HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: bruno@allof.enet.dec.com (Greg Bruno)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,misc.consumers.house,misc.misc
Subject: Re: Home alarms hooked to police?
Date: 8 Jan 93 16:19:55 GMT
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation


In article <C0I5JI.Hr6@techbook.com>, 
   jamesd@techbook.com (James Deibele) writes...
> 
>Is there anywhere where homes (or businesses) with alarm systems are 
>still hooked directly to the local police?
> 

     There are some businesses hooked directly to the police in our town, but
the number is small, because false alarms have a costly penalty.  After
a certain number of false alarms, they will disconnect you.  I believe there
is a steep cost for just setting up the connection.

     It is more efficient to have a local security company monitor the alarms
and send out their own people to investigate alarms.

                                       Greg

--------------------------------------------------------------------
bruno@cupid.enet.dec.com                  "What sorcery is this?"    
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,soc.men,soc.motss,ba.motss
From: rohwerwd@netcom.com (W. David Rohwer)
Subject: Re: Levi Strauss DEFUNDS Boy Scouts
Organization: The Tickle Palace - Moonyvale, CA
Date: Sun, 10 Jan 1993 05:45:37 GMT

In article <1992Dec30.165849.16524@samba.oit.unc.edu> Michael.Bohl@launchpad.unc.edu (Michael Bohl) writes:
>I just spoke with a customer service representative from Levi Strauss and
>Co. concerning their defunding of the Boy Scouts of America.  I was not
>certain I knew the reason so I asked their representative for an
>explanation.  She said it was because,
>
>	"The Boy Scouts discriminate against atheists and homosexuals."
>
>If you have an opinion on this matter (either side of the issue) you can
>call 
>
>		1-800-362-5377
>
>to let them know how you feel.  
>
>Additionally, in this era of consumer activism, may I suggest an
>appropriate buying pattern of their products.
>
>This applies whether you choose to purchase their jeans, etc. because you
>approve of their actions, or whether you cease purchasing their products
>because you don't.  

     Put me on record for supporting Levi Strauss' action of defunding the
Boy Scouts.  I will continue to purchase Levi's jeans.

-- 
    Reggie elected into Hall of Fame!    +---------------------------------+
  +-----------------------------------+ /  Snowmobiling: Catch the fever! /
 /   // Mr. Tickle Monster   // Amiga ++---------------------------------+
|  \X/   W. David Rohwer   \X/  3000  /  Internet: rohwerwd@netcom.COM  /
+------------------------------------+---------------------------------+
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: jung@base.bellcore.com (Eric Jung)
Subject: Re: Eating before paying - (Was: Can a landlord refuse cash?)
Organization: Bellcore, Livingston, NJ
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 93 17:53:18 GMT

|> A while ago, someone, (probably 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).

Well, this depends on your local law.  I was a store detective for a few
years in New Jersey.  There's no such thing as "retail theft" in NJ; it's
just plain old shoplifting.  The shoplifting statute in NJ (2C:20-11) 
states that one must have intent to commit shoplifting.  It also states
that concealing something is shoplifting, but I'd never pick anyone up
for concealment without having something real solid to prove intent in 
court.  

I think walking around a grocery store filling up a cart while eating
your Cheetos is quite innocent.  Then again, you'd have to convince a
judge or jury -- not me. 

Eric
-- 
Eric C. Jung                    Bellcore Advanced Software Environment
(908) 699-4684                  444 Hoes Lane  RRC 1S-222
jung@base.bellcore.com          Piscataway, NJ  08854
From: aem@symbiosis.ahp.com (a.e.mossberg)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Cordless phone recommendations
Date: 7 Jan 1993 18:29:30 -0500
Organization: Symbiosis Corporation, Miami, Florida  (305) 597-4000
Distribution: na
Reply-To: aem@symbiosis.ahp.com
NNTP-Posting-Host: symbi1.symbiosis.ahp.com

paul@howtek.UUCP (Paul Rothenberg) writes:
>Stay away from Panasonic. I have owned quite a few Panasonic phone
>products and ALL have eventually failed in a short period of time,
>especially their answering machines. 

