Advantages: nice when everything is going well
Disadvantages: Unhelpful and unapologetic when things go completely wrong

...Dear Ciao readers, I thought I should post this to warn people about Morgan Stanley. Sorry in advance for the length. In June 2006 I took out a credit card with Morgan Stanley with a deal of 2% cash back for 6 months which would then revert to 1%. When it arrived I started using it and everything was fine. After the second month I noticed that the cash back hadn't been applied properly as only 1% had been applied. When I contacted them I was told not to worry as they were aware there was a problem but it would be sorted out by my anniversary date at the latest. Satisfied, I continued using the card. When I used it to purchase a wardrobe I received a call one minute after walking out the store. The phone call was from a lovely Morgan Stanley customer advisor who was concerned about the large purchase that was outwith my normal... Read review

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Advantages: Very goon indeed.
Disadvantages: Can be dangerous

...OK, the knife is made by the famous Stanley company, and a lot of people here will think it just a "Stanley knife". Well let me just say that this is the Daddy of Stanley knives, it is a far better example of a wonderful tool. These are larger than conventional ones, and I thought these were only available to carpet fitters, as they are far too good for us mere Mortals. Having owned a second hand example, I can recommend it for accuracy and ease of handling. The bigger handle gives more control, and they still use the replaceable small blades. A Stanley knife, according to good old Wikipedia, is a utility knife (also called a box cutter, a Stanley knife, a razor blade knife, a carpet knife, or a stationery knife) is a common tool used in various trades and crafts for a variety of purposes. Israel and Switzerland call them Japanese... Read review

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Advantages: somewhere to get a late drink
Disadvantages: a drink might cost you more than you wanted

...Red or black? I don't know! Take card or not? Whatever you like playing in a casino, you'll find that most games in the Stanley Midland are looked after by the least miserable coupiers in town. Having said that its not difficult to be beaten on the service-with-a-smile front in these places is it? I have been to all the casinos in Manchester and have to say that the Midland is the only one that lets you win once in a while. You enter the establishment by going downstairs under the midland hotel and find that the atmosphere is quite friendly. I mean apart from the dealers the other staff, ie bar tenders, restaurant staff and the drinks waitresses are generally very friendly. The food in the restaurant is ok too, if you go after midnight and you are a member then you don't have to pay for the food you just sign for it. These meals... Read review

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Advantages: Cash-back, freephone number, easy online payment
Disadvantages: None

...I've had my Morgan Stanley Platinum Card for over three years now (Mastercard) and have been very impressed. I was accepted without quibble and given an immediate credit limit of £3000. The big attraction for me is Cash Back. This comes in the form of a cheque in the post around your aniversary date. It's based on what you've spent over the previous twelve months. As far as I'm aware, it's 0.5% of the first £2000 of purchases and 1% thereafter. This can work to your advantage if you save up in full, pay using the card, they pay the balance off when due. This is exactly what I did when we got our new kitchen. A slight drawback, however, is that Morgan Stanley have, without apparent notice, changed the rules on the cashback thing. It could happen again so I'd be tempted to shop around a bit. The real test for Customer Care... Read review

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Advantages: Cashback, credit limit and good customer service
Disadvantages: there are better deals out there if you carry a balance

...Surprisingly for me I have held a Morgan Stanley Platinum card for nearly three years. As a notorious "switcher" this is a rare condition for me to find myself in. Initially seduced by their direct marketing campaign (piece of junk mail); up to 1% cash back; and the promise of 0% on transfers for several months, I took the plunge and completed the application form. No problems at this stage, I was accepted, the card turned up in a couple of weeks or so, followed by the PIN number. The opening credit limit was fairly hefty, about twice what I was used to, and the activation process a simple (free)phone call. Outstanding balances were duly transferred via the call centre, again a very straightforward process. I was actually pleasantly surprised to connect straight through to a "real" human being straight away, having... Read review

