HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: rboudrie@chpc.org (Rob Boudrie)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Toll Roads (was: Speeding ticket in OKlahoma --- what's SP8?)
Date: 26 Jan 93 15:03:45 GMT
Article-I.D.: chpc.1993Jan26.150345.13019
Distribution: usa
Organization: Center For High Perf. Computing of WPI; Marlboro Ma

In article <1993Jan25.185843.7365@osf.org> kenny@osf.org (Kenneth Crudup) writes:
>I'm surprised no-one's mentioned the Mass Pike. To go from Cambridge to Newton
>(10 miles tops) costs a dollar. 50 cents to get on, 50 cents to get off. I
>understand the Mass 'Pike Extension (from Weston eastbound into Boston I93)
>is the most expensive toll road in the country, by mile. I understand that

I believe it is the most expensive toll road over 100 miles in length.  (Very
short roads with small tolls which work out to very high per mile can
skew the comparisons).

>our 'Pike Authority also found some way of keeping itself in business instead
>of pulling the booths as well.

Yup.  There was a danger that they would get their debt paid so the 
"turnpike authority" (a quasi-governmental agency not subject to direct 
legilslative oversight) suddenly discovered that they needed a $500M 
(yes, one half BILLION) bond issue for "maintaince".  The governer (the
only politicial I have really admired) is currently fighting them on
that, though I don't know what the state of the battle is.

>
>	-Kenny
>
>-- 
>Kenny 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.
>	  Religion: The longest-running gag ever played on Mankind.
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: hirai@cc.swarthmore.edu (Eiji Hirai)
Subject: Re: How to fight telemarketers
Organization: Information Services, Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, PA, USA
Distribution: na
Date: Thu, 21 Jan 1993 21:39:34 GMT

rdonahue@spdcc.com (Bob Donahue) writes:
:I simply don't have all of my friend's phone numbers
:memorized.

I would assume that if calling a friend when you're away from your house is
important enough, then you would actually write those numbers down on a
piece of paper before leaving.

But then again, these were just things I did.  If you don't like them or if
they interfere with what you do, then you shouldn't do them. :-)

:Apparently they can block intra-state calls to your house but not
:inter-state calls to your house.

Maybe because they can control any calls made within their own market but
aren't allowed to block calls coming in from lines which are controlled by
other long distance companies.

:I've
:had my line tied up for *30 minutes* whlie it cycles thryu the whole
:schpiel!

My, that's truly heinous!

--
hirai@cc.swarthmore.edu (Eiji Hirai)    :     :    :   :  : :: ::: :::: :::::
Unix Geek for Swarthmore College        :     :    :   :  : :: ::: :::: :::::
Information Services, Swarthmore, PA, US.       Copyright 1993 by Eiji Hirai.
I don't speak for Swarthmore College.                    All Rights Reserved.
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: aa@iti.org (Aayush Asthana)
Subject: Re: Discover Card - Pffffft!
Organization: Industrial Technology Institute
Distribution: na
Date: Sat, 23 Jan 1993 00:26:48 GMT

jdavidso@teknowledge.com (Jim Davidson) writes:

>In article <1993Jan19.153456.5168@spdcc.com> rdonahue@spdcc.com (Bob Donahue) writes:

>>  Smart Rate[SM] - A new program that lets you lower your interest rate!
>> 	   ---> *IF* you've spent $1,000 in the last year.
>> 
>>     	   *This* is incentive?
>>    ...
>> 	 But, Discover has decided that although I've never missed a payment,
>>    and have been a cardholder for 5 years, I don't merit the same incentive
>>    as other might to use their card more.  Moreover, they *are* willing to
>>    lower their rates, but only for about 1/5th of their customer base...
>>    ......
>> 	   Me, I'm cutting up my card and mailing it in.
>>    BBC

>Lemme get this straight: you're complaining because Discover 
>expects you to charge a whopping $1000/*year* on the card?

>Welcome to reality.  The credit card business has become very competitive.
>Small accounts (and anything under $1000/yr is *very* small) don't make
>enough money for the card company.    The fact that you've had the card
>for 5 years or whatever doesn't make any money for them.

>Also, are you saying that only 1/5 of Discover card holders charge
>more than $1000/yr?  That's hard to believe.

>Let's look at the three ways that card companies make money: (a) annual fees;
>(b) interest payments; (c) the percentage of every charge that they take from
>the merchant.  Cards that have no annual fees are dependent on the latter two
>sources.  Small account just don't generate much money either way.

>-Jim

Yes, but must us consumers be taken for a ride?