I've had a Panasonic answering machine for a couple years, and it has
continued working perfectly under horrible conditions (the floor of my
bedroom).  I've seen friends who have bought other brands of answering
machines finally give up and buy a Panasonic - because they work and
hold up well.



aem, purveyor of anecdotes for all occasions
-- 
andrew mossberg           systems specialist           symbiosis corporation
(305) 597-4110            fax (305) 597-4002           miami, florida 33166-6202
aem@symbiosis.ahp.com     uunet!symbi1!aem             SPAN: UMIGW::AEM
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,soc.culture.japan,misc.entrepreneurs
From: Michael.Bohl@launchpad.unc.edu (Michael Bohl)
Subject: ATTN: RENTERS
Organization: University of North Carolina Extended Bulletin Board Service
Distribution: usa
Date: Thu, 7 Jan 1993 21:48:46 GMT


Fellow home or apartment renters,

	While $1/month is not alot to each individual, when multiplied by
millions of people it becomes a substantial sum of money.  I will wager
that most renters are paying the phone company an additional $1/month
unecessarily.  Check you bill. 

	When the phone company deregualted, one of the ways they decided
to make some additional profit was by selling 'insurance' to protect the
consumer from the phone wires breaking or against a non-functioning
outlet.  If you purchase the insurance, they will fix any problems for
free.  If you don't, they will charge by the hour.  Of course they make it
seem like a good deal, especially when labor costs are high.  

	However, as a renter, you do not own the lines and hold NO
respnsibility to carry this 'insurance'.  Do you carry 'insurance' which
will pay for the repair of the electrical wiring inside the walls?  No, of
course not.  

	I called the company a few years ago and the clerk who answered the
phone INSISTED that I was responsible for the wiring in the walls, even as
a renter.  Of course, that makes no sense at all as I related in the
previous analogy.  Think for a moment how many MILLIONS of dollars are
collected each year for which NO service is ever rendered.  

	Now, I am not against landlords in this issue.  In fact one could
argue that I should ask them if they want me to carry this insuracne and
pay $1 less in rent, and in the larger scheme of things, to the individual
this is not high on the list of important matters.  I just thought I would
draw some people's attention to this and save a few people $12 a year. 

Just my 2ents worth.

MB

--
   The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the University of
     North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the Campus Office for Information
        Technology, or the Experimental Bulletin Board Service.
           internet:  laUNChpad.unc.edu or 152.2.22.80
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: nobuyah@microsoft.com (Nobuya Higashiyama)
Subject: Re: BMG -- general info
Date: 06 Jan 93 17:11:40 GMT
Organization: Microsoft Corporation

In article <1993Jan5.235249.8054@news.acns.nwu.edu> alasnik@casbah.acns.nwu.edu (Adam Lasnik) writes:
>--WHAT'S THE SELECTION LIKE?
>First of all, you ARE technically locked into a specific "category" of
>music... you receive only one special catalog per month, like "Easy
>Listening," "Hard Rock," "Classical," etc.  However, ALL catalogs (to my
>knowledge) contain some selections from the other catalogs, so you still get a
>pretty decent choice of stuff.  The overall selection is not as great as the
>Columbia House club, but then again, you're paying a LOT less than the
>Columbia House club requires, so don't complain :-)  If you want REALLY good
>selection and reasonable prices, go with a mail order CD company.  My personal
>favorites are "NOTEWORTHY MUSIC" for best prices, "CD DIRECT" for best service
>and selection.  Call directory assistance for numbers.

I've been a member of both Columbia House and BMG for years, and I'd like to
add the following observation.

For classical music, CH and BMG carry different (and almost mutually exclusive)
set of labels.  CH mainly carries CBS and Sony, while BMG mainly carries DG and
London.  Thus, for classical music fans, it make sense to subscribe to both.

