HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: mpb@troy.uucp (22161-bunz)
Subject: Re: WARNING KODAK batteries leaked!
Organization: Bellcore, Livingston, NJ
Distribution: na
Date: Fri, 31 Jul 92 19:36:04 GMT

In article <1992Jul31.185515.26779@cbnewse.cb.att.com>, parnass@cbnewse.cb.att.com (Bob Parnass, AJ9S) writes:
> Michael posted about how his Kodak batteries leaked.
> 
> Then, in article <1992Jul31.122833.10328@lmpsbbs.comm.mot.com>,
> johnme@ecs.comm.mot.com (John Meyer) wrote:
>  
>   > a year ago i had eveready alkaline batteries leak, totally
>   > demolishing a new flashlight.  (acid corrosion)
> 
> I don't think we've seen enough evidence to conclude that one brand
> battery is more prone to leakage than another.   I had a
> bad experience with Ray-O-Vac alkaline batteries which leaked
> and wrecked a flashlight.  I didn't mix batteries or subject them
> to abuse, but the experience affected my battery buying habits.
> 
> Since then, I've avoided Ray-O-Vac batteries.  Instead, I use Duracell,
> Energizer, Sears DieHard, Panasonic, and (oh!) Radio Shack alkalines.
> None have leaked (so far).
> -- 
> ==============================================================================
> Bob Parnass, AJ9S  -  AT&T Bell Labs  -  parnass@ihlpm.att.com - (708)979-5414

Last weekend I looked at the flashlight in one of my cars, and the Radio
Shack alkalines had leaked all over it.

Course, I've also had Duracell and Energizer batteries leak also.

Is it realistic to believe that one brand of batteries is really
better/worse than another? The odds are that they will all leak,
given the right conditions.  In fact, I haven't had a Ray-O-Vac
leak (they tended to be used more frequently).

Marc
From: timlee@public.btr.com
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Citibank bill dispute
Date: 31 Jul 92 04:17:16 GMT
Reply-To: timlee@btr.com (Timothy J. Lee)
Followup-To: misc.consumers

jordan@IMSI.COM (Jordan Hayes) writes:
|Ahmed Shabana <ashabana@agsm.ucla.edu> writes:
|
|	When my wallet was stolen I received a new Citibank Mastercard
|	14 HOURS after I reported it but it took another bank 18 DAYS
|	to replace their Visa for.
|
|Suprise!  You get what you pay for!

Careful shoppers can often get just as much or more while paying less.
On the other side, some people who don't shop carefully pay more to
get less.

Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: nathan@laplace.biology.yale.edu (Nathan F. Janette)
Subject: Re: MSG
Reply-To: nathan@laplace.biology.yale.edu
Organization: Yale University, Department of Computer Science, New Haven, CT
Date: Fri, 31 Jul 1992 20:05:35 GMT

In article <1992Jul30.232522.14069@elroy.jpl.nasa.gov> sns@bondi.jpl.nasa.gov  
(Sam Southard) writes:
> The solution is easy.  If you see a package which has MSG on
> it, don't buy it. 

True enough, but MSG can be labeled as other things,
including hydrolized (sp?) veg protein, "natural
flavorings", etc... quite a problem for someone who
wants to avoid it! 

Of course, food in restaurants isn't even labeled.

--
Nathan Janette		"I'm a NeXTstep man,
Dept MB&B, Yale Univ	 I'm a NeXTcube guy"
New Haven, CT
nathan@laplace.biology.yale.edu (NeXT)

Newsgroups: misc.consumers,rec.radio.shortwave,rec.photo
From: parnass@cbnewse.cb.att.com (Bob Parnass, AJ9S)
Subject: Re: WARNING KODAK batteries leaked!
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Naperville, IL
Distribution: na
Date: Fri, 31 Jul 1992 18:55:15 GMT
Followup-To: misc.consumers
Summary: I had Ray-O-Vac batteries leak

Michael posted about how his Kodak batteries leaked.

Then, in article <1992Jul31.122833.10328@lmpsbbs.comm.mot.com>,
johnme@ecs.comm.mot.com (John Meyer) wrote:
 
  > a year ago i had eveready alkaline batteries leak, totally
  > demolishing a new flashlight.  (acid corrosion)

I don't think we've seen enough evidence to conclude that one brand
battery is more prone to leakage than another.   I had a
bad experience with Ray-O-Vac alkaline batteries which leaked
and wrecked a flashlight.  I didn't mix batteries or subject them
to abuse, but the experience affected my battery buying habits.

