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: Greatest driver in the 1960s, a proper gentleman
Disadvantages: No longer with us

...This is a review of a number of sites in Scotland linked to the late Jim Clark which are little known about except to local residents & racing enthusiasts. Gentlemen Jim as he was affectionately known was probably one of the greatest racing drivers of his time. A time when motor racing was all about participating & winning, not the money & glamour obsessed sport it has now become where sponsorship deals are more important than anything else. He was born in Kilmany in Fife on the 4th March 1936, when he was four years old he moved with his parents to a farm in Duns in North Berwickshire. Just after his 17th birthday his career as a motor racing driver started racing a Sunbeam Talbot Mk3 Saloon after joining the Berwick & District Motor Club. He also raced his friends DKW, Porsche & his Sunbeam Talbot on the local airfields... Read review

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Advantages: On every highstreet, excellent customer service, lots of choice, trained staff, durable shoes.
Disadvantages: Can be quite pricey.

...REASON FOR THIS REVIEW. My daughter Leigha Mae turned 1 on Easter Monday of this year and as birthday present from her grandma she was to get her first proper pair of shoes. Grandma wanted to buy something a little bit more expensive than the normal baby shoes and so I decided to do a little research to make sure Grandma wouldnt be disappointed. My research didn't take to too long. It seems the only real contender for Childrens footwear is CLARKS. I thought there might have been some more highstreet stores offering quality footwear since my own childhood ventures to the shops in the early 80s but I was wrong. I was a little weary because CLARKS have a reputation for being overpriced but I was willing to give them a try seeing as grandma was FOOTING the bill (pardon the pun). CLARKS STORES & CUSTOMER SERVICE Unless you... Read review

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Advantages: --
Disadvantages: ---

...He isn't called "The Baron" for nothing. Over the past years Dave Clarke has established himself as one of the very best DJs in the world. His ventures into production include this album "Devil's Advocate" and many of his now legendary remixes. He has done remixes for just about everyone from Depeche Mode, Chemical Brothers, Leftfield to Laurent Garnier. Dave Clarke is the man behind "Kernkraft400", a huge dancefloor hit that got very cheesy; but he was smart to go under the name of "Zombie Nation" for that production. Dave's roots lay way back in the 1980s. He started off DJing in hiphop where he became a master of the decks and mixer; he still uses a hiphop style of mixing when DJing today. His use of the crossfader and scratching prove that. Then he moved on from that and started to DJ in Acid House and later Hardcore in the late... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Lovely variation of styels of music (mainly electro and techno)
Disadvantages: I honelstly can't think of any - one of my favourite CD's!

...Dave Clarke's World Service - Outstanding!! I am a huge fan of techno and electro - this album in my opinion contains the some of the best of both genres rolled into 1 album. I will give you the lowdown on both discs: Disc 1: Techno mix Typical pounding set from the man himself Dave Clarke. Starts off with some lovely melodic techno tracks such as 'Force' by Technasia and Midfield Generals 'Coatnoise' (Dave Clarke Remix). The tchno mix soon progresses into more percussive heavy dark tracks such as 'Ceroxol' by Umek. This disc is packed with tracks typical of Dave Clarke's style of mixing - playing the best part of tracks to get as many tunes in as possible. Disc 2: Electro mix Completely different vibe from the Techno mix but better in my opinion. The name says it all - it is Electro in its purest form, a lot more down beat... Read review

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