Higgy
-- 
Nobuya "Higgy" Higashiyama              |
Microsoft Corporation                   | .signature under construction...
Internet: nobuyah@microsoft.com         |
CompuServe: 71570,533                   |
From: mbuscho@hpcc01.corp.hp.com (Michelle Buscho)
Date: Tue, 5 Jan 1993 02:09:28 GMT
Subject: Re: Price Club Info Sought
Organization: the HP Corporate notes server
Newsgroups: misc.consumers

I've been going to Price Club for years in northern California.  My experiences:
Pros:

- low prices on a wide variety of items; tires I purchased there were selling
  for 50% more at a "warehouse direct-to-you" tire store
- tire installation service on site with a reasonable (1/2 hour-1 hour) wait,
  so they can be installed while you do the rest of your shopping
- now that they scan bar codes, check out speed is relatively good considering
  the volume of purchases that go through there
- you can join with a business license/credit union membership; a business
  license lets you get in during some hours without the crowds - great for
  the Christmas season
- you can bring 3 friends along with you to shop (note payment restriction
  below)
- they deliver furniture

Cons:

- payment is cash or by check written on an account specifically linked to that
  card; no credit cards accepted
- employees don't seem to know where anything is in the store
- many of the items you see on one visit won't be there the next time you come
- limited selection of brands (e.g., one brand of refrigerators)
- you are confined to their delivery schedules for furniture, depending on
  where you live
- you have to buy a larger quantity of most items (dishwasher soap, food, etc.)
  than perhaps you can consume in a reasonable amount of time or store easily
Organization: University of Central Florida--Computer Services
Date: Monday, 4 Jan 1993 15:46:34 EST
From: Laura Kittleson <LAURA@UCF1VM.BITNET>
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Locating Rare Used Books
Distribution: na
 <1993Jan4.134814.27056@cbfsb.cb.att.com>

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.

--Laura
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,misc.consumers.house
From: JB <jbl@mesaadm.cre.nt.com>
Subject: Re: Washer,Dryer,Fridge & Stove All At Once!
X-Xxdate: Fri, 8 Jan 93 08:06:23 GMT
Organization: NT/BNR
X-Useragent: Nuntius v1.1.1d9
Date: Fri, 8 Jan 1993 13:01:18 GMT

In article <1993Jan7.185206.25924@beaver.cs.washington.edu> Paul
Barton-Davis, pauld@cs.washington.edu writes:
>You pays your
>money, etc.

Let me rephrase:  I am building a house and would like appliance
recommendations for the whole she-bang, and THERE IS NO WAY IN HELL I'M
GOING TO PAY ANYWHERE NEAR $12,000 FOR THE STUFF.  Yes, I have seen the
high end stuff, and while I'm sure it is of impeccable quality, I simply
can't afford it.  Also, I have noticed that the dimensioning of these
status jobs are often different from the norm (specifically, Viking
ranges) and I'm not going to give up any more counter space.

Thanks to all of you who recommended Maytag.  Has anyone out there had a
bad experience with them? 
 
***************************************************************
************ Laissez le bontemps rouler ****  JB  *************
* no e-mail address, but if you feel inclined: 919/992-2489 * 
***************************************************************
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,athena.misc
From: bron@iastate.edu (Bronwyn J Scrutton)
Subject: Re: HELP: how to setup a small corporation/business CHEAP????
Keywords: help corporation setup cheap
Organization: Iowa State University, Ames, IA
Distribution: na
Date: Wed, 6 Jan 1993 09:28:52 GMT

In article <C0Dsxq.Ivq@news.iastate.edu> I (bron@iastate.edu) wrote:
>There is a Problem if you don't incorporate: liability.  Sole Proprietors
>are fully liable for any damage done.  If you screw up someone's system,
>they *can* sue you, taking your house, car, toilet..

In article <C0E9w3.HKJ@taligent.com> cep@taligent.com (Christophe Pettus) writes:>
>It is VERY unlikely that you, personally, can escape liability in this
>way.  If you personally performed the services, you personally can be
>sued for negligence, 

Suing someone for negligence assumes a lot of things.  If someone 
contracts with your corporation to provide a service, and the corporation
tells you to do it, the corporation holds the responsibilty for the contract.
The corporation can tell an ape to go *do* it, in which case the corporation
*knew* the employee was going to be negligent, and it again falls on the
shoulders of the corporation.  If you personally make a mistake, you aren't
liable to the corporation if your employment contract with the corporation
states that you are to perform to the best of your ability.  An employee
is generally comitted to providing the services as capably as "the normal
person in this position".  It's a grey area.

