Frugal Living: 25 new messages in 10 topics

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

25 new messages in 10 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: NIKE AIR JORDAN 23 & AIR FORCE 1, JORDAN 5 FUSION, KICKS JORDAN 5 NIKE
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/3573751308482c28?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Wed, Aug 27 2008 6:15 am
From: aaashoe.net@gmail.com

NIKE AIR FORCE 1 www.aaashoe.com
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AIR DUNK SB
NIKE DUNKS
AF1 25TH
AIR FORCE 1 25TH
jordan todos los fusion
AIR Jordan Fusion 1
AIR Jordan Fusion 2
AIR Jordan Fusion 3
AIR Jordan Fusion 4
AIR Jordan Fusion 5
AIR Jordan Fusion 6
AIR Jordan Fusion 7
AIR Jordan Fusion 8
AIR Jordan Fusion 9
AIR Jordan Fusion 10
AIR Jordan Fusion 11
AIR Jordan Fusion 12
AIR Jordan Fusion 13
AIR Jordan Fusion 14
AIR Jordan Fusion 15
AIR Jordan Fusion 16
AIR Jordan Fusion 17
AIR Jordan Fusion 18
AIR Jordan Fusion 19
AIR Jordan Fusion 20
AIR Jordan Fusion 21
AIR Jordan Fusion 22
AIR Jordan Fusion 23

Jordan Fusion 1
Jordan Fusion 2
Jordan Fusion 3
Jordan Fusion 4
Jordan Fusion 5
Jordan Fusion 6
Jordan Fusion 7
Jordan Fusion 8
Jordan Fusion 9
Jordan Fusion 10
Jordan Fusion 11
Jordan Fusion 12
Jordan Fusion 13
Jordan Fusion 14
Jordan Fusion 15
Jordan Fusion 16
Jordan Fusion 17
Jordan Fusion 18
Jordan Fusion 19
Jordan Fusion 20
Jordan Fusion 21
Jordan Fusion 22
Jordan Fusion 23
AIR Jordan 1
AIR Jordan 2
AIR Jordan 3
AIR Jordan 4
AIR Jordan 5
AIR Jordan 6
AIR Jordan 7
AIR Jordan 8
AIR Jordan 9
AIR Jordan 10
AIR Jordan 11
AIR Jordan 12
AIR Jordan 13
AIR Jordan 14
AIR Jordan 15
AIR Jordan 16
AIR Jordan 17
AIR Jordan 18
AIR Jordan 19
AIR Jordan 20
AIR Jordan 21
AIR Jordan 22
AIR Jordan 23

Nike Jordan Fusion 1
Nike Jordan Fusion 2
Nike Jordan Fusion 3
Nike Jordan Fusion 4
Nike Jordan Fusion 5
Nike Jordan Fusion 6
Nike Jordan Fusion 7
Nike Jordan Fusion 8
Nike Jordan Fusion 9
Nike Jordan Fusion 10
Nike Jordan Fusion 11
Nike Jordan Fusion 12
Nike Jordan Fusion 13
Nike Jordan Fusion 14
Nike Jordan Fusion 15
Nike Jordan Fusion 16
Nike Jordan Fusion 17
Nike Jordan Fusion 18
Nike Jordan Fusion 19
Nike Jordan Fusion 20
Nike Jordan Fusion 21
Nike Jordan Fusion 22
Nike Jordan Fusion 23

Jordan 1 shoes
Jordan 2 shoes
Jordan 3 shoes
Jordan 4 shoes
Jordan 5 shoes
Jordan 6 shoes
Jordan 7 shoes
Jordan 8 shoes
Jordan 9 shoes
Jordan 10 shoes
Jordan 11 shoes
Jordan 12 shoes
Jordan 13 shoes
Jordan 14 shoes
Jordan 15 shoes
Jordan 16 shoes
Jordan 17 shoes
Jordan 18 shoes
Jordan 19 shoes
Jordan 20 shoes
Jordan 21 shoes
Jordan 22 shoes
Jordan 23 shoes
Jordan 24 shoes
Air Jordan Force Fusion VIII (8), AJF 8

