HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: fester@island.COM (Mike Fester)
Subject: Re: DOES AMERICA SAY YES TO JAPAN? - Off track!!
Organization: /usr/local/rn/organization
Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1992 15:45:03 GMT

In article <1992Dec24.000311.2152@netcom.com> strnlght@netcom.com (David Sternlight) writes:
>
>Though Aki is correct to point out that America has problems of its own,
>that he should dismiss the long list of legitimate complains against
>unfair and even illegal Japanese practices in the economics, trade,
>and investment area as Japan bashing is appalling, particularly
>coming from someone writing from the World Bank, where they
>know better.

??? There is also a long list of "legitimate complaints" against the US, France,
etc, etc. And as has been pointed out REPEATEDLY, our problem sar eof our own
making.

>I suggest he have a private conversation with the Chief Economist
>of the World Bank about Japan's practices before he continues
>this silliness.

We would ALL be delighted do do so. Would you be so kind as to arrange one 
for us? Or are you just being "silly"?

Mike
-- 
Disclaimer - Oh come on! You didn't think I was serious, did you?
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: cobarruvias@asd2.jsc.nasa.gov
Subject: HELP! Credit Reporting info needed
Organization: NASA/JSC
Distribution: usa
Date: Tue, 22 Dec 1992 14:09:25 GMT

I have a judgement against an individual in Florida. The judgement came from a
Dade County, Florida court. I am desperate in trying to get a judgement against
this individual. I have been advised to post this judgement on his credit
report. Does anyone know how to do this? Or has anyone done this before?

*****************************************************************
John R. Cobarruvias, Texas A&M Class of '78, 
NASA Johnson Space Center Houston Tx.
(713)483-9357

"And to think..................I hesitated" (Hellraiser II)
*****************************************************************

Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: rubin@watson.ibm.com (Bill Rubin)
Subject: Re: Price Club Info Sought
Date: Tue, 29 Dec 1992 15:35:57 GMT
Distribution: us
News-Software: IBM OS/2 PM RN (NR/2) v0.16c by O. Vishnepolsky and R. Rogers
Reply-To: rubin@watson.ibm.com (Bill Rubin)
Disclaimer: This posting represents the poster's views, not necessarily those of IBM
Organization: IBM T.J. Watson Research Center

In <1992Dec27.152249.7460@panix.com> patth@panix.com (Patt Bromberger) writes:
>There are several Price Clubs opening in the tri-state area and before
>I plunk down my $$ to join, I'd appreciate hearing about the
>experiences of others with respect to such clubs.

Well, I just tried to get into a Price Club this weekend and was turned away 
rather rudely, so I figured I have to post something.  They recently opened 
a Price Club in Westbury, Long Island, and they printed free "day passes" in 
Newsday when they opened in October.  The passes expired in early November, 
but I was unable to get there at the time and I held onto it figuring that I 
could try to use it when I finally got out there.  Well, I was in the area 
on Sunday, so I decided to try to get in.  When I showed the pass, the 
teenager who was guarding the door told me it had expired and could no 
longer be used.  I said fine, can I get a day pass so I can go in and see 
what it looked like and whether it was of any value to me before I joined.  
He said "No.  You have to join and if you don't like it you can get a 
refund" (I am actually misstating this, he didn't say it in nearly as 
pleasant a way).  I said forget it and left (in retrospect, I should have a) 
gotten on the 30 deep membership line and asked them or b) said something 
unpleasant to him as I walked away, but I didn't).  Anyway, this at a store 
that has been open for all of 2 months.  So, I left, and I doubt I will be 
going back...  too bad, too, since I might have joined if they'd let me in 
to see what it was like before making me stand on the long line to plunk 
down my membership dollars.  

-- Bill rubin@watson.ibm.com
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: schwartz@nynexst.com (Steven Schwartz)
Subject: Re: long distance calling
Originator: schwartz@baba
Keywords: help
Reply-To: schwartz@nynexst.com
Organization: Expert Systems Lab., NYNEX Sci. and Tech., White Plains NY
Date: Wed, 23 Dec 92 21:44:46 GMT


In article <Bzq3x5.A36@usenet.ucs.indiana.edu>, thomasl@silver.ucs.indiana.edu ((thomasl)) writes:
> Final exam question:
> 
> thomasl@silver is about to begin phone service.  It is necessary to
> choose a long-distance carrier.  Which carrier is most recommended?