I'll find the appropriate precedent cases and post a summary.

>It
>_will_ protect you against things such as debts of the corporation, but
>very few companies will extend credit to a new corporation without the
>personal guarantee of an officer, thus piercing the liability shield.

This *can* be a problem.  If you are going to require credit, you're 
laying yourself open.  However, you can try to get a corporate loan from 
your state.  Frankly, it's hard to get credit from companies unless you
happen to be listed with Dun & Bradstreet. (Unlikely if you're a small,
new corporation.)

--
Bronwyn J Scrutton                                          bron@iastate.edu
Project Vincent                                               (515) 294-4994
                    If it's not one thing, it's Bronwyn.
From: roitman@oasys.dt.navy.mil (Richard K. Roitman)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Getting rich -- this is no joke!
Date: 4 Jan 93 12:19:17 GMT
Reply-To: roitman@oasys.dt.navy.mil (Richard K. Roitman)
Distribution: usa
Organization: Carderock Division, NSWC, Bethesda, MD

In misc.consumers, rdictus@vnet3.vub.ac.be (Roy Dictus) writes:
>If anyone is interested in reaping $69984 in six to eighteen
>months' time, virtually effortless, for every $96 investment
>you make, drop me a line and I'll send you more information.
>
>I'm talking about a foolproof way of making money.  This is
>serious!!
>
>-Roy D., rdictus@vnet3.vub.ac.be


The only thing foolproof about this is you will be a fool if you reply.
Can you imagine being able to realize this astronomical rate of return,
it made my calculator overheat but I figure its in the range of 10,000%,
and letting the whole net in on this offer.  Not me!

I've been reading this group for over a year and this has to be the
most absurd thing I've seen here.

Caveat Emptor.

Rick Roitman               Carderock Division
roitman@oasys.dt.navy.mil  Naval Surface Warfare Center
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: ahill@boi.hp.com (Andy Hill)
Subject: Re: shattering Corelle dish - update
Date: Tue, 5 Jan 1993 22:53:37 GMT
Reply-To: ahill@boi.hp.com
Organization: LaserJets by Bill & Dave
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1.4 PL6]

Do NOT taunt Corelle(TM).
From: neilw@informix.com (Neil Williams)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Rechargable Battery Source Needed (and a Query)
Date: 6 Jan 93 22:48:53 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: Informix Software, Inc.

In article <1993Jan5.223744.5236@pony.Ingres.COM> daveb@lotus (Dave Brower, DBMS hack, [510] 748-3418) writes:
>The cheapest regular sized alkalines and ni-cads I've found are the
>Panasonic's sold through Costco, and presumably other warehouse
>outlets.  The alkalines are particularly cheap ($4-5 for 16 AA cells),
>enough that I don't bother with charging ni-cads anymore.

In addition to the cost to your checkbook, you should consider
the cost to the environment of using alkalines rather than
rechargeables.
 
--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."
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: srfergu@rufus.erenj.com (Scott Ferguson)
Subject: Re: Fleece (polyester pile type) Robes
Organization: Exxon Research & Engineering Co.
Date: Mon, 4 Jan 1993 21:08:39 GMT

In article <C0CK34.Fyo@SSD.intel.com>, lsc@ssd.intel.com (Linda Cline) writes:
|> 	Well, I waited too long to order a polarlite robe from REI, 
|> and now (after the Christmas rush) they are out of stock with no 
|> intent to restock for this season.  Does anyone know of other 
|> sources for polyester fleece type house robes?  I know REI can't 
|> be the only place to get one, but I didn't see any others in the
|> multitude of catalogs that I got before Christmas.  I am also 
|> interested in the fleece pull on slippers.  
|> 
|> 	Thanks for any ideas,
|> 	linda
|> 
|> =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
|> "Now, here, you see, it takes all the running you can do, to keep in
|> the same place.  If you want to get somewhere else, you must run at
|> least twice as fast as that!"	
|>                                         Lewis Carroll
|> Linda Cline                             Through the Looking Glass
|> Intel Supercomputer Systems Division 
|> email: lsc@ssd.intel.com
|> =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
|> 

LL Bean has jackets and pullovers,  I don' know about robes and slippers.
Also I think Patagonia makes some stuff with Polarlite fleece, but haven't
been to the store recently.

