HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: stanton@haas.berkeley.edu (Richard Stanton)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Advice needed after poor (but expensive) body work
Date: 2 Sep 1992 18:31:09 GMT
Organization: University of California, Berkeley
Distribution: usa
NNTP-Posting-Host: haas.berkeley.edu

About 4 months ago, I was involved in an accident where an uninsured motorist
shot through a stop sign and hit my car (a 1988 Ford Nustang GT convetible) 
hard in the passenger door.

The car was towed to a body shop, where they told me that there was no real
structural damage, but a lot of work needed doing on the dorr and
surrounding area. The insurance adjuster agreed to their estimate of
about $8,000 in repairs, which were done over the next month.

Since then, while the car drives fine, I've noticed a lot of little
things wrong, (such as the color of the new door being wrong where you
can see it when you put the top back). In addition, when I just took it
in for a service, the guy who did the service told me that the work
had been poorly performed, and that while it looked OK from outside,
a lot was hidden under the car. He said that in his opinion this was a
car that had had a major accident, and would be hard to sell.
When I asked him to tell me how much I'd get for the car, he "took the 5th".

It's obviously rather late to try and get the acr totaled, but I was assured
by the body shop who did the work that the car would be worth as much after 
the repairs as it was before the accident. I'm not particularly keen to
end up thousands of dollars out of pocket.

What are my best options at this point?

Thanks for any suggestions

Richard Stanton
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,misc.wanted
From: cep@taligent.com (Christophe Pettus)
Subject: Business Printer Sought ...
Followup-To: misc.consumers
Organization: Taligent, a little subsidiary of two really big companies.
Distribution: ba
Date: Wed, 2 Sep 1992 20:00:15 GMT

[Pardon the choice of newsgroups; it was the best I could think of at
the time ...]

I'm looking for a good, reliable business printer to prepare
letterhead, flyers, business cards, etc., in the Santa Clara County
area.  Thanks in advance for any recommendations ...
--
-- Christophe

"Black is the color of non-conformity.  Everyone has to have it."
	T-shirt company executive
From: toddi@mav.com (Todd Inch)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: DAK's short-wave radio ??
Date: 26 Aug 1992 20:23:01 GMT
Organization: Maverick International Inc.

In article <BtAFnM.3ww@fc.sde.hp.com> Gary Fritz <fritz@hpfcbig.sde.hp.com> writes:
>The previous responses verify my General Theory of DAK:  no matter how cheap
>it is, you get (at best) what you paid for.  DAK tends to carry low-grade goods
>dressed up with Drew Kaplan's hyped-up ad copy.  

Although it is hype and I'm sure some stuff is crap, I've been very impressed
with a Turbo Breadmaker II we got from DAK.

Ours was a "refurbished return" from a disgruntled customer.  To get these,
add a "U" in front of their catalog numbers and save a few bucks.

Also, there is a special close-out DAK catalog they'll send if you request it.

Also, I really like my Ultralite notebook computer, although I bought it
elsewhere and it's several-year-old technology.

>(And, I wish someone would
>throttle the guy until he learns not to start every sentence with "And,"
>and "But,"!!! :-)

AGREED! But, that is his "style."  And, it drives me batty.

>I have also heard rumors that DAK has gone, or is going, bankrupt.
>Caveat Emptor.

According to his letter (hype) on the front of the latest catalog, he's just
having credit problems supposedly because the new management at his old bank
cut off his credit line for no reason.  But, :-) he isn't going out of business,
he says.
Xref: sparky misc.consumers:16110 sci.energy:4204 sci.environment:11056 sci.med:16859 sci.physics:14071 talk.environment:3552
From: sichase@csa3.lbl.gov (SCOTT I CHASE)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,sci.energy,sci.environment,sci.med,sci.physics,talk.environment
Subject: Re: Radioactivity and Superstition; was: Re: Are Your Light Bulbs Radioactive?
Date: 4 Sep 92 03:35:50 GMT
Organization: Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory - Berkeley, CA, USA
Distribution: Dept of Nuclear Engineering, UNM
Reply-To: sichase@csa3.lbl.gov
NNTP-Posting-Host: 128.3.254.198
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.3-4   

In article <v2ln+gh@lynx.unm.edu>, jfreter@triton.unm.edu (The Myth) writes...