MCI for decent service, F&F, a calling card with features like
speed calling, and most importantly:

	American Airlines AAdvantage miles

Well, it's important to me!  :-)
-- 
Steven H. Schwartz		Expert Systems Laboratory
schwartz@nynexst.com		NYNEX Science and Technology Center
PROFS: SCHWARTZ@UNIX		500 Westchester Avenue
914-644-2960			White Plains NY 10604
From: pgleason@ncratl.AtlantaGA.NCR.COM (Pat Gleason)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: What is a Good Brand of Breakmaker
Date: 26 Dec 92 23:16:43 GMT
Organization: NCR Engineering and Manufacturing Atlanta -- Atlanta, GA

Well, my wife and I have decided to purchase a breadmaker (hopefully one
that can make the bread in 2 hours, not 4). Anyone out there have
any recommendations on what brands to buy or avoid ????

I have heard a few bad things about those DAK breadmakers (although my mom
has one and it has worked great for her).

Thanks in advance.
Xref: sparky misc.consumers:21039 sci.electronics:21304 soc.culture.japan:12699 misc.education:5479 misc.entrepreneurs:3700
From: Ed.Almasy@f99.n121.z1.fidonet.org (Ed Almasy)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Visions (or other) cookwares?
Date: 21 Dec 92 03:27:28 GMT

On Dec 10, Dave Breece wrote:
 ->In article <Bz25D7.DDB@fc.sde.hp.com> fritz@fc.sde.hp.com (Gary Fritz) 
 ->writes:
 >>Not necessarily.  Pouring water on the hot frying pan is actually the
 >>*recommended* way for cleaning Scanpans -- which are ceramic-coated 
 >>I've done it many many times wiht no problems.  Of course, I don't heat
 >>them to red-hot first like the original poster!
 ->
 ->I wouldn't try this unless explicitly told to by the owners guide, and
 ->even then I'd be wary.  I fubar'd an aluminum saute pan this way, not to
 ->mention a flat-top grill at McDonalds years ago.

We have Scanpan cookware, and clean it by running it under the tap while it's still hot (as per Scanpan instructions).  Nary a problem.

I would highly recommend the Scanpan cookware to anyone that can afford it.  It's very expensive, but it pays for itself via longevity and ease of use.

 * Origin: NineJackNine / 608-256-5697 / Madison WI / (1:121/99)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: billn@hpcvaac.cv.hp.com (bill nelson)
Subject: Re: Bill, Bill ,Bill
Organization: Hewlett-Packard Company, Corvallis, Oregon USA
Date: Sat, 26 Dec 1992 10:49:31 GMT

pbwhite@rodan.acs.syr.edu (White) writes:
: In article <1992Dec14.093428.20549@hpcvaac.cv.hp.com> billn@hpcvaac.cv.hp.com (bill nelson) writes:
: 
: Slow day today Bill ?
: 
: Just kidding,
: Brian

Dunno, why? More postings than usual - or less? 

Bill
From: asa@STL-09SIMA.ARMY.MIL (Will Martin on 9000)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re:  Fines for not registering a vehicle?
Date: 24 Dec 1992 09:48:46 -0600
Organization: UTexas Mail-to-News Gateway
NNTP-Posting-Host: cs.utexas.edu

Wait a minute.. this is confusing. How is the state supposed to know
that this cycle remained in-state for this period it was not registered
and no tax was paid on it? It could have been taken overseas or something
and just brought back by a military owner. There are an infinite number
of scenarios that would explain why a cycle was registered once in this 
state some years back, was not registered since, and now needs to be
re-registered... It could have been re-built from a wreck with the only
original part being the one with the vehicle ID on it (what is that on
a cycle -- the frame?).

Will
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,soc.culture.japan
From: strnlght@netcom.com (David Sternlight)
Subject: Re: America doesn't have a clue: (was DOES AMERICA SAY YES TO JAPAN? - Off track!!)
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services (408 241-9760 guest)
Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1992 19:09:46 GMT


Mike Fester mentions the Lockheed case as an attempt, one assumes,
to justify Japanese buying of influence here.

The Lockheed case was an isolated incident acknowledged to have been
wrong. People were, presumably, punished.

Japanese influence-buying here is massive and consistent with
Japanese policy. That's a very big difference.