-- 
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Scott Ferguson                        Exxon Research & Engineering Co.
Project Engineer                      New Jersey
----------------------------------------------------------------------
"Always bark at a dog."
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: lenny@bnr.ca (Len DePalma)
Subject: Re: Canadian proof (not)  that taxation lowers cigarette consumption
Reply-To: lenny@x400gate.bnr.ca
Organization: BNR Ottawa, Fiber Systems Development
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 93 18:47:42 GMT

In article <1is2tvINNmrm@meaddata.meaddata.com>, dedek@meaddata.com (Mike Dedek) writes:
|> In article <27763@sybase.sybase.com>, joe@sybase.com (Joseph Weinstein) writes:
|> |> Dean Edell on KGO revealed some data about canadian tobacco consumption, where
|> |> taxation raised the cost of cigarettes to about $3 a pack. The data show that
|> |> prior to the tax increase, per capita consumption was equal to the U.S. In the
|> |> few years since the taxation the consumption rate has dropped by 30%.
|> 
|> This is not proof!  This is correlation.  Have _all_ other variables remained
|> constant during the study?  For example, were the subjects of the study 
|> exposed to other pressures to quit, such as adverse health information, 
|> inability to smoke in certain environments, etc?

Let's see: recent warning labels on all tobacco products, very
restrictive new laws on smoking in public places (including the
workplace), a strong public opinion against smoking, increased
public awareness and education of the risks, ...

As anyone who has kicked such an addiction will attest, the price of the
'sin' is mostly irrelevant.  Cigarettes are well over $5/pack now here
in Canada... and it is not uncommon to hear of a cornerstore being held
up for its cigarettes *instead* of cash!

However, I believe *both* Mike and Joe are correct here... since some
of the extra cash from the tobacco taxes funds the public education
announcements of the risks of smoking, etc.

|> Since 1900 in the US, personal income tax has increased dramatically
|> (from 0% to currently 28% or thereabouts).  The standard of living has
|> also increased.  Does this prove that increasing personal income tax
|> causes an increase in the standard of living? If so, we should all lobby
|> for increased taxes! 

This would depend on what the taxes were used for... when comparing the
US and Canada one could certainly jump to that conclusion quite easily! 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
INTERNET: lenny@bnr.ca                 Any opinions expressed are mine.

"You get the most noise from the emptiest barrels."  (Burton Cummings)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: jono@netcom.com (Jonathan Levine)
Subject: Re: HELP - ANTS
Organization: Our Lady of Perpetual Motion
Distribution: na
Date: Thu, 7 Jan 1993 16:47:48 GMT

In article <1993Jan2.014550.10080@netcom.com> lachman@netcom.com (Hans Lachman) writes:
>In article <1992Dec30.173151.2417@netcom.com> jono@netcom.com (Jonathan Levine) writes:
>>I've had good luck with "Grant's Ant Spikes."
>>Jon
>
>I put a "Grant's Kills Ants" in my bathroom, and it has been "servicing"
>a stream of ants almost continuously for more than a month now.  Ant
>traffic is less than before, but at least some keep coming.  Doesn't this
>device run out of bait eventually?
>
>Hans Lachman
>lachman@netcom.com

It does run out of bait,  but it takes a very long time.  Try putting some 
more spikes in the ant trail.  You can also try putting the brown stuff in 
the head of the spike under hot water, then stirring it with a stick for 
a few seconds, then putting it on the trail.

One more thing:  they only work against "sweet ants."  I'm not sure what 
other kinds of ants there are, but... be forewarned.


before putting it on the trail.  
-- 
Jonathan Levine			"Paradise is exactly like 
jono@netcom.COM			 where you are right now,
(    ^^^^^^^^^^ New EMail Path)	 only much, much better."
					-- Laurie Anderson
Newsgroups: misc.consumers