HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: jarnold@tixel.mv.com (Jon Arnold)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Need list of *secured* VISA/Mastercard Issuers?
Distribution: world
Date: Fri, 08 Jan 93 14:48:00 GMT
Organization: 
Reply-To: jarnold@tixel.mv.com

I posted this a couple days ago, but my system was set to 1992 instead
of 1993, so it doesn't appear that it ever really got posted....

Does anyone have a list or references about banks (or other similar
institutions) that will issue a *secured* VISA or MasterCard?  I checked
with my local bank (where I've been doing business with no problems
for almost 7 years), and although they do offer that, they have a
ceiling of $1500 credit limit, regardless of how much you are willing
to deposit to secure the account.  (ie, it would seem logical to me
that if I was willing/able to deposit $4000 into the secured account,
then my credit limit would be $4000, but apparently this logic escapes
my local bank).  I'm preparing to do some consulting work (hopefully),
and after airfare, hotel, etc for an extended number of weeks, that
$1500 can be eaten up real quick.

Jon Arnold                        Phone: W: 603-883-1233
Nashua, New Hampshire             Fax:   W: 603-883-7350
                                         H: 603-883-6371

      "If you ain't the lead dog, the view never changes."

Newsgroups: Misc.consumers.house,misc.consumers
From: krubin@Xenon.Stanford.EDU (Kenneth S. Rubin)
Subject: Refrigerators
Organization: CS Department, Stanford University, California, USA
Distribution: usa
Date: Tue, 5 Jan 1993 21:06:28 GMT


I am looking to purchase my first refrigerator and would appreciate some input.
I have researched Consumer Guide and found that they tested models that are 
different than the one in which I am interested. 

In particular, I am interested in a 24-25 cu ft side by side. The catch is that
I do not want the ice and water dispenser through the door. I rarely use ice,
and I drink bottled water, so for me this dispenser is just wasted space 
in the freezer. As far as I can tell there is a limited number of models
available.  The two that I am currently considering are:
Amana SZ25M2 and Maytag RSD2400A

The problem is that I keep getting conflicting information from sales people.  
The Amana seems to be available in just about every store that I visit. It
has the proper features, color and an acceptable price.  However, I have been
told by the representatives of several stores that do not sell Amana that
the Amana product is poorly constructed (this is the reason they give for not
carrying the product to begin with). These stores try to sell me the Maytag.
Then the story reverses and the other dealers tell me that the Maytag
is a piece of junk that Maytag doesn't even manufacture, but simply puts 
their name on.

All of this is enough to drive someone crazy!  I figure I could put this
all to rest if I could get some unbiased, personal observations from people
who have experience with these refrigerators.  I would be very interested 
in hearing from people who own either Maytag or Amana refrigerators.  
I am interested in how well you think these machine function and how loud 
it is when it is cooling.

Thanks in advance,
--Kenny Rubin
krubin@parcplace.com
From: tquinn@heartland.bradley.edu (Terry Quinn)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Subject: Electronic Banking
Date: 9 Jan 1993 09:25:51 -0600
Organization: UTexas Mail-to-News Gateway
Reply-To: tquinn@heartland.bradley.edu
NNTP-Posting-Host: cs.utexas.edu



> I have for some time been frustrated with my local
> bank. The hours are typical "bankers hours" (not 
> necessarily convenient to my work schedule or life style)
> and more often than not the Teller lines are very long.
> 
> I have been shopping for a bank that would allow
> me to conduct my funds tranfer, bill payment, etc. via modem,
> relying on ATMs for cash. We have several banks in Western NY
> that allow "bank by phone" but it is simply a phone-in version
> of going to a branch and facing the teller.
> 
> Are there any banks offering this kind of electronic service????
 
Our credit union (CEFCU) in central Illinois has what is called 
Touch-Tone Teller.  It allows you to make transfers, payments, 
and inquiries between accounts (including credit card account) by 
use of a touch tone phone.  You might ask the banks there if they 
would consider that service.  
 
Between this service, ATMs, and using the mail for physical 
checks, we haven't been into one of the actual credit union branch 
stores in about 5 years.

