Frugal Living: Jul 10, 2007

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

25 new messages in 9 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:

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Why don't the liberal whiners start a health insurance company?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/18cfba458dce8ce2?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 5 ==
Date: Tues, Jul 10 2007 6:21 pm
From: "Daniel T."

Spob <pongespob_paresquants@yahoo.com> wrote:

> So with all the gnashing of teeth regarding prohibitive costs of
> health insurance and greedy companies that do their best to avoid
> paying on claims, why hasn't there been an insurance company formed by
> outraged liberals who would be willing to forego the huge salaries of
> the typical corporate hierarchy and pour it all back into coverage
> benefits and lowered premiums?

The real question is, if the French system is so awful, why do people in
France live longer, healthier lives, despite the fact that they pay less
per capita on health care?

== 2 of 5 ==
Date: Tues, Jul 10 2007 11:45 am
From: Larry Bud

On Jul 10, 2:21 pm, "Daniel T." <danie...@earthlink.net> wrote:
> Spob <pongespob_paresqua...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> > So with all the gnashing of teeth regarding prohibitive costs of
> > health insurance and greedy companies that do their best to avoid
> > paying on claims, why hasn't there been an insurance company formed by
> > outraged liberals who would be willing to forego the huge salaries of
> > the typical corporate hierarchy and pour it all back into coverage
> > benefits and lowered premiums?
>
> The real question is, if the French system is so awful, why do people in
> France live longer, healthier lives, despite the fact that they pay less
> per capita on health care?

Because Americans eat like crap.

To judge a health care system solely based on an individual's life
expectancy is like judging the quality of a mechanic by looking at the
mileage on an odometer. Sometimes the car owner never changes the oil
and spills food all over the interior.

== 3 of 5 ==
Date: Tues, Jul 10 2007 12:17 pm
From: mpautz@gmail.com

Read the WHO report rather than quote statistics. In addition to
numbers and rankings, the WHO report actually contains words. If you
read the WHO report, the longevity figure in the industrialized
countries is due to lifestyle rather than healthcare. The most
significant factor is smoking. The WHO report stated that the reason
the French longevity figure is higher is because of the low percentage
of French women smokers. Whe the WHO study factored out the French
women, France has a lower longevity figure than the US.

Additionally, the WHO report stated that there were 4 non-healthcare
factors, such as gang violence, in the US that pulled down the US
longevity figure.

NOW... About that "Pay Less" part. The reason the French pay less is
because of Government price restriction called Tarif de Convention.
An office visit is limited to 21 euros. An average French General
Practioner made $55,000. Our nurses make more than that.

== 4 of 5 ==
Date: Wed, Jul 11 2007 5:44 am
From: "Rod Speed"

Spob <pongespob_paresquants@yahoo.com> wrote:

> So with all the gnashing of teeth regarding prohibitive costs
> of health insurance and greedy companies that do their best
> to avoid paying on claims, why hasn't there been an insurance
> company formed by outraged liberals who would be willing to
> forego the huge salaries of the typical corporate hierarchy and
> pour it all back into coverage benefits and lowered premiums?

Because those salarys are a tiny part of the total fund turnover
and arent even visible in the coverage benefits and premiums.

== 5 of 5 ==
Date: Wed, Jul 11 2007 5:45 am
From: "Rod Speed"

Daniel T. <daniel_t@earthlink.net> wrote
> Spob <pongespob_paresquants@yahoo.com> wrote

>> So with all the gnashing of teeth regarding prohibitive costs of
>> health insurance and greedy companies that do their best to
>> avoid paying on claims, why hasn't there been an insurance
>> company formed by outraged liberals who would be willing to
>> forego the huge salaries of the typical corporate hierarchy and
>> pour it all back into coverage benefits and lowered premiums?

> The real question is, if the French system is so awful, why
> do people in France live longer, healthier lives, despite
> the fact that they pay less per capita on health care?

Essentially because their lifestyle and demography is quite different.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: THE BEST WAY TO MAKE ME MONEY
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/b7ef7ffcc2f91539?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Tues, Jul 10 2007 11:22 am
From: DoctorGiga

manufacturers don't care how much you pay for gas!

