HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: jailbird@next02wor.wam.umd.edu (serial killer)
Subject: Re: Bally's Health Club SUCKS Read this...
Organization: Workstations at Maryland, University of Maryland, College Park
Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1992 19:48:20 GMT

In article <1992Nov13.180202.20173@hubcap.clemson.edu>  
hubcap@hubcap.clemson.edu (System Janitor) writes:
> >>You evidently have learned how to victimize yourself.
> >I have to agree with Ray.  You did yourself in on this one.
> 
> The original poster may not have a legal let to stand on, but it still 
> seems to me as if he was slimed over by a slick scumbag. He told the  
Bally's
> guy his situation, and the Bally's guy looked him in the eye and lied,  
while
> thinking to himself ``Now if this sucker just believes me and doesn't  
read
> the reference pointed to by the addendum to the fine print...''.
> 
> It almost seems as if we have two choices these days:
> 
>   * watch your back all the time, never trust anyone, and hopefully
>     never get screwed over.
> 
>   * try to give the benefit of the doubt, try to treat and see others as
>     you'd want to be treated and seen, and eventually end up fleeced.
> 
> Which one of the above situations is the win?
> 
> -Mike


The first time I went to Bally's they tried to screw me out of big bucks  
and you couldee that all they wanted to do is sign on the dotted line
So what I did was to look around the place then look in the local paper  
and got the same membership for 200.00 lifetime with 29 annual renewal.   
The same membership they were trying to sucker me in cost something like  
800.00.  When I told them I got it privetly they said I was not going to  
get the option of using my unused dollars to upgrade it at a later time.  
I told them that for 600.00 less it was worth it.


jailbird.                         There are lies, damn lie, and statistics
						
						Mark Twain
From: ramsey@oahu.cs.ucla.edu (Brenda Ramsey)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Is there a "preferred" breadmaker?
Date: 16 Nov 92 15:56:48 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: UCLA, Computer Science Department

My neighbor is planning on purchasing breakmakers for each of
her 2 children for Xmas gifts.  Are there models to "avoid" ?
We did see a "Welbuilt" for $148.
-- 
Brenda Ramsey  (213) 825-3643
UCLA Computer Science Department
ramsey@CS.UCLA.EDU
..!(uunet,ucbvax,rutgers)!cs.ucla.edu!ramsey
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: smjeff@lerc05.lerc.nasa.gov (Jeff Miller)
Subject: high/low thermometers
Originator: smjeff@lerc05.lerc.nasa.gov
Organization: NASA Lewis Research Center, Cleveland Ohio
Distribution: usa
Date: Mon, 16 Nov 1992 17:51:25 GMT


A few weeks ago someone was looking for a thermometer that remembered
the high and low temperatures each day.  I found a catalog that has
several different models.

It is called "Northern Weekender" and the phone number is
1-800-438-5480.  I have never ordered from them and don't know anything
about their reputation.

-- 
Jeffrey H. Miller     smjeff@lerc05.lerc.nasa.gov
Sverdrup Technology, NASA Lewis Research Center Group, Cleveland, Ohio

favorite book title: Attack of the Deranged Mutant Killer Monster Snow Goons

Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: giand@opencon.com (Deepak S. Gianchandani)
Subject: Re: Nintendo Game vs. 386sx Computer
Followup-To: misc.consumers
Keywords: Nintendo, Games, Computer
Organization: OpenCon Systems, Inc.
Distribution: usa
Date: Thu, 19 Nov 1992 17:52:55 GMT

In article <sherman.722080626@foster> sherman@unx.sas.com (Chris Sherman) writes:
>In misc.consumers you write:
>
>
>> Well I have a problem I would like to get some opinions on.  I have 2
>> children, a 3 year old & an 8 year old.  Earlier this year while at my
>> mother-in-laws house, the kids found an old Atari system that she had. 
>> We brought it home and the kids have really enjoyed it.  My wife and I
>> were thinking about buying them a new video game. 
>
>> Now here is the problem.  I already have a 386sx computer in my home, and
>> I have a hard time justifying going out buying a Super Netendo
>> 16-bit($140.00) to play games on when I can do most of the same thing on
>> my computer.  So I guess what I am looking for is some of your opinions
>> on the pros and cons of the two.  Here are a few that I thought of:
>
	One more point, the PC is much more expensive to maintain and
replace, cost wise, the Nintendo is only $140. The more you
use the computer eventually something will wear out -- the
harddrive, monitor, etc.  
	As one person noted: the Nintendo will do better in graphis,
as it is designed to (the 32 bit comaprison and 16 bit
comparison is NOT relevant here).

