HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: Brian.E.Hannon@dartmouth.edu (Brian E. Hannon)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Fighting Traffic Ticket
Date: 6 Apr 92 16:10:52 GMT
 <1992Apr3.153927.5210@b11.ingr.com>
Organization: Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH

In article <1992Apr3.153927.5210@b11.ingr.com>
dclark@b11.ingr.com (Dave Clark) writes:

> |> Don't be afraid to confessing to
> |> a speed still in excess of the limit;  their case has to be true in all its
> |> parts for you to be convicted.  And if you get off, you cant be tried again.
> 
> Not true.  I once appeared in traffic court in Florida, and I distinctly
> remember two cases in which the opposite was true.  In the first case
> heard in my session, a man was charged with exceeding the speed limit by
> 20 MPH.  He stated that he had not exceeded the limit by more than 5 MPH.
> The judge said, "So you were speeding by 5 MPH?  Then I find you guilty
> of speeding by 5 MPH."  The judge then fined him as if he was 20 MPH over
> the limit (about $300 including court costs).  The whole case lasted about
> thirty seconds.
> 
> The entire courtroom was stunned.  Many people just pled guilty to the
> original charge after that case (to save court costs).  Was the judge's
> action illegal?

Ahhh... but he saved a lot of money in the long run.  You see if you
plead guilty to 20 over you will incur HUGE insurance surcharges.  Most
people, particularly insurance agents, consider 20 MPH over the speed
limit very unsafe.  5 over the limit, however, will probably cost you
only a couple hundred dollars in insurance costs.  So, I'm sure the
judge and the defendant both knew he was doing more than 5 over, but
they reached a pretty good compromise.

bri
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: alasnik@casbah.acns.nwu.edu (Adam Lasnik)
Subject: Re: MCI Telemarketing (was MCI = Morons)
Organization: Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
Distribution: usa
Date: Thu, 9 Apr 1992 22:12:12 GMT

In <Apr.9.12.22.58.1992.4130@aramis.rutgers.edu> rinehart@aramis.rutgers.edu (Mark J. Rinehart) writes:

>In article <3461@moscom.UUCP> de@moscom.UUCP (David Esan) writes:

>> 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.

>F&F strikes me as a plan by MCI to have MCI customers do MCIs
>telemarketing for them. Ingenious, isn't it? MCI customers pay MCI to
>do MCIs telemarketing. Only in America!!!!!


>Mark

This, of course, is exactly what they're doing.  And luckily, I don't mind
being an auxillary "pawn" if you will, since it saves me a lot of money.

Of course, a LOT of companies have a modified form of this going; you know, an
incentive to sign your friends up kinda thing (free product and/or money
incentive).  It's nothing new.  But it still works.

--ADAM "KEYS" LASNIK
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: leath@atlas.cs.upei.ca (Stephen Leath)
Subject: Re: New Canadian Lotto Scam?
Organization: University of Prince Edward Island
Distribution: na
Date: Fri, 10 Apr 1992 16:43:37 GMT

Loto 6/49 are $1.00 Cdn, per ticket not $2.00

Steve.
Xref: sparky misc.consumers:10562 misc.misc:2470
From: joyce@unixland.natick.ma.us (Joyce Wermont)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,misc.misc
Subject: Packing a PC for long-distance move
Date: 16 Apr 92 23:32:10 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: Unixland Public Access Unix & Think_Tank BBS


I am moving across the country, and was told by the moving company
that the proper packing of sensitive electronic equipment (PC,
stereo, etc.) was my responsibility, and that they would not be
responsible for any internal damage (they would be responsible for
external damage).

I'd like some advice about packing from anyone who has had to move
their PC long distance. One suggestion I got was to remove the hard
disk, and put in a "dummy" disk. Has anyone done this? Is it necessary?

If anyone has had experience with this, it would help me to hear about
it. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Joyce
joyce@unixland.natick.ma.us
From: lavoie@bnr.ca (Marc Lavoie)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Japanese Car Makers
Date: 13 Apr 92 14:06:31 GMT
Reply-To: lavoie@bnr.ca (Marc Lavoie)
Organization: Bell-Northern Research Ltd.

