplace will determine who stays and who goes within
the expensive region.  Of course, some people live in a region because they
like it irregardless of the cost problems.

An interesting side-note; I heard on KNX this morning that during this
recession the "moving" business is booming.  A Bekins spokesman stated that
they were having trouble keeping up with the demand of Californians moving
out of the state.  On the other hand, (about 6 mos ago) I heard that the 
population of CA was going to grow by 30% by the late 1990s.  Who knows.
-- 
-----------------
bieber@filenet.com
From: andrew@frip.WV.TEK.COM (Andrew Klossner)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Cellular Phone Service
Date: 25 Jul 92 19:44:12 GMT
Reply-To: andrew@frip.wv.tek.com
Distribution: usa
Organization: Tektronix, Wilsonville, Oregon

[]

	"IMHO, cellular phone service providing is essentially "free".
	These people have licenses to print money."

Check in the capitalization requirements and you'll see how silly this
statement is.  The cost to obtain the money to build enough cells to
start a system is daunting.

  -=- Andrew Klossner  (andrew@frip.wv.tek.com)
                       (uunet!tektronix!frip.WV.TEK!andrew)
From: tima@yukon.uucp (Tim Addington)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Reebok forcing non-discounting of Rockport shoes.
Date: 22 Jul 92 10:11:13 GMT
Organization: Yukon Technology

rubin@watson.ibm.com (Bill Rubin) writes:

>In <1hcm+2#.analyst@netcom.com> analyst@netcom.com (David Sternlight) writes:
>> Timberland shoes are available in many cities. They are more
>> attractive that Rockport, and wear like iron. I had a pair of
>> Timberland boat shoes that I wore almost daily and they lasted about 5
>> years. They have leather uppers and Vibram or other composition
>> bottoms.

>That is a matter of opinion.  I had a pair of Timberland's that I really
>loved and wore for a long time.  But all I can find now is boat shoes or
>boots and the shoes all have leather lacing thru the sides of them which is
>not my style (such as it is).  Rockport, on the other hand, makes nice shoes
>that can be used for casual or dress (even wingtips with Vibram soles!) and
>are comfortable.  They also weigh about half what Timberlands do.

>-- Bill rubin@watson.ibm.com

I just went through the saga of getting a new pair of shoes last week.  All of
the Rockports now have some kind of sole which is very cheap and look like they
might last six months.  No longer does Rockport have the rugged Vibram tire
treads.  I pretty much wrote Rockport off as a "used to be good but just
another Yuppie shoe".  I looked at Timberland, a rugged shoe but no style that
I liked.  I finally settled on Clarkes, an English shoe which is very rugged
(and very expensive, about the same price as Rockports).

-- 
Tim Addington                       |         (404) 640-1385
Yukon Technology Roswell, GA        |   {UUNET}!emory!wa4mei!kluane!tima
              ----- I Most carefully said nothing -----
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: bkwg0457@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Brent Whitlock)
Subject: Uncut dollar bills from US Treasury (requested info)
Summary: How to get uncut dollar bills from US Treasury
Reply-To: bwhitlock@uiuc.edu
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
Date: Fri, 24 Jul 1992 20:16:08 GMT
Keywords: uncut dollar bills from US Treasury

In response to a recent request for the number to call to get 
uncut dollar bills from the US Treasury, I am re-posting this
information.  I tried to send it to the requestor via email, but
it bounced.

-- 8< -- 8< -- 8< -- included message follows -- 8< -- 8< -- 8< --

>From: chazl@county.lmt.mn.org
>Newsgroups: misc.consumers
>Subject: Re: How to get a "uncut" dollar bills -- a whole sheet
>Message-ID: <1992Jul10.181423.12216@lmt.mn.org>
>Date: 10 Jul 92 18:14:23 GMT
>Article-I.D.: lmt.1992Jul10.181423.12216
>References: <1992Jul7.061956.8705@leland.Stanford.EDU> <4670@sumax.seattleu.edu>
>Sender: usenet@lmt.mn.org
>Distribution: usa
>Organization: LaserMaster Corp.
>Lines: 41
>Nntp-Posting-Host: ne1087.lmt.com