>We must outlaw anything that contains Carbon, too, since carbon-14 is 
>radioactive.  That means that you can no longer have diamond.  In fact,
>you can't have a body anymore, since it's radioactive and will kill you.

I don't know how long it takes to make natural diamond, but I bet we're talking
thousands of C14 half-lives.  So I don't think that diamonds have any
radioactivity from C14.  If they are freshly mined, so that there are no
cosmic ray spallation products, and are pure carbon, then they are probably 
some of the most nonradioactive objects on the planet.

-Scott
--------------------
Scott I. Chase			"The question seems to be of such a character
SICHASE@CSA2.LBL.GOV		that if I should come to life after my death
				and some mathematician were to tell me that it
				had been definitely settled, I think I would
				immediately drop dead again."      - Vandiver
From: nall@sun8.scri.fsu.edu (John Nall)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Service charge on returned check....
Date: 27 Aug 92 18:25:51 GMT
Followup-To: misc.consumers
Distribution: usa
Organization: SCRI, Florida State University

Going through my bank statement today, I noticed that they
had charged me a $5 "return charge" for a check which someone
gave me which subsequently was returned for insufficient
funds.  I had deposited it in my account.

I called the bank, and was told that they started doing this
on August 1st.  They also said the other banks do it.  I
presume it is a service charge type of thing.

Seems kind of unfair to me, since there was nothing which I
did wrong, nor could I have known the check was bad.  So I
thought that I would write the bank president a letter, letting
him know what I think of it.  A polite letter - I'm not into
tirades :-)

First, however, I'd be interested in whether other banks do this.
Anyone know?  (I can use the data in my letter).

*Please* do not give me impassioned replies about bank-slime,
lawsuits, malicious methods of getting "even," or anything of 
that ilk.  It is only $5, and I'm not about to change banks or
do anything childish about it.  I'm merely a bit annoyed, 
and want some data to quote in my letter.


Thanks,

John

--
John W. Nall              | Supercomputer Computations Research Institute
nall@mailer.scri.fsu.edu  | Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306
  "Older women, make beautiful lovers - older women, they understand..."
    (song heard on radio, driving, one rainy night in Mississippi)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: artc@iplmail.orl.mmc.com (Art Chang)
Subject: HELP->looking for a GOOD fax/phone auto switch
Organization: Martin Marietta
Date: Thu, 3 Sep 1992 01:46:04 GMT


Hello:

	I am looking for a GOOD fax/phone auto switch
	box, and I have been told most of the auto switches
	work only 50% of times...... :-(
	Do ya'll know of any "GOOD" switches out there???
	need this real soon -> so how about give me a hand
	on this one.....


	thanks
	Art
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: J024330@LMSC5.IS.LMSC.LOCKHEED.COM
Subject: Re: PARALYZER CS tear gas
Organization: Lockheed Missiles & Space Company, Inc.
Date: Tue, 25 Aug 92 15:49:01 GMT

smjeff@lerc05.lerc.nasa.gov (Jeff Miller) writes

>I never really thought about this.  I bought some "tear gas" to carry in
>my bike bag after I was chased by a pit bull.  Does the stuff not work
>on dogs?  Are there any mailcarriers out there with first-hand experience?
>--
>Jeffrey H. Miller     smjeff@lerc05.lerc.nasa.gov
>verdrup Technology, NASA Lewis Research Center Group, Cleveland, Ohio

The post office carriers carry a substance called _HALT_(yelling not intended)
It is a pepper type substance, not tear gas.  You may be able to find it in
bike shops.
From: msingh@silver.ucs.indiana.edu (The Supreme Commander)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: How to get UPS to pay up AND what's a good alternative
Date: 26 Aug 92 19:49:23 GMT
Organization: Indiana University


I just recently had an interesting experience with UPS myself. I sent
a box of dinner plates, clearly marked in 10ft letters FRAGILE. (10ft
is an exagerration, but you get the idea) UPS broke half the set. I
called them up and they agreed to refund my money. They came a week
later picked up the *entire* set and returned it to their warehouse.