Nike Air Jordan 1 I Force 1 Jordan Fusion AJF 1 AJF1 AJ1F
Jordan 1 fusion
Nike Air Jordan 2 II Force 1 Jordan Fusion AJF 2 AJF2 AJ2F
Jordan 2 fusion
Nike Air Jordan 3 III Force 1 Jordan Fusion AJF 3 AJF3 AJ3F
Jordan 3 fusion
Nike Air Jordan 4 IV Force 1 Jordan Fusion AJF 4 AJF4 AJ4F
Jordan 4 fusion
Nike Air Jordan 5 V Force 1 Jordan Fusion AJF 5 AJF5 AJ5F
Jordan 5 fusion
Nike Air Jordan 6 VI Force 1 Jordan Fusion AJF 6 AJF6 AJ6F Jordan 6
Rings Jordan 6 fusion
Nike Air Jordan 7 VII Force 1 Jordan Fusion AJF 7 AJF7 AJ7F Jordan 7
fusion
Nike Air Jordan 8 VIII Force 1 Jordan 8 Fusion AJF 8 AJF8 AJ8F Jordan
8 fusion
Nike Air Jordan 9 IX Force 1 Jordan Fusion AJF 9 AJF9 AJ9F
Jordan 9 fusion
Nike Air Jordan 10 X Force 1 Jordan Fusion AJF 10 AJF10 AJ10F Jordan
10 fusion
Nike Air Jordan 11 XI Force 1 Jordan Fusion AJF 11 AJF11 AJ11F
Jordan 11 fusion
Nike Air Jordan 12 XII Force 1 Jordan Fusion AJF 12 AJF12 AJ12F
Jordan 12 fusion
Nike Air Jordan 13 XIII Force 1 Jordan Fusion AJF 13 AJF13 AJ13F
Jordan 13 fusion
Nike Air Jordan 14 XIV Force 1 Jordan Fusion AJF 14 AJF14 AJ14F
Jordan 14 fusion
Nike Air Jordan 15 XV Force 1 Jordan Fusion AJF 15 AJF15 AJ15F
Jordan 15 fusion
Nike Air Jordan 16 XVI Force 1 Jordan Fusion AJF 16 AJF16 AJ16F
Jordan 16 fusion
Nike Air Jordan 17 XVII Force 1 Jordan Fusion AJF 17 AJF17 AJ17F
Jordan 17 fusion
Nike Air Jordan 18 XVIII Force 1 Jordan Fusion AJF18 AJF18 AJ18F
Jordan 18 fusion
Nike Air Jordan 19 XIX Force 1 Jordan Fusion AJF 19 AJF19 AJ19F
Jordan 19 fusion
Nike Air Jordan 20 XX Force 1 Jordan Fusion AJF 20 AJF20 AJ20F
Jordan 20 fusion
Nike Air Jordan 21 XXI PE Force 1 Jordan Fusion AJF 21 AJF21 AJ21F
Jordan 21 fusion
Nike Air Jordan XXII 22 Force 1 Jordan Fusion AJF 22 AJF22 AJ22F
Jordan 22 fusion
Nike Air Jordan XXIII 23 Force 1 Jordan Fusion AJF 23 AJF23 AJ23F
Jordan 23 fusion
Jordan 4-11 Fusion
Jordan 7-8 Fusion
Jordan 10-12 Fusion
Jordan 11-13 Fusion
Jordan 9-23 Fusion
Jordan 13-23 Fusion
Jordan 1 jordan 4 jordan 5 jordan 5 fusion jordan 5 jordan 3 fusion
jordan 3 Jordan 23 jordan 11 jordan 12

jordan 7 jordan 8 jordan 6 jordan 6 rings
jordan 13 jordan 14 jordan 15 jordan 2 Jordan 7.5 Jordan 9.5 Jordan
12.5 Jordan 3.5 Jordan 4.5 Jordan

15.5 Jordan 19.5 Jordan 21.5 Jordan 21 Jordan 22
AIR Jordan 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
23
shoes on
AIR Jordan 1
AIR Jordan 2
AIR Jordan 3
AIR Jordan 4
AIR Jordan 5
AIR Jordan 6 Rings
AIR Jordan 6
AIR Jordan 7
AIR Jordan 8
AIR Jordan 9
AIR Jordan 10
AIR Jordan 11
AIR Jordan 12
AIR Jordan 13
AIR Jordan 14
AIR Jordan 15
AIR Jordan 16
AIR Jordan 17
AIR Jordan 18
AIR Jordan 19
AIR Jordan 20
AIR Jordan 21
AIR Jordan 22
AIR Jordan 23
AIR Jordan 3.5
AIR AIR Jordan 4.5
AIR Jordan 7.5
AIR Jordan 9.5
AIR Jordan 12.5
AIR Jordan 15.5
AIR Jordan 19.5
AIR Jordan 21.5
AIR Jordan Large Size Jordan
AIR Jordan Size 14 Jordan
AIR Jordan Size 15 shoes
AIR Jordan DMP
Nike air force one, air force 1, air force one low cut, air force one
high cut, air force one release date
Air force one, air foce one 25TH, af 1, af 1 25TH, Nike air force one
new releases, limited version
Air Force One
Air Force one 25TH
AF 1
AF 1 25TH
Dunk sb nike sb dunk nike dunk sb dunk sb high dunk sb low dunk sb
woman
Nike sb dunk Nike Dunk High SB nike dunk low premuim sb Nike SB Dunk
High Shimizu
Nike SB Dunk Pro Nike SB Dunk Dunk SB
Nike Dunk shoes
Dunk shoes for woman
Dunk low cut
Dunk high cut

AIR Jordans Fusion 1 Jordan 2 Fusion AIR Jordan 3 Nike Jordan Fusion 4
Jordan 5 shoes Nike Air Jordan 6 VI Force 1 Jordan Fusion AJF 6 AJF6
AJ6F Jordan 6 Rings Jordan 6 fusion

AIR Jordan Fusions 13 NIKE Jordan Fusion 14 AIR Jordans 15Nike Jordan
16 Fusion Jordan 17 shoes Nike Air Jordans 18 XVIII Force 1 Jordan
Fusion AJF18 AJF18 AJ18F Jordan 18 fusions

