HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: acheng@ncsa.uiuc.edu (Albert Cheng)
Subject: Re: Credit Union Deposit (Share) Interest (Dividend) Calculations
Originator: acheng@shalom.ncsa.uiuc.edu
Organization: Nat'l Ctr for Supercomp App (NCSA) @ University of Illinois
Distribution: usa
Date: Sat, 15 Aug 1992 23:55:03 GMT

>Some other replies have also indicated that it can be difficult to
>change a credit union's policies.  In practice, how difficult?

Don't mean to be disagreeing, but why bother?  There are more banks
than fast food places.  I just go do business with another bank I am
happy with.  There are many other battles to go than to try change a
set business.  The majority of the members could be very happy with
those policy.  And I may end up irrating other co-workers in the same
organization unncessarily.
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: kenny@osf.org (Kenneth Crudup)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: halogen lamps
Date: 19 Aug 92 19:06:20 GMT
Article-I.D.: osf.1992Aug19.190620.19901
Organization: Open Software Foundation

In article <9208181802.AA10631@iecc.cambridge.ma.us>
johnl@iecc.cambridge.ma.us (John R. Levine) writes:
>But what I really want to know is why people want 1/2 KW bulbs in your house.

I guess I'm going blind then. I've got 1KW in the living room, and .5KW each
in two of my bedrooms. I like the light, and keep both living room lights
going full blast most of the time I'm downstairs.

	-Kenny
-- 
Kenneth R. Crudup, Contractor, OSF DCE QA
OSF, 11 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142	+1 617 621 7306
kenny@osf.osf.org			OSF has nothing to do with this post.
Not one of the "PC" weenies.
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: adams@spss.com (Steve Adams)
Subject: Re: Questions on umbrella coverage
Organization: SPSS Inc.
Distribution: na
Date: Fri, 21 Aug 1992 01:35:15 GMT

case@ucs.sdsu.edu (Steve Case) writes:

>Questions on umbrella policies:

I have a policy from State Farm...all answers reflect that experience...

>1. If one purchases a 1 Million dollar umbrella policy, couldn't you 
>save money by lowering your homeowner and car insurance liability amounts to 
>the bare minimum? I have seen prices of around $200-300 for a 1 Meg policy. 
>That's less than the cost for the 300K (max) liability amounts I have on my 
>car and homeowner policies.

I would say that it depends on the policy..  My umbrella policy requires that 
I have the max liability on the homeowners, and that insurance pays first, 
then another $1M is available.  Autos are excluded from the umbrella policy 
unless you have the max and pay a small additional premium on the umbrella.
Still in all, the coverage is well worth the premium.  (I don't remember
the amount off-hand, but I did calculate it out at the time).

>2. Does an umbrella policy cover all types of liability? Does the coverage 
>automatically kick-in when you are held liable or do you have to be sued 
>first? (Note: This is why I still keep medical on my auto insurance. Sure, I 
>have medical coverage, but if a passenger does NOT, he/she will have to 
>*sue* me to receive benefits. If you have medical coverage on your auto 
>policy, this person would be covered automatically up to the limit of the 
>coverage--or so explained my former agent)
Any policy can exclude any type of liability.  It varies.  Read the policy.
Mine excludes certain willful acts on my part (murder, embezlement, other
felonoes, etc).  Without the automobile rider, it wouldn't cover auto-based
liability.

