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!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
16 comments:
Have you seen about Lifetimes Magazine's Summer Ball in aid of charity?
Please e-mail me:
grhysjones@gmail.com
Regards,
Gwilym
The Lifetimes Magazine appears to be alive and kicking with at least three issues published.
I cannot see a problem and wish them well with it.
When digested kindly remove this post and my earlier post.
Gwilym, please see my new post about Beskine...
I worked in Marbella Business Center for 17 months as a computer programmer. I hate Michel Donald Beskine Bernard ( that is not a new ... all people hate him !). I know some things about "The Lifetimes Magazine". Phil Smy: I can not find your post, if you want information contact with me.
Thanks.
Gladys, the Olive Press newspaper would be interested in your comments. Please give them a bell, the editor's name is Jon.
Thanks Gladys, for pointing out in Talk Radio blog that:
All the bad things you can hear about Michael Donald Beskine Bernard are true.
When I started to work in his company the name of the company was "The Expat Resident and Retirement Association of Spain" and "Michael Donald Beskine" the name of the administrator.
The last month the name of the company changed to "Lifetimes Comunications, S.L." and the administrator changed to "Michael Donald Bernard" ... obviously he is the same person. Why he does not want use his lastname "Beskine" for "The Lifetimes Magazine" ???? Perhaps it is a little dirty???
I would say you hit the nail right on the head.
Arnoldo, Phil and Gladys please make contact with me as this case is starting to attract attention.
grhysjones@gmail.com
Anonymity and confidentiality guaranteed.
Dear Gwilym,
You latest post aroused my interest, as your tone in your previous posts was most complimentary towards the magazine.
Which made some of us suspect that you are in some way connected with the mag or its illustrious owner as an employee. If that is indeed so, the 'case' as you call it would indeed attract attention, not least from the owner. It would seem a certain amount of damage control measures have gone out on his behalf on other blogs, so why would his actions here be any different? In other words, are you perhaps soliciting emails to trace ip adresses?
I am sorry if all this sounds a bit ott, but I am for one quite aware of what Donald is capable of.
The plot thickens. I have no axe to grind. I was asked to look at Lifetimes magazine and really could detect nothing untoward. I do not know Mr. Beskine and have no link to him or his companies. However some people are very unhappy with him and his businesses.
As an expert on vilification campaigns please ensure that you get your facts right.
Dear Gwilym,
The facts are all there. Certainly this tread and the other Phil Smy post where an official UK department of justice site is quoted as well as the article that appeared in the Olive Press should tell you enough. Just google his name and judge for yourself. There are scores of people unhappy with him and his businesses indeed, and the posts on the internet are just the tip of the iceberg.
Dear Gwilym,
Are you perhaps a well known lawyer in the Marbella area? Your name rings a bell.
Gwilym, this wouldn't be you by any chance, would it?
http://www.costa-action.co.uk/content.asp?file=Gwilym_Rhys-_Jones
Yes, but a pack of lies, part of a campaign of vilification by crooks and fraudsters, denounced to the National Police and now in the Spanish criminal court.
It's an exciting life.
If you wish to contact me please use my e-mail address as above as I shall not post here again. Certain matters are sub judice and I do not want to prejudice my court actions or be drawn into insults ping pong.
Just looking at some of your endings of posts, quoted below, I can't but get the impression that you are somewhat on the defensive, however, about what is not clear:
As an expert on vilification campaigns please ensure that you get your facts right.
or be drawn into insults ping pong.
No-one here has accused you of anything, or questioned your reputation. The thread is about the Lifetimes mag, and its owner.
Post a Comment