AIR Jordan Fusions 7 NIKE Jordan Fusion 8 AIR Jordans 9 Nikes Jordan
Fusion 10 Jordan 11 shoes Nike Air Jordan 12 XII Force 1 Jordan
Fusion AJF 12 AJF12 AJ12F Jordans 12 fusions

NIKE AIR JORDAN FORCE FUSION SHOES AJF 5 V JORDANs 5 FUSION NIKE
JORDAN 5 FUSION SHOES AJF5 Nike Air Jordan XXIII 23 Force 1 Jordan
Fusion AJF 23 AJF23 AJ23F

Nike Jordans Fusion 23 AIR Jordan 22 Jordan Fusions 21 AIR Jordans
Fusion 20 Jordan 19 shoes Air Jordan Force Fusion VIII (8), AJF 8 Nike
Air Jordan 17 XVII Force 1 Jordan Fusions AJF 17 AJF17 AJ17F Jordan
17 fusion

==============================================================================
TOPIC: One-time credit card numbers?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/b77ead67078c8cf2?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 2 ==
Date: Wed, Aug 27 2008 7:11 am
From: Ken

DLC <DLC@dlc.biz> wrote in
news:IxXsk.19059$xZ.14736@nlpi070.nbdc.sbc.com:

> Ken wrote:
>> I've read that credit card companies will supply their card holders
>> with a credit card number good for only one transaction, for example
>> for a mail order or internet purchase.
>>
>> If true, how does one get one of these numbers? Phone call? Web site?
>> I've seen no info in the billing stuff I get, but I could easily have
>> overlooked it - I'm mainly interested in the current charges and
>> balance amount.
>>
>> TIA
>>
>> Ken
>>
>>
> Citi Bank and Discover cards have virtual or one time use account
> numbers. MBNA used to have these as well, but I am not sure after the
> Bank of America purchase.
>
> You need to install software on your computer to generate the
> temporary accounts.

I looked at www.citicards.com but no luck so far. Perhaps the wrong site.

Ken

--
"When you choose the lesser of two evils, always
remember that it is still an evil." - Max Lerner

== 2 of 2 ==
Date: Wed, Aug 27 2008 7:16 am
From: Ken

Dee <d@d.d> wrote in news:Xns9B075522AE71Eddd888
@ispnews.usenetserver.com:

> DLC <DLC@dlc.biz> wrote in
> news:IxXsk.19059$xZ.14736@nlpi070.nbdc.sbc.com:
>
>> Ken wrote:
>>> I've read that credit card companies will supply their card
>>> holders with a credit card number good for only one transaction,
>>> for example for a mail order or internet purchase.
>>>
>>> If true, how does one get one of these numbers? Phone call? Web
>>> site? I've seen no info in the billing stuff I get, but I could
>>> easily have overlooked it - I'm mainly interested in the current
>>> charges and balance amount.
>>>
>>> TIA
>>>
>>> Ken
>>>
>>>
>> Citi Bank and Discover cards have virtual or one time use account
>> numbers. MBNA used to have these as well, but I am not sure after
>> the Bank of America purchase.
>>
>> You need to install software on your computer to generate the
>> temporary accounts.
>
> I have an MBNA (now BOA) card and can generate new card numbers on
> the website or by installing software on my pc. You choose the $
> amount and the length of time the card is good for (2 to 12 months).
> The only limitation is each card number can be used by only one
> merchant.

I have FIA, Citi & Chase but no BOA card.

> I also have a Chase card but so far I haven't found a similar service
> from them.

I looked at their site too but didn't see anything.

> Dee
>

--
"When you choose the lesser of two evils, always
remember that it is still an evil." - Max Lerner

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Ample Hygiene for Ample People - Booklet
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/dc8fc27fa46ffb27?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 7 ==
Date: Wed, Aug 27 2008 7:13 am
From: yuri@comrades.com (Yuri)

On 27 Aug 2008, erin@donotmailme.com (Erin) wrote:
>WTF?
>
>http://www.amplestuff.com/amplehygieneforamplepeople-booklet.aspx
>
>20-page booklet gives you a personal regimen that can help you feel fresh
>all day. It's full of tips for dealing with odor problems, fold
>irritations, chafing, difficulty in reaching, and more! By Nancy Summer.
>Willendorf Press.

There's a chapter in the book on ass wiping dwarves that features a picture
of Ragtard. After a long search for true love, Ragtard married his best
customer.

== 2 of 7 ==
Date: Wed, Aug 27 2008 8:00 am
From: Ragnar

On Aug 27, 6:57 am, e...@donotmailme.com (Erin) wrote:
> WTF?
>
> http://www.amplestuff.com/amplehygieneforamplepeople-booklet.aspx
>
> 20-page booklet gives you a personal regimen that can help you feel fresh
> all day. It's full of tips for dealing with odor problems, fold
> irritations, chafing, difficulty in reaching, and more! By Nancy Summer.
> Willendorf Press.

Why is it that you are perplexed? Some people of size have special
needs. Understanding that is not rocket science.