David
-- 
David Sternlight
RIPEM Public Key on server  --  Consider it an envelope for your e-mail
From: phiggins@crux.acs.uci.edu (Paul Higgins)
Subject: Re: Interplak vs. Braun
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Organization: University of California, Irvine
Date: 23 Dec 92 17:40:46 GMT
Distribution: usa


See the September 1992 issue of Consumer Reports for a review of ten
electric toothbrushes.  The Braun Oral-B Plaque Remover D5545 received
the highest ratings.
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: lchoqu%asylum.cs.utah.edu@cs.utah.edu (Lee Choquette)
Subject: Re: Dedicated ATM card?
Date: 30 Dec 92 15:42:09 MST
Organization: University of Utah CS Dept

In article <1992Dec29.205237.15191@lmt.mn.org> ChazL@county.lmt.mn.org (Chaz
Larson) writes:
 > In my experience, [ATM network] designations [such as Plus and Cirrus] are
 > no longer of much significance.  My current "Plus" affliated card has been
 > accepted by every ATM machine I've stuck it into in every city I've tried it
 > in.

Same here.  However, at least in Utah, the latest trend seems to be *against*
free interchangeability.  Last June, a Utah bank with a lot of ATMs started
charging $1 to use the ATM if the user does not have an account with that bank,
and another bank with a lot of ATMs will start doing the same January 1.  This
IMO unfair practice means I can no longer head down to the store without any
money, planning to take out $ in the store, unless I want to pay an extra
dollar for the privilege.

Is this same unfortunate trend happening elsewhere?
  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
   . . . . Lee Choquette . . . . . . . . . .The early worm . . . . . . . . .
  . . . .lchoqu@cs.utah.edu . . . . . . . . . gets eaten. . . . . . . . . .
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
From: adams@spss.com (Steve Adams)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Dedicated ATM card?
Date: 1 Jan 93 03:17:09 GMT
Organization: SPSS Inc.

de@moscom.com (David Esan) writes:

>Vote with your feet, move your money to the bank that has free ATM usage.
>Tell the bank you are leaving why you are going.  Encourage your friends to
>do the same.  Post it on the net, encourage others.  Banks have marketing
>departments, they'll get the picture eventually.  

This is exactly what my wife and I did today.  My bank had the audacity to
change their rules by starting to charge for ATM withdrawels and/or transfers 
(but not deposits - how nice) from machines located at the branches.  I
called as soon as I got the notice, and the branch manager was nice about
it, but said that it was a corporate decision...he'd relay my complaint.
So, I told him that we'd be closing our accounts before the end of the
year.

 -Steve
--
  The opinions expressed above are those of the author and not SPSS, Inc.
                         -------------------
   adams@spss.com                                  Phone: (312) 329-3522
   Steve Adams        "Space-age cybernomad"       Fax:   (312) 329-3558
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: rrw@sunset.cse.nau.edu (Bob Wier)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Where to sell jewelry
Date: 26 Dec 92 20:23:45 GMT
Originator: rrw@sunset.cse.nau.edu

From article <1992Dec26.105756.4695@hpcvaac.cv.hp.com>, by billn@hpcvaac.cv.hp.com (bill nelson):
> Jewelers differ in the commission they charge - it will be at least 20% of
> the sale price. Within reason, your friend should be able to set what that 
> price is to be. There are also a limited number of places that would be
> willing to handle something that expensive - the market is limited, unless
> the piece is unique in some way. The jeweler will want a fast turnover.
> 
> Bill

  I had a similar problem when I was executor of my folks estate.  My mother's
 jewelry was very old, and I didn't have a clue as to what it was worth.
 For a first cut, I took it to the most reputable store in town (individual,
 not a chain) and asked 'em to sort thru the stuff to give me an idea
 as to what it was worth.  Told 'em we weren't interested in selling it,
 just needed an appraisal for tax purposes.  The charge was nominal, like
 $25.  They asked which kind of appraisal we wanted - you could get
 appraisals for tax purposes, which were basically fair market values (
 what you could sell the piece for) or insurance appraisals (which is what
 you would have to pay to buy an equivalent piece again).  In jewlery, the
 difference is SUBSTANTIAL.

 Anyway, it turned out that none of the pieces were extremely valuable,
 so my sisters just ended up dividing it and holding onto it.  However,
 I asked the guy if we DID want to sell it, how to go about doing it.
 He suggested that for any really valuable pieces that perhaps one of the
 larger auction houses (Sothby's, Christie's) normally are glad to look
 at a piece and see if it's auctionable.  However, I never checked this 
 out since we had nothing in that league...