A week later it arrived back to the original ship point, now with 80%
of the plates broken. UPS refused to admit they had broken any "more"
plates, and would only pay for the original broken ones. They then
asked why we had returned the *enire* shipment and not just the broken
ones. (Well gee, let's see, you *told* us to do that...)

UPS said "send us copies of the purchase reciept and we will consider
your case". Now what a minute, you said before you would pay for it!
Now you broke more plates and say you are only going to consider
paying for them?

The next day, UPS comes to pick up the plates to return to their
wharehouse. However, they decide to send it to some other third
party!! After the third party, *not* UPS, contacts me, I tell UPS to
pick up the package from them.

Surprise surprise, two days later, UPS delivers the package back to
me!! Meanwhile, they tell me they have decided to actually pay me for
the damaged goods. At this point I tell them I still have the package,
and that if they want it they should come pick it up. 

I got my check, and no one came to pick up my damaged goods. If UPS
runs the tightest ship in the shipping business, I'd hate to meet the
guy who runs the loosest ship!!


-- 
---------------------------------------------------------------------
The Supreme Commander wishes you a Supreme day. 
I'm a Magic Man, oooh, I got the magic hands, yeah...
Don't mind me, I'm just attempting to dock.
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: rjc@cbnewsf.cb.att.com (robert.cook)
Subject: Sears Best?
Organization: AT&T
Distribution: usa
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1992 19:07:13 GMT

After knocking Sears and not purchaseing one of their compressors...............

Bought one of Sears Best battery drills several years ago. Used it hard, bounced
and was generally happy with it.  Should have had an extra battery though.  Any
hoooo, the charger began boiling my battery.  Attempted to charge it twice and
it would quickly lose it's charge.  

Called Sears - What's a new battery? About $80. Heck, that's what I paid for the
silly thing.  Well how about the battery charger?  Told them the story.  Well it
seems there was a recall on a model because the charger was boiling the battery.
What's the model number.  Sortly after......  Your a winner of one of you 
discontinued recall models.  Call our 800 parts and have them take care of ya.

Call 800parts.  Well the charger is $40 and the battery $39.95.  Well parts
that's not quite right.  this is a recall item, because it was a lemon. > Call
your local Sears where you bought it.  Well, seeing as I had to get some work
done I took it own down.  Manager, yea, your the one I spoke with a while ago.
Well parts said they couldn't do anything and bring it down to you.  Manager
says to his salesman...  Get this man our top of the line Sears Best.  He paid
$100 for this (I only paid $80 on sale).  Give him a replacement.

Bingo!!! :+)  Now my friend (girl) is getting all excited & I'm trying to tell
her to shut up, before they change their minds.  So I got a chuckless top-o-de-
line SEARS BEST with extra screw bits, etc, etc..

I'm HAPPY & Sears is ok by me.					(today) :-)

Robert

Xref: sparky misc.consumers:15969 sci.energy:4185 sci.environment:10977 sci.med:16778 sci.physics:13970 talk.:2
From: quest@iowegia.uucp (Steve J. Quest)
Newsgroups: pdx.consumer,misc.consumers,sci.energy,sci.environment,sci.med,sci.physics,talk.
Subject: Re: Are Your Light Bulbs Radioactive?
Date: 1 Sep 92 19:48:03 GMT
Organization: Iowegia Waffle BBS, Clive IA USA, +1 515 226 2156

steinman@is.morgan.com (Jan Steinman) writes:

>    >Abstract: Alert!!! some compact flourescent light bulbs have radioactive
>    >materials in them.
> 