[] Regards,                                              _  _______  _ 
Aayush Asthana|Tech. Transfer & |Industrial Technology  [_][_     _][_]
-- aa@iti.org |Commercialization| Institute,           [~~~] [   ] [~~~]
     *Disclaimer: Standard*     | Ann Arbor, MI 48103  [___] [___] [___]
From: egreen@east.sun.com (Ed Green - Pixel Cruncher)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Insurance question
Date: 25 Jan 1993 17:51:11 GMT
Organization: Sun Microsystems, RTP, NC
Distribution: world
Reply-To: egreen@east.sun.com
NNTP-Posting-Host: laser.east.sun.com

In article Bp0@cup.hp.com, staggers@cup.hp.com (Ken Staggers) writes:
>: acheng@ncsa.uiuc.edu (Albert Cheng) writes:
>
>: >>Every life insurance policy I have had required a blood test.

>For my life insurance, there was no blood test required.  HP gives new
>employees 30 days to sign up with a private (I dont think we own it)
>insurance company.  If you choose a 1 times your salary policy, no additional
>forms are needed.  I chose a 2xSalary.  I filled out a medical form and
>sent it to their underwriter, CIGNA.  They may have checked, but I doubt it.

Employer paid or subsidized life insurance has different rules.  Sun
insured me with no test required.  I chose to insure my wife under the
same group plan, for a lower total amount, and they required a blood
test of her.

>(my signature on the CIGNA form does give them the right to ask my
>doctor, but that doesnt mean my doctor has to tell them anything).

Your doctor gets paid 90%+ of his money from insurance companies.  She
is not about to withhold anything from them to protect *your* privacy.
Your accountant doesn't *have* to tell the IRS anything, either... do
you think he won't?

>ACM also provides life insurance which I think doesnt require blood tests
>if your paper work looks OK.

For most insurers, the blood test is required for a policy greater than
some amount.   Below that, the cost of testing exceeds the benefits of
excluding high risk persons.  The cut-off point is often negotiated
with large employers to get their business.

---
Ed Green, former Ninjaite |I was drinking last night with a biker,
  Ed.Green@East.Sun.COM   |and I showed him a picture of you.  I said,
DoD #0111  (919)460-8302  |"Go on, get to know her, you'll like her!"
 (The Grateful Dead) -->  |It seemed like the least I could do...
From: bnguyen@airmics.gatech.edu (Binh Nguyen)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: FORD credit card .5% rebate
Date: 28 Jan 93 13:56:39 GMT
Reply-To: bnguyen@airmics.gatech.edu (Binh Nguyen)

In article <lmb21rINNnko@exodus.Eng.Sun.COM>, mimit@benji.Eng.Sun.COM
(Mimi Tam) writes:
|> In article 12382@watson.ibm.com, rubin@watson.ibm.com (Bill Rubin)
writes:
|> >
|> >Alas, they changed their deal in August, 1992 to this new offer. Old
|> >cardholders still get the "up to 1.5%" even if we do not carry a
balance.
|> >
|> >If you shop at the places their refund checks are good at, check out
the GE 
|> >Rewards MC.  They've just removed the annual fee.  1-800-GE-REWARD. 
|> >
|> >-- Bill rubin@watson.ibm.com
|> 
|> I have a FORD MC since '91 and I'm enjoying their cash rebate on
|> purchases I made ever since, but I got a letter from FORD yesterday
|> saying that they will upgrade my existing FORD MC to a Gold MC,
still
|> with no annual fee, but the cash rebate feature of my MC will
discontinue
|> after my next anniversary date.
|> 
|> I called their customer service and asked if I can choose not to
accept the
|> upgrade and keep the cash rebate feature, cause I'd rather get some
money
|> back each year than carry a gold card. They said I can deny the
upgrade, but
|> the cash rebate will still be discontinued no matter what. I'm sure
they
|> will see a lot less activities on my card after they discontinue the
cash
|> rebate. It's time to take out my Discover Card again.
|> 
|> Does any FORD card member out there get the same notice of change?
|> 
|>
************************************************************************
*
|> Mimi Tam				Mimi.Tam@Eng.Sun.COM
|> Sun Microsystems Inc., MTV10-129
|> Mountain View, CA 94043

Yes, I have a Ford VISA card, and I get the same notice.

