Frugal Living: misc.consumers.frugal-living - 15 new messages in 7 topics

Thursday, January 13, 2011

misc.consumers.frugal-living - 15 new messages in 7 topics - digest

misc.consumers.frugal-living
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living?hl=en

misc.consumers.frugal-living@googlegroups.com

Today's topics:

* John Lewis curtain runners rip off - 5 messages, 5 authors
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/833fefed59be8376?hl=en
* The Dentist's bum rush? - 2 messages, 2 authors
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/74c07052a7943055?hl=en
* Unbelievable, the Buddhists and I are making sense! - 1 messages, 1 author
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/37e985401ef2f642?hl=en
* `****HOT SEXY PHOTOS&VIDEOS**** - 1 messages, 1 author
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/f8a390b2036d913c?hl=en
* Lost fight with Tracfone - 3 messages, 2 authors
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/6d1408373168760d?hl=en
* THE TRUTH TO MAKING $13,693.94 IN 48 HOURS - 1 messages, 1 author
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/c8fb62caa874980d?hl=en
* Buying a new mattress and Ikea - 2 messages, 2 authors
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/c81c71905eda745d?hl=en

==============================================================================
TOPIC: John Lewis curtain runners rip off
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/833fefed59be8376?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 5 ==
Date: Tues, Jan 11 2011 11:48 pm
From: "Nightjar <\"cpb\"@" <"insertmysurnamehere>

On 11/01/2011 21:24, js.b1 wrote:
> They look like Swish Nova, about 5-10p each on Ebay.
>
> Accounts is pricing according to profit margins...

It is more probably pricing according to the cost of buying in what is
now a small volume special item, rather than a high volume current stock
item.

Colin Bignell

== 2 of 5 ==
Date: Wed, Jan 12 2011 1:56 am
From: stuart noble

On 11/01/2011 22:30, Don Phillipson wrote:
> "john brook"<bluestar954@mail.invalid> wrote in message
> news:igignb$7ec$1@news.eternal-september.org...
>
>> Some years ago we bought a curtain rail and some curtain runners (the
>> things that slide along the rail and that you hook the curtain hooks
>> into), from John Lewis.
>>
>> Now the curtain runners are all disintegrating, and so I went into John
>> Lewis to get some more. I was told they no longer supply this type of
>> runner, but have some at �3 for 10.
>> . . . Has anyone found a suitable alternative to these John Lewis runners?
>> I can afford to buy them from John Lewis, but feel disinclined because of
>> their attitude.
>
> In N.America, specialized stores sell only curtains, window blinds and
> associated hardware, and the hardware is also sold by fabric stores
> (because some customers sew their own curtains.) Both types of
> store usually carry a much larger range of this special-purpose
> hardware than do general furnishing stores, where you can also
> buy a piano or a dishwasher.
>

A good example of a small, low price item that should only be bought
from EBay/Amazon. High street retailers can't afford to sell anything
for less than a fiver it seems.

== 3 of 5 ==
Date: Wed, Jan 12 2011 4:23 am
From: John Rumm

On 12/01/2011 07:48, Nightjar <"cpb"@ insertmysurnamehere> wrote:
> On 11/01/2011 21:24, js.b1 wrote:
>> They look like Swish Nova, about 5-10p each on Ebay.
>>
>> Accounts is pricing according to profit margins...
>
> It is more probably pricing according to the cost of buying in what is
> now a small volume special item, rather than a high volume current stock
> item.

And I am sure they might argue with reasonable cause that most retailers
would simply dump the previous stock line altogether.

--
Cheers,

John.

/=================================================================\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\=================================================================/

== 4 of 5 ==
Date: Wed, Jan 12 2011 10:25 am
From: Jules Richardson

On Tue, 11 Jan 2011 13:24:23 -0800, js.b1 wrote:

> They look like Swish Nova, about 5-10p each on Ebay.

