Frugal Living: Feb 11, 2008

Monday, February 11, 2008

25 new messages in 12 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: Cheap shoes $28 (nike , jordan, puma) , Cheap handbag $38 (gucci, fendi,
prada), Cheap jeans $28 (evisu, bbc, g-star)
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/9397ccca1cd05c07?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 11 2008 2:23 am
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==============================================================================
TOPIC: For brighter whiter teeth and beautiful smile (GD04)
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/a9d9f4fe22701922?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 11 2008 5:28 am
From: msk user

Beauty Care, Hair Care, Body Care, Hair Removal, Cosmetic Products,
Beauty Tips, Hair Tips, Skin Tips, Face Beauty Tips, Makeup Tips,
Remedies Puffy Eyes, Bridal Makeup Tips, Everything you need just
Visit http://www.nikharearab.com/

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Extreme Roadster For Sale - Dodge Viper
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/5df4d5d76daecc93?hl=en
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== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 11 2008 6:37 am
From: stan@royal.net

Dodge Viper SRT-10 Information

Miles Per Gallon: 10/20 mpg
Curb Weight: 3380 lbs
Layout: Front-Engine/RWD
Transmission: 6-Speed Manual

Engine

Type: V10
Displacement: 8277 cc
Horsepower: 500 bhp # 5600 rpm
Torque: 525 lb-ft # 4600 rpm
Redline: 6000 rpm

Performance

0-60 mph: 3.8 sec
0-100 mph: 8.9 sec
Quarter Mile: 11.9 sec # 122 mph
Skidpad: 1.15g
Top Speed: 190+ mph
Braking, 60-0 mph: under 100 ft
Slalom Speed: 70 mph

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web: finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/cwmtrader/?yguid=319792783
email: cwmtrader (@) inbox.com
momail: 0705474830 (@) momail.se

General info:
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World's leading brands network:
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CWMTrader:
http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/cwmtrader/?yguid=319792783

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Quick basic advice on a dripping gas 40-gal hot-water heater
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/e565eaf98e0e70b6?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 8 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 11 2008 6:44 am
From: malch@malch.com (Malcolm Hoar)

In article <6lmvq3du5tc430cmln534kvbi7g2nkbeq7@4ax.com>, dont@bother.com wrote:

>Do you care? Consider the case where one heater has poor insulation and a very
>efficient burner, and the other has a poor burner and better insulation. Both
>have the same EF, both cost the same to operate over a year. Which one do you
>buy?

It depends on your usage. EF assumes typical usage patterns,
whatever that is.

If your usage is above typical, go for the better burner.
If your usage is below typical, go for the better insulation.

EF is not the holy grail, unless you actually know for a
fact that your usage patterns mirror those assumed in the
EF calculation.

Shpx gur PQN. |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

== 2 of 8 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 11 2008 6:47 am
From: "Bob Shuman"

Donna,

I just attach a short section of garden hose and then open the bottom drain
for a minute or so every few months to keep the sediment to a minimum in my
gas HWH tank. I am fortunate enough to have a floor drain there in my
basement so this is fairly easy to do.

Also, if you can find a tank with the exact same dimension (Height x Width)
and that has the gas inlet, exhaust flue, cold water inlet, and hot water
outlet all located in exactly the same position/heights (or as near as
possible), then it makes the installation much simpler.

I also agree with the suggestion of installing the fiberglass "blanket"
insulation regardless of which model you choose to make it as efficient as
possible.

Good luck!

Bob

"Donna Ohl, Grady Volunteer Coordinator" <donna.ohl@sbcglobal.net> wrote in
message news:8mRrj.6644$5K1.62@newssvr12.news.prodigy.net...
> On Sun, 10 Feb 2008 22:20:41 -0700, Rick Blaine wrote:
>
> - The Home Depot guy tried to sell me on the maintenance-free ones
> (He said they had a fan that stirred up the sediment)
> - Some folks recommended "better" valves for cleaning out the sediment
>
> Donna

== 3 of 8 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 11 2008 8:37 am
From: "Donna Ohl, Grady Volunteer Coordinator"

On Mon, 11 Feb 2008 08:47:41 -0600, Bob Shuman wrote:

> I just attach a short section of garden hose and then open the bottom drain
> for a minute or so every few months to keep the sediment to a minimum

We *should* have done that but never did.
This article says almost nobody drains their tanks nowadays:
http://hkentcraig.com/2WHarticle.html
So, I don't feel too badly.