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Something I've discovered about regular tipping . . .
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/d23163da3767e684?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 5 ==
Date: Tues, Jul 10 2007 6:23 pm
From: "AllEmailDeletedImmediately"

"Tockk" <tock1@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:iAIii.532$m%.28@newssvr17.news.prodigy.net...
>
snip

> Well, we usually don't get a chance to tell how much customers tip, but
> usually we mention the tough haircuts that required extra effort (long or
> dirty hair, unpleasant customer) and got no tip, and the nice folks who
> left $10 or $50 tips (yup, it happens).

sounds like your're being wooed tock =(;-O)

== 2 of 5 ==
Date: Tues, Jul 10 2007 6:27 pm
From: "AllEmailDeletedImmediately"

"John Weiss" <jrweiss98155nospamatnospamcomcastdotnospamnet> wrote in
message news:LvudnfuQ3adfdhbbnZ2dnUVZ_sWdnZ2d@comcast.com...
> "Tockk" <tock1@sbcglobal.net> wrote...
>>
>> If it was up to me, nobody would tip.
>
> I tend to agree. I've lived in Japan, where tipping is NOT customary, and
> often visit other countries (Australia, Korea...) where it is not
> customary. Even so, there is a wide variety of confusing customs/practices
> that make it difficult to "do the right thing" every time:
>
> In Japan, tipping is not expected (actually unknown in many places),
> and the clerk/business owner WILL always give you the correct change. I
> have never seen a "service charge" added to a bill, but I don't know if
> that might have infected the big cities yet...
>
> In Korea, a 10% service charge is often added to a bill. It is also
> common to "round up" when paying (e.g., W20,000 for a W18,550 bill) when
> paying cash, but there is no spot for tips on credit card receipts. OTOH,
> the large number of American tourists and military people there have
> insinuated tipping into the culture. It is now expected in many places...

then they marry a military man, come here, and forget how to do it.
seriously, my
d-i-l's mother is one such.

== 3 of 5 ==
Date: Tues, Jul 10 2007 6:29 pm
From: "AllEmailDeletedImmediately"

"Barbara" <bcallen@nospam.attglobal.net> wrote in message
news:DeXnHmMUzXdD-pn2-gEghU2qfiZNB@localhost...
> On Wed, 4 Jul 2007 06:32:41 UTC, Mark Anderson
> <mea@nospambrandylion.com> wrote:
>
>> In article tock1@sbcglobal.net says...
>> > That's what I've learned about tipping in my humble barber shop.
>>
>> Is there any reason why I should tip the cashier at the Starbucks or the
>> local 7-11?

i wonder how many sb baristas tip at mcd's? same concept, but i bet they
don't.

== 4 of 5 ==
Date: Tues, Jul 10 2007 6:33 pm
From: "AllEmailDeletedImmediately"

"<RJ>" <baranick@localnet.com> wrote in message
news:t86n83lddpke8ldlq45f00lnfnpgob0b0g@4ax.com...
> On Wed, 4 Jul 2007 01:32:41 -0500, Mark Anderson
> <mea@nospambrandylion.com>
> wrote:
>
>>In article tock1@sbcglobal.net says...
>>> That's what I've learned about tipping in my humble barber shop.
>>
>>Is there any reason why I should tip the cashier at the Starbucks or the
>>local 7-11? What about the firefighter who put out my fire or the
>>garbageman who picks up my garbage every week? Or the mailman or the
>>guy who changed the oil in my car at Jiffy Lube? Where does the tipping
>>end? Why can't vendors just charge what they think their service is
>>worth and forget all this gratuity BS? Is it so hard to pay waiters and
>>bartenders a decent wage and just charge more for the food like they do
>>in Europe?
>>
>
> BRAVO !!

if they did that, most waitstaff and bartenders would take a paycut. back
in 1982, i was averaging12.50/hr as a waitress in a chain restaurant. not
even a really expensive place: chi-chis. base pay was 2.01/hr. so just
how much of a price increase would be needed to cover that wage?
because i sure as hell wouldn't have accepted 6.00/hr.