Agreed - or certainly Swish anyway (not sure about the Nova bit); I
remember my folks having some exactly like that at their place and having
to source some new bits (but this was years ago and a local DIY place had
them).

cheers

Jules

== 5 of 5 ==
Date: Wed, Jan 12 2011 11:40 am
From: Dave N

john brook wrote, on 11/01/2011 21:05:
> Some years ago we bought a curtain rail and some curtain runners (the things
> that slide along the rail and that you hook the curtain hooks into), from
> John Lewis.
>
> Now the curtain runners are all disintegrating, and so I went into John
> Lewis to get some more. I was told they no longer supply this type of
> runner, but have some at �3 for 10.
>
> Thats nearly three times the price of the current ones they supply. I was
> also told the new ones *no longer fit* the old rail.
>
> Here's a tinypic website photo of the two different runners. The original
> type is on the left of the photo. The one on the right is the one they are
> now offering.
>
> http://tinypic.com/r/107s6xt/7
>
>
> Now it turns out the *new* ones do fit into the old rail, but they run very
> stiffly in the rail.
>
> Does this represent a change in policy of John Lewis to being helpful to
> being greedy? The rise and fall of the Roman Empire, once you reach a
> certain dominance?
>
> �3 for 10 of these? On an average rail I guess you would need 30 or 40 or
> so? Thats 9 or 12 pounds for a few cheap as chips plastic.
>
> Has anyone found a suitable alternative to these John Lewis runners? I can
> afford to buy them from John Lewis, but feel disinclined because of their
> attitude.

I don't think John Lewis are trying to rip anyone off - Swish curtain
fittings are now hard to find anywhere. Anyway, please see the
following web site of a firm based in Edinburgh; they are currently
offering your Swish G-1 Deluxe Gliders (your LH photo) at 1.50 pounds
for #10, plus VAT plus postage. I used this firm once in 2009 and
received a quick and pain-free service, but take them as you find them:-

<www.fittingservices.com>

--
Dave N

==============================================================================
TOPIC: The Dentist's bum rush?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/74c07052a7943055?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 2 ==
Date: Wed, Jan 12 2011 12:09 am
From: Ol' OneTooth

On Tue, 11 Jan 2011 03:14:15 -0500, "h" <tmclone@searchmachine.com>
wrote:

>Seriously. And I have my teeth cleaned every 4 months, like normal people.

I had my tooth cleaned back in... lemme see... 1974, I think. :)
--
Ol' OneTooth

== 2 of 2 ==
Date: Wed, Jan 12 2011 7:25 am
From: "VFW,"

In article <georgeswk-6E4A06.11290610012011@news.toast.net>,
"VFW," <georgeswk@toast.net> wrote:

> I thought it SOP that a dentist sees you every 6 months. A dentist I saw
> doesn't call and now acts like they aren't all that interested in caring
> for my teeth. Nothing blatant but I'm having my doubts. I wonder if they
> just don't like my politics. Or I'm too fussy. I dunno.
> are they T-party dentists? Dentists do seem to lean conservative even
> flashing the "fish". Is there a way to test the waters?
> I'll have to go "fish" for a new one. Again!

I do attribute a lot of these difficulties with dentists is the wide
spread use of Mercury. The older the dentist that uses it probably has
had an overdose of this heavy metal.
Heard of the "Mad Hatter"?
just recently dentists have been ordered not to so treat Pregnant women
with mercury.
--
Karma, What a concept!

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Unbelievable, the Buddhists and I are making sense!
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/37e985401ef2f642?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Wed, Jan 12 2011 6:34 am
From: "His Highness the TibetanMonkey, the prophet of the deep jungle"

On Jan 11, 11:28 pm, Vajra <va...@nym.mixmin.net> wrote:

> >It is my contention that species put down their defenses outside a
> >jungle environment. Proof of that is how Northern Europe has
> >progressed from the depths of barbarism, some as recent as WWII.
>
> Yes, possibly. Although some might argue that the barbarism has just
> changed its form.

I'd ask a few practical questions to rate barbarism:

Are road manners the rule and not the exception? They seem to be in
Germany. Not here!

Are the homeless all over the place? Big problem here.

Do women feel safe in parks! Not here! (the homeless are respected,
not women)

Do they respect cyclists? Not here!

It's not an all or nothing scale. There are different degrees.

> >Or extinction of the species.
>
> Correct.

> >It may mean nothing for bikes on the road or outside the central area.
>
> It's a shame the Dutch model hasn't been adopted by more countries.

Yep, I'm trying to sell that system. But the Fat Cats don't care about
bicycles or legalizing pot. They only care about their SUVs and
keeping "all the prohibitions" while the Mexicans are terrorized and
our prisons are overwhelmed.