Also, Home Depot GE salespeople on the phone tried really hard to sell me
the patented little fan that stirs up the sediments.

It would be nice to find an article that scientifically looks to see if
those sediment stirrers really worked or not.

Consumer Reports was a total disapointment as they told me to buy based on
warranty - which is a marketeer's dream. I'm surprised at Consumer Reports,
but, the older (and wiser) I get, the more I realize they don't know what
they're doing. Sigh.

Dan Rather, and now Consumer Reports.
Another trusted icon bites the dust!

All I have left is you!

Donna

== 4 of 8 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 11 2008 8:03 am
From: "Donna Ohl, Grady Volunteer Coordinator"

On Sun, 10 Feb 2008 21:30:43 -0600, HeyBub wrote:
> $50 permit? Call city hall and see if a permit is required.

I called this morning and the town said I need a PLUMBING permit because
it's a gas heater. I forgot to ask the price but the installer will handle
that for me (and charge me).

I just hope there isn't the 8.5% sales tax charged on top of the permit
costs!

As Will Rogers said, thank God we don't get as much government as we pay
for!

Donna

== 5 of 8 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 11 2008 9:53 am
From: "Donna Ohl, Grady Volunteer Coordinator"

On Mon, 11 Feb 2008 04:16:34 GMT, Malcolm Hoar wrote:
> The energy factor tells you how well much of the gas is
> converted into hot water. A low rating on a gas heater
> means lots of therms (energy) are going up the flue.

Hi Malcolm,

I did more research. Apparently, all GE water heaters sold by HD are made
by Rheem who also makes a water heater with an EF of 0.62 but it's hard to
find in a HD store. I'm gonna try Sears at 800-877-6420.

$360 ($675 installed) GG40T06TVG/182-785 FHR=68 gal EF=0.62 40,000 BTUs
The nearly meaningless specs are 40-gallon capacity & 6-year warranty.

$420 ($730 installed) GG50T06TVG/184-045 FHR=83 gal EF=0.62 40,000 BTUs
The nearly meaningless specs are 50-gallon capacity & 6-year warranty.

I am trying to figure out the calculation for the payback time given the
difference between an EF of 0.59 and the EF of 0.62.

Do you think it's worth it to pay (how much) more and go to more trouble to
find a residential gas hot water heater with the EF of 0.62 (given my
current cost per therm of $1.33)?

Donna
PS I'm gonna try the math for FHR & ER payback calculations here
http://www.gamanet.org/gama/inforesources.nsf/vAllDocs/Education?OpenDocument

== 6 of 8 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 11 2008 9:50 am
From: "Donna Ohl, Grady Volunteer Coordinator"

On Mon, 11 Feb 2008 07:24:20 GMT, James Sweet wrote:

> I pay around $1.15 per therm,
> I still remember when it was ... 33 cents.

I pay around $1.33 per therm.
I'm going to do the calculations today.

I just called Sears Kenmore (actually AO SMith State Industries makes all
the Kenmore brands) asking for their highest-efficiency consumer hot water
heater models.
- Sears Kenmore Home Water Heater Department: 1-800-877-6420

Here's the summary from Sears for the 40-gallon 12/1 year water heater:
- $420/$853 #33144 FHR 81 gallons, EF 0.63, BTU 40K,
- 58" tall, 20.5" diameter, 63.5" tall with diverter

Here's the summary from Sears for the 50-gallon 12/1 year water heater:
- $450/$885 #33154 FHR 97 gallons, EF 0.63, BTU 40K,
- 59.5" tall, 22" diameter, 65" tall with diverter

The installation fee includes a bunch of possibly mandatory extras.
- Mandatory Installation Fee $300
- Mandatory Disposal Fee $10
- Mandatory Plumbing Permit $77
- Mandatory Flex Pipe Replacement $46
- Mandatory Sales Tax on the water heater ~8.75%
- Possible Earthquake Straps $68
- Possible pipe retrofit fees ~100
- Possible trip charge of $35 to $80 if any service is refused

I still have to do the calculations to see if the EF makes any real
difference at a cost per therm of $1.33 particularly since the "average"
water heater at HD was 0.58 or 0.59 EF, but I could special order a HD one
with 0.62 EF but I could get from Sears one with an EF of 0.63.

I wonder how much exactly it all matters ... for that ... I need to build
the calculations.

I think I have enough now - certainly more than I ever thought I needed to
know - to make a reasonable not-dumb decision on replacing my home water
heater that started leaking yesterday morning.