-- 
____________________   .    .   __         .       | Deepak S. Gianchandani
\___________________|) .____.--"--"---._____       | E-mail:giand@opencon.com
     .      ||       /_____/  NCC_1701  __/ .  . . | 
.       .   ||      /--/--._________.----/   .     | To Boldly Go Where 
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: <juyoung@kiwi.ucs.indiana.edu>
Subject: Re: eyeglasses: want info about anti-reflective coatings
Organization: Indiana University, Bloomington
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1992 12:03:27 -0500

In article <22486@drutx.ATT.COM> bew@druwa.ATT.COM (WeissBE) writes:
>some reflections although greatly reduced; 2) the most important
>reason: the coating causes chromatic aberration  (I often see
>a blue band on one side of an object and a yellow band on the other.
>I found it extremely annoying at first although it is less
>annoying now.); 3) makes the lenses harder to clean.  (I used to

I do not have such problems at all for wearing it for 8 years.  If you
see blue band and yellow band, I think it may due to the poor quality
or the workmanship.  Try another optical shop may give you a better pair.

>
>Barry Weiss
>AT&T Bell Labs               303-538-4266

Julia
From: twv@hpcss01.cup.hp.com (Terry Von Gease)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Ecco shoes
Date: 20 Nov 92 15:17:37 GMT
Organization: the Lodi Home for the Bald

>/ hpcss01:misc.consumers / dth2@cunixb.cc.columbia.edu (David T Ho) /  4:10 pm  Nov 14, 1992 /
>Could anyone provide me with information on Ecco shoes?  All I know is
>that they are from Denmark, and supposedly very comfortable.

Also know that they are hideously expensive.  Even as I type my feet are
clad in a pair of Ecco Walkers.  They set me back $150.  They're very
comfortable and durable.  Whether or not they're worth 150 bucks remains
to be seen.  They come in a really neat tin box if that's the sort of
thing that turns you on.  All in all, I don't know if I would buy another
pair or not.  If they were somewhere less than $100 I wouldn't hesitate.

Terry
From: berger@atropa (Mike Berger)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: DAK Breadmakers. You MAY get lucky.
Date: 18 Nov 92 05:55:01 GMT
Article-I.D.: news.BxwDrr.Kw8
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana

bk134@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Keith William Bowes) writes:
>>Anecdotal evidence aside, DAK always seem to have reconditioned units
>>available, which tells me that they get a lot of returns (which, in turn,
>>tells me that they *do* have a lot of failures). On the other hand, we've
*----
The reconditioned units are purchased from the factory and don't have
anything to do with how many returns DAK had.  Chances are the
reconditioned models come from stores all over the country.
--
	Mike Berger
	Internet    berger@atropa.stat.uiuc.edu
From: michael@afterlife.ncsc.mil (Michael of Nebadon)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Government Auctions
Date: 21 Nov 92 00:34:36 GMT
Organization: The Great Beyond

In article <Alex.73.722284550@camp.wpic.pitt.edu> Alex@camp.wpic.pitt.edu (Alex Ferguson ) writes:
>	I thought that some of you may know a little about this.  I'm 
>curious about the adds that advertise "Government Jeeps for $44, Mercedes $
>150, etc.)  I know that these companies charge a fee ($70-$90) for a listing 
>of items that are about to be auctioned, but I had a few questions.
[ a number of good questions deleted ]

I'm also curious, but I'd like to add another question to the list. I'd
always assumed that such companies were just charging you for information
you could get yourself if you were willing to put in the time and knew
where to look. Can anyone confirm this? If so, does anyone know where to
look? I'm sure there are people around who are willing to put in the
time.

michael@afterlife.ncsc.mil
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: commike@lgc.com (Alan Commike)
Subject: wanted - backthread on coffee makers
Organization: Landmark Graphics Corp., Houston, Tx
Date: Mon, 23 Nov 1992 18:06:18 GMT



A few months ago there was a thread on coffee makers. I believe it's written
somewhere, "they shall be interested in a thread only when it is no longer
available". Of course i wasn't too interested then, but i'm looking for one 
now. Does anyone still have the articles. 