        Can anyone tell me exactly what radioactive substance is 
used in these lamps?  I can assume the element is thorium, as that 
is used to "enrich" the electron emission from the cathodes in TV 
picture tubes.  Please all, keep this in mind- a radioactive 
element OUTSIDE the body is usually harmless in small amounts.  
Once inside, the damage begins (so don't munch on your fluorescent 
tubes)   ;)

sq
From: sch@unx.sas.com (Steve Holzworth)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: PARALYZER CS tear gas (long followup)
Date: 25 Aug 92 16:36:07 GMT
Organization: SAS Institute Inc.

This is an article I saved from a rec.martial-arts post awhile back.
It gives convincing evidence that NONE of the current irritant sprays,
including pepper-based sprays, work effectively.

Start included post:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Article: 17461 of rec.martial-arts
From: erikt@tekig1.PEN.TEK.COM (Erik Teose)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: For consumers in Toronto, Ont. area.
Keywords: Toronto Ontario
Date: 3 Sep 92 06:34:13 GMT
Distribution: na

You know how it is when something looks familiar, and you finally think
you have it figured out ...

Back when I lived in Toronto (almost 8 years ago), Loblaws had this great
"food newsletter" that showed up every once in a while, that would describe
all sorts of great stuff that Loblaws' buyers had found. Was a fellow named
Dave Nichol associated with this?? Was (is) he the president of Loblaws??
If so, his operation has wound its way down to Portland OR. Kinda neat.
I'd appreciate any info to help me settle this. Thanks.

Erik Teose
erikt@tekig1.pen.tek.com
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: berger@atropa (Mike Berger)
Subject: Re: Rather large late fee on my cable bill
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
Date: Fri, 28 Aug 1992 01:30:12 GMT

rinehart@aramis.rutgers.edu (Mark J. Rinehart) writes:
>I am so fed up with my cable company's overall attitude toward their
>customers that I recently sent them a note along with my payment,
>about late fees - TKR in Central NJ charges a late fee of $5.00. The
>note said that they had a choice. They could never charge me a late
>fee again (I usually pay my cable bill once every 2 months), or they
>could cancel my subscription, which comes to $50 per month (w/4
>premium channels). I suppose I shall find out soon what their decision
>is.  

*----
What's the billing period?  Here in Champaign, we're billed every
two months, and the bill is due by the end of the FIRST month of
service you're paying for.  I would refuse to pay a late fee
for any bill "due" before the service is rendered.





>Mark
--
	Mike Berger
	Department of Statistics, University of Illinois
	AT&TNET     217-244-6067
	Internet    berger@atropa.stat.uiuc.edu
From: hansg@risken.vd.volvo.se (Hans Granqvist)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: PARALYZER CS tear gas
Date: 27 Aug 92 07:09:51 GMT

lstowell@pyrnova.mis.pyramid.com (Lon Stowell) writes:

     [on tear gas]

>    You might startle an untrained attacker, but I certainly
>    wouldn't rely on it against anyone trained to ignore the
>    stuff...

oops, excuse me, "ignore" tear gas? right, like some dope dealer
ignores being shot by the police, or what?

or is this some other kind of tear gas ("tear gas lite")?
--
Hans Granqvist, Volvo, pleading the fifth.
Xref: sparky misc.consumers:15897 ny.general:285
From: billm@thor.fsrg.bear.com (Bill Moss)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,ny.general
Subject: Re: Title vs. registration in NY state
Date: 1 Sep 92 16:19:47 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: Bear Stearns & Company, New York, NY

In article <1992Aug31.185217.26030@news.acns.nwu.edu> cjc@casbah.acns.nwu.edu (Christopher Chen) writes:
>So, this guy passing through sold me a 50cc Honda scooter.  With it,
>he gave me the New York state registration receipt, which, he claims,
>serves as the title in NY.  The front of the card reads
>....
>he told me, "That's all I had."
>
>Now, can anyone confirm or deny this?  