In article <4670@sumax.seattleu.edu> smorris@sumax.seattleu.edu (Steven A.
Morris) writes:
>In article <1992Jul7.061956.8705@leland.Stanford.EDU>
rsingh@goliath.Stanford.EDU (   raj) writes:
>>Is it possible to "buy" a whole sheet of uncut dollar bills?  How to
>>go about it?  Does anyone know what would be the premium, i.e., say,
>>for a sheet of 50 one dollar bills, if I have to pay 50+x, how much is
>
>I have both, an uncut US$1 and US$2 that I bought from the US
>government at a Seattle coin show a few years ago.

I just called:

US Mint - 202-622-2000

and was referred to:

[didn't get department name] 202-874-3316
which is apparently US Treasury Mail Order Sales.

They currently offer ones in sheets of 32, 16, and 4 bills.

The sheet of four bills comes only in an informational folder.  Price is $10.25
including shipping. 

The sheets of 16 and 32 bills come either rolled in a mailing tube or flat in a
cardboard mailing frame [not a "hang-on-the-wall" frame].  Pricing follows [all
include shipping].

           Rolled    Flat
16 bills   $26.00    $27.50
32 bills   $45.00    $46.00

They do not currently have $2 bills available, but they say they will soon.  I
will be getting info in the mail about this program as soon as its available. 
I would suggest that anyone else interested in these sheets call that number
and request information.  They are quite helpful indeed.
 
chaz

-- 8< -- 8< -- 8< -- end of included message -- 8< -- 8< -- 8< --


-- 
    * * * * * * --> DISCLAIMER:  I speak only for myself. <-- * * * * * *
Brent Whitlock		Beckman Institute for Advanced Science & Technology
bwhitlock@uiuc.edu	Dept. of Electrical & Computer Engineering
			University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: billn@hpcvaac.cv.hp.com (bill nelson)
Subject: Re: advice needed for dealing with dentist/insurance
Organization: Hewlett-Packard Company, Corvallis, Oregon USA
Date: Wed, 29 Jul 1992 06:47:11 GMT

doughty@tramp.Colorado.EDU (Susan K Doughty-Moore) writes:
: 
: Is there anything I can do?  Is this insurance fraud?

No, it is not insurance fraud. However, it does sound like a lack
of care for the welfare of the patient. 

If you think the care is ok otherwise, here is what I suggest.
Tell them to get the paperwork in to the insurance company, before
your appointment. If they rag you for more money, tell them you  
will be happy to pay, after they submit the insurance forms.

I would suggest that you go to another dentist for future work.
I would also inform the dentist, by letter, why you are changing.
He may be unaware of the actions of the receptionist.

Bill
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,misc.consumers.house
Subject: Re: Sticky paste in plumbing
From: gary@cdthq.UUCP (Gary Heston)
Date: Mon, 27 Jul 92 20:50:58 CDT
Organization: Garys' Home for Obsolete Computers

joseph@emmax5crd.ge.com (joseph) writes:

> Yesterday when I was walking around in the basement of my house,
> I noticed something which has gotten me worried.  I have copper
> plumbing, and the welding material (lead ?) used to join sections
> of pipe together seem to be melting.  This happens only on
> pipes carrying hot water.  The welding material has turned into
> sort of a sticky paste.

More likely, the soldering flux is what you're noticing as a sticky
paste. It takes 300F or better temperatures to melt solder, so unless
you're getting pressurized live steam out of your faucets, you're 
nowhere near melting it. (Incidentally, they aren't welded--welding
copper is lots more difficult, and couldn't be done cost-effectively
enough for plumbing. Doesn't seal as well, either.)

> Anybody know why this is happening, and what the remedy is ?
> Any advice and/or opinions before I get ripped off by a plumber
> will be appreciated.

If it really bothers you, you can clean the flux off the joints with
a solvent (denatured alcohol should work) so it doesn't get sticky.
Otherwise, don't worry about it.