Would you prefer that those individuals stunk and went unwashed like
so many thin Europeans do????

Ragnar

== 3 of 7 ==
Date: Wed, Aug 27 2008 8:11 am
From: Magda

On Wed, 27 Aug 2008 08:00:52 -0700 (PDT), in alt.gossip.celebrities, Ragnar
<Ragnarsghost@hotmail.com> arranged some electrons, so they looked like this:

... On Aug 27, 6:57 am, e...@donotmailme.com (Erin) wrote:
... > WTF?
... >
... > http://www.amplestuff.com/amplehygieneforamplepeople-booklet.aspx
... >
... > 20-page booklet gives you a personal regimen that can help you feel fresh
... > all day. It's full of tips for dealing with odor problems, fold
... > irritations, chafing, difficulty in reaching, and more! By Nancy Summer.
... > Willendorf Press.
...
... Why is it that you are perplexed? Some people of size have special
... needs. Understanding that is not rocket science.
...
... Would you prefer that those individuals stunk and went unwashed like
... so many thin Europeans do????

You mean your neighbours in the trailer park - they are not Europeans.

=====
It sounds much better in French, but then, everything does.

== 4 of 7 ==
Date: Wed, Aug 27 2008 10:02 am
From: Ragnar

On Aug 27, 11:11 am, Magda
<pikrodafni@death_to_spammers_noos.fr.invalid> wrote:
> On Wed, 27 Aug 2008 08:00:52 -0700 (PDT), in alt.gossip.celebrities, Ragnar
> <Ragnarsgh...@hotmail.com> arranged some electrons, so they looked like this:
>
> ... On Aug 27, 6:57 am, e...@donotmailme.com (Erin) wrote:
> ... > WTF?
> ... >
> ... >http://www.amplestuff.com/amplehygieneforamplepeople-booklet.aspx
> ... >
> ... > 20-page booklet gives you a personal regimen that can help you feel fresh
> ... > all day. It's full of tips for dealing with odor problems, fold
> ... > irritations, chafing, difficulty in reaching, and more! By Nancy Summer.
> ... > Willendorf Press.
> ...
> ... Why is it that you are perplexed? Some people of size have special
> ... needs. Understanding that is not rocket science.
> ...
> ... Would you prefer that those individuals stunk and went unwashed like
> ... so many thin Europeans do????
>
> You mean your neighbours in the trailer park - they are not Europeans.
>
> =====
> It sounds much better in French, but then, everything does.

Don't deny the truth, you just end uo looking stupid. Europeans have
bad body odor problems, end of story.
It say's it all when nightclubs in London and Paris, after instituting
smoking bans have had to spray perfume into the HVAC systems to cover
the smell of Euro body stank. LOL.

Ragnar

== 5 of 7 ==
Date: Wed, Aug 27 2008 10:18 am
From: Magda

On Wed, 27 Aug 2008 10:02:41 -0700 (PDT), in alt.gossip.celebrities, Ragnar
<Ragnarsghost@hotmail.com> arranged some electrons, so they looked like this:

...
... Don't deny the truth, you just end uo looking stupid. Europeans have
... bad body odor problems, end of story.
... It say's it all when nightclubs in London and Paris, after instituting
... smoking bans have had to spray perfume into the HVAC systems to cover
... the smell of Euro body stank. LOL.
...
... Ragnar

As long as you think so we won't see your ugly face and huge bulk over here. Paris is
really not good for you; the trailer park full of obese stinking people is. Yay! :))

=====
It sounds much better in French, but then, everything does.

== 6 of 7 ==
Date: Wed, Aug 27 2008 10:29 am
From: ParallelCooler@gmail.com

On Aug 27, 12:18 pm, Magda
<pikrodafni@death_to_spammers_noos.fr.invalid> wrote:
> On Wed, 27 Aug 2008 10:02:41 -0700 (PDT), in alt.gossip.celebrities, Ragnar
> <Ragnarsgh...@hotmail.com> arranged some electrons, so they looked like this:
>
> ...
> ... Don't deny the truth, you just end uo looking stupid. Europeans have
> ... bad body odor problems, end of story.
> ... It say's it all when nightclubs in London and Paris, after instituting
> ... smoking bans have had to spray perfume into the HVAC systems to cover
> ... the smell of Euro body stank. LOL.
> ...
> ... Ragnar
>
> As long as you think so we won't see your ugly face and huge bulk over here. Paris is
> really not good for you; the trailer park full of obese stinking people is. Yay! :))

As a trailer park resident, I can confirm we don't want him either.

== 7 of 7 ==
Date: Wed, Aug 27 2008 10:50 am
From: william hubbard

On Aug 27, 3:57 am, e...@donotmailme.com (Erin) wrote:
> WTF?
>
> http://www.amplestuff.com/amplehygieneforamplepeople-booklet.aspx
>
> 20-page booklet gives you a personal regimen that can help you feel fresh
> all day. It's full of tips for dealing with odor problems, fold
> irritations, chafing, difficulty in reaching, and more! By Nancy Summer.
> Willendorf Press.

It was written for rosie O'Donnell..