--
                                    Terry Quinn
                                     Germantown Hills, IL
                                      tquinn@heartland.bradley.edu
from Compuserve . . .                  >INTERNET: tquinn@heartland.bradley.edu
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: johne@PROBLEM_WITH_INEWS_GATEWAY_FILE (John Eaton)
Subject: Re: Help in Getting Refund on Car Insurance Premiums
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 1993 21:58:35 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: Hewlett-Packard VCD
X-Newsreader: Tin 1.1 PL5

Sanjay Hemkant Kaluskar (shk@cs.utexas.edu) wrote:
: 
:         My friend bought his car insurance On Sept.1991  from Guaranty 
: County Mutual (A policy for one year).  He turned 25 in June 1992.  So
: his premium dropped.  But by that time he had already paid all his premiums
: (Premiums were payable in monthly instalments, and entire payments were to be
: made by June).  He talked to his agent about it, and the agent told him that
: he will get a refund check after June (when he turns 25).
:---------------------------------
The best way to do this is to visit the agent on your birthday and make some
change to your policy,(up the deductable). They will recompute the rate right
then and you will be sure of getting a refund. 

John Eaton
!hp-vcd!johne

 
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: vjd11@cbnewsj.cb.att.com (virgil.j.duncan)
Subject: Re: Price Club Info Sought
Organization: AT&T
Distribution: usa
Date: Wed, 6 Jan 1993 20:18:19 GMT
Summary: my PClub experience

In article <1idcoaINNt61@usenet.INS.CWRU.Edu>, wb8foz@skybridge.SCL.CWRU.Edu (David Lesher) writes:
> Others said:
> # I'd like to add one:  Everyone I know (with _no_ exceptions yet!)
> # who goes to Price Club tends to buy many more things and spend
> # much more money than they intended because they Couldn't Resist the
> # Bargains(tm).  
> 
I have been a PC member for the last 3 years.
I bought from them a TV, a VCR, and twice tires.
The food is not a bargain; it is more or less comparable with ShopRite
(price per unit very similar, however you have to buy on sale at ShopRite
and in quantity from PC)

Beverages (both alcoholic and non) are 5-10% cheaper at PC.
(you have to buy 24 pack or large bottles to get the break)
PC staff looked to me very courteous at all times.
Once I was charged $12.xx instead of $7.xx for a bottle of wine
(the computer rang it wrong),
they gave me the cash back after 20 min of investigating - they found
out that the sign was wrong.)

They opened 3 locations in New-Jersey. You can pay with the Discover card
and get $30 cash without any cash advance fee.

In summary, PC is worthwhile to visit only when you need new tires - 
they are 20% lower than the sale prices in other places.
If the warehouse is 5 miles or less, one may try it for the weekly
supermarket shopping.
Otherwise, everything they have is sale price somewhere else here in NJ.

Newsgroups: misc.consumers,misc.fitness
From: cyclist@hubcap.clemson.edu (Barry Johnson)
Subject: Body by Jake Machine...
Organization: Clemson University
Date: Mon, 4 Jan 1993 14:44:38 GMT

Have any of you purchased, or heard anything about, the machine that Jake
(of Body by Jake) is selling in his infomercial?  I heard it was made by
DP and was very inexpensive for the exercises you could do with it.
Any comments?  Please email as I don't get to this group often.
Thanks...

Barry...
-- 
Personal Theory:  Socks are the larval form of wire coat-hangers.
   
Barry Johnson, Clemson University, CTS.   cyclist@hubcap.clemson.edu   
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,misc.consumers.house,misc.kids
From: marulli@kodak.kodak.com (Dave x71244/RDCS/2-205-KO)
Subject: Rechargable Battery Source Needed (and a Query)
Organization: Eastman Kodak Co.
Distribution: na
Date: Mon, 4 Jan 93 15:06:14 GMT

I am looking for a 'cheap' source for NiCad batteries.  Does anyone know
of perhaps a mail order place or a chain store that has them cheaper than 
Radio Shack. ($9.75/9V, $5.75/2 pack of D-cells, etc)

With all the kid's toys, I was as given a battery charger for Christmas. Now
I'm looking at a second mortgage in order to stock up on all the batteries
I will need, especially if I want spares!

Also, does anyone have hints about uses of NiCads? For example, one toy
will not run on known good rechargables. The truck won't even start. Radio
Shack tells me that it's because the NiCads are .25V lower than standard
batteries and the truck must need the full voltage (4x1.5V) I have a problem
with this because the truck simply slows down with weak standard batteries
but still starts up. In addition, my Mom's point and shoot 35MM camera has
a 'No NiCad' symbol in the battery compartment.  Could there be a connection?	

What about mixing NiCads and standard? Rumor has it that I will weaken
both types of batteries very rapidly. True?