When New York passed its title law in the early 1970's, the state did not go
back and issue titles for already registered motor vehicles.

Automobiles (and I assume motorbikes) with model years of 1973 and later are
issued titles by the N.Y. Department of Motor Vehicles.

If the vehicle is 1972 and earlier, then the registration serves as the
title.  That's what that language on your registration is explaining.  On
later cars, the words NONTRANSFERABLE are printed and a title is issued.

Does this help?
				==Bill Moss



Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: dtasman@dante.nmsu.edu (Dan Tasman)
Subject: Re: "Bak to Skule" and other seasonal junk pushes.
Organization: New Mexico State University
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1992 03:18:27 GMT

In article <1291@ncrclm.ClemsonSC.NCR.COM> lsnow@ncrclm.ClemsonSC.NCR.COM  
(Linda Snow) writes:

>>I learned long ago to avoid certain mainline department stores during
>>"Christ"mas shopping (which begins Nov 1 in Canada) after finding them
 
> Lucky you.  In the U.S. it starts sometime in September.

They've already started setting up the "Christmas Village" store in the Mesilla  
Valley Mall here.  Oh, angst ...

--
   Dan Tasman                                       dtasman@dante.nmsu.edu
                                                     molson@rever.nmsu.edu
   -----------------------------------------------------------------------
   "I think that I shall never see a billboard lovely as a tree
    Indeed, unless the billboards fall, I'll never see a tree at all."
                                                                Ogden Nash
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,rec.food.drink,ba.food
From: case@ucs.sdsu.edu (Steve Case)
Subject: Re: The coffeemaker I bought
Organization: San Diego State University, Data Communications
Distribution: usa
Date: Thu, 27 Aug 1992 18:17:30 GMT

In article <1992Aug27.070242.12782@adobe.com> cjackson@adobe.com (Curtis Jackson) writes:
>From: cjackson@adobe.com (Curtis Jackson)
>Subject: The coffeemaker I bought
>Date: Thu, 27 Aug 1992 07:02:42 GMT
>On the recommendation of several people, I picked up the Braun 800
>at Price Club for $60. I have yet to take it out of the box, however,
>because I don't have any of the cone-shaped no. 4 filters it needs
>and it was too late at night when I bought it to get some.
>
>I'll let you guys know how it works, but, again, it came highly
>recommended and I am quite sure it will beat the hell out of my
>old Mr. Coffee. Now I need to find a source for that Melita bean
>roaster someone mentioned....
>-- 
>Curtis Jackson		cjackson@mv.us.adobe.com	(415) 962 4905
>Adobe Systems, 1585 Charleston Rd., POB 7900, Mountain View, CA 94039-7900
>  "They that can give up an essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
>   safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." -- Benjamin Franklin (1759)

Open it up. You will find filters already in it. Nice touch, huh? 
--
Steve Case (case@ucs.sdsu.edu) | "Cover for me!"
Data Communications Group      | "Oh, good idea, boss!"
University Computing Services  | "It was like that when I got here."
San Diego State University     | - Homer's standard disclaimers.
San Diego, California 92182    | "My opinions only" - my standard disclaimer
From: malladi@shanti1.Eng.Sun.COM (Deviprasad Malladi)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: VCR Maintenance Advice Wanted. Head Cleaners Any Good?( Tracking is off)
Date: 4 Sep 1992 16:05:23 GMT
Organization: Sun Microsystems
Distribution: world
Reply-To: malladi@shanti1.Eng.Sun.COM
NNTP-Posting-Host: shanti1

         I have an old Mitsubishi VCR( 7 years old). I cannot seem to be able to use
the tracking any more. Would a thorough cleaning job help it or do I need to take it
to a shop?