==============================================================================
TOPIC: RIP Bobbi Sanchez
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/a3ef1cf02aaa72c4?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Wed, Aug 27 2008 7:40 am
From: Ragnar

On Aug 26, 2:27 pm, m...@nowhere.com (Mike) wrote:
> On Tue, 26 Aug 2008, Ragnar <Ragnarsgh...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> >Why can't you post under one name? Do you have some kind of
> >personality disorder or are you just too fucking stupid and lazy to
> >keep your sock puppetry coordinated?
> >Fucking dumb-assed loser.
>
> >Steels Fans Suck
> >NNTP-Posting-Host: FDYZ6s6RiUAQ5Pw6qznCjQ.user.aioe.org
>
> >Frank Arthur
> >NNTP-Posting-Host: FDYZ6s6RiUAQ5Pw6qznCjQ.user.aioe.org
>
> >Electrician
> >NNTP-Posting-Host: FDYZ6s6RiUAQ5Pw6qznCjQ.user.aioe.org
>
> >Whiteslave
> >NNTP-Posting-Host: FDYZ6s6RiUAQ5Pw6qznCjQ.user.aioe.org
>
> >Dude watch your socks, and learn about headers. If you are going to be
> >a complete fuckwit loser at least have the decency to use a remailler.
> >Come on back when you want to be spanked like the little bitch that
> >you are.
>
> You've become quite good at reading headers since your foray into
> sockpuppetry was documented.- Hide quoted text -
>
Newsflash dipshit, I was good at reading headers long before the
allegations of sock puppetry were leveled at me over a year ago.
That's what makes them so fucking hilarious to me.

Ragnar

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Cell phone fragility?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/9a5e26553db076b8?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Wed, Aug 27 2008 8:05 am
From: George

Truly Stunned wrote:
> In article <Xns9B035EE438F8Binvalidcom@130.133.1.4>,
> Ken <invalid@invalid.com> wrote:
>
>> With a year Tracfone contract I was given a new LG 225 phone. This has
>> nice features and works well but has a stubby ~1 in. antenna sticking
>> out one side of the top. Does anyone know from experience if this is
>> fragile? Break easily? Should I be very cautious with it? I Googled but
>> didn't see any complaints in a quick search.
>>
>> TIA
>>
>> Ken
>
> There is no reason whatsoever at all for any modern cell phone to have a
> visible antenna. That stubby appendage that looks like an antenna on
> cell phones is completely non-functional, designed solely for the visual
> gratification of the end user. You could snap it right off without any
> deleterious effect on your phone's reception (although this is not
> recommended for aesthetic reasons).

Actually no, Longer physical antennas always help especially on 800 MHz.
I can unscrew the little stub antenna on my phone and there is a
definite decrease in signal and range. Likely the reason visible
antennas mostly disappeared is because they think people want cutsey
"Barbie phones".

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Walmart Prices: Urban vs Rural?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/85719f2d4728a958?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 4 ==
Date: Wed, Aug 27 2008 8:08 am
From: George

Neon John wrote:
> On Tue, 26 Aug 2008 21:08:38 -0400, George <george@nospam.invalid> wrote:
>
>> I know a local rather large store and a gas station that were called on
>> the carpet for giving cash discounts. I don't know if it has something
>> to do with specific requirements for merchant agreements in my state. I
>> used to like buying stuff at that store. You walked up to the register
>> and said "cash" and the clerk hit that key and you were given a cash
>> discount. Same with the gas station. You pushed the cash key and you got
>> a discount. One of the card companies found out and the determination
>> was that a merchant couldn't do anything to highlight the fees the bank
>> was getting including offering a cash discount. I have never seen any
>> other places in my state offering cash discounts.
>
> I didn't accept credit cards for about 6 of the 11 years I operated my
> restaurants. I finally installed machines to make paying over the phone for
> catering jobs easier. I did not sign a merchant agreement. I simply called
> my bank, told 'em I'd like to accept credit cards and a few hours later, a
> bank rep showed up with the machines already programmed.
>
> I charged a fee and had a minimum purchase requirement for credit card use.
> Occasionally someone would complain and I'd get a call from the bank telling
> me that someone had complained. My standard response was "That's the way I
> run my business and if that's not OK with y'all then come get the machines.
> I'll have all my banking moved to a competitor within 24 hours." Nobody ever
> came for the machines.
>
> CCs were more of a pain in the *ss than anything, slowing up the register line
> and making cash customers wait. I came close to ripping out the machines on
> my on volition several times. If it weren't for the corporate catering
> customers, I would have.
>
> In business, as in war, the guy willing to risk the most usually wins. The
> bank valued my business much more than I valued their CC machines so we
> reached an agreement in my favor.
>
> John

Not doubting you but according to everything I have ever been told it is
unusual. The local store I described is a huge place which includes a
tire center, hardware, furniture, pets, sporting goods etc. The family
that owns it has a total of 3 such operations.