In article <kuc65uINN6jp@spim.mips.com>, mpolen@gelato.mips.com (Michael Polen) writes:
|> For all those that question whether it matters if the car was
|> made here or there, or sold by us or them, the news is that it
|> does.  Through careful transfer pricing policies, the japanese
|> (and other) importers declare their profits in their home
|> country and avoid paying US taxes -- period.
|> 
|> Example, from primetime live, 4/9/92.
|> 
|> I make it in country A at a cost of 10000.  I transfer it to my
|> distributor in US at a transfer price of 20000, incuring a local
|> profit of 10000.  The US distributor transfers it to the dealer
|> at a price of 20000, no US profit.  The Dealer sells it for 24000.
|> 
|> (many lines deleted for clarity)
|> 
|> As I've state many times before.  The japanese are not immoral.  We
|> are just being stupid.  As we continue to assume that our business
|> methods are the only "right" way to run an economy, others will
|> smother us.

I think the above statement and piece on PrimeTime Live were a great example
of "Japan Bashing" and the fact that people believe it worries me.

What was presented on PrimeTime Live is probably true but can also most probably
be generalized as:  Multinational companies alsways find a way to funnel profits
through subsidiaries in order to avoid paying local taxes.

If one wanted to be fair, one should look into the operating practices of
American companies.  In Canada, where American companies have been operating
for many many years, they have been doing the same thing you are accusing the
Japanese companies of doing.

Does Ford or GM, 2 large american companies, declare all their profits in the
country they were made?  Probably not.

If one was to try to calculate the amount in taxes owed to foreign countries 
by american companies (that they didn't pay thanks to creative accounting),
and compare this to the amount of taxes due to the american treasury by 
foreign companies (who used the same creative accounting methods), I am not
sure which of the amounts would be greater but I'll put my money on the former.


Marc Lavoie                               |  
Bell-Northern Research                    | These opinions are my own,
Ottawa,Canada                             |  BNR would never dare agree with me.
lavoie@bnr.ca                             |
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: millerm@oakhill.sps.mot.com (Mikemoe)
Subject: Re: TRW Toll-free Number
Organization: Motorola Inc., Austin, Texas
Distribution: usa
Date: Thu, 9 Apr 1992 20:44:12 GMT

pankaj@albatross.synopsys.com (Pankaj Mayor) writes:

>TRW was supposed to make available free credit reports for 
>a consumer once a year starting April 1st. They were also 
>supposed to provide a toll-free number by that date.

>If anyone knows the number, could that person email it to me.


Please Post.....thanks.....



>Thanks
>-Pankaj
>pankaj@synopsys.com
Xref: sparky misc.consumers:10300 misc.consumers.house:6179
From: sasbge@ant.unx.sas.com (Gantt Edmiston)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,misc.consumers.house
Subject: Re: cricket invasion
Keywords: dead.....stopped....kill,kill,kill
Date: 9 Apr 92 18:04:23 GMT
Reply-To: sasbge@ant.unx.sas.com
Organization: SAS Institute Inc.
Originator: sasbge@ant.unx.sas.com
X-Bytes: 1350

In article <9204082059.AA29187@infonode.ingr.com>, florence (John Florence) writes:
>
>               Try DIAZION (sp) granules that you spread around
                    Diazinon (since you asked)
>		the outside of the house......follow instructions !!!!
>	
>		This stuff will kill damn near anything.......good luck..
                Yes, it is potent, keep it away from the pets, too.

I also had problems with "crickets".  Turns out it wasn't really a cricket
but something in the cricket family.  My pest control man told me that 
this particular pest has a bad tendency to carry and spread lockjaw.
(the disease)  He suggested that I not let my kid play under the house.
I didn't and still don't.


>
>
>-- 
>   John N. Florence     **** All opinions expressed herein are mine
>   Intergraph Corp.     **** and mine alone. ****
>   Huntsville, Al.      uunet!infonode!florence OR florence@infonode.ingr.com
>   "Between working and eating they let you have a few beers".....HAGAR
-- 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gantt Edmiston                         =  o     |
QA Host Systems, V416 x6091         =  _ /- _   |  "The fewer the facts,
SASnet: <sasbge@ant.unx.sas.com>   =  (_)> (_)  |   the stronger the opinion!"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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: Wed, 8 Apr 1992 03:52:42 GMT

In article <44343@mentor.cc.purdue.edu> bernman@sage.cc.purdue.edu (Bern Man) writes:

>	I'm sorry, but I missed the post where you originally posted these
>figures and the source of these figures.  What is the source?

Actually, I haden't mentioned it.  I probably won't either.  I don't
offer the numbers as irrefutable proof of anything.  It is coincidental
information that might be intersesting, or might not. Suffice it
to say that this is what I have heard.  Pretend it is not true, if you
like.