== 5 of 5 ==
Date: Tues, Jul 10 2007 12:57 pm
From: Dennis

On Tue, 10 Jul 2007 18:33:47 GMT, "AllEmailDeletedImmediately"
<derjda@hotmail.com> wrote:

>
>"<RJ>" <baranick@localnet.com> wrote in message
>news:t86n83lddpke8ldlq45f00lnfnpgob0b0g@4ax.com...
>> On Wed, 4 Jul 2007 01:32:41 -0500, Mark Anderson
>> <mea@nospambrandylion.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>>>Is there any reason why I should tip the cashier at the Starbucks or the
>>>local 7-11? What about the firefighter who put out my fire or the
>>>garbageman who picks up my garbage every week? Or the mailman or the
>>>guy who changed the oil in my car at Jiffy Lube? Where does the tipping
>>>end? Why can't vendors just charge what they think their service is
>>>worth and forget all this gratuity BS? Is it so hard to pay waiters and
>>>bartenders a decent wage and just charge more for the food like they do
>>>in Europe?
>>>
>>
>> BRAVO !!
>
>if they did that, most waitstaff and bartenders would take a paycut. back
>in 1982, i was averaging12.50/hr as a waitress in a chain restaurant. not
>even a really expensive place: chi-chis. base pay was 2.01/hr. so just
>how much of a price increase would be needed to cover that wage?
>because i sure as hell wouldn't have accepted 6.00/hr.
>

Yep. A couple years ago, my SIL worked for a while as a waitress at a
local brewpub while looking for a job in high tech. She was averaging
a little over $25/hr on minimum wage plus tips. Not too shabby for
schlepping burgers and beer.

Dennis (evil)
--
The honest man is the one who realizes that he cannot
consume more, in his lifetime, than he produces.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: US woman arrested over dry lawn
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/b2cd0e567110d99c?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 2 ==
Date: Tues, Jul 10 2007 11:35 am
From: A Veteran

In article <5fhmqcF39vvd6U1@mid.individual.net>,
"Bill" <bill190nospam@yahoo.com> wrote:

> It's about time they rounded up criminals such as this :-)

I;m glad you added the :-)

or as they say on the Cover of the Nolo Press book "Neighbor Law"

" They wouldn't be so bad if they didn't live next door."

--
when you believe the only tool you have is a hammer.
All problems look like nails.

== 2 of 2 ==
Date: Tues, Jul 10 2007 11:51 am
From: Thandarr

On Jul 10, 1:04 pm, Uncle Vic <addr...@withheld.com> wrote:
> Wilson wrote:
> >http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6282348.stm
>
> > US woman arrested over dry lawn
>
> > A 70-year-old US woman has been left bruised and bloody after an unexpected
> > clash with police who came to caution her for not watering her lawn.
> > Trouble flared when Utah pensioner Betty Perry, 70, refused to give her name
> > after being upbraided because her garden breached local regulations.
>
> And I keep getting cowardly threatening notes from my asshole neighbor
> across the street when I accidentally leave the water on all night. Go
> figure...
>
> --
> Uncle Vic
> 2011

Good story, but it should be captioned properly for this NG.

Thandarr

==============================================================================
TOPIC: What is the rationale to price something as $9.99 instead of $10?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/ca438cb73666596e?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Tues, Jul 10 2007 2:55 pm
From: clams casino

Ben Phlat wrote:

>My father owned a service station back in the 60's - 70's and the
>earliest recolection I have the price was 36.9 for regular and 39.9
>for premimum, no mid grade back then. You did get blue chip stamps
>back then though...........;-)
>
>--Ben
>
>
>

Definitely high priced.

I recall < 29.9 being common in the late 60's with a price as low as
19.9 during a price war in the early 70's.

http://dragontail.wordpress.com/2007/05/08/the-big-picture-on-gasoline-prices/

- historical average pricing & adjusted for inflation (2005 dollars).

Interesting to note that 1998 was at historical lows - adjusted for
inflation.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: A/C working properly? Cost -> lower temp?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/6c37471a9403c0a2?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Tues, Jul 10 2007 2:03 pm
From: "Noon-Air"

<kjpro @ usenet.com> wrote in message
news:ee22e$4693baa3$9440c41e$14424@STARBAND.NET...
>
> "Noon-Air" <Noon-Air@comcast.net> wrote in message
> news:OPKdnTJdqoxKLQ7bnZ2dnUVZ_sCinZ2d@comcast.com...
>
>> > #3 If you unit is freezing out side as some one posted?
>> > you have heat pump and it is working in reveres.
>>
>> Guess again..... overcharge on a piston system will do the same thing.
>
> ???

