From: tsanford@nf.sympatico.ca 
  
 "KCB"  wrote in message 
 news:1134344923.900631.9700@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com... 
 > You do not have to register to see the forums, they are free to browse 
 > and completely free.  Where thousands of Canadian get real deals and 
 > save thousands of dollars a year - for nothing!  Open you mind a little 
 > and do not be so quick to judge, you may just learn something! 
 > 
 xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
 KCB: You are right. I just tried it again. 
  
 Access to what is written in the forums is about three pages into the site, 
 without my needing to register. 
 Thank you for the correction. 
  
 However I still don't like having to 'register'! Except perhaps when 
 actually buying something; on line. 
  
 Your comment 'save thousands of dollars' has got me thinking along the lines 
 of exactly how much and what percentage of ones annual purchases can be made 
 on line, with a potential saving? 
  
 Initial reaction is only certain items; not including some of the biggest 
 such as federal, provincial and municipal taxes, electricity, or food or say 
 vehicle costs (gasoline/propane/oil changes etc.) which are generally bought 
 locally. 
  
 However it is possible to price-shop the internet for say insurance, 
 occasional travel etc. Also to do other price comparisons on line and then 
 go to Staples, Wal Mart, Zellers, Costco, The Sony Store, Radio Shack, Can. 
 Tire etc. for price comparisons. Helps keep things competitive, eh? 
  
 We do buy certain auto parts and computer hardware/software 'over the 
 internet'; but there again local outfits are pretty competitive and usually 
 have well established shipping arrangements. So it is often order on Tuesday 
 and it's here by Thursday. 
  
 Now; if we could get rid of all the advertising and 'commercial' content 
 here maybe Canadians would use this news group to exchange consumer 
 information to a greater extent? 
  
 Judging by other consumer oriented news groups surely Canadian consumers 
 have concerns about, for example, 'slow rebates' from purchases at Fuxxxx 
 Shop, 'extra cheque charges' by Can. banks,  'Credit card rates and 
 penalties', sellers who immediately 'debit your account but then don't ship 
 for several weeks' etc. etc.?????? 
  
 Best of luck to all of us, as Canadian consumers, in the New Year. Terry 
  
 PS. I do NOT get a sense, as one does, oft repeated by certain postings by 
 UK consumers on their news group < uk.people.consumers >  that, as consumers 
 in Canada, we are 'being ripped off'! 
  
 --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05 
  * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)