You might contact your local telco and ask them for any data available.
If there are market studies (if?), the people in the industry
would be aware of where the data is available.   As consumers,
we are interested, aren't we?

John

-- 
John Gilbert
gilbert@mdd.comm.mot.com
...!uunet!mdisea!gilbert
From: cantrell@seqp4.sequoia.com (Paul Cantrell)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: capturing caller id data
Date: 16 Apr 92 17:00:52 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: Sequoia Computer Systems

Eric Postpischil writes:
> Brad Templeton writes:
> >You can't start refusing anonymous calls until almost everybody has the
> >equipment to make non-anonymous calls.
> 
> That is incorrect.  There are different displays/signals for incoming
> calls without calling-line identification and incoming calls with
> blocked identification.

While this may be true, if one of the reasons you want
caller id is to screen out telemarketeers, the obvious
ploy is for them to operate from a city which won't
support caller-id until well into the next century.
That way they don't show up as a blocked call.

				PC
-- 
cantrell@sequoia.com
From: niebuhr@bnlux1.bnl.gov (david niebuhr)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Wanted: Voice Activated Calculator
Date: 10 Apr 92 22:38:11 GMT
Article-I.D.: bnlux1.1992Apr10.223811.7552
Organization: Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY 11973

My wife is a secretary in the circulation department of a newspaper and
uses a calculator to keep track of how many newspapers are delivered to
various areas.

Is there such a thing as a Voice Activated Calculator?

All suggestions will be appreciated.

Please e-mail to either address below.  I'll summarize if the responses
warrant.

Thanks in advance.

Dave

-- 

Dave Niebuhr      Internet: niebuhr@bnl.gov / Bitnet: niebuhr@bnl
Brookhaven National Laboratory Upton, NY 11973  (516)-282-3093
From: berger@atropa (Mike Berger)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Fighting Traffic Ticket
Date: 7 Apr 92 20:58:46 GMT
Article-I.D.: ux1.1992Apr7.205846.18350
Distribution: usa
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana

srm1@cbnewsm.cb.att.com (steven.r.marcovici) writes:
>Also, if it's not a terrible burden, it sometimes pays to just go to
>court in hopes that the trooper that ticketed you doesn't show up. The judge
>has the discretion to dismiss the case when that happens. It's worth
>a try - I've heard of this working, but it sometimes takes 2 no-shows
>for that to happen. But, it's often worth it when you realize that a $50
>ticket can turn into many hundreds in other costs.
*----
Around here, the court date is scheduled for a date when the ticketing
officer is scheduled to be in court.  So chances of his not showing are
v-e-r-y small.
--
	Mike Berger
	Department of Statistics, University of Illinois
	AT&TNET     217-244-6067
	Internet    berger@atropa.stat.uiuc.edu
From: mag1@cbnewsl.cb.att.com (michael.a.giden)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: ***WARNING: BE CAREFUL WHEN DEALING WITH ALLSTATE INSURANCE!***
Summary: Solution
Date: 9 Apr 92 11:16:22 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories



This is really easy to handle, but you'll wait a couple of
months for the money.  File the claim under your aunt's
insurance & lay out the $500.  Her company will subrogate
the claim against Allslime and get both the deductable &
what they've paid back.  They then send you the amount of
the deductable.  This is much easier than fighting Allslime,
oops! I mean Allstate by yourself.

Good Luck!
Mike Giden
From: ashabana@agsm.ucla.edu (Ahmed Shabana)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Point of Sale / Debit card question
Organization: UCLA, Anderson Graduate School Of Management
Date: 6 Apr 92 16:16:42 PDT

We all know that merchants pay a certain percentage for each credit
card transaction, but what about the transactions
where customers use their debit cards? Do merchants also pay the ATM
network ( PLUS /CIRRUS or other) a similar fee? If they don't pay any,
what is the source of income of these networks. If they (the
merchants) pay such fee why, at least in stores which have a cash
discount price, payement with your debit card is considered a cash transaction?

An authoritative answer is sought.

Thanks
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
From: lstowell@pyrnova.pyramid.com (Lon Stowell)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Amway, Just the Facts please
Date: 8 Apr 92 23:38:21 GMT
Reply-To: lstowell@pyrnova.pyramid.com (Lon Stowell)
Organization: Pyramid Technology Corp., Mountain View, CA

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. 