Anything anyone knows would be a help.  Thanks!
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: sek@blitzen.cc.bellcore.com (Spencer Kantor)
Subject: Need Recommendations for Riding Mowers
Reply-To: sek@blitzen.cc.bellcore.com (Spencer Kantor)
Organization: Bell Communications Research, Red Bank, N.J.
Date: Tue, 5 Jan 93 22:54:20 GMT

Having decided that time on the golf course is much more valuably spent
than time pushing a lawn mower I'm considering purchasing a riding mower.
Having never owned (or even used) one before I'm seeking whatever
information people can offer regarding manufacturers, features, etc.

I have about 7/8 of an acre to mow, all flat and fairly accessible (there's
a fence to contend with in the backyard).  A mulching mower is a necessity
for both environmental and governmental reasons; it's expected our county will
soon be banning the pick-up of grass clippings.  We're not lawn
perfectionists so I don't need a lot of bells and whistles, just a well
constructed, reliable mower.

My neighbor bought (last summer) a Sears 12.5 HP, 6 speed mower with a
mulching deck which he says worked flawlessly.  My push mower is a Sears
craftsman that has worked flawlessly for 9 years except for general 
maintenance (changing oil, air filter, plug, blade sharpening, etc).
Does anyone have experience with Sears riding mowers, or any other brand
for that matter.

PLEASE NO SEARS WARS...YES THEY HAVE THEIR PROBLEMS BUT I'M ONLY INTERESTED
IN THEIR MOWERS.

Any suggestions on other manufacturers, features, etc. would be appreciated.


-- 
Spencer Kantor
Bell Communications Research

sek@cc.bellcore.com
Organization: Arizona State University
Date: Friday, 8 Jan 1993 16:05:00 MST
From: <IDRAB@ASUACAD.BITNET>
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Locating Rare Used Books
Distribution: na
 <1993Jan4.134814.27056@cbfsb.cb.att.com> <93004.154638LAURA@UCF1VM.BITNET>



In article <93004.154638LAURA@UCF1VM.BITNET>, Laura Kittleson
<LAURA@UCF1VM.BITNET> says:
>
>Re: using book search companies...additional options for book search
>
>I haven't had to such a company because stores in my area
>that sell used books will perform the searches for me, at no
>extra cost.  I have met "antique" dealers who come to local
>antique shows who deal in older books as well as older furniture,
>and they perform this service too, again at no extra cost.

I used the following company to find a book for me several years ago.  Whether
or not the address is still current, I haven't a clue.  If it is, they located
my book in a reasonable short time, and it wasn't outrageously priced.

     International Bookfinders
     Box 1
     Pacific Palisades, CA  90272

I never had a telephone number for them; I wrote to them regarding the book
I wanted; they confirmed receipt of my letter and sent me a postcard or
similar notification when they found the book.  I sent them a check, received
the book, and that was that.  Hope this helps.
---
Doctor Ruth                            "If you're too busy to laugh,
                                        you're too busy............"
(standard disclaimer)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: stevem@newsbase.cs.yale.edu (Steve Morytko)
Subject: Bread Maker question
Organization: University of Connecticut Computing Center
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 1993 21:36:39 GMT

Can bread makers do dark breads like Russian rye, pumpernickel, regular rye,
and others? How about banana bread, raisin bread and the like? Problems?

Also - what's the approximate price range on them?
-----------------------------------------------------------------
INTERNET: steve@uconnvm.uconn.edu / BITNET: steve@uconnvm
Voice: 203-486-1405 ; Fax: 203-486-5744
UConn Computer Ctr., 196 Auditorium Rd., Storrs, CT 06269-3138
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: srfergu@rufus.erenj.com (Scott Ferguson)
Subject: Re: Just a Question
Organization: Exxon Research & Engineering Co.
Date: Tue, 5 Jan 1993 21:21:24 GMT

In article <1993Jan5.174930.1348@merlin.dev.cdx.mot.com>, haluk@merlin.dev.cdx.mot.com (Haluk Gumrukcu) writes:
|> 
|> on that question. Result is 30 cent/pack tax increase. I don't see any 
|> justification to the fact that they ask voters to set the price. I think there aren't any other consumable's price set that way.

Gasoline, alcohol.......