Since then, I've avoided Ray-O-Vac batteries.  Instead, I use Duracell,
Energizer, Sears DieHard, Panasonic, and (oh!) Radio Shack alkalines.
None have leaked (so far).
-- 
==============================================================================
Bob Parnass, AJ9S  -  AT&T Bell Labs  -  parnass@ihlpm.att.com - (708)979-5414
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: Eric T. Jue <etjue@lbl.gov>
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: cordless phones
Date: 28 Jul 1992 18:50:08 GMT
Organization: LBL
Distribution: world
NNTP-Posting-Host: 131.243.64.95
X-UserAgent: Nuntius v1.1

Actually, the AT&T low-end phones are substantially different from their
hi-end line.  In fact, the technology utilized in AT&T's Clarity Plus
phones are far advanced relative to their low-end models.
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: billmcc@seanews.akita.com (Bill McCormick)
Subject: Re: Recommendation for Flowbee hair cutters
Organization: SEANEWS - Seattle Public Access News & Mail
Date: Wed, 29 Jul 1992 23:38:51 GMT

In article <1992Jul27.052814.29535@highlite.uucp> burgoyne@highlite.uucp (J. Robert Burgoyne) writes:
>georgec@eng.umd.edu (George B. Clark) writes:
>Hi George, and everyone else in netland. Too bad it's such a long
>flight to get a haircut in Taiwan. I guarantee that 90% of the men
>out there saving money on haircuts with Flowbee would change their
>habits after one trip to a barber shop in Taiwan.
>
>Hey you men out there, here's an assignment: Find a male who grew
>up in Taiwan and ask if they think Flowbees would sell to men who
>otherwise go the barber shop in Taiwan.

There are barber shops and then there are "barber shops."

Actually one of the best hair cutting experiences I had was a real
barbershop in Taipei.  For quite a low price you can get a trim, 
shampoo, hot towels, a shave, and a massage all in one.  The
only interesting thing was that the shampoo came *after* the
haircut, not before.

Also the girl doing it loved my red hair.

For those who don't know, "houses of ill repute" masquerade as
barbershops in Taiwan.  The only way to tell the difference
is that a real barbershop has windows and you can see people
getting their hair cut.

Bill
-- 
SEANEWS        [] Seattle News + Mail []         +1 206 937 9529
billmcc@seanews.akita.com                          Public Access

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Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: youmans@cunixf.cc.columbia.edu (Jacqueline Youmans)
Subject: Where to go
Reply-To: youmans@cunixf.cc.columbia.edu (Jacqueline Youmans)
Organization: Columbia University
Distribution: usa
Date: Fri, 24 Jul 1992 04:53:06 GMT
From: a036450@rd821.UUCP (Bob Goldrich)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Rechargable Power Tools
Date: 29 Jul 92 11:34:59 GMT
Organization: The Gleason Works, Rochester New York
X-Newsreader: Tin 1.1 PL4

Can anyone tell me what to look for in rechargable power tools?  I'm
thinking about getting a screw-driver and a drill.  Are all brands
created more-or-less equal?  Any particular features which you find
useful?
                 Bob Goldrich  a036450@rd821.gleason.com

Xref: sparky misc.consumers:14613 misc.consumers.house:9962 misc.rural:1730
From: r1156c@waccvm.corp.mot.com (Michael R. Dow)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,misc.consumers.house,misc.rural
Subject: Re: Weedeater recommendations
Date: 29 Jul 92 14:30:22 GMT
Reply-To: r1156c@waccvm.corp.mot.com (Michael R. Dow)
Organization: David Mitchell & Associates - Austin


	You might want to look for an IDC Trimmer.  I bought one in March and am 
extremely well pleased with it.  It starts well, has lots of power, and has 
other attachments available, such as an edger.

	The price is right, too...		


Michael R. Dow
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: niebuhr@bnlux1.bnl.gov (david niebuhr)
Subject: Re: $$$ for middle class
Organization: Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY 11973
Date: Wed, 22 Jul 1992 12:09:28 GMT

In article <CARL.92Jul21074335@atlantis.Cayman.COM> carl@Cayman.COM (Carl Heinzl) writes:
>
>>Middle class: single return under $110K
>>              joint return  under $150K
>
>>Any opinions?
>
>Way too high.  A month or two ago there was a histogram of salary
>ranges throughout the country (i.e. it included a LARGE sample).
>
>I'd say the "middle class" would probably be the middle "third" of the
>salary sample which would make the range from somewhere in the mid 20s
>up to the 80's (which I had saved that article now).  Yea, I know,
>that's a large range, but in some parts of the county you can live on
>20k *almost* as good as you can on 80k in the expensive areas (perhaps
>(?) better in some cases).
>

It seems that there are a lot of variables left out in determining
just what constitutes the middle class salary range.  The most damaging
one is taxes, and not just the income taxes.