   No, but at least you could have the decency to take it to the
   multi-level marketing board!!!
Xref: sparky misc.consumers:10567 misc.misc:2474
From: lstowell@pyrnova.pyramid.com (Lon Stowell)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,misc.misc
Subject: Re: Packing a PC for long-distance move
Date: 17 Apr 92 00:10:05 GMT
Article-I.D.: pyramid.181109
Reply-To: lstowell@pyrnova.pyramid.com (Lon Stowell)
Distribution: na
Organization: Pyramid Technology Corp., Mountain View, CA

In article <1992Apr16.233210.7167@unixland.natick.ma.us> joyce@unixland.natick.ma.us (Joyce Wermont) writes:
>
>I am moving across the country, and was told by the moving company
>that the proper packing of sensitive electronic equipment (PC,
>stereo, etc.) was my responsibility, and that they would not be
>responsible for any internal damage (they would be responsible for
>external damage).
>
>I'd like some advice about packing from anyone who has had to move
>their PC long distance. One suggestion I got was to remove the hard
>disk, and put in a "dummy" disk. Has anyone done this? Is it necessary?
>
   It really depends on your hard drive.  Some park the heads, some
   don't.  I'd mention your brand on the PC boards--you'll get
   specific advice.

   I have had excellent luck moving sensitive gear several times.
   I pad the bottom of the "wardrobes" with pillows, blankets, etc.
   and put the stereo gear and computer stuff inside them.  

   This suggestion came from a moving company long ago...and seems
   to work.  

   Of course saving the packing boxes is best...then stuff THEM in
   the wardrobes.  Or if you are having a car moved, put that stuff
   inside the car.  

   Also take care of your floppies.  Your dealer should have a soft
   insert to protect these if you don't still have the ones that
   came with the unit.
Xref: sparky misc.consumers:10453 alt.privacy:1034
From: niebuhr@bnlux1.bnl.gov (david niebuhr)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,alt.privacy
Subject: Re: capturing caller id data
Date: 12 Apr 92 12:10:16 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY 11973

In article <1992Apr09.204424.26503@clarinet.com> brad@clarinet.com (Brad Templeton) writes:
>Caller ID as a display phone is a useless feature -- ignore the fact that this
>is what you see in the ads right now.
>
>The real value of caller id comes when connected to a smart answering
>machine which can (depending on the time of day) either:
>
>a) Put the call through immediately if it's from a number you like,
>
>b) Put the call to an answering machine/call screener if it's a number
>you don't know, anonymous call or number coded for this function.
>
>c) Reject the call if it's a number you hate
>
>
>In addition to recording the number on the answering machine tape etc., and
>allowing you to quickly put people in the appropriate class during or just
>after the phone call.
>
>Note that option B can be more than just an answering machine:
>	Press 1 to leave a mesasge.
>	Press 2 if this is an emergency.  It is a violation of the law
>		to misrepresent an emergency (*)
>	Press 3 if this is a phone solicitation.
>
>(*) Probably not yet, but it could be.

It is in New York.

Dave

-- 

Dave Niebuhr      Internet: niebuhr@bnl.gov / Bitnet: niebuhr@bnl
Brookhaven National Laboratory Upton, NY 11973  (516)-282-3093
From: gordons@hplsla.hp.com (Gordon Schilling)
Date: Fri, 3 Apr 1992 18:16:06 GMT
Subject: Re: Info. needed for 1991 Lincoln Continental.
Organization: HP Lake Stevens, WA
Newsgroups: misc.consumers

Actually, consumer reports shows Lincoln as much better than average in many categories. Probably not as good as an Infinity, but substantially better than
a GM product. However, the price your dealer is quoting is highway robbery!!!
From: Brian.E.Hannon@dartmouth.edu (Brian E. Hannon)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Thermostats
Date: 11 Apr 92 18:13:14 GMT
 <30540004@hpspkla.spk.hp.com>  <ku8pufINN3m9@spim.mips.com>
Organization: Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH

In article <ku8pufINN3m9@spim.mips.com>
mpolen@gelato.mips.com (Michael Polen) writes:

> In misc.consumers, monty%roscom@think.com (Monty Solomon) writes:
> 
> >A HVAC installer recommended powering the thermostat via a different  
> >transformer from the one in the furnace.  He claims that transients and surges  
> >could occur when the motor comes on and would have a detrimental effect on the  
> >thermostat.
> >    Is there any validity to his claim?
> 
> Your HVAC installer probably got his training at Sears.  Most thermostats do not get their
> poser from the furnace transformer.  The lines coming to the thermostats are control
> lines.  Mechanical thermostats are switches, and they switch HVAC power.  It would be like
> saying your light switch could get power from somewhere other than the lights power.  This
> is also like stringing you hammock between two imaginary trees.
> 
> Electronic thermostats are battery powered.  They also switch HVAC power.  The two
> functions are seperate.
> 
> I would report the guy to the BBB.
> 
> Mike Polen
> MIPS Computer Systems (today)

Well, this is only my own experience, but...  My electronic thermostat
operates fine even without the battery in it.  The instructions say
that the
battery is only there to provide backup memory in case the power fails.
Also, my heater has fried more than a couple of thermostats with power
surges
when it turns on or off.  No one has been able to offer me a solution,
but
I do know that it can be a problem.

bri
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: king@reasoning.com (Dick King)
Subject: Re: Laundry Detergent recommendations
Organization: Reasoning Systems, Inc., Palo Alto, CA
Distribution: usa
Date: Wed, 15 Apr 1992 01:42:50 GMT

In article <18090@oasys.dt.navy.mil> odell@oasys.dt.navy.mil (Bernard O'Dell) writes:
>Cheer Free is supposedly "free" of those "irritants"--
>
>Surf supposedly is the best for everyday use---


Surf makes a big deal about removing perspiration odor, but it flunks the
Yecchy Fencing Jacket Test, which Arm & Hammer passes.

-dk

Disclaimer: your results may depend on your body chemistry, jacket material, or
            fencing style.
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,alt.activism
From: andy@access.digex.com (Andrew M Cohn)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Tips: Instant coffee and styrofoam cups
Date: 7 Apr 92 11:40:49 GMT
Organization: Express Access Online Communications, Greenbelt, Maryland USA


 
If you like the taste of freshly brewed coffee over instant, and
you don't have the time to putz with the coffee maker, try those
new Folgers coffee bags. They look and work just like tea bags,
and make excellent single cups of coffee, either regular or decaf.
The supermarket price is around $3.50 for 19 bags, which is 18 cents
per cup; more expensive than the pound can of coffee, but much less
than the 65 cent cup at the local convenience store. Take a bunch
with you on your next business trip. (No, I'm not a Folgers salesman).
 
OK, here's a money-saving tip for styrofoam cup junkies like me. I got
hooked on these cups at work, and use them at home cuz they are so
easy to hold. You probably think I just toss them in the trash after
use. Not! I put them in the dishwasher and they come out in mint
condition! It's good for your wallet (or purse) and good for the
environment.  Cheers!
 
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: douglis@MITL.COM (Fred Douglis)
Subject: Re: Sears Premier Dining club - scam alert!
Organization: Matsushita Information Technology Laboratory
Distribution: usa
Date: Sun, 12 Apr 1992 21:07:15 GMT

stu@voodoo.boeing.com (Stuart Liddle) writes:


>I recently received a "membership" in the Premier Dining club which appears
>to be affiliated with Sears.  I got a credit card-like plastic membership
>card with my name and membership number embossed on it.  The deal was that
>I could use it for free for the three month trial period after which I could
>cancel by returning the card to them and telling them I want to cancel.  If
>I did nothing with it (even if I just happened to toss the whole mess into
>the trash where it belonged) I would be billed on my Sears account for $49!!
[rest deleted]

I got an offer from United Mileage Plus to join Premier Dining under the
3-month trial membership you discussed.  In this case I had to give
them a credit card number so they'd know what to bill after 3 months.  I
figured it sounded good and was worth a try, so I signed up.

It took quite a while to get anything from them, and when I got my membership
card it came with a note about the directory coming later.  Well, it came
much later, like a couple of months, and by this time I figured the 
trial period was practically over.  I did use the card one time but was
unimpressed by the savings.  When I wrote to cancel my membership, it
turned out they'd already billed my card, but they did provide a credit
within the same month, so it was no big deal.

All in all, I'd say to ignore Premier Dining if you're given a choice,
and bitch loud and clear, like Stuart did, if they sign you up without
even asking.
-- 
Fred Douglis
Matsushita Information Technology Laboratory  | Email: douglis@mitl.com
182 Nassau Street			      | Phone: +1 609 497-4600
Princeton, NJ 08542 USA 		      | Fax:   +1 609 497-4013
Newsgroups: misc.consumers