A piston system with a gross overcharge will freeze from the compressor back
to the evap, whereas if its running real low on refrigerant, or there is no
airflow, it will freeze from the evap to the compressor. It doesn't matter
if its A/C or a heat pump, it works the same.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Republican senator KNOWS he was forgiven by God?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/a2d8816068be388b?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 3 ==
Date: Tues, Jul 10 2007 3:17 pm
From: clams casino

Too_Many_Tools wrote:

>On Jul 10, 11:46 am, vir...@mary.heaven (V.M.) wrote:
>
>
>>http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070710/pl_nm/usa_madam_dc_2
>>
>>Republican Senator David Vitter, a church lector, who used the famous
>>D.C. prostitute service that is being investigated for some reason,
>>says that he "received forgiveness from God". (literally).
>>
>>I want to know how this "church lector" Vitter knows for sure that God
>>forgave him. Did he get a fax from God, or what?
>>
>>V.M.
>>
>>
>
>
>
GW likely pardoned him.

== 2 of 3 ==
Date: Tues, Jul 10 2007 4:27 pm
From: strabo

V.M. wrote:
> http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070710/pl_nm/usa_madam_dc_2
>
> Republican Senator David Vitter, a church lector, who used the famous
> D.C. prostitute service that is being investigated for some reason,
> says that he "received forgiveness from God". (literally).
>
> I want to know how this "church lector" Vitter knows for sure that God
> forgave him. Did he get a fax from God, or what?
>

I'm told that God uses email these days.

>
> V.M.

----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Unrestricted-Secure Usenet News==----
http://www.newsfeeds.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 120,000+ Newsgroups
----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =----

== 3 of 3 ==
Date: Wed, Jul 11 2007 6:35 am
From: "Rod Speed"

V.M. <virgin@mary.heaven> wrote:
> http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070710/pl_nm/usa_madam_dc_2

> Republican Senator David Vitter, a church lector, who used the famous
> D.C. prostitute service that is being investigated for some reason,
> says that he "received forgiveness from God". (literally).

> I want to know how this "church lector" Vitter knows for sure
> that God forgave him. Did he get a fax from God, or what?

Nar, that arsehole doesnt use faxes, its the voices in his head.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Visa and MC: No Charge Is Too Small
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/9a236ad49955ac8?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 6 ==
Date: Tues, Jul 10 2007 3:21 pm
From: "Chloe"

<goaway@fractious.net> wrote in message
news:yobvecs6ze1.fsf@panix1.panix.com...
> Kent Wills <compuelf@gmail.com> writes:
>
> [re: merchant agreement - between merchant and Visa]
>
>> Your willful ignorance and the lack of it currently being
>> enforced doesn't mean it can't be enforced.
>
> You, the consumer, have no standing and no right to demand
> enforcement.
>
> That's a matter between the merchant and Visa (or MC).
>
> At most, you, the consumer who wants to annoy the crap
> out of everyone by charging a stick of gum on your card,
> may complain to Visa. They may ignore you and leave the
> merchant alone, or they may warn the merchant. But you
> will still likely walk out of the store without your
> stick of gum.
>
> You, the consumer, may *not* file suit, because you
> are not a party to that merchant agreement. At
> absolutely most, if a suit were filed (by Visa)
> (and it's much more likely they'd just warn the
> merchant and then, at worst, terminate the agreement),
> at most, you could be a witness - a third party -
> not a part of the suit itself. The odds of that
> are probably smaller than the odds you'd be hit
> by lightning. Twice.
>
> So complain all you like, call the manager, annoy
> the crap out of the clerk, the manager, and everyone
> standing in line behind you. Then, if you really want
> to make a difference, take your chewing-gum-less
> fretting self home and complain to Visa. But no,
> you have no right to demand squat, so get over it.

My own pet peeve with merchants and bank credit cards are the merchants who
demand additional identification, requiring which is a blatant violation of
their agreement. I always refuse (sometimes giving them word-for-word the
issuer's policy: "you have the right to ask, and I have the right to
refuse") and so far I've not had to leave a store without my purchase.
YMMV.