> >> Ah, yes. The money delusion.
>
> >Here it buys you everything, except space. Yes, they live in Gated
> >Communities but enjoy little space.
>
> Everything except happiness too.

They have beautiful cages overlooking the ocean, but they are still
cages. I've said the other day, "bicycles mean wings for pedestrians"
and I want to fly! A few places to escape to --if you dare to ride the
road!

==============================================================================
TOPIC: `****HOT SEXY PHOTOS&VIDEOS****
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/f8a390b2036d913c?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Wed, Jan 12 2011 8:24 am
From: RAMYA

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Lost fight with Tracfone
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/6d1408373168760d?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 3 ==
Date: Wed, Jan 12 2011 3:16 pm
From: Sofa Slug

On 1/10/2011 1:23 PM, Gordon wrote:
> "krw@att.bizzzzzzzzzzzz"<krw@att.bizzzzzzzzzzzz> wrote in
> news:mfnki6dfsi5uednatsuj1gak3tkfncikqc@4ax.com:
>
>
>>
>> I've been thinking about switching from Verizon to PagePlus. We never
>> use all of our minutes (well, we did once) and PagePlus looks to be
>> about the same price even if we did. They also use the Verizon
>> network, which is a huge plus. Not interested in text or Internet.
>>
>
> PagePlus is OK. I have it on one of my phones and I will pit it
> on another phone when my Spritn contract runs out. On my phone,
> I just put $25.00 on it when the minuts are running low. It
> takes me anywhere from 6 weeks to 120 days to use up the minuts.
> Pretty cheap phone service any way you look at it.
>
> I have to warn you that customer service is next to non-existint.
> If you are comfortable dealing with them over the web, they are
> OK. But getting a live body is impossible.

I've had the opposite experience with Page Plus. Every time I've called
they have picked right up, and have been friendly and helpful ...such a
breath of fresh air after dealing with Verizon! I highly recommend Page
Plus.

== 2 of 3 ==
Date: Wed, Jan 12 2011 9:52 pm
From: Todd Allcock

At 11 Jan 2011 16:26:47 +0000 Fred wrote:

> Using a Sprint CDMA phone poses a special problem for Pageplus. Sprint
> sells phones that are ONLY on 1900 Mhz because that's all Sprint is on,
I
> think. PP uses Verizon, one of the 850 REAL cellular system carriers
and
> the Sprint phones don't all cover this band. Just a headsup to watch
out
> for. Going from Sprint to Pageplus sure expands that coverage map!

I don't think Sprint has sold a 1900-only phone in years. While Sprint
native coverage is all 1900, they have quite a bit of 850 roaming
coverage included in their plans, so their phones need to support 850.

Having said that, avoiding Sprint phones with PP is still a good idea-
Sprint phones typically can't be programmed over-the-air by PP without
some hacking, I've been told.

== 3 of 3 ==
Date: Wed, Jan 12 2011 10:11 pm
From: Todd Allcock

At 11 Jan 2011 16:24:44 +0000 Fred wrote:
> Bert Hyman <bert@iphouse.com> wrote in
> news:Xns9E69908229C35VeebleFetzer@216.250.188.140:
>
> > In news:Xns9E697BF667D99nobodyhomecom@74.209.131.13 Fred
> > <nobody@home.com> wrote:
> >
> >> If you find a better deal, I'd sure appreciate your posting it here
> >> for the rest of us to switch to.
> >
> > T-Mobile's pay-as-you-go plan lets you buy time in $10, $30, $50 and
> > $100 chunks. The time on the three cheaper plans is good for 90 days
> > (although unused minutes carry over if you re-up in time), but once
> > you've spent $100 (any combination, over any period), your time
> > becomes good for a year.
> >
> > Once you've hit the $100 mark, any additional time you buy, even the
> > $10 chunk, extends your time limit out a year from when you buy them.
> >
> > For a low-volume user like me, I made the initial $100 investment, got
> > 1000 minutes, and now can carry the account (along with all my unused
> > minutes) for $10/year.
> >
> > T-Mobile's coverage isn't the best, but if you're in their coverage
> > area, you might want to look at them.
> >
> > They also have a no-contract $30/month plan that gives you 1500
> > minutes/month (that don't carry over).
> >
> > http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/plans/prepaid-plans.aspx
> >
>
> There's two problems with this plan. Worst is it's T-mobile, one of
the
> tiniest footprint sellphone systems in America. If you travel at all,
> you'll soon regret being a T-mo customer.