I'm looking for a good coffee maker, to make good coffee out of my good
beans (hey, and good coffee out of my cheap beans :). It would be nice if it 
also made esspresso/cap. Especially nice would be if it was able to handle 
only two cups at a time. We only have a cup each in the morning, no need to 
make a whole pot of coffee!

Krups, Bunn, Braun, Mr. Coffee, etc..


thanks much,

	...alan


ps.

	:^) on the Mr. Coffee :))

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alan Commike                                     Landmark Graphics, Houston Tx.
commike@lgc.com                                  (713) 560 - 1249

The ultimate error correcting compiler would generate a Database
Management System out of ... nothing!
	- Josef Moellers
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: lou@hpkslx.mayfield.HP.COM (Lou Kvitek)
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1992 01:04:50 GMT
Subject: Re: Nope again (was Re: Yup, Amway's a scam)
Organization: HP Response Center Lab
Newsgroups: misc.consumers

In misc.consumers, jfurr@nyx.cs.du.edu (Joel Furr) writes:

> >I don't think that's what you mean.  Amway's reputation as a corporation
> >is unimpeachable - 33 years in business with volume over $4 BILLION,
> >environmental awards from the UN, founders consulted by US Presidents
> >on business issues, etc, etc.  You don't achieve what Amway has achieved
> >by having bad business practices (ie, a poor philosophy).

> Unimpeachable?  Give me a break!  Amway's reputation is SO BAD that they
> go out of their way to conceal who they are.  

Joel, get the facts straight.  Amway does not do anything (repeat - anything)
to conceal themselves.  In fact, they take out full page ads in many
national magazines - including Time, Newsweek, Ebony, etc.

Some Amway distributors (on the other hand) do conceal the corporation
that they are affiliated with.  No argument there, and no backing to
this type of business practice either.
From: lstowell@pyrnova.mis.pyramid.com (Lon Stowell)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: eyeglasses: want info about anti-reflective coatings
Date: 18 Nov 92 01:25:01 GMT
Reply-To: lstowell@pyrnova.pyramid.com (Lon Stowell)
Distribution: usa
Organization: Pyramid Technology Corp., Mountain View, CA

In article <1992Nov16.172320.11880@acuson.com> marc@acuson.com (Marc Weinshenker) writes:
>I would like to hear about experiences with anti-reflective
>coatings for regular clear eyeglass lenses. I have some idea
>about the advantages as well as the expense, but I would also
>like to know about what the downsides might be.
>
    I've got plastic lenses with the expensive multi-coat AR on
    them.  The optical shop warned me that the coating was fragile
    and easily damaged.

    I've had them for about 3 years now, and can see no damage
    whatever to the anti-reflection coating.  I always use a liquid
    to clean them...usually with a very soft cloth or Job Squad.
    Other than that I take no real pains with them.
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: luoni@jasper.mlb.semi.harris.com (Perry Luoni)
Subject: Re: Espresso/cappacino machines
Date: Mon, 16 Nov 1992 20:22:59 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: Harris Semiconductor, Melbourne FL

In article <1e8lasINN8sr@agate.berkeley.edu> stanton@haas.berkeley.edu (Richard Stanton) writes:
>In article <1992Nov16.044342.4474@informix.com> suffron@informix.com (Nancy Suffron) writes:
>>I would like to get my parents a combination espresso/cappacino (sp?)
>>machine for Christmas and was all set to get the 4-cup Krups machine
>>until I got a negative reaction from a colleague.
>
>My main piece of advice is to get a machine with a pump, rather than
>one which uses steam pressure to force the water through the coffee. My
>experience with these is that the coffee that emerges is more like a 
>strong cup of regular coffee, and not much like a true espresso. Of course,
>pump machines are generally a lot more expensive.
>

I bought the Krups expresso/capachino maker that costs around $300.00.
I think it has a pump, it certainly sounds like it.  I works great and
is built to last.  It has a milk frother with an extra tube that allows
air to get mixed in and it works very good.  The ones with one tube are
much harder to froth milk with.  I think this is the top of the line
Krups model.  I bought it at Bloomingdales, but have seen it at other
upscale dept. stores.  I would avoid the SALTON line of machines.  They
are cheaply made and won't last.  I have had a couple of the three in 
one machines that make regular coffee as well as capachino and the handle
kept breaking off of the pot when it was full of coffee, which is not fun
when a whole pot of hot coffee pours all over everything.

I think Krups and Braun are both good quality brands.

Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: jeffj@panix.com (Jeff Jonas)
Subject: Re: Stuck Stamps
Summary: there are some exceptions
Date: Fri, 20 Nov 1992 05:48:16 GMT
Organization: Jeff's House of Electronic Parts

In article <1992Nov19.102028.98@taney.uscghq.uscg.mil>
	lederman@taney.uscghq.uscg.mil writes:
> I was told at the local post office (which has been quite
> reliable) that they do not exchange stamps.  (Unlike the
> Treasury, which does exchange damanged money).

There are some exceptions.
My aunt had the unpleasant task of cancelling a wedding.
There was some arrangement where the post office took back the
unused stamps on the addressed envelopes.
From: ray.normandeau@factory.com (Ray Normandeau) 
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: BULK SOURCE FOR TOYS/GAM
Date: 22 Nov 92 19:33:00 GMT
Distribution: world
Organization: Invention Factory's BBS - New York City, NY - 212-274-8298v.32bis
Reply-To: ray.normandeau@factory.com (Ray Normandeau) 

-> Does anyone know of a (mail order) source for toys/games/crayons in
-> bulk? A few of us are getting together and purchasing them for an NGO
-> for street children (many HIV+) in Mwanza, Tanzania.
->
-> Nothing fancy - price is our most pressing concern. We don't need
-> brand-name goods, and we don't need them in a hurry. Any help in
-> locating a source will be appreciated.

There is a company called
Oriental Trading
that will have low cost items for giveaways.
Some stuff like rings and fake mustaches are as low as one cent each
when buying by the gross.
They should have an 800 #.
From: wb8foz@skybridge.SCL.CWRU.Edu (David Lesher)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Government Auctions
Date: 21 Nov 92 15:50:46 GMT
Reply-To: wb8foz@skybridge.scl.cwru.edu (David Lesher)
Organization: NRK Clinic for habitual NetNews abusers - Beltway Annex
NNTP-Posting-Host: skybridge.scl.cwru.edu

A) If you want information on USG surplus, including auctions, the
first place to start is with the Pueblo, CO govt info people.

B) If you thing there are super-steals waiting out there, I've
got a bridge.....

C) If you want to snare a bunch of suckers, cheap, publish an ad
in a magazine offering to sell them info you got for free....
--
A host is a host from coast to coast..wb8foz@skybridge.scl.cwru.edu
& no one will talk to a host that's close..........................
Unless the host (that isn't close).........................pob 1433
is busy, hung or dead....................................20915-1433
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: rsingh@goliath.Stanford.EDU (   raj)
Subject: Phone harrassment....
Keywords: phone, missouri, harrassment, threat, unlisted number, privacy
Organization: Makalu Mountain Hermitage, Mt Makalu, Nepal
Date: Fri, 20 Nov 92 05:42:23 GMT

[Sorry folks, first attempt didn't make it.]

A friend of mine (well, my friend's roomie) is getting life
threatening phone calls, but the police won't do anything until
actual harm is done.... they are keeping a log  of each call.
This is in state of missouri.

The callers DON'T know the dorm or room number or phone number.
==============================================================
The operator has been asked to NOT TO give the phone number/address
to any callers.

HOWEVER, this university has a peculiar system that a student can call
operator and ask to be connected to "john doe" and if jane doe is a
student, the operator WILL put the call through.  Thus, even though
the number is not to be given out, the abuser is able to connect.

So far, the abuser is trying to get the friend and my friend's
roommate to DIVULGE address/number, but my friend and my friend's
roommate have been very careful.

My feeling is that something is fishy about an operator connecting to
people based on a name only, but what do you all think?  Especially,
I'd like to hear from anyone from Missouri that knows about the local
telephone company policies.

--raj (raj@goliath.stanford.edu)

-- 
Rajesh Kumar Singh               E-mail: rsingh@goliath.stanford.edu
Gauls!  We have nothing to fear; except perhaps that the sky may fall
on our heads tomorrow.  But as we all know, tomorrow never comes!!
                                         -- Adventures of Asterix.
Date: Monday, 23 Nov 1992 09:49:53 EST
From: <MARK@wvnvm.wvnet.edu>
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,
Subject: Pathfinder lease advertisement


 In last Fridays USA Today (November 20th) Nissan advertises their
 1993 Pathfinder XE 4WD w/ Sport Package for $299 month on a closed end
 lease.  In reading the fine print for this add, it states the $299 month
 is based on a M.S.R.P of 22,935.00 including freight and destination
 charges, less dealer capital cost reduction of 1,298.00 and a non-refundable
 pre-paid rental reduction of $1,298.00.  Actual captilized cost of
 $20,689.00 includes a non-refundable acquistion fee of $350.00.