With alcohol and cigarettes, it's done to encourage drinkers and smokers to
either quit or use less, as well as to raise money by the "Not in my back yard"
method (ie, Non-smokers are very happy to vote for it, especially me since I
hate cigarette smoke :-)

With gasoline, I think the theory is that everyone uses it, so it's a fair
way to raise revenue. Since gansters and drug dealers don't pay income tax,
they raise some revenue out of the bastards by consumption taxes like sales
tax, use tax on natural gas, electricity, phone, etc.

I suggest we go to all consumption tax, and no income tax. Then we encourage
conservation of everything, and sleazebags can't slime out of paying their
taxes. Any other theories?

-- 
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Scott Ferguson                        Exxon Research & Engineering Co.
Project Engineer                      New Jersey
----------------------------------------------------------------------
"Always bark at a dog."
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: haluk@merlin.dev.cdx.mot.com (Haluk Gumrukcu)
Subject: Re: Just a Question
Originator: haluk@turlough.dev.cdx.mot.com
Organization: Motorola Codex, Canton, MA
Date: Tue, 5 Jan 1993 17:49:30 GMT


In article <1993Jan4.231338.22061@ads.com>, henry@ADS.COM (Henry Mensch) writes:
|> haluk@merlin.dev.cdx.mot.com (Haluk Gumrukcu) wrote: 
|> ->How fair/legal for non-smokers (along with smokers) to decide on cigarette
|> ->prices?
|> 
|> depends.  do the non-smokers own the cigarettes ... or the facility
|> which makes them?  
|> 
|> --
|> # henry mensch / booz, allen & hamilton, inc.  / <henry@ads.com>
|> # "fight the real enemy."  -- sinead o'connor, and many others.

No. I'm talking about the latest MA tax increase on cigarettes. Voters decided
on that question. Result is 30 cent/pack tax increase. I don't see any 
justification to the fact that they ask voters to set the price. I think there aren't any other consumable's price set that way.
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: colette@bnr.ca (Colette George)
Subject: Re: Eating before paying - (Was: Can a landlord refuse cash?)
Organization: Bell-Northern Research 
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 1993 14:45:04 GMT

In article <1993Jan9.112353.7411@doug.cae.wisc.edu>, kolstad@cae.wisc.edu (Joel Kolstad) writes:
|> In article <1993Jan8.235403.9630@tellab5.tellabs.com> chrz@tellabs.com (Peter Chrzanowski) writes:
|> 
|> >There's no debt because they're not
|> >your Chee-tos yet.  (BTW if you ate them before paying you
|> >have committed retail theft, for which you may be prosecuted).
|> 
|> Actually, I've heard that it's perfectly legal to go into a store and do
|> something like this.  I go into PDQ's all the time and fill up a cup of pop
|> and start drinking it long before I pay for it...  It becomes a crime the
|> minute you walk out the door without having paid.  (Of course, the store
|> has a right to demand payment _immediately_ and kick you out as soon as
|> you've done so... no doubt they would, if you went to a store and started
|> eating bag after bag of Chee-tos! :-) )

I've seen this happen quite a few times at grocery stores -  a person will 
grab a bag of Chee-tos or chips off the shelf and eat it while shopping.
When they get to the cash, they show the empty (or partially eaten) bag to the 
cashier and she rings it up.  No problem.  I suspect you're not *really* 
supposed to do this, but as long as you pay for it before leaving, the store 
likely wouldn't object too strongly.

-- 
===================================================================
Colette George 			
Bell-Northern Research Ltd. 	Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Internet:  colette@bnr.ca 
===================================================================
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: rbaist@cbnewsi.cb.att.com (robert.t.baist)
Subject: Re: Need Recommendations for Riding Mowers
Organization: AT&T
Date: Wed, 6 Jan 1993 13:15:38 GMT

>My neighbor bought (last summer) a Sears 12.5 HP, 6 speed mower with a
>mulching deck which he says worked flawlessly.
>
>Any suggestions on other manufacturers, features, etc. would be appreciated.
>
>Spencer Kantor

I also bought that tractor as did a friend of mine. Actually, he bought a new
one and I bought a reconditioned one (one that somebody bought and returned).
I bought it near the end of the summer and my store had many of them. Some 
looked "used" and some looked "new". 

It works very well and is easy to operate and maintain. My only discovery is 
this. If your lawn is uneven, you won't get a smooth cut. The deck is 42" 
wide and when one side of wheels goes over a lump, that side of the deck raises
and cuts the grass very tall. The next pass may be level, cutting the grass 
shorter. The line where the 2 passes meet will be noticable because of the 
taller grass from the first pass.

Sears sells a whole line of attachments for it. snow blowers, snow plows, 
tillers, spreaders, aerators, carts, rollers, sprayers....

Bob B.      Just my $.02  
Xref: sparky misc.consumers:21578 misc.consumers.house:16339
From: meltsner@crd.ge.com (Kenneth J. Meltsner)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,misc.consumers.house
Subject: Re: Washer,Dryer,Fridge & Stove All At Once!
Date: 6 Jan 93 14:02:44 GMT
Reply-To: meltsner@crd.ge.com
Organization: GE Research and Development Center



As to noise of washers, CR rated the top-end Kitchen-Aid as the
quietest washer.  It really is; even without any doors and with the
laundry area adjacent to our family room, the noise is easily
tolerable -- hardly noticeable over most programs.  Their dishwasher
is very quiet as well.

We also purchased a Hotpoint* side-by-side fridge and a GE electric
dryer.  We're happy with both, but please note my organization.  For
what it's worth, they seemed to be quite competitive.  I don't know
whether any manufacturers make sound-proof dryers, but the clank of
the metal bits on my kid's overalls is pretty annoying.

Ken

* Hotpoint is made by GE, but appears to have a somewhat simpler "trim
level."  From all I've heard, it should be equivalent in service to GE
nameplate equipment.

===============================================================================
Ken Meltsner                        | meltsner@crd.ge.com (518) 387-6391
GE Research and Development Center  | Fax:  (518) 387-6474
P.O. Box 8, Room KWD270		    | Nothing I say should be attributed
Schenectady, NY 12301               | to my employer, and probably vice-versa
"It's probable, just not very likely." -- Fire Maidens From Outer Space.
Xref: sparky misc.consumers:21559 misc.consumers.house:16329 misc.kids:31632
From: neilw@informix.com (Neil Williams)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,misc.consumers.house,misc.kids
Subject: Re: Rechargable Battery Source Needed (and a Query)
Date: 6 Jan 93 00:48:31 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: Informix Software, Inc.

In article <1icog5INNefq@travis.csd.harris.com> wcurtiss@travis.csd.harris.com (William Curtiss) writes:
>In article <1993Jan4.150614.6635@kodak.kodak.com> marulli@kodak.kodak.com (Dave x71244/RDCS/2-205-KO) writes:
>>
>>Also, does anyone have hints about uses of NiCads?
>
>NiCads are great for photoflashes, but make sure you have a second pair.
>It seems that NiCads dump their energy quicker than alkalines.  This results
>in quicker "cycle" times for the flash.  (A very compelling reason to use
>NiCads in flashes, versus other types of batteries.)  The downside is that
>NiCads do not taper off when they get weak, like other types of batteries --
>they just pretty much flat-out quit. You don't get the warning you do with
>other types, i.e. longer and longer cycle times.  For this reason, if you
>depend on your flash, keep a second pair handy and charged.

If possible, you should also check out the milli-amp hour rating
of the NiCads.  Typical cheapo AA's currently have about 500 MAh,
while better ones can go to 750+, meaning they will last 50%
longer.

Metal hydride (sp?) rechargeables seem to have a lot of promise
but are still pretty new technology.  If MAh is critical for
you, check them out.

NiCads work fine for me in my flash.

--Neil

-- 
Neil Williams: neilw@informix.com

Seen on my last trip on United: "If you are seated in an exit row 
and can not (sic) read this card... please notify a crew member."
From: cab@col.hp.com (Chris Best)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Remote Control Extender(tm)
Date: 6 Jan 1993 17:28:12 GMT
Organization: your service
NNTP-Posting-Host: hpctdke.col.hp.com

> Damark is advertising a "REMEX Klone/BC, Remote Control Extender"
> 
> Do these work?

----------

A friend just got one from Damark, and in his words,
"It works like a champ."  I don't know how big his
home is, though.

I was all set to order one myself (as soon as I got the
catalog back from the friend), but they say that they're
in back-order now, available again around Jan. 26th.
I took this as one last chance to get a home-brew
circuit working, after being unable for quite some time.
It works now, so I won't order one from Damark - I'll
just build a bunch of them for under $10 each.

I used a circuit that was posted in sci.electronics -
I'm not sure of the ethics of posting it again without 
the guy's permission, but I could at least get his name
and address if anyone's interested.
Newsgroups: misc.consumers