- Bob Wier

  ---------- insert favorite standard disclaimers here ----------
                   College of Engineering
      Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff Arizona
  Internet: rrw@naucse.cse.nau.edu | WB5KXH | fax:602 523 2300
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,misc.legal,soc.misc,alt.conspiracy
From: packer@amarna.gsfc.nasa.gov (Charles Packer)
Subject: How does a PI locate somebody?
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.4-b1  
Organization: Dept. of Independence
Date: Sat, 2 Jan 1993 11:37:00 GMT

A friend tells me that she used the services of a private
investigator to locate a boyfriend from high school days (25
years ago), mainly out of curiosity as to what had become of
him. She paid the PI something around $150-$200 for this, as I
recall, contingent on success in the search. 

The PI was able to find the former flame within a day using his
databases, the nature of which he wouldn't disclose to her. He
did say that he had worked for the Federal government in the
past. 

How did he do it? It would seem that he would have to have
access to some union of all American telephone directories.
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: bgt@cbnewsh.cb.att.com (barbara.tongue)
Subject: TOPS expertise
Organization: AT&T
Distribution: usa
Date: Sun, 3 Jan 1993 14:02:18 GMT
Keywords: how much off can you *really* get?

folks,

pardon me if this has already been discussed - i just discovered
this newsgroup.

recently i've had the joyous experience of purchasing a vacuum cleaner
and VCR from TOPS appliance center in East Hanover, NJ.  now, ignoring
their absolutely obnoxious commericals which would border on tastelessness
if they were closer than the 13,000 miles in depth of nauseating-ness
they currently are, and the fact that *some* (not all) of the salefolks
are polyester-plaited shark wannabes, they did have some rather good 
prices.

i was able to knock off $50 on both items which i purchased.  it makes
me wonder, though, how could i find the *real* price they cost?  why
would they price something and then take off half a hundred dollars?
what is the best overall strategy for dealing with these peoples?
i'd be interested in hearing all war stories....

btw, when buying the VCR my salesperson was quite polite.  the vacuum
cleaner sale, though, was an amazing experience - the salesperson was
working part time in college, very informative, really pleasant personality;
apparently not too experienced because his "manager" (a subspecies of
paramecium which couldn't pass a bio slide test) decided to step in
and convince me to purchase much warranties.  it was actually a lot of
fun to put him through all his sales paces....
-- 
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
%%   The Speaking Tongue, AT&T   %%  C Code.  C Code Run.  Run, Code, RUN! %%
%%       bgt@hogpf.att.com       %%           PLEASE!!!!                   %%
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,sci.electronics,soc.culture.japan,misc.education,misc.entrepreneurs
From: bouter@kub.nl (George de Bouter)
Subject: Microscience HH-825
Date: Thu, 24 Dec 92 14:14:50 GMT
Organization: Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands


Hi there, is there anyone who could post the dipswith settings of the
HH-825 Microscience harddisk?


Xref: sparky misc.consumers:21057 alt.visa.us:777
From: jdesai@sundeck.East.Sun.COM (Jatin Desai -- Contractor)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,alt.visa.us
Subject: Re: Can one be denied insurance based on citizenship?
Date: 21 Dec 92 22:51:20 GMT
	<1h0aq4INNoie@uwm.edu> <92356.085639RMCCU@CUNYVM.BITNET>
Distribution: usa
Organization: Sun Microsystems Inc. - BDC
NNTP-Posting-Host: sundeck.east.sun.com
In-reply-to: Robert Chambers's message of Monday, 21 Dec 1992 08:56:39 EST


This is interesting. I was denied health insurance coverage from 
The Prinipal Group insurance company last week because I am not
a citizen. I have been in this country for 10 years and am a 
permanent resident. I have thought about going to the insurance
commisioner, but have been holding back because I don't want to
be on the black list of insurance giants. I am a cynic and I do
believe that if I fight the company for discrimination, other insurance
companies may not be too happy to do business with me. I must say,
in my stay in US over 10 years, this is the first time I have been
unfairly discriminated against because I am not a US citizen. 
And the sad fact is, I am afraid to fight back.

Incidently, I am looking at another insurance coverage for health with
$1 million lifetime limit per family. While the figure sounds 
big at the moment, I am afraid 15 years from now, $1 million may not
be enough. Am I worrying too much i.e. If they stick $1m worth of
organs/needles/fluids in my body, who cares if I live? 

I have been completely frustrated trying to buy health
insurance. Most agents wants to push their insurance company on you.
Aren't there a pubications/services which offers me competitive
analysis of various insurance offerings?