>
> --
> John De Armond
> See my website for my current email address
> http://www.neon-john.com
> http://www.johndearmond.com <-- best little blog on the net!
> Tellico Plains, Occupied TN
> If stupidity hurt then they'd be putting morphine in the water supply.
>

== 2 of 4 ==
Date: Wed, Aug 27 2008 9:18 am
From: Neon John

On Wed, 27 Aug 2008 11:08:30 -0400, George <george@nospam.invalid> wrote:

>> In business, as in war, the guy willing to risk the most usually wins. The
>> bank valued my business much more than I valued their CC machines so we
>> reached an agreement in my favor.
>>
>> John
>
>
>Not doubting you but according to everything I have ever been told it is
>unusual. The local store I described is a huge place which includes a
>tire center, hardware, furniture, pets, sporting goods etc. The family
>that owns it has a total of 3 such operations.

It depends on who your processor is. The two major categories are banks
themselves and independent processors. I did end up moving my banking because
of other issues and at neither bank was I asked to sign a merchant agreement.

Sales reps from independent processors called on me frequently. Some had
slightly better rates than my bank but the deal-killer that they all had in
common was the mother of all contracts. At least 10 pages of about 8 point
type that would have taken me hours to read if I'd been able to actually see
the text. I'm sure that somewhere in that contract was a clause prohibiting
what I did. That was fine. I sold 'em some BBQ and sent 'em on their way :-)

I should note that I never did business with a banking conglomerate. I always
banked with home-town independent banks. I knew the president and could walk
in and chat any time. When they sold out to a conglomerate and he founded a
new bank, I moved with him. I'm sure that, say, a Citibank would offer a
merchant agreement large enough that I could use it for wall paper.

The major incentive to deal with a home town bank and forego other benefits
such as in-network ATMs all over the country >IS< the personal service. I
expected them to stand between me and Visa/MC and they did. I'm sure that
someone at the back told a V/MC rep that they'd scolded me and that all was
well.

One other thing that I should note. V/MC aren't all-powerful. In addition to
having the anti-trust government types on their backs, they deal with
companies much larger than they. They don't dictate terms in a pre-printed
contract in those cases. They negotiate terms.

Quite obviously the major chain gas stations and truck stops have negotiated
agreements that let them give cash discounts. Very substantial ones. Most
Love's and other chain truck stops, er, travel centers, have interstate
billboards that alternately flash the cash and credit prices. During my year
of OTR truck driving, I became quite familiar with those. Sometimes the
discount was as much as 12 cents/gallon.

The company that I drove for gave me a fuel card that when used at the truck
pump, rendered yet another price, the one that they'd negotiated with the
chain. We could use certain chains but not others. "Others" apparently
hadn't reached a satisfactory pricing agreement with the trucking company.

Point of my posting is to demonstrate that people who think that something as
complex as the plastic banking industry can be reduced to a simpleton
platitude such as "no cash discounts and no surcharges allowed" are simply
bullsh*tting themselves.

I want to point out another thing. We independent businessmen are ALWAYS
smarter, more flexible and more mobile than any bureaucratic machine such as V
or MC. For example, consider a situation where I needed to process plastic
for my business but also wanted to offer discounts to cash customers. Enter
my Frequent Porker customer loyalty card. As it existed, after 9 meals were
marked off on the card, the 10 one was free.

All I had to do to achieve my purpose of charging a plastic user fee was to
offer a Frequent Porker discount to my loyal customers but make it only
effective for cash transactions. Show me the FP card and cash and get a
discount. It never came to that but I already had my homemade point-of-sale
system programmed, just in case. Most of my customers were regulars so we'd
have worked something out.

Mine were low cost, high quality family restaurants. Most of my clientele
were blue collar workers. I had to compete with Micky-Dee. My prices were a
little higher but the quality made up for it. Few of my customers used
plastic. Had I been operating an upscale white tablecloth establishment, I'd
have gladly taken plastic or cash on an equal basis. My prices would have
been such that the cost difference would have been buried down in the noise.

Consider this. I could offer a 1 pound USDA aged Prime Ribeye with all the
fixings for about $22 and change and make a nice profit. Last time I checked,
that same steak would cost you about $80 at Ruth's Chris steak house. Do you
think that they minded paying the 35 cents + 1.88% plastic fee? (assuming they
had the same rate as I did.)

John
--
John De Armond
See my website for my current email address
http://www.neon-john.com
http://www.johndearmond.com <-- best little blog on the net!
Tellico Plains, Occupied TN
Remember, amateurs made the Ark, professionals made the Titanic.

== 3 of 4 ==
Date: Wed, Aug 27 2008 9:29 am
From: Neon John

On Tue, 26 Aug 2008 22:00:12 -0400, "h" <tmclone@searchmachine.com> wrote:

>>I carry enough cash to handle my small day to day expenses.
>
>Yet I can't remember the last time any of my purchases was less than $80,
>which is WAY more cash than I wish to carry.

I suppose that's one way to do things. Of course, you miss a lot of good
deals that way.

Fer'instance, I bought my GMC/Izuzu cube van (medium duty delivery truck) for
about a third of the NADA high wholesale price because when I spotted it
sitting in what turned out to be a small bank president's front yard, I had
several thousand in my pocket and could make the deal on the spot. I needed a
delivery truck badly and was carrying enough for what I thought would be a
binding down payment until I could hit my safe for the rest of the cash.
Turned out I had enough so that when I flashed the cash, he took my offer. My
offer was half the price on the sign in the truck window.