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Advantages: Cheap, Free membership
Disadvantages: Bit worn and tatty inside, not a great selection of games

...Nothing really stands out in a Stanley casino; you get in free, and then generally have a choice of 3 tables. Blackjack, Roulette and if lucky Poker. If you're into machines then the selection isn't great either, about 10 in each casino. There are other games which can be played but never enough interest to get them opened, so you end up on either roulette or blackjack all night. Croupiers usually are pleasant and friendly, but you get the odd jobs worth who won't say a thing and seems to rush you along. Decor inside both casinos is a little basic, and looks like it hasn't been done for years, tables have chips and seats look worn. For somewhere that must make money they could do with tidying the place up. Positive things are the free sandwiches and soft drinks when playing on a table, also at 12:00-1:00am there is a free... Read review

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Advantages: Works well if used with caution.
Disadvantages: Will perform impromptu amputations if used by spackers.

...wardrobes into one big bowl, lost one set of instructions and then left everything lying like that.' In short, my mum lies. All the damn time. And I am gullible. Because of this trusting nature and tendency to believe unquestioningly what I'm told, I took at her at her word and drove up on Saturday morning. I saw the 'all but made' furniture and had a little bit of a weep to myself before looking at the instructions to see what tools I needed. The wardrobes called for a set of screwdrivers, an electric screwdriver, a hammer, a mallet and a Stanley knife (incidentally, the murder of an Irish mother requires a not dissimilar shopping list). I drove to the local hardware shop (which is run by a man who looks phenomenally like Tom from Father Ted, and who, pleasingly, is also called Tom) to get the knife and the hammer (the rest... Read review

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Advantages: Lots of bargains!
Disadvantages: Can get crowded and hot!

...~History~ Stanley or Chek Chue (; literally "Bandit's post" or "red pillar") is a village town on the south of Hong Kong Island It is located east of Repulse Bay and west of Shek O. Adjacent to Chung Hom Kok. Legend has it that the notorious pirate Cheung Po Tsai was active in Stanley. That is why the district became known in Chinese as Chak Chue. It was the largest settlement on Hong Kong Island when the British arrived in the mid-19th century. The town's English name is after Lord Stanley, a Briton who held the grand title of Secretary of State for War and the Colonies. After the annexation of Hong Kong in 1842, the British made Stanley the administrative centre for a while, before moving to the newly founded Victoria City north of Hong Kong Island. Stanley was the location where the British garrison in Hong Kong... Read review

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Advantages: cashback, no annual fee, 24 hour free phone customer service, online access too
Disadvantages: not the best apr rate, foreign transaction charges, takes time to get cash back cheque

...When it comes to choosing a credit card many of us maybe attracted by low apr's, low or 0% balance transfers or maybe you have just stayed loyal to one company with which you signed up with. Other times the loyalty scheme; points or cashback ideally combined with a helpful customer service are a major factor. For me, the initial decision to apply for a Morgan Stanley credit card was based on the cashback scheme. An important point I'd like to make before I start is that most cards that offer cashback have quite high interest rates (apr), so if you are not one that pays off your full balance at the end of each month these may work out to be quite expensive. It's important to look at the way you use credit card before you opt for a cash-back credit card over one with a low apr rate. Having had other cash back credit cards previously... Read review

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Advantages: Very realistic, huge playability, great graphics, fantastic for fans
Disadvantages: you may lose yourself!! :)

...season. The points are tabled for each conference. *The top 8 teams from each conference will go through to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. *The teams are matched up in the post-season as follows: The first team from each conference will play the eighth The second team from each conference will play the seventh The third team from each conference will play the sixth The fourth team from each conference will play the fifth *Each round is a best of seven games. The first team to win four games progresses to the next round. *When there are only two teams left in each conference they play each other in the conference finals. *The winners of these two finals will then play each other for The Stanley Cup (The ultimate goal). So the finals will comprise of the best of the East and the best of the West. Ice Hockey is a very fast paced and fun... Read review

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