Thanks for your help,

Jatin
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,alt.visa.us
From: shekar@bnr.ca (Shekar Benakatti)
Subject: Re: Can one be denied insurance based on citizenship?
Organization: Bell-Northern Research, Richardson, Tx.
Distribution: usa
Date: Mon, 21 Dec 1992 18:03:36 GMT

In article <92356.085639RMCCU@CUNYVM.BITNET> Robert Chambers <RMCCU@CUNYVM.BITNET> writes:
>In article <1h0aq4INNoie@uwm.edu>, fino@point.cs.uwm.edu (Alexander Finogenov)
>says:
>>
>>: shekar@bnr.ca (Shekar Benakatti) writes:
>>:
>>: >I was recently denied Insurance because I am not a citizen
>>: >of USA, but a permanent resident.  I have been informed that
>>: >they cannot legally do this to a permanent resident just
>>: >because he is not a citizen.  Does anyone know what I can
>>: >do?  The insurance company is refusing to put this in
>>: >writing.
>>:
>>: >I wonder if one day a grocery store refuses to sell me food
>>: >because I told them that I am not a citizen?
>>: >
>>
>>Call your state's insurance comissioner office.  Tell them about that.  But
>>never use this insurance company...
>
>I have to agree, I have insurance buttwipes calling me all the time
>trying to sell me insurance for this that and the other and not one
>of them ever asked about citizenship.
>
>Perhaps you could offer your insurance commissioner to go in there with
>a "wire" and sting them.  I'm sure something like that could get their
>license pulled... and they damn well deserve to have it pulled!
>
>Certainly don't deal with them, they don't sound too reputable...
>would you mind telling us who this was?  was it a major one or just
>an insurance broker type?
>
>Robert

The Insurance company's name is AMICA and they are rated #1
by consumer's report!!  I did call State board of insurance
only to be told that it is insurance company's policy and to
get their reason in writing.  I heard GEICO also does this
kind of thing.
-- 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
  Shekar Benakatti         |  My Opinions only; NOT BNR/NT's  
  Bell-Northern Research   |  EMail: shekar@bnr.ca            
  Richardson TX 75083      |  Phone: (214)-684-4795 (ESN 444)
From: thfore@vader.cc.emory.edu (Troy Howard Fore III)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Dedicated ATM card?
Date: 26 Dec 1992 18:28:50 -0600
Organization: UTexas Mail-to-News Gateway
NNTP-Posting-Host: cs.utexas.edu

Has anyone heard of one of these. I think it would be similar to the non-subscriber AT&T calling acrds. It is referred oto in a novel i'm reading. It metions
a red CIRRUS dedicated ATM card. Is this just fiction or does such exist and how can I find out more?

thanks.....
howard Fore   thfore@vader.cc.emory.edu
Xref: sparky misc.consumers:21028 sci.electronics:21296 misc.entrepreneurs:3697
From: broberts@wpi.WPI.EDU (broberts)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,sci.electronics,misc.entrepreneurs
Subject: Help needed looking for info on Internet!!
Date: 21 Dec 1992 17:48:30 GMT
Organization: Worcester Polytechnic Institute
NNTP-Posting-Host: wpi.wpi.edu


	Hi, I'm new to the Internet, and the amount of information
	seems overwhelming! Can anyone help me find some online
	information about consumer info or any other interesting
	sutff. Thanks alot!

Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: geiser@nail.NoSubdomain.NoDomain (Wayne Geiser)
Subject: Re: What is a Good Brand of Breakmaker
Organization: PictureTel Corporation
Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1992 17:22:12 GMT

In article <4919@wet.UUCP>, sritacco@wet.UUCP (Steve Ritacco) writes:
|> Hi,
|> 
|> I have a Panasonic/National for about 2 years now, and I like it.
|> If you are intending to use the timer feature a lot, these are good
|> machines to consider (because of the yeast dispenser).  Otherwise, I
|> haven't heard anything bad about any of the brands.
|> 
|> Steve

The yeast dispenser may be nice but it is by no means necessary to use a timer
feature.  We have a breadmaker made by Maxim (which has no yeast dispenser) and
we use its timer feature all the time.  You simply have to put all the wet
ingredients in first followed by the dry ingredients.  Leave a depression in the
top ingredient (almost always flour) and pour the yeast into it.  It works like a
charm.
-- 
**********************************************************************
* Wayne Geiser ("Drivel King")           Voice:    (508) 977-8253    *
* PictureTel Corporation                 FAX:      (508) 532-6893    *
* One Corporation Way                    Internet: geiser@pictel.com *
* Peabody, MA      01960                 CIS:      70313,3615        *
*                                        GEnie:    W.GEISER          *
**********************************************************************
"Asking a writer 'where DO you get your ideas' is like asking a
 butcher 'exactly what DO you put in this sausage?'"

    - Roy Blount, Jr.