--Binh
From: mfey@cco.caltech.edu (Mark P. Fey)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Continental, Compassion Fares, and Price Gouging
Date: 22 Jan 1993 21:48:45 GMT
Organization: California Institute of Technology, Pasadena
NNTP-Posting-Host: sandman.caltech.edu


	Over Christmas Break my mother-in-law passed away.
My wife and I were in Spokane, Washington and we had to get
over to Seattle.  My wife wanted to get there as soon as 
possible, so I called Alaska Airlines (hourly shuttles to Seattle)
about a Bereavement Fare.  It turns out that their policy is 
a flat rate Bereavement Fare - ~ $400 to go *anywhere* they fly.
Of course, even a same-day ticket to go across the state was only
$120.
	Moral of the story:  Bereavement/Compassion does not equal
Better/Cheaper.

Mark

Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: sasbge@unx.sas.com (Gantt Edmiston)
Subject: Re: Pepsi Consumer Line - call up and get a free pepsi!
Date: Sun, 24 Jan 1993 23:02:21 GMT
Organization: SAS Institute Inc.

derich@netcom.com (Scott A. Steinbrink) writes:

> When I called Pepsi Customer Line, (the nbr is on the Crystal Pepsi
> can -- 800 - something)

> I told them I really liked their Crystal Pepsi, etc. They were so
> pleased they're sending me several coupons for a free Crystal Pepsi. :)

OK, please post the WHOLE 800 number so *everybody* can call and
get free Pepsi!
--
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gantt Edmiston - SysAdmin     o | If you always do  what you've always done,
SAS Institute Inc.          <(  | you'll always get what you've always got.
Quality Assurance - V416     [\.+--------------------------------------------
Cary NC 27513 919-677-8000 x6091|            sasbge@unx.sas.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Donald Mackie <donald_mackie@med.umich.edu>
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: PEPSI CLEAR & TAB CLEAR
Date: 28 Jan 1993 00:14:29 GMT
Organization: University of Michigan Anesthesiology
Distribution: world
NNTP-Posting-Host: 141.214.86.38
X-UserAgent: Nuntius v1.1.1d9
X-XXDate: Wed, 27 Jan 93 01:14:30 GMT

In article <45258@fibercom.COM> Rhonda Gaines, rrg@rtp.fibercom.com
writes:
>Yep, I did last night and I *could* definitely tell the difference.
>I compared the original Pepsi w/ Pepsi Clear.  For my next
>experiment I'd like to try Pepsi Clear and Pepsi Free, I expect the
>outcome to be the same.
>
We tried Diet Pepsi vs. Diet Pepsi Clear. Three of us could tell the
difference blind. One of the three smokes. We thing that the novel taste
in Pepsi clear is cardamom.
From: Rick.Ellis@ofa123.fidonet.org
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Seeking info: VCR Voice Remote
X-Sender: newtout 0.06 Jan  3 1993
Date: 26 Jan 93 12:22:04

 > I recently saw one of those "infomercials" for a VCR Voice 
 > Remote. This remote is entirely voice activated. It is a "smart" 
 > remote that can learn four voices, and operate your VCR, TV, and 
 > Cable box. It sells for about $149, and is purchased through an 
 > 800 number.

 > Does anybody have any experience with one of these? Do they work
 > as well as they claim? Any info regarding this product would be
 > greatly appreciated.

We have one here.  It sort of works but I wasn't impressed.
From: rboudrie@chpc.org (Rob Boudrie)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Stores can't "detain" shoplifters
Date: 25 Jan 93 14:43:07 GMT
Organization: Center For High Perf. Computing of WPI; Marlboro Ma

>However, in Mass. they don't *need* to use special staff to detain
>shoplifters.  Your state has a statute specifically authorizing
>stores to detain people if the store has reasonable grounds to
>suspect shoplifting.

The real question is not whether or not stores CAN detain shoplifting
suspects, but what level of immunity from civil libaility such
statutes provide.  (for instance, the publicized case where store
security at one Boston department store visited a suspect at home and
"strongly implied" they were secret service is probably going overboard).

Also, do such statutes make it a crime per-se to resist (in a non-violent,
non assaultive way) store personel attempting to effect a detention?
What if the detainee tries to leave?  Does this statute make this a 
crime (as it would be if the detainee tried to leave when in the custody
of a police officer)?  What if the detainee peacefully staates that
(s)he will not accompany store personel to the back room, or submit to a 
search, but will wait peacefully in the puiblic area for "real police"?
[ there are situations where it would be inappropriate for an individual
to allow a search of one's person - for example, imagine the consequences if
you "open your coat" only to have store staff see a weapon which you
are legally carrying, but they don't know - they run, make a "man with
gun" call to police, the blue adrenellin starts running, things escalate,
etc. ].