 -Steve
--
 The opinions expressed above are those of the author and not SPSS, Inc.
                        -------------------
     adams@spss.com                           Phone: (312) 329-3522
     Steve Adams                              Fax:   (312) 329-3558
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,alt.locksmithing
From: eldred@rrunner.jpl.nasa.gov (Dan Eldred)
Subject: Re: Rekeying locks
Organization: Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Date: Thu, 20 Aug 1992 17:11:49 GMT

In article <1992Aug19.213147.36653@watson.ibm.com> margoli@watson.ibm.com writes:
>In  <Bt90Lw.EwD@news.cso.uiuc.edu>  tmkk@uiuc.edu (Khan) writes:
>>
>> In article <1992Aug18.162602.3058@csi.jpl.nasa.gov> eldred@rrunner.jpl.nasa.gov
>> >
>> >You can buy a lock rekeying kit for a number of popular brands (I have one
>> >for Kwikset) for about $10, which includes enough pins for doing several
>> >locks (depending on the new key you use) and instructions and a special
>> >tool for getting the lock apart.
>>
>> Question: Suppose I buy one of these kits and rekey my lock. I now have
>> a lock which my old key no longer fits, and thus I cannot use. How do I
>> get a key cut to fit this new lock without the assistance of a
>> locksmith?
>
>One way is to key them to a key you already have.  Another is to cut a key
>by hand.  A third is to have a key machine and a depth key set, or a key
>machine that lets you cut a key "by the numbers", and create a new original.
>
>Larry Margolis, MARGOLI@YKTVMV (Bitnet), margoli@watson.IBM.com (Internet)

The rekey kit comes with 2 keys.

	- Dan

Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: bobk@hopper.Colorado.EDU (Bob Kinne)
Subject: Prodigy Scam
Originator: bobk@hopper.Colorado.EDU
Organization: University of Colorado, Boulder
Date: Fri, 21 Aug 1992 23:56:22 GMT

In 1990 I was persuaded to subscribe to the Prodigy service.  I 
soon found it to be of no particular value, mostly advertising of 
the junk mail type.  Therefore when my subscription period ended, 
I let it lapse.  Silly me, wasted my money.  End of story, you say.

NOT!

About a year after the subscription ended, I received two threatening 
notices from a "Great Lakes Collection Bureau", which claimed that I 
had incurred a 'debt', and made unspecified threats as to what would 
happen if I didn't pay this 'debt'.

Of course I have no intention of paying, and have informed the 
'collection bureau'.  I have also asked the Postal Service to 
investigate and (I hope) prosecute.

The best (perhaps the only) way to keep companies on the legal and 
ethical track is to punish them severely for leaving it.  In the 
Republican era, our Federal government isn't very interesting in 
doing this.  That leaves it up to us, the consumers.  I suggest 
strongly that all netters avoid "Prodigy" and not encourage this type 
of scam.  I also note that Sears and IBM are the parent companies of 
"Prodigy", and it wouldn't be a bad idea to refrain from doing 
business with either of them as well.
From: john@zygot.ati.com (John Higdon)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: First/Last experience with Alamo...
Date: 17 Aug 92 04:17:22 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: Green Hills and Cows

In article <BsxFJ7.Hsy@world.std.com> anderson@world.std.com (Dave Anderson) writes:
>
>  Last year my wife and I arranged with Alamo, through a travel agent, that
>  we would be charged for two "weekly" specials for our 11-day vacation.
>  However, upon arrival at the Alamo office in San Francisco, the clerk
>  disavowed all knowledge of such an agreement (confirmation number and all),

My nomination for a rental company that "forgets" is National; you
know, the one that advertises "No Problem"?

I had business in Jacksonville and at the time the only through flight
from SFO was a Delta flight that arrived at about 1:30 AM. I reserved a
car from National, but knowing that the airport is about twenty miles
out of town and that it is difficult to make alternate arrangements at
1:30 in the morning, I double-checked the reservation by calling (on my
dime) the actual reservation counter at the Jacksonville airport. No
Problem.

The day before the flight, I called the counter again--just to be sure.
Again: No Problem. My plane landed and I went to the National counter.
No reservation. Not a hint of a reservation. I asked the clerk to call
in and check. "It wouldn't do any good. We have no cars." So there I
was, twenty miles outside of Jacksonville and no car. And National
could not help me in any way.

Fortunately, the lady at the Hertz counter (who also had no cars) took
pity and started phoning around. She scored with Budget, who sent a van
out from town to pick me up. Budget had a car. But National, in essence,
told me to get lost.