Please let me know if you have any calculators on the web which can COMPARE
two home water heaters given the specs we have posted in this thread!

Thanks,
Donna

== 7 of 8 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 11 2008 1:10 pm
From: N8N

On Feb 11, 12:50 pm, "Donna Ohl, Grady Volunteer Coordinator"
<donna....@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
> On Mon, 11 Feb 2008 07:24:20 GMT, James Sweet wrote:
> > I pay around $1.15 per therm,
> > I still remember when it was ... 33 cents.
>
> I pay around $1.33 per therm.
> I'm going to do the calculations today.
>
> I just called Sears Kenmore (actually AO SMith State Industries makes all
> the Kenmore brands) asking for their highest-efficiency consumer hot water
> heater models.
> - Sears Kenmore Home Water Heater Department: 1-800-877-6420
>
> Here's the summary from Sears for the 40-gallon 12/1 year water heater:
> - $420/$853 #33144 FHR 81 gallons, EF 0.63, BTU 40K,
> - 58" tall, 20.5" diameter, 63.5" tall with diverter
>
> Here's the summary from Sears for the 50-gallon 12/1 year water heater:
> - $450/$885 #33154 FHR 97 gallons, EF 0.63, BTU 40K,
> - 59.5" tall, 22" diameter, 65" tall with diverter
>
> The installation fee includes a bunch of possibly mandatory extras.
> - Mandatory Installation Fee $300
> - Mandatory Disposal Fee $10
> - Mandatory Plumbing Permit $77
> - Mandatory Flex Pipe Replacement $46
> - Mandatory Sales Tax on the water heater ~8.75%
> - Possible Earthquake Straps $68
> - Possible pipe retrofit fees ~100
> - Possible trip charge of $35 to $80 if any service is refused
>
> I still have to do the calculations to see if the EF makes any real
> difference at a cost per therm of $1.33 particularly since the "average"
> water heater at HD was 0.58 or 0.59 EF, but I could special order a HD one
> with 0.62 EF but I could get from Sears one with an EF of 0.63.
>
> I wonder how much exactly it all matters ... for that ... I need to build
> the calculations.
>
> I think I have enough now - certainly more than I ever thought I needed to
> know - to make a reasonable not-dumb decision on replacing my home water
> heater that started leaking yesterday morning.
>
> Please let me know if you have any calculators on the web which can COMPARE
> two home water heaters given the specs we have posted in this thread!
>
> Thanks,
> Donna

If you plan on flushing the tank and inspecting the anode annually
from here on out, I would expect that the higher efficiency model will
be your better buy unless the price is *significantly* higher. Proper
maintenance could make the tank last 30 years or more, it's just that
few people actually do it.

I write the flush/inspection dates right on the side of the tank in
Sharpie, that reminds me when it's time to do it again.

nate

== 8 of 8 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 11 2008 1:40 pm
From: "hallerb@aol.com"

lets assume a 300 buck a year operating cost and it sounds like you
might save 4% on a more efficent model.

4% of $300 is $12 bucks a year, thats no biggie.

now the 90+ tanks might cut your water heating bill by nearly half,
but purchase cost will be a lot more

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Don't Buy "Hormel REAL Bacon Bits"
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/96d82509a818239a?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 11 2008 6:57 am
From: "rox"

"Vic Smith" <thismailautodeleted@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:3l0sq319eoufoufbdkfb497dc1k2k35ek4@4ax.com...
> On Sat, 9 Feb 2008 10:58:53 -0800 (PST), Dave <djensen36@cox.net>
> wrote:
>>
>>I agree George. Hot dogs at Nathan's taste mighty good. But sometimes
>>it is the environment that makes the hot dog taste so good . . . At a
>>ball game, or a sports event, there is nothing better than a hot dog
>>and a beer.
>>
>>I know it sounds like a contradiction, but I could eat that hot dog at
>>the ballpark and then come home and get totally grossed out by taking
>>the same off-cut pork scraps and sprinkling them on my salad or baked
>>potato. Like I said, it's the environment as well.
>>
> Right. Even hags look beautiful to the drunken.
> Haven't had Nathans, but they are universally praised.
> "Best Kosher" dogs taste good anywhere, and are available here.
> Expensive compared to most dogs, but worth it to me.
> BTW, thanks for the post about bacon bits.
> Though I don't buy them, others might.
> Funny how you post something well-written, and on-topic to the
> newsgroup, and immediately get slammed.
> Oh well.
>
> --Vic