Suffolk County (Long Island) New York, is going to have an 8 1/2% sales
tax starting Sept. 1, 1992.  Property taxes are confiscatory (mine are
above 3K for a house on a 100x117 piece of land.  Some people are paying
over 6K in other places on the Island.

Middle class is an over-worked term that went out the window with the
Reagan/Bush presidencies.  I used to be solidly in the middle class,
but after these two guys finished wrecking the economy, I'm not
anymore.

Dave

Dave Niebuhr      Internet: niebuhr@bnl.gov / Bitnet: niebuhr@bnl
Brookhaven National Laboratory Upton, NY 11973  (516)-282-3093

-- 

Dave Niebuhr      Internet: niebuhr@bnl.gov / Bitnet: niebuhr@bnl
Brookhaven National Laboratory Upton, NY 11973  (516)-282-3093

Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: sns@bondi.jpl.nasa.gov (Sam Southard)
Subject: Re: Compressors & Air Tools
Organization: SAR Systems Development & Processing, JPL
Distribution: usa
Date: Wed, 29 Jul 1992 15:41:16 GMT

In article <1992Jul24.120003.19268@bnr.ca> Peon w/o Email priv (Eric Youngblood) writes:
>In article <6275@tekig7.PEN.TEK.COM>, dhuard@tekig6.PEN.TEK.COM (Douglas R Huard) writes:
>|> haven't had any problems other than trying to run it off of an extension cord.
>|> Yea, that's my fault though, should've known better..
>|>
> 
>What rating did the cord have and how long was it? 120V @ 15A would probably
>require at least 12ga and <=25 ft. Maybe even a 10 ga to be sure.

Where did you get that number?  NEC only requires #14 for 15A, for any distance
(until voltage drop becomes an issue).  He's probably got much more than 25 ft
of #14 (maybe #12 if it's a 20A circuit or the builders were generous) before
it even gets to the outlet.
From: masticol@cadenza.rutgers.edu (Steve Masticola)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: SEARS extended warrantys
Date: 31 Jul 92 13:13:36 GMT
Organization: Rutgers Univ., New Brunswick, N.J.

Extended warranties are usually a waste of money. However, you can
determine for yourself if it's worthwhile.

If

	expected number of breakdowns over life of warranty

times
	expected cost to repair

is greater than

	price of warranty

then the warranty is worth it. I know those numbers are hard to come
by - but consider that the people who offered the warranty probably do
have them, and price accordingly (to allow themselves some profit).

Freezers are pretty trouble-free; two breakdowns over three years and
it's a dog. Say it costs $200 to fix a breakdown. At that rate, the
warranty is only worth it if you expect more than 0.685 breakdowns
over the first three years.

Also consider that the frequency-of-repair curve is bathtub-shaped; a
peak early (infant mortality) and a peak late (old age), with low
F.O.R. for most of its life. The unit has been run (some) at the
factory; if it's been burned in, the manufacturer has eliminated much
of the risk of infant mortality. And that's usually covered by the
manufacturer's regular warranty.

I'd say forget the extended warranty.

- Steve (masticol@cs.rutgers.edu).
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: chazl@county.lmt.mn.org
Subject: Photofinishing liability
Organization: LaserMaster Corp.
Distribution: usa
Date: Wed, 22 Jul 92 20:10:24 GMT

In article <BrpAIC.82x@news.cso.uiuc.edu> tyao@uxh.cso.uiuc.edu (Tim Yao)
writes:
>I would like to share with you a sad story of my misadventure with
>SAM's Club's photo developing.

I just happen to have a claim check from Sam's Club Photofinishing here in my
pocket.  The text on it is as follows: [capitalization theirs]

--

CUSTOMER RECEIPT
NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR FILMS OR PRINTS LEFT OVER 30 DAYS

NOTICE OF LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: Submitting any film, print, slide, or
negative to this firm for processing, printing or other handling constitutes an
AGREEMENT by you that any damage or loss by retailer, film processor, or their
subsidiaries or agents, even though due to the negligence or other fault of
retailer, film processor, or their subsidiaries or agents, will only entitle
you to replacement with a like amount of unexposed film and processing.  This
is your sole remedy.  Except for such replacement, the acceptance by retailer,
film processor, or their subsidiaries and/or agents of the film, print, slide
or negative is without other warranty or liability, and recovery for any
incidental or condsequential damages is excluded.  No modification of this
AGREEMENT shall be effective unless specifically authorized in writing and
signed by an authorized representative of retailer's film processor.