== 2 of 6 ==
Date: Tues, Jul 10 2007 3:34 pm
From: goaway@fractious.net

"Chloe" <justsayno@spam.com> writes:

> <goaway@fractious.net> wrote in message

> > You, the consumer, have no standing and no right to demand
> > enforcement.
> > That's a matter between the merchant and Visa (or MC).

> My own pet peeve with merchants and bank credit cards are the
> merchants who demand additional identification, requiring which is a
> blatant violation of their agreement. I always refuse (sometimes
> giving them word-for-word the issuer's policy: "you have the right
> to ask, and I have the right to refuse") and so far I've not had to
> leave a store without my purchase.

That falls under the same - it's a matter between the
merchant and Visa. Sometimes you'll end up having to
talk to a manager - and if the manager doesn't have
his head deeply buried somewhere - and you'll be
on your way with your products in no time.

Note that the merchant *may* demand ID if told to do
so by Visa when they try to authorize the charge (IIRC).

Frankly, though, I do think you should be pleased when
they ask for - and at least attempt to verify - your ID.
Sure, you're not on the hook for fraudulent charges,
but at a minimum, it's still a hassle.

I was rather disgusted a while back when one of the
key points in, I think it was the Visa Check Card adverts
was the fact that you *don't* need any ID to use it.

That all said, I'd expect more of a fight from the
merchants and clerks over the minimum charge than over
the demand for ID. You don't give ID, it doesn't cost
them. They put through the charge for a pack of
chewing gum and they almost certainly lose money.

== 3 of 6 ==
Date: Tues, Jul 10 2007 3:43 pm
From: Mikko Peltoniemi

goaway@fractious.net wrote:

> Frankly, though, I do think you should be pleased when
> they ask for - and at least attempt to verify - your ID.
> Sure, you're not on the hook for fraudulent charges,
> but at a minimum, it's still a hassle.

Except that it /always/ happens after swiping the card - ie.
after it's been charged. Yet no-one who is supposedly concerned
about me and my finances actually compares signatures, which they're
supposed to do.

My response to asking ID is just "no thanks, the card is signed".

== 4 of 6 ==
Date: Wed, Jul 11 2007 6:00 am
From: "Rod Speed"

Kent Wills <compuelf@gmail.com> wrote
> Rod Speed <rod.speed.aaa@gmail.com> wrote
>> Kent Wills <compuelf@gmail.com> wrote
>>> Rod Speed <rod.speed.aaa@gmail.com> wrote
>>>> Kent Wills <compuelf@gmail.com> wrote
>>>>> Rod Speed <rod.speed.aaa@gmail.com> wrote
>>>>>> Lance <lance@noemailaddy.com> wrote

>>>>>>> http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118384822474060134.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

>>>>>>> No Charge Is Too Small
>>>>>>> By DIANA RANSOM
>>>>>>> July 8, 2007

>>>>>>> The next time a merchant says you can't use plastic unless
>>>>>>> you spend more money, ask to speak to the manager.

>>>>>>> Requiring consumers to spend $20, $10 or even $5 before
>>>>>>> they can use a credit card is a violation of merchant guidelines
>>>>>>> from both Visa and MasterCard. Those companies say store
>>>>>>> owners who accept their credit and debit cards are obliged
>>>>>>> to do so regardless of the size of the purchase.

>>>>>> Just because its in the purported mechant agreement doesnt make it legally binding.

>>>>> It does in the U.S.

>>>> Nope.

>>> Yep.

>> Nope.

> Your willful ignorance and the lack of it currently
> being enforced doesn't mean it can't be enforced.

Have fun explaining why it never ever has been.

The reason is obvious to anyone with a clue, that purported condition
is just there to bluff fools like you and the card companys realise that
they havent got a hope in hell of legally enforcing that, child.

>>> That you're too pig ignorant to know this doesn't change this simple truth.

>> Have fun explaining why there have been no legal suits on that matter.

> No one has filed suit.

And there might just be a reason why no one ever has, child.

>> There might just be a reason for that, child.

> No one has filed. Duh.

And there might just be a reason why no one ever has, child.

>>>>> Contract law 101.

>>>> Thats a kindergarten version of contract law, child.

>>> Most introductory courses are called [insert course name] 101.

>> No news to anyone, child.

> Clearly news to you.

Just another of your pathetic little drug crazed fantasys, child.