I think you've missed why the OP looked to be a spammer. It was the link he
included at the bottom of the original post. We've seen a rash of posts
that look like they are real people posting some opinion that's slightly on
topic but then has a link to a website at the bottom meant to snare the
unsuspecting into clicking on a spammy site loaded with malware. That's
exactly what I thought when I first saw that post and the only thing that
has made me think the OP is a real person is that he replied to the
statement saying he was spamming.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Frugal Way to Avoid Scaling Ladder to Clean Gutters
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/a4458969feb6a66c?hl=en
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== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 11 2008 7:23 am
From: Nexus7

On Feb 10, 4:57 pm, Al Bundy <MSfort...@mcpmail.com> wrote:
> There must be dozens of brand name systems that are more or less
> easily installed on the eves to prevent leaves from entering in the
> first place. Once it's done, you're done.

Sure, they sell a bunch, but do they work? I've got a plastic screen
(not a mesh, but slots cut in plastic), and what happens? Lil' leaf
stems get in an clog them. You get a screen, and dust will gum it up,
so you won't have gutters. Fortunately it is a raised ranch, so I get
on the roof and use a blower or brush, depending on how dry the stuff
is.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Calendar downloads?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/200a513c0b463960?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 11 2008 9:46 am
From: "Rod Speed"

pc <pc@somewhere.com> wrote:

> Hi group ..

Lo groupy...

> I am looking for free calendars that I can download. I am looking for things similar to the Dayminder, Dayrunner
> options.

> I went to a couple of stores recently and they all wanted a minimum of 15 dollars. This seems outrageous to me.
> Especially because none of them were exactly what I wanted.

> Surely, there's got to be a source online for calendar printouts that fit a variety of planner cases/holders!

> Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

Why dont you scan a blank page, get some paper of the same weight and print your own ?

==============================================================================
TOPIC: 150 Home Based Business Ideas
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/3e9b755313038feb?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 11 2008 10:00 am
From: AtHomeTakeHome

Check out http://www.AtHomeTakeHome.biz. It has over 150 ideas for
starting a small or home based business and even has links to
resources on how to go about it. Some of the ideas are perfect for
people who want to make part time, extra cash, while others will
allow you to quit your job and become self employed.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Can't pay? Just walk away.
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/5a07413ffe1cd66b?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 11 2008 10:24 am
From: Foobar

On Feb 7, 1:22 pm, PaPaPeng <PaPaP...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> On Wed, 06 Feb 2008 19:29:18 -0600, Snowbound
>
> <loosebow...@ixnay.invalid> wrote:
> >Just don't declare bankruptcy, like someone in real financial trouble
> >might consider. If you declare bankruptcy, like some joker who lost
> >everything to unforseen disaster or illness, you are putting yourself at
> >the mercy of courts and banks (who make today's bankruptcy laws). If you
> >just walk away from a massivemortgageYOU freely chose, you get off
> >scott free, without any substantial penalty! After all, what
> >asset-draining cancer or chronic workplace injury could POSSIBLY be
> >worse than losing a home you couldn't afford in the first place?
>
> This sounds good. The most logical part is the lender who made that
> unjustifiably risky loan to Mr. J Doe will lilkely disappear as a
> corporate entity before they catch up with Mr. Doe who walked away
> from his foreclosed house. Whichever new company that takes over the
> property will likely find it impossible or just too costly to clear
> the paperwork necessary to track down John Doe the walker and make him
> pay. There will be a few millions of such foreclosures that willtrashany industrywide attempt to clean them up.

Which is a good thing?

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Dollar Tree, Victor NY, worst customer service ever
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/afd0336a0edfead1?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 6 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 11 2008 10:25 am
From: "Stormin Mormon"

Just had the worst customer service I can remember in my entire life. At a
Dollar Tree, in Victor NY. I've had good service there in the past, which is
why this is so exceptional. The clerk, a teen boy, with the name tag
"CAMERON" asked if I was finished so he could cash me ot. Needed to get his
drawer open so he could give the other lady her change. I said I wasn't
sure, but what the heck. Cash me out.

He explained that I could continue shopping. He'd done this before, that
some customers buy one item, and then go back to shopping. So I told him, I
was finished enough, and he should cash me out. Over a period of 3 to 5
minutes, I told him four times to go ahead and cash me out. Or was it five.
He kept talking and talking, until finally I used my best drill sargeant
voice and ordered him to cash me out.