Gary Heston, at home....
gary@cdthq.uucp
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: tmkk@uiuc.edu (Khan)
Subject: Re: Air Conditioning
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
Date: Tue, 21 Jul 1992 17:59:04 GMT


In article <1992Jul20.222849.21220@organpipe.uug.arizona.edu> ferng@happy.rc.arizona.edu (Jimmy M. Ferng) writes:
>Does any one have any experience with charging freon to
>your car and/or home air conditioner? What's the
>difference between these two (execpt that the types of
>freon are different)?

My understanding (as related to me by someone who repairs AC units for a
living) is that home AC units should NEVER need recharging. If your AC
just doesn't appear to be doing the job, make sure that all the dust and
dirt is vacuumed out of it. If it's still not doing the job, you need a
bigger air conditioner. If for some reason your home AC has developed a
genuine leak, then it's definitely a job for the pros to take care of
it.

As for car AC, yes these need to be recharged. For some reason, they
tend to leak like crazy. You can do it yourself if you are careful. Be
sure to get a good do-it-yourself manual for your car before attempting
this - if you attach the hose to the wrong side, you could be in for a
nasty surprise.

Xref: sparky misc.consumers:14270 alt.folklore.urban:19377
From: wicklund@intellistor.com (Tom Wicklund)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,alt.folklore.urban
Subject: Re: Banks + Short Term Car Loans = Scam?
Date: 21 Jul 92 21:30:17 GMT
Organization: Intellistor, Inc.

In <BrJK31.J0A@news.cso.uiuc.edu> tmkk@uiuc.edu (Khan) writes:

>In article <1992Jul16.200454.22171@auto-trol.com> mattel@auto-trol.com (Matt Telles) writes:
>>
>>[ Aside for those interested:  My prediction for the first scandal of 1993 will
>>be the default of hundreds of banks across the country.  Keep a close eye on
>>your money and check your bank's assets regularly ]

>How does one check the assets of one's bank? What if it's not a bank,
>but a Saving & Loan or Credit Union?

And more to the point, how does one know what the assets really are?
Bank assets include the security for loans.  These are valued
according to accounting rules and may not match reality.  Real estate
values are fairly volatile as markets move up and down, I doubt a bank
revises the value of their real estate loans that frequently.  They
also have some leeway in specifying things like bad loan reserves
which make simple asset figures a bit misleading.
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,misc.taxes
From: roder@cco.caltech.edu (Brenda J. Roder)
Subject: Re: Wierd CA Sales Tax Law
Organization: California Institute of Technology, Pasadena
Date: Fri, 31 Jul 1992 16:10:38 GMT

burke@tss.com (Jim Burke) writes:


>Oh, I forgot to mention another piece of the insanity.  The Togo's manager
>also told me that he has to note whether a cookie has nuts in it or not
>because if it has nuts it doesn't get taxed, but if it has no nuts it
>gets taxed.  This one makes even less sense.

This could have to do with nutritional value.  The nuts give the cookie some
protein and therefore it is no longer a 'junk' food item.


-- 
-- Brenda (roder@cobalt.caltech.edu)
Thought before action, if there's time.
    _The Edge_  Dick Francis
From: dmr@medicated.Corp.Sun.COM (Daniel Rosenberg)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Disconcerting goop from aluminum baking pan
Date: 28 Jul 1992 20:08:21 GMT
Organization: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Distribution: world
Reply-To: dmr@medicated.Corp.Sun.COM
NNTP-Posting-Host: medicated.corp.sun.com

I have a new aluminum (sure looks aluminum anyhow) baking pan -- like
a thick cookie sheet with 1" deep sides -- that seems to cook cookies
well enough, but...

when I wash the thing, typically with a green plastic scrub sponge,
a grey, non-water soluble goop appears that's awful hard to get off.
Even with new sponges. The goop actually seems to be coming from the
surface of the pan.

	o	Has anyone seen this before?
	o	Am I going to die if I eat the cookies I make?

Thanks for any hints --

---
# Daniel M. Rosenberg  dmr@medicated.Corp.Sun.COM   +1 415 336 6790
# Taos Mountain Software / Sun Microsystems / KZSU Radio

Newsgroups: misc.consumers,misc.taxes