Needless to say, I will never do business with National again, but
Hertz and Budget are still on my list.
-- 
        John Higdon         |   P. O. Box 7648   |   +1 408 264 4115
    john@zygot.ati.com      | San Jose, CA 95150 |       M o o !
From: sasbge@ant.unx.sas.com (Gantt Edmiston)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Boric acid for cockroaches
Keywords: boric acid
Date: 20 Aug 92 20:59:33 GMT
Reply-To: sasbge@ant.unx.sas.com
Distribution: usa
Organization: SAS Institute Inc.
Originator: sasbge@ant.unx.sas.com


In article, skchang@csemail.cropsci.ncsu.edu (Shin Chang) writes:
>Dear netters:
>
>I read several news concerning use boric acid as insecticide to 
>kill cockroaches. Could someone tell me where can I buy the
>boric acid. I am living at Raleigh, NC. Or there are some
>commercial products which contain this component.
>
>Thanks in advance. 
>
>
Well, in Raleigh, you can get it at Burke Brothers Hardware on
Hillsborough Street, just past the fairgrounds, on the left.

-- 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gantt Edmiston                         =  o     | "The fewer the facts, the
QA Host Systems, V416 x6091         =  _ /- _   |  stronger ,,, the opinion!"
SASnet: <sasbge@ant.unx.sas.com>   =  (_)> (_)  |          (o o)
-------------------------------------------------------oOOo-(_)-oOOo---------
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: mmeyer@m2.dseg.ti.com (Mark Meyer)
Subject: Re: Boric Acid--the best roach killer!
Organization: TI DSEG, Spring Creek, Plano, Tx.
Date: Tue, 18 Aug 1992 18:42:53 GMT

In article <Bt6pvq.22x@news.cso.uiuc.edu> acheng@ncsa.uiuc.edu (Albert Cheng) writes:
> I heard their "skin" dries up and withered. 

	I thought it acted as a stomach poison, after the roaches
ingest it while "cleaning" themselves.  Hmm...

-- 
Mark Meyer                                               | mmeyer@dseg.ti.com |
Texas Instruments, Inc.                                  +--------------------+
Every day, Jerry Junkins is grateful that I don't speak for TI.
                "I just had a deja vu experience."  "Hey, just like last time!"
From: gemmellj@merrimack.edu
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Movie Rental Place wants my Credit Card #
Date: 12 Aug 92 08:41:52 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: Merrimack College, No. Andover, MA, USA

In article <1992Aug10.150901.12737@meteor.wisc.edu>, moonunit@meteor.wisc.edu (Chris Bovitz) writes:
> I went to a movie rental store last night (in Madison, WI) to rent a movie.
> to rent, you need to be a member.  So I ask to sign up.  The guy says that
> he needs to see 2 forms of ID - driver's license & {credit card | checking
> account #}.  I asked him "is that legal?" and he said he didn't know.
> I didn't sign.
> 
> My question is still "Is this legal?". I suppose it is, but I don't like
> giving out my credit card numbers (and especially my checking account 
> number) like that.
> 
> Any comments would be appreciated.
> 
> 
> Chris
> 
> -- 
> Chris Bovitz              |    "I demand that you shoot me now!"
> Department of Meteorology |    
> Univ of Wisc - Madison    |       -- Daffy Duck
> moonunit@meteor.wisc.edu  |    
It is illegal for stores to write your mc/visa/ae account number
on your check.  They may, ask to see it for a source of id.  hope this helps
john
Organization: Arizona State University
Date: Monday, 17 Aug 1992 08:01:04 MST
From: Allen French <ICSAFF@ASUACAD.BITNET>
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Movie Rental Place wants my Credit Card #
 <13225@texsun.Central.Sun.COM> <77847@ut-emx.uucp>

Some of the grocery supermarkets chains rent videos here (Fry's, Smith's,
Albertsons) and don't require a credit card or cash deposit. I think they
mostly just require ID and verification of home address and phone number,
such as utility bill, number in phone book, etc.

Allen
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: jgd@dixie.com (John De Armond)
Subject: Re: Movie Rental horror stories (was ...wants my credit #)
Date: Fri, 14 Aug 92 07:28:46 GMT
Organization: Dixie Communications Public Access.  The Mouth of the South.

sbarnhar@mailbox.mail.umn.edu (Dr. Barnhart) writes:

>> On several occasions, I have rented tapes that were defective.  

>I always complain to the video store when a tape is bad.  I frequently find
>videos that have botched hifi stereo soundtracks that send me to Pro-Logic
>hell.
>When I take the tapes back I always make a point to explain the problem
>to someone working there who's not trying to deal with customers.  



Seems to me the direct action way to handle bad tapes is to simply
degauss the tape and take it back and complain that it is blank.
No room for "interpretation" with a blank tape.

John

-- 
John De Armond, WD4OQC               |Interested in high performance mobility?  
Performance Engineering Magazine (TM) |
Marietta, Ga                         |Interested in high tech and computers? 
jgd@dixie.com                        |Write me about PE Magazine
Need Usenet public Access in Atlanta?  Write Me for info on Dixie.com.
From: cantrell@seqp4.sequoia.com (Paul Cantrell)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: microwave autonomously turning on
Keywords: safety, microwave oven, electronic-control appliances
Date: 18 Aug 92 15:10:50 GMT
Organization: Sequoia Computer Systems

In article <1992Aug14.153134.20903@mcshub.dcss.mcmaster.ca>, krasnor@nimios.eng.mcmaster.ca (Carl Krasnor) writes:
> That being said however, nothing beats pulling the plug on the oven when
> you are away!

Good idea.

Another microwave horror story: Talking with my great aunt one night, she
tells me she's having a little trouble with her microwave oven. Seems it
won't shut off, even when she opened the door. She finally pulled the
plug amid a shower of sparks.

I told her I was sure she could get a VERY nice replacement from the
manufacturer, but she just decided to replace it herself :-(

Paul
-- 
cantrell@sequoia.com
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: lester@soldev.tti.com (jim)
Subject: Re: reliable cars
Summary: Ford Festiva
Organization: Transaction Technology Inc.
Date: Fri, 21 Aug 1992 05:34:06 GMT

Hi
 I bought a 1989 Festiva in Oct '89.  I have 60K miles on it and have had
no problems.
 It gets 45 mpg.  I like it.

Don't pay over $5,500 for it; shop around.

jim
Jim Lester  (an employee)               Citicorp slash TTI
90405  (310)450-9111, x2209             lester@soldev.tti.com
			 "Thunder is good, thunder is impressive,
			  but it is lightning that does the work."  - M. Twain
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: wood@rtsg.mot.com (Dan Wood)
Subject: Weber Outdoor Fireplace
Summary: Work OK?  Worth $100?
Organization: Motorola Inc., Cellular Infrastructure Group
Distribution: na
Date: Tue, 18 Aug 1992 18:27:26 GMT

   I'd like some comments on the outdoor fireplace made by
Weber.  It appears to be a nice unit, well made, etc.  I
used a "fire pit" at my last house and the location became
a problem, as well as the amount of grass that died around
it.

   I have these fears:
	- it will be hard to feed the fire while burning
	- ashes and sparks will blow out
	- fire will be smoky and not burn well
	- can't build big enough fire for warmth & weinie roast

  So, anyone out these who has used one?  Was it worth the $100
(on sale) that they cost?

-- 
*********************************************************************************
*	Dan Wood   Motorola Inc.	*	 I said it, not Moto:      	*
*	wood@rtsg.mot.com 		*	 They think I'm working!	*
*********************************************************************************
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: cep@taligent.com (Christophe Pettus)
Subject: Re: Complaint address for AMEX?
Organization: Taligent, a little subsidiary of two really big companies.
Date: Tue, 18 Aug 1992 17:50:24 GMT

In article <1992Aug18.174500.1@peevax.enet.dec.com> quodling@peevax.enet.dec.com writes:
>I had a hard time with American express getting authorization to use my gold
>card to charge airline tickets (This is outside your normal spending habits,
>sir...) does anyone have a address at AMEX that I can send polite complaints
>to?

I'd try:

	American Express
	Customer Service
	PO Box 53787
	Phoenix, AZ  85072

In your best "I'd really like to work this problem out" tone, I'd work
in a mention that, gosh, you know, there are LOTS of credit cards out
there, and it would be a REAL SHAME if I had to start using them
instead of the American Express card because the Amex card was SUCH A
HASSLE.

Amex is currently very sensitive to this; you'll at least get a very
nice letter, and perhaps an apologetic phone call out of it.
--
-- Christophe

"Be calm.  Look cute."
From: LWH@psuvm.psu.edu
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: contact lenses again
Date: 17 Aug 92 16:01:18 GMT
Organization: Penn State University

Hi

I know this subject comes up all the time, but I was wondering if someone
could email me the telephone numbers for ordering contact lenses.  Also
has anyone tried disposable lenses, what do you think.


Thanks
Rick
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: tmkk@uiuc.edu (Khan)
Subject: Re: Movie Rental Place wants my Credit Card #
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
Date: Tue, 18 Aug 1992 19:36:19 GMT


In article <BsvpEy.A8J@news.cso.uiuc.edu> tamu@uxh.cso.uiuc.edu (Todd Henderson) writes:
>
>At block buster(I hate this place) they use your credit card as a charge
>waiting to happen. [...]
>
>I hate block buster, I hate block buster, I hate block buster.  Sorry, but
>their prices and credit card policy drives me crazy.  One more for the
>road.  I hate block buster.  Ahhhh, that fills so much better.

SO WHY DO YOU GIVE THEM YOUR MONEY?

It does nothing but encourage them, and there are plenty of other places
in this town where you can go to rent movies without BS "policies."

If you ever want BlockBuster to change its evil ways, go over there and
cancel your membership NOW, and write a letter to their honchos telling
them precisely why you're now a member of Sunnycrest Video Club (or
whatever). Hit them in the wallet - that's the only form of
communication to which they will listen.
From: reza.naima@uttsbbs.uucp (Reza Naima) 
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: 900  NUMBER  FOR  LEASE
Date: 9 Aug 92 18:02:00 GMT
Distribution: world
Organization: The Transfer Station BBS, Danville, CA - 510-837-4610/837-5591
Reply-To: reza.naima@uttsbbs.uucp (Reza Naima) 


KO>    When someone calls a 1-900 number they have 30 seconds to hangup 
KO>and
KO>    not be charged for the call.  If they are on the line for 31 
KO>seconds
KO>    they are charged for 1 minute.
KO>
KO>2.


Is that true?  If so, I'll be making a lot of short 1-900 calls. :)

Reza
reza.naima@uttsbbs.uucp           

--- WinQwk 1.10a #0
                                           
Xref: sparky misc.consumers:15357 alt.locksmithing:1481
From: ssnyder@sunai.er.usgs.gov (Steve Snyder)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,alt.locksmithing
Subject: Re: Was this a ripoff?
Keywords: locksmith
Date: 19 Aug 92 19:07:21 GMT
Article-I.D.: rsg1.1992Aug19.190721.860
Distribution: na
Organization: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston VA

>
> [Much discussion of replacing and rekeying locks]
>
>     Keep in mind that there are many different grades of locks.  I agree
>     that your friend was incautious in just saying "Do it" without 
>     discussing costs.  This will probably be the last time she makes
>     that mistake.

So, which are the good brands of locks to use?  Which to stay away from?
Do people recommend using or staying away from locks typically found in
hardware stores?

Steve
From: niebuhr@bnlux1.bnl.gov (david niebuhr)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Where can I get a report on my traffic violations?
Date: 16 Aug 92 11:36:58 GMT
Organization: Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY 11973

In article <1992Aug14.230443.22758@truevision.com> frank@truevision.com (Frank Loffel) writes:
>
>Where do car insurance companies get traffic violations reports?
>Are they inquiring in the state of application or is there a federal bureau?
>Where can the consumer (me) get his/her report?
>
>I suspect that the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, a State office,  could provide 
>such a report, but I've been unable to reach a living being there so far.
>(During office hours their line is always busy).
>
The Motor Vehicle Bureau is exactly the place to go.  Try calling there
first to see what has to be done.    

I did this a few years ago when State Farm was doing a *big number* on
me for violations, points, etc.(my record was perfect).  I went to DMV
and received two forms; one for me and one for my wife.

I sent them to the central bureau and paid an extra fee for certified
copies.  When the reports came back, there were no accidents/violations
on either report.  The next step was to contact SF and give them a very
choice piece of my mind (a complaint to the insurance deparatment helped
also).

I changed insurance companies when the old policy ran out and haven't
had a problem since.

DAve

-- 

Dave Niebuhr      Internet: niebuhr@bnl.gov / Bitnet: niebuhr@bnl
Brookhaven National Laboratory Upton, NY 11973  (516)-282-3093
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Movie Rental horror stories (was ...wa
From: adams@spss.com (Steve Adams)
Date: Mon, 17 Aug 1992 15:13:11 GMT
 <14AUG199211544350@quark2.aero.org> <Bszqrn.5Ft@news.cso.uiuc.edu>
Distribution: usa
Organization: SPSS Inc.

berger@atropa (Mike Berger) writes:

>lee@quark2.aero.org writes:
>>Moral: beware of those video return bins.  they may be convenient, but
>>without a receipt, you don't have any real proof that you returned a
>>video!
>*----
>What proof do you have when you return it to a person at the counter?
>I've never been given a receipt for returning a video tape.

Sound Warehouse, the place I usually rent movies gives receipts upon return 
of the tape, if you ask.  I *ALWAYS* get one...and I rent there because
they do give receipts! (And have a large selection & decent rates).

 -Steve
--
 The opinions expressed above are those of the author and not SPSS, Inc.
                        -------------------
     adams@spss.com                           Phone: (312) 329-3522
     Steve Adams                              Fax:   (312) 329-3558
From: rz66026@mcvax4.d48.lilly.com (Bob Shew <Shew@Lilly.Com>)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Looking for Information on Mail Order Furniture
Keywords: furniture, mail, order
Date: 20 Aug 92 14:18:18 GMT
Reply-To: Shew@Lilly.Com
Distribution: local,world
Organization: Eli Lilly and Company


I am looking for information on companies that sell QUALITY furniture by mail
order.  I believe North Carolina is the hotspot for this.  I would be very
interested in hearing both good and bad stories about these mail order
companies.  Any information on what brands of furniture (Cochrane, Thomasville,
etc.) that can be purchased would also be very helpful.

I will summarize to the net.

Thanks,

Bob

-- 
 ____________________________________________________________________
| Robert W. Shew                  | Shew@Lilly.Com         (email)   |
| Scientific Information Services | (317) 276-9854         (phone)   |
| Lilly Research Laboratories     | (317) 276-4127         (FAX)     |
| Eli Lilly and Company           | These are my PERSONAL opinions.  |
|____________________________________________________________________|
From: ibe@world.std.com (ira b ekhaus)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: question on washers/dryers
Date: 18 Aug 92 01:17:45 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: The World Public Access UNIX, Brookline, MA

hello,

Are there any references or recommendations for brands of washers to buy?
How about the issues in buy them used (what to look for , % of new price) ?

thanks,

ira 
ekhaus 
ibe@world.std.com