He kept talking. It became clear that he was abusing his power, and just
dangling me on a string. I stormed out of the store. I went home, got the
number, and called the store manager, and give him a detailed account. Al,
the manager, sounds like he's not from NY. Very friendly fellow. Including
reccomend that the boy should be fired immediately. Al says he'll get to the
bottom of this. But he can't fire the kid after nine months of no
complaints. He could if it were something really serious. I explained that
mistreating customers lost him a sale, and may have lost him a customer. I
left him my name and home phone number, if he needed further testimony.

And then I called national, left a message with them, got their voice mail.
Same reccomendation. If you've ever been in the Victor Dollar Tree, and had
bad customer service by a dark haired teenager named Cameron, please
imediately telephone the store, and tell Al about it. (585) 223-6050.
--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus

www.lds.org
.

== 2 of 6 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 11 2008 10:47 am
From: Goomba38

Stormin Mormon wrote:

Sounds like you made a mountain outta a molehill.

Why didn't you just walk off and continue your shopping? Leave him to
figure out a way to open the cash drawer up without you?

And to waste your time calling and posting about such a trivial event is
more mind boggling to me? You probably wasted as much time fuming as he
did supposedly talking....

== 3 of 6 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 11 2008 11:14 am
From: "rox"

"Goomba38" <Goomba38@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:M5WdnZqHeoS6BS3anZ2dnUVZ_hjinZ2d@comcast.com...
> Stormin Mormon wrote:
>
>
> Sounds like you made a mountain outta a molehill.
>
> Why didn't you just walk off and continue your shopping? Leave him to
> figure out a way to open the cash drawer up without you?
>
> And to waste your time calling and posting about such a trivial event is
> more mind boggling to me? You probably wasted as much time fuming as he
> did supposedly talking....

Maybe the teenage clerk has an intellectual disability and could not judge
that the customer was getting heated. Maybe the clerk felt the customer was
upset and that explaining things more fully would make the customer less
upset. Maybe the customer needs to tone down it down a notch because being
an officious twit never really helps in this or lots of other situations we
all, as adults, find ourselves in everyday.

Or maybe the event never happened at all. Maybe the OP just enjoys giving
out people's phone numbers to harrass others.

Lots of maybes here. There are lots of Dollar Tree stores in that area. In
fact there are TWO Dollar Tree stores in Victor NY. Just go to the other
one.

== 4 of 6 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 11 2008 11:17 am
From: "Joe"

"Stormin Mormon" <cayoung61**spamblock##@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:47b0935f$1$6137$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
> Just had the worst customer service I can remember in my entire life. At a
> Dollar Tree, in Victor NY. I've had good service there in the past, which
> is
> why this is so exceptional. The clerk, a teen boy, with the name tag
> "CAMERON" asked if I was finished so he could cash me ot. Needed to get
> his
> drawer open so he could give the other lady her change. I said I wasn't
> sure, but what the heck. Cash me out.
>
> He explained that I could continue shopping. He'd done this before, that
> some customers buy one item, and then go back to shopping. So I told him,
> I
> was finished enough, and he should cash me out. Over a period of 3 to 5
> minutes, I told him four times to go ahead and cash me out. Or was it
> five.
> He kept talking and talking, until finally I used my best drill sargeant
> voice and ordered him to cash me out.
>
> He kept talking. It became clear that he was abusing his power, and just
> dangling me on a string. I stormed out of the store. I went home, got the
> number, and called the store manager, and give him a detailed account. Al,
> the manager, sounds like he's not from NY. Very friendly fellow. Including
> reccomend that the boy should be fired immediately. Al says he'll get to
> the
> bottom of this. But he can't fire the kid after nine months of no
> complaints. He could if it were something really serious. I explained that
> mistreating customers lost him a sale, and may have lost him a customer. I
> left him my name and home phone number, if he needed further testimony.
>
> And then I called national, left a message with them, got their voice
> mail.
> Same reccomendation. If you've ever been in the Victor Dollar Tree, and
> had
> bad customer service by a dark haired teenager named Cameron, please
> imediately telephone the store, and tell Al about it. (585) 223-6050.
> --
> Christopher A. Young
> Learn more about Jesus
>

www.lds.org

I also live in the NE US.

I once had pickles on my burger at a White Castle when I asked for no
pickles... I didn't memorize the staff's name, hair color, call their
manager or corporate office. I still go there sometimes and never once id
it occur to me that I should be eternally wounded by some bad service.