I always carry substantial cash because I've found that it makes doing deals
much easier. Just in case anyone gets any ideas, there's a revolver in the
other pocket :-)

I don't mind negotiating even for new purchases. Even at chain stores. The
store manager has much latitude. Usually all it takes is something to the
effect "I have this much cash (flashes cash) and I'm willing to spend it for
this item. If that's acceptable then we have a deal. If not, then I'll go
elsewhere." Flashing green has a funny effect on people. Makes 'em get all
wobbly-kneed and weak.

Of course, I'm not going to be able to negotiate for a $50 drill but, say, a
$2000 utility building? Yep, worked at Home Depot. Having a Lowe's right
across the street helped a lot :-)

== 4 of 4 ==
Date: Wed, Aug 27 2008 10:22 am
From: "Dave"

> Consider this. I could offer a 1 pound USDA aged Prime Ribeye with all
> the
> fixings for about $22 and change and make a nice profit. Last time I
> checked,
> that same steak would cost you about $80 at Ruth's Chris steak house. Do
> you
> think that they minded paying the 35 cents + 1.88% plastic fee?

Yes, because Ruth's Chris has major overhead. Just a guess, but I'd bet
close to 50 bucks of that steak pays for middle and upper management types,
and bennies for same. So no, they can't afford the 35 cents plus 1.88%
plastic fees. :) -Dave

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Experience with flushable wipes in a septic system? Any problems?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/17e37d629582215a?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 4 ==
Date: Wed, Aug 27 2008 8:12 am
From: HiC

I see there are these baby-wipes that are labeled as flushable. These
in particular are Wal-Mart "Equate" brand. Supposedly safe for septic
systems. They're supposed to break down like toilet paper.

Out of curiosity, I set one in a container of water. After several
days, it seemed to me to be still quite intact, plenty of strength,
whereas I've observed that toilet paper will disintegrate within
minutes, if not instantly.

Is this not a valid test? Will the "soup" in a septic tank will
degrade these wipes more aggresively than plain tapwater?

Anyone had any problems with these?

== 2 of 4 ==
Date: Wed, Aug 27 2008 10:19 am
From: "EXT"

"HiC" <brassplyer@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:2bb906da-4b08-4add-8082-d4c728addb1f@x41g2000hsb.googlegroups.com...
>I see there are these baby-wipes that are labeled as flushable. These
> in particular are Wal-Mart "Equate" brand. Supposedly safe for septic
> systems. They're supposed to break down like toilet paper.
>
> Out of curiosity, I set one in a container of water. After several
> days, it seemed to me to be still quite intact, plenty of strength,
> whereas I've observed that toilet paper will disintegrate within
> minutes, if not instantly.
>
> Is this not a valid test? Will the "soup" in a septic tank will
> degrade these wipes more aggresively than plain tapwater?
>
> Anyone had any problems with these?

They "may" eventually break down in a septic tank, but your experiment shows
that they do not readily break down, which means a number of them could
cause problems and may even clog outlets causing backups while one is
waiting for them to break down. I for one would not trust them being
disposed by flushing down into a toilet.

Septic tank systems can be expensive to install and even more difficult to
replace due to increasingly stringent regulations, I would not risk serious
problems that could result from flushing non-natural organic substances into
them, especially when a garbage can would take care of the wipes.

== 3 of 4 ==
Date: Wed, Aug 27 2008 10:51 am
From: "Bill"

I had a clog in my septic drain. When the snake came out, I could tell my
three year old grand daughter was filling the commode with them.

== 4 of 4 ==
Date: Wed, Aug 27 2008 11:14 am
From: KD

On Aug 27, 2:51 pm, "Bill" <barg...@bellsouth.net> wrote:
> I had a clog in my septic drain. When the snake came out, I could tell my
> three year old grand daughter was filling the commode with them.
>
> "HiC" <brasspl...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>
> news:2bb906da-4b08-4add-8082-d4c728addb1f@x41g2000hsb.googlegroups.com...
>
>
>
> >I see there are these baby-wipes that are labeled as flushable. These
> > in particular are Wal-Mart "Equate" brand. Supposedly safe for septic
> > systems. They're supposed to break down like toilet paper.
>
> > Out of curiosity, I set one in a container of water. After several
> > days, it seemed to me to be still quite intact, plenty of strength,
> > whereas I've observed that toilet paper will disintegrate within
> > minutes, if not instantly.
>
> > Is this not a valid test? Will the "soup" in a septic tank will
> > degrade these wipes more aggresively than plain tapwater?
>
> > Anyone had any problems with these?- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

I'd wondered about this too, although not so much of an issue for me
on city sewers. However, tampons are also 'flushable' in theory, but
I've read that they are not suitable for septic tanks. Those things
wouldn't break down easily at all, although they are generally 100%
biodegradeable cotton.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Faggots, maggots, kikes and dykes, plus jigs galore, whatta assortment
at Dem. convention.
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/d7472a2c0380c4e6?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 3 ==
Date: Wed, Aug 27 2008 8:59 am
From: jls

