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: it's quick, fun and a supreme singlehander for all ability levels
Disadvantages: Can be cold when you go in for that early swim

...The laser is a boat for everyone, and for every oppotunity. Here are a few tips to consider when buying a new laser. When looking for a new boat, you want something... L longlasting - you down want to be forking out large sums of money on a regular occasion. With the laser it is just the one payment and then enjoyment; this is mainly due to the fact that it is a one design fleet. You cannot go out and buy equipment that wil give you an unfair advantage, as it all has to be the same. The laser therefore provides racing that brings out the talent rather than just those sailors who are loaded. A adaptable - the laser comes with 3 different rig sizes, which will cater for both differing abilities and differing conditions. The hull however is the same. To change the sail size all you need is firstly the sail, and secondly... Read review

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Advantages: Fast, cheap to run
Disadvantages: Not good for graphics

...HP LaserJet 1010 Printer Printing is a huge part of my life. Studying at university right now makes for lots and lots of printouts. Whether it is lecture notes, essays or hundreds of pages of journals, my printing needs are massive. My inkjet just could not cope with the amount of work I needed to churn out, so I headed to my friend at The Computer Shop to get a great printer. When I would use my inkjet, each black cartridge would set me back around £15, and would only last me a couple of weeks. This was costing so much money, and also the ink would come off in my hands from the printed sheets of paper. Not the best thing to happen, especially when handing in an important essay. Laser printers sounded wonderful, but I had the idea that the price would be amazingly high. It turns out that I was wrong. LOOKS COUNT My printer... Read review

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Advantages: Compact Size, Durability, Speed
Disadvantages: HP Support, Discontinued...

...-- HP LaserJet 6L in brief… This printer has been working with me from ages. I know it’s considered a bit old at the moment and the last time I logged to HP website, I found it was discontinued; however it’s a great printer with great functionalities. I bough this printer about 4 years ago, when It was a hit in the market and hp was just offering it to the people, I think it was one of the most successful printers to the HP company. Anyway, I am writing this review to the people who liked to work with this printer as I suppose its hard to get one at the moment because its not for sale anymore, and also because there is new models that offer many vast and more functionalities than this printer with a reasonable price. And by the way my model type is C3990A (by the way it’s a black/white printer for those who don’t know). -- Product... Read review

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Advantages: Fast, excellent quality, ease of use
Disadvantages: Expensive consumables

...Our office has just purchased one of these new laser printers and my first impression are of an excellent, fast printer ideal for networking. ---------- SPEED ---------- Firstly the speed was what struck me; the first page arrives out of the printer within 10 seconds and the printer prints at a rate of 33 pages per minute thereafter. These are exceptional speeds, considering my home laser (the Epson EPL 5700L) has print speeds of just 8 pages per min. ------------ QUALITY ------------ The quality is also good, with 1200 dpi resolution, you don't have to compromise speed for quality either; you can still get a 1200 dpi output on the printers top speed. This is a black and white printer however which is worth considering; as with many of the more basic laser printers. Even black and white photographs or pictures... Read review

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