I once had a guy pump premoum gasoline into my motorcycle when I
specifically asked for "cheap stuff"... I didn't memorize his name, hair
color, call the station manager or corporate office. I still get gas there
but I now am smart enough to know that motorcyclists pump their own gasoline
almost everywhere even when the law says they shouldn't

I once had someone charge me for an appetizer I didn't receive even after I
ordered it. I didn't... Oh you get the point.

I suggest you...

Suck it up...

Build a bridge...

Get over it...

Life is too important to stress out over bad service. If it is a regular,
reoccuring problem, that's a different story. Sounds like you have been
going there for a while and since Cameron has been there for months, I would
guess he served you before.

Actually, sounds like you have another issue with Cameron and are posting
this as a tactic to try and get him in trouble for nothing... But that's
just speculation on my part. It might backfire ya know. People here might
call and praise Cameron's efforts to serve them and then what will your post
accomplish?

Joe in Northern, NJ - V#8013-R

Currently Riding The "Mother Ship"
http://yunx.com/valk.htm

Ride a motorcycle in or near NJ?
http://tinyurl.com/hmzj
http://tinyurl.com/5apkg

== 5 of 6 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 11 2008 12:36 pm
From: hchickpea@hotmail.com

On Mon, 11 Feb 2008 13:25:26 -0500, "Stormin Mormon"
<cayoung61**spamblock##@hotmail.com> wrote:

>Just had the worst customer service I can remember in my entire life. At a
>Dollar Tree, in Victor NY. I've had good service there in the past, which is
>why this is so exceptional. The clerk, a teen boy, with the name tag
>"CAMERON" asked if I was finished so he could cash me ot. Needed to get his
>drawer open so he could give the other lady her change. I said I wasn't
>sure, but what the heck. Cash me out.
>
>He explained that I could continue shopping. He'd done this before, that
>some customers buy one item, and then go back to shopping. So I told him, I
>was finished enough, and he should cash me out. Over a period of 3 to 5
>minutes, I told him four times to go ahead and cash me out. Or was it five.
>He kept talking and talking, until finally I used my best drill sargeant
>voice and ordered him to cash me out.
>
>He kept talking. It became clear that he was abusing his power, and just
>dangling me on a string. I stormed out of the store. I went home, got the
>number, and called the store manager, and give him a detailed account. Al,
>the manager, sounds like he's not from NY. Very friendly fellow. Including
>reccomend that the boy should be fired immediately. Al says he'll get to the
>bottom of this. But he can't fire the kid after nine months of no
>complaints.

Al was right. First, summary firing is no longer possible even in
right-to-work states. An employer has to have a clear reason for the
action, usually with at least two or three other similar events, and
even with that, the unemployment review may still sock the employer
for an unjustified termination. Secondly, in the military, a
competent commander takes the side of the private in a dispute with
the local populace, and then does whatever dressing down is needed
behind closed doors. Why do you expect it to be different in civilian
life? Third, your response was unreasoned. You could have a much
more positive effect by demanding a personal apology from the clerk,
in the presence of the manager. Fourth, you weren't creative in
response to his trolling you. You could have simply gone in the next
time, gathered a bunch of random items, gone to his checkout, and
halfway through the process, left the store, leaving the sticky ball
of frustration in his hands. BTW, I've had worse customer service
than what you described.

== 6 of 6 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 11 2008 1:29 pm
From: PaPaPeng

On Mon, 11 Feb 2008 13:25:26 -0500, "Stormin Mormon"
<cayoung61**spamblock##@hotmail.com> wrote:

>He explained that I could continue shopping. He'd done this before, that
>some customers buy one item, and then go back to shopping. So I told him, I
>was finished enough, and he should cash me out. Over a period of 3 to 5
>minutes, I told him four times to go ahead and cash me out. Or was it five.
>He kept talking and talking, until finally I used my best drill sargeant
>voice and ordered him to cash me out.

Smile. You're on Candid Camera. Probably the drill sargeant part
scrubbed this take.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: work from home with internet,how?her the answer
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/32f3804176a6b867?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 2 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 11 2008 12:22 pm
From: lnpworld

http://glycoblug.webs.com/makemoneywithadsense.htm

== 2 of 2 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 11 2008 12:22 pm
From: lnpworld

http://glycoblug.webs.com/makemoneywithadsense.htm

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Coach Handbag Find a Sale on Great Coach Handbags
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/e795791eb6fe86ca?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 11 2008 1:27 pm
From: swg4khpbqhsww7bdsncc@gmail.com

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Frugal Living

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Monday, February 11, 2008

25 new messages in 12 topics - digest