On Aug 27, 8:29 am, clams_casino <PeterGrif...@DrunkinClam.com> wrote:
> RichA wrote:
> >Does anyone really think the predominantly white elitists running the
> >thing give a s--- about the lowlife minorities who might have
> >attended? This is why Republicans are better, they don't try to wear
> >the outlandish facade of everyman the Democrats pretend to wear.
>
> Isn't that exactly why the Republicans work so hard at attracting the
> redneck vote?
>
> As long as they are promised a gun, the rednecks will overlook how the
> Republican elite siphon off the wealth.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhDc_EEDKaQ

== 2 of 3 ==
Date: Wed, Aug 27 2008 9:01 am
From: clams_casino

jls wrote:

>On Aug 27, 8:29 am, clams_casino <PeterGrif...@DrunkinClam.com> wrote:
>
>
>>RichA wrote:
>>
>>
>>>Does anyone really think the predominantly white elitists running the
>>>thing give a s--- about the lowlife minorities who might have
>>>attended? This is why Republicans are better, they don't try to wear
>>>the outlandish facade of everyman the Democrats pretend to wear.
>>>
>>>
>>Isn't that exactly why the Republicans work so hard at attracting the
>>redneck vote?
>>
>>As long as they are promised a gun, the rednecks will overlook how the
>>Republican elite siphon off the wealth.
>>
>>
>
>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhDc_EEDKaQ
>
>

That does sum it up quite well.

== 3 of 3 ==
Date: Wed, Aug 27 2008 10:33 am
From: Bill Steele

In article <yTetk.10649$Ks1.5266@newsfe02.iad>,
clams_casino <PeterGriffin@DrunkinClam.com> wrote:

> jls wrote:
>
> >On Aug 27, 8:29 am, clams_casino <PeterGrif...@DrunkinClam.com> wrote:
> >
> >
> >>RichA wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >>>Does anyone really think the predominantly white elitists running the
> >>>thing give a s--- about the lowlife minorities who might have
> >>>attended? This is why Republicans are better, they don't try to wear
> >>>the outlandish facade of everyman the Democrats pretend to wear.

They try. "Look, see, we've got black republicans--see that guy over
there in the Brooks Brothers suit?" And they've got women -- they'll
let in any woman who's against abortion.
> >>>
> >>>
> >>Isn't that exactly why the Republicans work so hard at attracting the
> >>redneck vote?
> >>
> >>As long as they are promised a gun, the rednecks will overlook how the
> >>Republican elite siphon off the wealth.
> >>
> >>
> >
> >http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhDc_EEDKaQ
> >
> >
>
> That does sum it up quite well.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: good
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/b3b819d2a69c32c6?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Wed, Aug 27 2008 10:04 am
From: daisha52018@gmail.com

www.yahoo808shoes.cn

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Defense: Woman too obese to kill nephew
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/7a462b958e5ce1ed?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Wed, Aug 27 2008 11:31 am
From: larry@nowhere.net (Larry)

http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/08/27/obese.prosecution.ap/index.html

Defense: Woman too obese to kill nephew

Story Highlights

* Attorney claims half-ton woman was not physically capable of killing
nephew
* Eliseo Gonzalez Jr. died after being struck at least twice in head,
prosecutor says
* Mayra Rosales placed under house arrest because jail cell is not big
enough for her

EDINBURG, Texas (AP) -- A nearly half-ton Texas woman charged in the death
of her toddler nephew couldn't have beaten the boy to death because of her
limited movement from weight problems, her attorney said Tuesday.

Mayra Rosales, who weighs nearly 1,000 pounds, was indicted last week on
capital murder charges in the death of Eliseo Gonzalez Jr. Prosecutors said
the 2-year-old boy died after being struck at least twice in the head while
in the care of Rosales, who is bedridden.

Jamie Rosales, the boy's 20-year-old mother, believes the death was
possibly caused by the morbidly obese woman rolling onto the toddler, said
Oscar Vega, her attorney. She faces one felony count of injury to a child,
which carries a life sentence and 10,000 in fines.

"She doesn't believe her sister intentionally did anything to her child,"
Vega told The Associated Press.

A state district judge put Mayra Rosales, 27, under house arrest Monday
because the county jail lacks a large enough cell or necessary medical
resources. She is required to wear a global-positioning tracker until her
trial.

Sergio Valdez, Mayra Rosales' attorney, said she lacks the movement in her
arms to have killed the child, calling it an "impossibility."

"She is not physically capable of having committed those acts," Valdez
said.

Valdez said Rosales suffers from a thyroid problem that has caused her to
put on hundreds of pounds over the past three to four years and has been
bedridden for more than a year.

The stress of the arrest and charges has exacerbated the poor health of
Mayra Rosales, who also suffers from a "life-threatening" ailment he would
not disclose, Valdez said.

"This whole ordeal has taken a very negative effect on her, emotionally and
physically," Valdez said. "She wants this to be over. She wants to be
vindicated."

Vega said Jamie Rosales has a learning disability and will plead not
guilty.

He declined to say where his client was the day of her son's death, but
said he knew of no order forbidding the boy to be watched by his aunt.

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

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Wednesday, August 27, 2008

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