Thanks,
From: jbw@bigbird.bu.edu (Joe Wells)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: summary: getting name and address of restaurant owner
Date: 31 Aug 92 03:44:49 GMT
 <1992Aug25.123221.19872@bnlux1.bnl.gov>
Distribution: usa
Organization: Boston University Computer Science Department
In-reply-to: niebuhr@bnlux1.bnl.gov's message of 25 Aug 92 12:32:21 GMT

I asked how to get the name and address of a restaurant's owner other than
calling the restaurant and asking.  Here are the suggestions I got:

* tax registration records at the Secretary of State's office.
* city tax department records.
* city health department records.
* Board of Health license records.
* county records DBA (Doing Business As) file.
* look for the business licenses on the wall in the restaurant.

Credit goes to Ron Carter <rcarter@nyx.cs.du.edu>, David Niebuhr
<niebuhr@bnl.gov>, Mike B. Pruden <mp7166@swuts>, Steve Tobias
<tobias@oasys.dt.navy.mil>, Robert S. Parnass <parnass@ihlpm.att.com>, and
Will Bell <bell@cs.tamu.edu>.

-- 
Joe Wells <jbw@cs.bu.edu>
Member of the League for Programming Freedom --- send e-mail for details
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: bkwg0457@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Brent Whitlock)
Subject: Re: auto-start AUDIO cassette recorder ??
Reply-To: bwhitlock@uiuc.edu
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
Date: Thu, 3 Sep 1992 00:36:07 GMT

amy@vineland.pubs.stratus.com (Amy McNulty) writes:


>With all of the recent advances in VCR technology, I'm surprised that  
>I've never seen an AUDIO cassette recorder that can be pre-set to start  
>taping at a specific time. Has anyone ever seen or heard of one of  
>these? Although I haven't tried it, I assume that connecting my stereo  
>system to an automatic timer wouldn't work (even if I could get it to  
>come on at a reasonably close approximation to the correct time)....

>Any ideas?

>______________________________________________________________
>amy_mcnulty@vos.stratus.com  OR  amy@vineland.pubs.stratus.com
>Amy McNulty -- Stratus Computer, Marlboro, MA
>Stratus pays me to write, but not to write this!

My brother uses his standard VCR with a radio tuner attached to the 
audio input jacks to record off of radio with the timer.  To record
directly onto cassettes, you could get a remote control capable cassette
deck and buy one of those programmable (learning) remote controls that
allow you program key sequences to be issued at predetermined times.  That
would do the job.  I saw a Memorex remote control that did that from
Damark Catalog not too long ago.  Maybe Radio Shack carries one like it,
at a much higher price than the Damark Catalog, since Memorex is now
owned by Radio Shack.


-- 
    * * * * * * --> DISCLAIMER:  I speak only for myself. <-- * * * * * *
Brent Whitlock		Beckman Institute for Advanced Science & Technology
bwhitlock@uiuc.edu	Dept. of Electrical & Computer Engineering
			University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,rec.food.drink,ba.food
From: charleen@ADS.COM (Charleen Bunjiovianna)
Subject: Re: Looking for a *great* coffeemaker
Organization: The Original Estrogen-Crazed Lust Bunnies
Distribution: usa
Date: Tue, 25 Aug 1992 19:15:55 GMT

In article <8210.25748@stratus.SWDC.Stratus.COM> jane@soave.swdc.stratus.com (Jane Beckman) writes:
>
>For sheer adventure, I love "Heisenberg's Uncertain Blend" at
>Trader Joe's.  The major problem, unfortunately, is if you
>find something so utterly wonderful you rave and gibber about
>it, you can never get it again.  :-(  (I've had two cans like
>that.)

Finally, someone else who likes Heisenberg's!  Everyone else thinks
I'm crazy.

I don't care so much about not being able to duplicate the beans
in the next can; I just like surprises.  Also gives me a chance
to sample beans I might not ordinarily buy.

[Trader Joe's is a California chain of gourmet grocery stores
 specializing in wine, cheese, coffee, baked goods and fresh &
 frozen prepared foods.]

Charleen

--
I have masking tape across my mirrors so I don't get sucked into an
alternate dimension.               -- Steven Wright