More about Lifetimes Magazine, Donald Beskine.... etc

I got a very interesting email today... it read something like this:

Somehow came across your blog with information on your unfortunate dealings with Donald.
I worked for Donald last year and remember speaking with you about advertising in the magazine which at the time I believed in and worked hard for but his business etiquette left a lot to be desired. Not refunding you did not surprise me because he did it to a lot of people and he was very good at avoiding calls. He did not pay me for my last two weeks there, siting many different ridiculous reasons.
The only people that got somewhere with him were the few that showed up at his office and refused to leave until he paid them.

In related news, it seems that the magazine came out... but I have not seen it. There is an online edition, which does have my ad (though I don't remember approving it to be used online).

more 4

You have to love more 4. They are showing 'Death of a President', the excellent mockumentary about someone offing George W, tonight. Shame that they are not in the US!

Great graphic!

Sometimes 'Stumble Upon' brings up some real goodies!

FilmAmora.com breaks Top 100,000

It ain't much, but I'm happy. Not bad for only 6 weeks open:

FilmAmora.com - the innovative DVD-Rental website has broken the top 100,000 sites visit by people from Spain.

In operation for only 6 weeks, FilmAmora.com has taken Spain by storm as the new, exciting and inexpensive way to rent movies. With unlimited rental plans starting from €9.99 a month there is no cheaper way to get your DVDs. And with the biggest selection in Spain, more than 35,000 titles, its the way to finally see all those movies you’ve head about!

More recording

It's been a busy month! FilmAmora launched, another new venture - an ice hockey pool site in Canada - ramped up development, and there was more time in London in the studio with David Waldner.

We recorded another five tracks (though technically last time I think it was 4 as I didn't play on one). Once again we were recording at The Way Studio, with Luke Buttery behind the console.

I also got a chance to listen to the last set of songs and I have to say it is sounding SWEET!

Hopefully in a couple of months the whole thing will be done and you can pop over to Dave's site to start buying it!

Donald Beskine, Lifetimes Magazine

I don't like to be the person that complains all the time, but, it seems that things are happening that have to be commented on in public.

Back in May FilmAmora.com purchased a half page ad in a new magazine called 'The Lifetimes Magazine'. They have an embarrassment of a website that I won't bother to link to.

The contract clearly states that we are buying space in the July issue. Well...it's almost September and no magazine has come out. So, a few weeks ago I started enquiring and the person in charge of the magazine - Donald Beskine, who also runs the Marbella Business Centre - referred me to David Townsend of something called Global Media, the company that would be handling the advertising now. I had several lengthy conversations with David where it was agreed that as the Lifetimes Magazine would not be happening any time soon that my money should be refunded.

So, I turned to Donald Beskine for the refund. On average I phone Donald five times a day. This week alone I have left 15 messages. He will not return my call. He did, however, send me this email:

"I have now had a chance to review the file for your advert.
I do not understand the basis for your demand for a refund.
There is no basis so far as I can see for a refund and we are confident we will be providing you a good advertising service." -- Donald Beskine

Well, Don, the basis is that THERE IS NO MAGAZINE! Donald refuses to give me a publish date. Or even let me know if the magazine is in pre-production.

Now, of course, getting ahold of David Townsend at Global Media also becomes impossible. A further 6 messages this week alone to him.

All in all I have phoned the two of them over 40 times. I am starting to feel like a stalker! But I have to ask - what kind of company doesn't return calls, from PAYING CUSTOMERS, after 40 attempts?

All I want is to know what's going on! Is there a magazine coming out? If so...when?

So - if you are thinking of doing business with Donald Beskine, Lifetimes Magazine, David Townsend or Global Media (all down here in the Marbella area) then I would offer you this cautionary tale.

I have emails, phone bills, contracts and so on to back all this up by the way.

So, dear reader, if you have some time and want some fun, why not phone Donald at 952 850 052 and see if you can get through! The first one who gets Donald to call me gets a free month's subscription at FilmAmora.com!

A tip I have about Dufflet Pastries

The chocolate and raspberry cake is the best cake I have ever tasted. When we used to live in TO we would buy them… since moving it is one of the things I miss the most!

When I was over a few years ago doing some consulting I bought three of them and had them delivered to the office… and they were STILL amazing!

See more progress on: Dufflet Pastries