--

I don't post this to rub salt into Tim's wounds.  I really feel for him, having
lost a couple rolls this way myself [never at Sam's], and having had to tell
people that their rolls were lost [also not at Sam's].  You will note that the
receipt you are handed _wherever_ you take film to be processed, be it Sam's
Club, the grocery store, or the local professional color lab, will have almost
the same disclaimer on it.  Sam's Club is not unique in this regard.

I worked as asst. mgr. at a local photo shop [Black's Photography] for a few
years.  We were as careful as we could be with customer films, but occasionally
a couple would go missing.  It's unfortunate, but it happens.

chaz


Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: rboudrie@chpc.org (Rob Boudrie)
Subject: Re: What does collectible mean?
Keywords: collectivle repossess confication sex
Organization: Center For High Perf. Computing of WPI; Marlboro Ma
Distribution: usa
Date: Mon, 27 Jul 1992 13:24:49 GMT

In article <1992Jul27.075205.22483@pasteur.Berkeley.EDU> tjoa@cory.Berkeley.EDU (Richard Tjoa) writes:
>In article <1992Jul27.052606.622@ncsa.uiuc.edu> acheng@ncsa.uiuc.edu (Albert Cheng) writes:
>>If a borrower can not or does not make the monthly payment, the bank
>>can come repocesses the "collectible".  For a car loan, that is the
>>car.  For a home-loan, it is the property.  Can they "confiscate" the
>>furniture and other contents (e.g., that mink coat)?
>
>I don't think so.  Or if they do, they get it out.  As I see it, you take
>a mortgage out on your house, not the contents.

The mortgage is security for the loan, but does not limit the obligation
to pay to the value of said security.

...

>paying the balance off at the present time.)  Anyway, this is the reason
>that we have the S&L crisis.  People found that their mortgages costed more
>than their houses, so they didn't feel that paying their mortgage would
>be benificial, so they let the bank repossess it.
>

WRONG**   If the forclosure sale of a home does not net the bank 
sufficient "after expense" funds to pay off the balance, they can and
often do come after the former homeowner for a "deficiency judgement".  
Once this judgement is obtained, they can start collection proceedings -
the specifics depend on the state, but may include seizure of bank
accounts (even if in other banks); garnisheement of wages; forced sale
of unencumbered property; etc.  In a typical forclosure the homeowner
can just declare bankruptcy, however, persons with substantial "non-
home" assets cannot simply walk away...

If this were not the case, we would have a commercial real estate shortage 
in Massachusetts because all the banks which lent money on condos would 
need numerous additional branch offices to deal with the people "surrendering"
their property.  (well, not quite, but you get the idea).

Although people are not willing to go "as far" to avoid forclosure,
it's no where near as simple as "give the bank the property and keep
any other money you have laying around".  If that were the case, the S&L 
crisis would be even worse.


** - Though an attorney/professor I once took a course from told me that
     the bank's recourse is limited to the property in California if the
     loan was a mortgage on a principal residence.


Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: esther@verdix.com (Esther Lumsdon)
Subject: IRA tax deduction (was Re: Middle-class salary range)
Organization: Verdix Corp.
Date: Wed, 22 Jul 1992 21:53:26 GMT

acheng@ncsa.uiuc.edu (Albert Cheng) writes:


>In article <1992Jul21.173826.20893@col.hp.com>, lpj@col.hp.com (Laura Johnson) writes:
>>On another subject that's being discussed...By getting married, you gain
>>if one spouse makes much more than the other, because the rates are lower
>>for "married filing jointly." You lose if you make similar amounts, because
>>you go into a higher bracket, and this outweighs the benefit of the 
>>"married" rate. Hence the tax code favors the traditional "breadwinner +
>>homemaker" married couple. 

>One spouse can always quit work to take advantage of this great favor
>from Uncle Sam.  :-) More serious, married couple with similar income
>can combine resource to purchase a house (thus getting mortage tax
>break), or invest in less taxed options (like IRA).  It is not as bad
>as it appears.

Hah!  Two single people living in sin can deduct IRA contributions if their
joint income is less than $70,000 per year.  (This assume that individual
income is less than $35,000 per year.)  A married couple can deduct
IRA contributions if their joint income is less than $50,000 per year.
I guess the Congress thinks that married people need less money when
they're old than single people do.
-- 
------ Esther Lumsdon   employed by, not speaking for, Verdix Corporation
     It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice.
  esther@verdix.com  or  esther%verdix.com@uunet.uu.net   
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,misc.consumers.house
From: patter@dasher.uucp (24224-guthrie)
Subject: Re: ARK
Reply-To: patter@dasher.cc.bellcore.com
Organization: Bellcore, Livingston, NJ
Distribution: na
Date: Sat, 25 Jul 92 19:25:22 GMT
Keywords: Rain rain go away

In article <1217@stake.DaytonOH.NCR.COM> emolinar@stake.DaytonOH.NCR.COM (Elizabeth Molinaro) writes:
>
>        I am thinking of abandoning work on my old house and
>        beginning an ark.
>
>        Anyone have a set of plans on hand? 

Not really, but there's a book on the market with a full set of detailed
instructions. It's called "Genesis", or something like that. You may have
to convert some of the measurements.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
                    |
George Patterson -  | If God had meant for man to fly, he'd have
                    | given him more money.
                    |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
From: kmorris1@opal.tufts.edu (KELLY MORRIS)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: mail order clothing for tall men
Date: 30 Jul 92 02:10:00 GMT
Organization: Tufts University - Medford, MA
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41
Originator: news@jade.tufts.edu

Thanks in advance!   kelly (kmorris1@opal.tufts.edu)
From: C058SJLX@ubvm.cc.buffalo.edu
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Warranty question
Date: 30 Jul 92 16:05:57 GMT
Organization: University at Buffalo


  Is there any reason to complain?
   I bought a TV set from a local dealer one and a half years ago.
 The dealer gives one year warranty.  After six months the TV set
 failed.  The dealer could not repair it.  The dealer gave me a
 new unit, same brand and model.  Recently, after the original
 warranty has expired, the set failed again.  Do I have to pay
 for the repair this time?  The new set is not 1 year old yet.
          Thanks for any advice.
               Please respond by e-mail
                      E. Puente.
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: rubin@watson.ibm.com (Bill Rubin)
Subject: Re: How to cancel a credit card (Mastercard or Visa)
Date: Fri, 31 Jul 1992 14:54:10 GMT
Disclaimer: This posting represents the poster's views, not necessarily those of IBM
Organization: IBM T.J. Watson Research Center

In <22072809441040@vms2.macc.wisc.edu> DBBARBER@MACC.WISC.EDU ("Deborah B. Barber") writes:
> Misc.consumer folk:  when you cancel a credit card, what is the proper
> (that is, effective and self-protective) way of going about it.

If all you want to complain about is the high annual fee then the best bet
is to call and complain right after you receive the bill with the annual fee
on it.  Depending on the bank, you can often (many times?)  get the fee
reversed and keep the card.  Citibank seems to be an exception to this rule.

Also, many times they don't make you send back the card if you actually do
cancel, so you save the 29 cents.

-- Bill rubin@watson.ibm.com
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: Barry Thomas <thomasb@ucs.indiana.edu>
Subject: Cellular phone recommendations
Organization: Indiana University
X-Useragent: Nuntius v1.0
Distribution: usa
Date: Tue, 28 Jul 92 21:32:09 GMT

I'm in the market for a cellular phone.  It doesn't appear that I have
much choice in terms of carrier (GTE Mobilnet), but need help in finding
a phone.  I need something that can be moved between cars.  I assume that
limits me to "handheld" or portable models.  I'll be using the phone on
the road to our other campuses.  Some of these are described as "good"
reception areas.  However, one freq. traveled road is known to be a poor
reception area (lots of hills).

Prices for both handheld and portable phones seem to be all over the
board.  I'm looking for any recommendations, questions I should be asking
and just general advice.

Thanks in advance.

Barry Thomas
thomasb@ucs.indiana.edu
Indiana University

Opinions expressed our my own and do not represent the University
From: crawford@ben.dev.upenn.edu (Lauren L. Crawford)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: MSG
Date: 22 Jul 92 20:52:39 GMT
Organization: University of Pennsylvania

In article <1992Jul22.201823.3688@walter.bellcore.com> jchen@ctt.bellcore.com writes:
>We are talking about extraordinary reactions to MSG, not your health.
>Will you put the words in proper context?
>C. Jason Chen


You don't by any chance own stock in major MSG manufacturers, do you?


--Lauren
8-)