>> Pity your pig ignorant shit doesnt even qualify for that.

> Yet I know more about the topic than you.

Just another of your pathetic little drug crazed fantasys, child.

>>> You should try learning something rather than displaying your lack of education.

>> I might have actually presented quite a few thanks, child.

> You *might* have, sure. But you haven't.

Guess which pathetic little prat has just get egg all over its pathetic little face, as always ?

>>>>> Both parties agreed to the no limit rule. And there is nothing
>>>>> illegal about requiring no minimum purchase amount.

>>>> That aint the only reason that a particular contract condition aint binding, child.

>>> Oh do tell, great and powerful legal expert.

>> Already did, you stupid pig ignorant fuckwit child.

> Ah... The ad hom. The sign of the truly desperate.

Corse you never ever do anything like that yourself, eh child ?

> Thanks for letting everyone reading know that you're wrong.
> Since you've shown the readers I'm right and you're wrong,

Just another of your pathetic little drug crazed fantasys, child.

> there's no real reason to continue.

Yep, you've always made a VERY spectacular fool of yourself, time after time after time, child.

== 5 of 6 ==
Date: Tues, Jul 10 2007 4:05 pm
From: clams casino

Chloe wrote:

>
>
>My own pet peeve with merchants and bank credit cards are the merchants who
>demand additional identification, requiring which is a blatant violation of
>their agreement. I always refuse (sometimes giving them word-for-word the
>issuer's policy: "you have the right to ask, and I have the right to
>refuse") and so far I've not had to leave a store without my purchase.
>YMMV.
>
>
>
>
>
As someone who recently had two new cards stolen before I received them
(both expired in the same month and both were coincidentally delivered
on the same day - assuming it wasn't an inside PO job), I'm only too
glad to provide additional identification.

In the case of my Mastercard, attempts were foiled to activate both my
and my spouses card. MC called to verify the cards were stolen /
fraudulently being activated within 24 hrs of when they were delivered /
stolen. The Discover didn't go as well. Somehow they were able to
activate that card and use it several times on the following morning
(Bestbuy, gas, a grocer & Staples) before Discover halted the account.
I hadn't used that card but twice in the past year, so apparently their
computer system quickly (again within one day) identified the fraud.

== 6 of 6 ==
Date: Tues, Jul 10 2007 1:08 pm
From: Dennis

On Tue, 10 Jul 2007 15:43:16 -0400, Mikko Peltoniemi
<mikkopel@hotmail.com> wrote:

>goaway@fractious.net wrote:
>
>> Frankly, though, I do think you should be pleased when
>> they ask for - and at least attempt to verify - your ID.
>> Sure, you're not on the hook for fraudulent charges,
>> but at a minimum, it's still a hassle.
>
>Except that it /always/ happens after swiping the card - ie.
>after it's been charged. Yet no-one who is supposedly concerned
>about me and my finances actually compares signatures, which they're
>supposed to do.
>
>My response to asking ID is just "no thanks, the card is signed".

I've never understood how anyone could reasonably compare my signature
on the back of my credit card to the scribble that comes out on one of
those electronic stylus/screen devices anyway. Even if I try to be
careful and neat, my signature looks unrecognizable even to me on one
of those. It's like trying to write legibly with an Etch-A-Sketch.

The clerk always approves it, though. I always wonder "Why bother?"

Dennis (evil)
--
"There is a fine line between participation and mockery" - Wally

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Chinese Company Denies Defect in Recalled Tires
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/4bc1e6e088b5c0b8?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Wed, Jul 11 2007 6:24 am
From: "Rod Speed"

Spob <pongespob_paresquants@yahoo.com> wrote:
> On Jun 26, 10:05 pm, James <j0069b...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Even after Ralph Nader educated the American public, it still took
>> law makers to make cars safer.
>
>
> The only thing Ralph Nader did was demonstrate how gullible the
> American public is by using pseudo-science to manufacture a
> falsehood.
>
> While there's plenty of real fraud and deception perpetrated by
> corporate America, the Corvair was a perfectly well built car. With
> most cars, accidents are mostly caused by a failure of the nut that
> holds the wheel.

The whole point of modern car design is to make it
harder for the stupids to kill themselves and others.

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

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

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

25 new messages in 9 topics - digest