                                        rob b.
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: rboudrie@chpc.org (Rob Boudrie)
Subject: Re: Stores can't "detain" shoplifters
Organization: Center For High Perf. Computing of WPI; Marlboro Ma
Date: Sun, 24 Jan 1993 05:56:38 GMT

>Actually, my girlfriend works at a Target and when she started they had
>a security briefing. No one (not even the security guys at the store)
>can 'detain' anyone from leaving, or use any other type of physical
>force on them. If someone is observed shoplifting the manager (or

This varies depending on the state and attitude of the store.  Here
in Mass. many larger department store security staffs have "special
police status" with limited police powers on store property (which,
among other things, makes taking a swing at one "assault on a police
officer" and resisting detention "resisting arrest").  One of the 
larger stores in Boston some time ago got lots of bad press because of
a "anyone stopped for shoplifting goes to jail even if they 
produce a reciept" policy - having a "tough on shoplifters" attitude
was judged to be more advantageous than limiting legal fees (they
paid an off duty cop $xxK for wrongfully having her arrested; a local
judge was arrested for "rpice tag switching" even though her attorney
was later able to prove she bought at the riginal price).

A few true stories from a firend who worked security at most of the
major local chains a number of years ago :

1 - He was told to use any necessary force (but not trained in the 
continum of force relative to arrest) to detain a suspect, but to 
cease any use of force and give up if a weapon was shown or thought 
to be present.

2 - He once "knew" someone was shoplifting but couldn't prove it.  He
had the plate run, and called the suspect at home - bluffed him into
believing he had him shoplifting on video and offered him the chance
to return the goods and avoid prosecution (he got the goods back).g

3 - He made ONE "bad grab" and stopped someone who was not shoplifting.
He had already been provided with a $100 store gift certificate to
give the person in case this happened (I was surprised this was the
case since he was a part time college summer hire, but that store
wanted incidents quelled quickly).

4 - One of the biggest sources of ripoffs store security watches out
for is employees "underringing" large purchases made by confederates
(this is probably the real reason the "wharehouse clubs" have a 
second person check the merchandise/reciept when it would be very
difficult for the shopper to slip any merchandise in the "paid for"
shopping cart).

5 - Yes, he was issued handcuffs (never used them except practicing on
mannquins).  Pretty solid proof the store expected him to forcefully
detain shoplifting suspects if needed.


                                        rob b.
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: john@sequent.com (John Vander Borght)
Subject: Re: Consumers Digest 'you renewed now pay' trick?
Organization: Sequent Computer Systems, Inc.
Distribution: usa
Date: Tue, 26 Jan 93 00:23:07 GMT

prm@cbnewsl.cb.att.com (paul.r.mount) writes:

>	In 1992 I paid for a year's subscription to Consumers Digest
>and the magazine has been arriving as scheduled.  (Expiration
>June 93).
>	Recently they have been sending notices saying "you've been
>getting the magazine but why haven't you paid?"  I notice on
>the card with the address and codes it says June94.  So I send them
>cards back saying that I don't recall renewing for another year.
>	It seems like renewal by intimidation.  Anyone else having
>this problem w/CD or other magazines.

I had a similar problem with The Sporting News last year.  They even
threatened my credit rating.  I finally wrote them a nasty note and they
quit bugging me.

John Vander Borght
john@sequent.com
-- 
"Practice random kindness and senseless acts of beauty!"
John Vander Borght
john@sequent.com
From: ChazL@county.lmt.mn.org (Chaz Larson)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Gevalia Kaffe Offer
Date: 25 Jan 93 19:19:43 GMT
Reply-To: ChazL@county.lmt.mn.org (Chaz Larson)
Organization: LaserMaster Corporation

On the Gevalia offer...I've seen it, and a friend of mine took advantage of 
it several times [back when the enticement premium was a nice storage jar for 
the coffee; the new coffeemaker premium is a definite step down].

The coffee is good, though not notably better than the premium beans you can 
get at any grocery store.