 Total of monthly payments 10,764.00. First month payment of $299.00, a
 refundable security deposit equal to one months payment rounded to
 the next $25.00 increment , the non-refundable pre-paid rental deduction
 of 1,289.00. Purchase option may be available at end of lease for $13,302.30


 So if you were to lease this vehicle you would pay the following prior to
 driving it home

                $1,298.00    pre-paid rental-reduction
                $  299.00    1st months payment
                $  324.00    security deposit + $25 increment
               ===========
   Total   =   $1,921       to lease vehicle up front

My question:  Are the numbers in this add concrete, no negotiation allowed
             to lease this vehicle, or are they just used as an example
             to attract customers to think about leasing.  From what I
             have been told by other folks who lease. They only were
             required to pay the first months lease payments and a security
             deposit equal to 1 months payment.  They also were able to
             negotiate the actual selling price of their vehicle prior
             to leasing it.

It would seem to me if I had to pay almost $2,000 to lease this vehicle I
my as well put the $2000 towards a down payment and flat out buy the vehicle.
(Plus I could negiotiate a price).  In leasing a vehicle to most companies
pay the suggested retail price ?


I would be interested to hear other folks experiences if they ever leased
a vehicle(payments required, were you able to negotiate price, bank leased
or auto makers credit company, etc).

Please mail all responsed to me since our news feed does not always function
correctly (about a week behind).


                           Thanks in advance

                           Mark.
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,alt.folklore.science,alt.folklore.urban
From: rbm4t@faraday.clas.Virginia.EDU (R. Bruce Martin)
Subject: Re: Aluminum cookware: Recipe for disaster?
Organization: University of Virginia
Date: Sun, 22 Nov 1992 04:43:12 GMT

In article <yenamand.722402987@mega> yenamand@mega.cs.umn.edu (Murthy yenamandra) writes:
>hnewstrom@hnewstrom.ess.harris.com (Harvey Newstrom) writes:
>
>>The facts about aluminum and Alzheimer's are not disuputed, but the
>>conclusions are.
>>1.  Alzheimer's victims have more aluminum in their brain tissues than
>>other persons.
>>2.  Aluminum poisoning in animals causes Alzheimer's-like symptoms.
>>Does aluminum cause Alzheimer's?  Dunno.
>>Can avoiding aluminum prevent Alzheimer's?  Dunno.
>
>I heard a report on the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corp.) about recent
>research that disputes point 1. There was an interview with the
>researcher (from the UK, I think). He said that the aluminium detected in
>Alzheimer patients may have come from the tests themselves (because
>of test methods - including aluminium contamination in instruments,
>chemicals or whatever). He said that this is a setback for Alzheimer's
>research. These were apparently recent results. Anyone have
>more info?
>
>>I personally avoid aluminum pans at home.  If aluminum is dangerous,
>>I've avoided it.  If
>>aluminum is harmless, I've not deprived myself of anything by using
>>non-aluminum pans.
>
>I too don't use aluminium pans at home, but not because of Alzheimer's.
>
>Murthy
>
>--
>Murthy Yenamandra	|    "I close my eyes and all the world drops dead;
>Dept of Comp Science 	|     I lift my lids and all is born again.
>Univ of Minnesota	|     (I think I made you up inside my head.)"
>yenamand@cs.umn.edu OR murthy@molbio.cbs.umn.edu (if the first one fails)

The finding of no aluminum in the senile plaques of
Alzheimer's victims is of limited significance, and
the implication has been mistakenly presented in the
press.  The criterion for Alzheimer's disease is not
senile plaques but neurofibrillary tangles, which
have been found to contain aluminum.  

Studies suggest little danger from aluminum pots,
cans, and anti-perspirants.  However, it might be
wise to limit the stewing of acid fruit juices, such
as spaghetti sauce, in aluminum pots.  Use steel
instead.  Little aluminum is absorbed by the body.
Citric acid aids absorption.  Some antacids contain
large amounts of aluminum.  Taken with citrus juices
they are a theoretical problem.  

Bruce Martin

Newsgroups: misc.consumers