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Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site lsuc.UUCP
Path: utzoo!lsuc!msb
From: msb@lsuc.UUCP (Mark Brader)
Newsgroups: net.consumers
Subject: Re: Amusing ad - and all-plastic cards
Message-ID: <491@lsuc.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 8-Mar-85 13:22:56 EST
Article-I.D.: lsuc.491
Posted: Fri Mar  8 13:22:56 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 8-Mar-85 14:00:18 EST
References: <473@lsuc.UUCP> <9002@brl-tgr.ARPA>
Reply-To: msb@lsuc.UUCP (Mark Brader)
Organization: Law Society of Upper Canada, Toronto
Lines: 34
Summary: (Some) all-plastic cards are great; it was the ad that was silly

wmartin@brl-tgr.ARPA (Will Martin ) writes:

> Re eternal playing cards:
> 
> I bought some of those plastic cards many years ago. (I think the brand was
> "KEM" or "KEN" or the like.) They do last forever, but cost a lot. Since
> you can buy new decks of cards for 50 cents or so on coupon sales at
> drugstores, or for 10 cents or so at yard and garage sales, though, the
> durability may not really be worth the high cost. Also, these have now
> lasted 20 years because I don't use them. They are so slick that ...

Hey, I *like* all-plastic cards.  As you say, some people don't like the
feel, but this is a matter of personal preference.  For me, I want cards
I can shuffle any way I like without worrying about mashing the edges, and
and won't try to crease/dogear at the least handling.  (You're right, you
may do better for expense by buying cheap decks often, maybe.) 

With all-plastic cards, the likely reason to replace a deck is that the ink
is wearing off!  With a good brand, the surface is textured and this
takes a *long* time.

"KEM" is one of the best brands there is.  The other one I like a lot is
Hoyle/Stancraft.  KEMs come with a guarantee for 500 rubbers (they know
who their market is!  Should this be cross-posted to net.rec.bridge?), and
for *five years* -- at least -- they will replace a damaged card from
the *original production run* (at your expense).

The cards in the ad I posted were certainly *not* KEMs, and what I found
so amusing was the all-plastic cards so poor they had only a 90-day warranty.

(But they said they'd last a lifetime anyway.  Hmmm -- maybe they meant these
cards feel horrible to use and after 90 days you'd put them away forever.)

Mark Brader