If the coffee maker is what's tempting you, check your local 
KMart/Target/WalMart for comparable models.  I have a Hamilton Beach [I 
think] model that looks remarkably similar to the one in the Gevalia ads, and 
it's the worst coffeemaker I've ever used; tiny and chintsy.  I think I paid 
about $10 retail for it at Wards a few years ago.

chaz

..must think...bubble pipe will relax me and I think...
LaserMaster Macintosh Typesetting Tech Support
From: lpj@col.hp.com (Laura Johnson)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: PEPSI CLEAR & TAB CLEAR
Date: 25 Jan 1993 19:12:48 GMT
Organization: HP Colorado Springs Division
Distribution: world
NNTP-Posting-Host: hpctdkf.col.hp.com

I read that Pepsi Clear was supposed to be less sweet than regular
Pepsi. I think it tastes like sugar water, but if you close your
eyes, you can detect a slight cola flavor. I prefer water.
-- 
Laura Johnson
lpj@col.hp.com
Opinions expressed are my own, but may be licensed for a nominal fee.
From: ken@wybbs.mi.org (Ken Jongsma)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Truck Bedliner
Date: 22 Jan 93 01:31:11 GMT
Reply-To: jongsma@benzie.si.com
Organization: Smiths Industries

tristan@hp-ptp.ptp.hp.com (Tristan Colson) writes:


>I have a 1989 Toyota pickup with xtra cab.
>Due to a manufacturing defect, I'm going to get my truck repainted by
>the dealer. This gives me a second chance to get a bedliner, which I regret
>not having done when I originally bought the truck.

>Does anyone have any recommendations for good brands of bedliners, or any 
>advice about which ones to stay away from?

I'd think twice about getting a liner and consider a rubber mat instead.
The problem with liners is that they are so slippery that anything you
put in the back is going to fly all over the place every time you start
or stop the truck.

Unless you plan on hauling dirt or gravel regularly, you probably won't
need a liner...

You should also consider a *good* cover. I have a Luxus that removes in
less than a minute, doesn't look like a circus tent and doesn't use velcro.


>Tom  (using Tristan's account) 

Things that make you go "Hmmmm..."
-- 
Ken Jongsma                                     jongsma@benzie.si.com
Smiths Industries                                    ken@wybbs.mi.org 
Grand Rapids, Michigan                      73115.1041@compuserve.com
From: cmc@cs.utexas.edu (Chi Ming Cheung)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Radar Detectors
Date: 22 Jan 1993 03:12:16 -0600
Organization: CS Dept, University of Texas at Austin
Distribution: usa
NNTP-Posting-Host: grit.cs.utexas.edu


Do radar detectors really work?  What are some of your experiences?
Any recommendation regarding model of detector?

Thanks.
--M.
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: toma@baritone (Thomas Arneberg  {66642 CF/DEV})
Subject: Re: Bread makers: recommendations?
Organization: Cray Research Inc.
Date: 26 Jan 93 15:51:50 CST

> The approach I'm taking is to call Panasonic and Hitachi and others and 
> get their sales literature on the bread machines.  It's so hard to shop 
> and compare features when one store has one Panasonic model and another 
> store has another Panasonic model.  I plan on picking the model I want 
> from the literature and then go looking for a store that has it.
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Ken Roser-WA2VCI-ker@mtgzfs3.att.com - AT&T Bell Laboratories - 908-957-5822
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

I took Ken's advice and just called Hitachi's 800 number and asked for 
their sales brochures on breadmakers. They said they'd send it right out.
Here is the number I called, for anyone else who may be interested:

            Hitachi:  1-800-448-2244

Unfortunately, directory assistance had no 800 number for Panasonic, so I
didn't know how to purse that any further.

---------------------------------------------+------------------------------
;-) I'd rather be ____  Thomas R. Arneberg   | Internet: toma@cray.com
:-) singing in a |____| Senior IC Design Eng.| UUCP: ...!uunet!cray!toma
:-) Barbershop  _|   _| Cray Research, Inc.  | CLAIM TO FAME: Loni Anderson 
:-) Quartet!   (_)  (_) Chippewa Falls, Wisc.|   went to my high school 
---------------------------------------------+------------------------------
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,rec.audio,rec.music.bluenote
From: thomasd@tps.COM (Thomas W. Day)
Subject: D. Gillespie records
Organization: Telectronics Pacing Systems
Date: Mon, 25 Jan 1993 16:46:47 GMT

The first, and best, record I ever bought was Dizzy Gillespie's "An 
Electrifing Evening with Dizzy Gillespie."  Since this is often cited as 
Dizzy's best record, I've been amazed that it hasn't been released as a CD.  
In fact, I haven't been able to find any cuts from this record on a 
Gillespie compilation CD.  I believe Sony owns the rights to this record 
from the Verve collection.  Does anyone have an idea why this record is 
still stuck on vinyl?  Or, better yet, is it available on a non-US CD?

My last copy of this record was released by JVC on a Japanese pressing.  It 
is wearing out and I'm getting nervous.  
Newsgroups: misc.consumers