I travel quite a bit. Like Sinatra sang, regrets? I've had a few, but
too few to mention.
T-Mo's issues are usually only in pretty remote areas. T-Mo includes
quite a bit of 850-MHz roaming coverage in their prepaid plans. I also
have PagePlus phones as backups, but rarely need them.

> Two is Pageplus' rate on the
> huge Verizon system is less per minute, at 3.7c/min considering a 7%
PIN
> purchase discount from Callingmart.
>
> Nobody still does it better than Pageplus.....including the limited
> footprint service of T-mo.

There are a few advantages of T-Mo prepaid for me. My son can use my
wife's old first-gen will unlocked iPhone on T-Mo's GSM, but not PP's CDMA.

More important for the little I use either my T-Mo or PagePlus prepaids
is the lower annual cost of T-Mo. Once you've spent $100 on airtime, you
become a "Gold Rewards" customer, and _all_ future refills get one-year
expiration dates. It only costs me $10 to keep my T-Mo prepaids alive
for a year, vs. $30 for my PagePlus phones, and I don't lose $6/year in
junk fees on T-Mo.

I originally got the T-Mo prepaids during a promotion back in 2005 or
2006 when they gave you Gold Reward status with only $25 in airtime. For
$0.83/month I just can't let them expire. They come in handy as
"throwaway" numbers, like when selling a car in a classified ad. After
it's sold, I change the voicemail message to "sorry, it's already sold,"
turn off the phone and stick it back in the drawer.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: THE TRUTH TO MAKING $13,693.94 IN 48 HOURS
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/c8fb62caa874980d?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Wed, Jan 12 2011 9:59 pm
From: MARIA JOSEPH

THE TRUTH TO MAKING $13,693.94 IN 48 HOURS

You need to go and check this out right now!

=>> https://secure.aischeckout.com/t/qraiI/nyPHA/subaffiliate

It's an underground method to start making
CRAZY cash by this time tomorrow!
This method is responsible for making
$112,075.22 just last month and has the
guru's running scared!

It even made $13,693.94 in just 48 hours!
Forget everything you've been taught in the
past and listen up.

Go to this page NOW and learn how you can
steal this exact $4.1 million business for
yourself:

=>> https://secure.aischeckout.com/t/qraiI/nyPHA/subaffiliate

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Buying a new mattress and Ikea
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/c81c71905eda745d?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 2 ==
Date: Wed, Jan 12 2011 11:46 pm
From: "john brook"

It was only a few years ago we bought an expensive Ikea sprung double
mattress and its now no longer flat but has hills and valleys. Also it so
heavy that its almost impossible for us to move about for spring cleaning.

We thought we would buy a foam mattress now. Ikea do a double one
200x140x10cm for �60. Is this a good price or could we perhaps buy a thicker
one elswhere for the same money? Also we are wondering if 10cm is a bit
thin, although we do prefer a firmer mattress and we use a mattress pad.

The question is whether to buy at Ikea or can we find a better deal
elswhere? Thanks.

== 2 of 2 ==
Date: Wed, Jan 12 2011 11:52 pm
From: Adrian

"john brook" <bluestar954@mail.invalid> gurgled happily, sounding much
like they were saying:

> It was only a few years ago we bought an expensive Ikea sprung double
> mattress and its now no longer flat but has hills and valleys.

IIRC their mattresses have 10 year warranties. Have you contacted them
about that?

> Also it so heavy that its almost impossible for us to move about for
> spring cleaning.

Has it got a lot heavier since you bought it?

> Also we are wondering if 10cm is a bit thin, although we do prefer a
> firmer mattress and we use a mattress pad.

What did you think when you went into the store and tried one?

==============================================================================

You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "misc.consumers.frugal-living"
group.

To post to this group, visit http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living?hl=en

To unsubscribe from this group, send email to misc.consumers.frugal-living+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com

To change the way you get mail from this group, visit:
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/subscribe?hl=en

To report abuse, send email explaining the problem to abuse@googlegroups.com

==============================================================================
Google Groups: http://groups.google.com/?hl=en

Frugal Living

Blog Archive

Thursday, January 13, 2011

misc.consumers.frugal-living - 15 new messages in 7 topics - digest

No comments: