Hi Twistina,

Just wanted to say that I absolutely agree with the comments made by everyone else, ignore this individual's crass comments.

I've not purchased your .pdf's and can only make a judgement based on the review on this forum by Nippy.
I would think that any twister, even a beginner, ought to be able to produce an acceptable model based on the images, even without instructions.
 
You are an inspiration to us all.

Rob

This is an awesome forum full of wonderful people.
Thelma, you are the best.  
Twistina, so glad that you are actually getting the affirmation you deserve.  

Best wishes to you all.

Shonna

I have been twisting for exactly one month (so I would say a beginner) -  the resources I have used are Qualatex Balloon Magic book (which I really don't like at all) and a few other books from the library as well as the internet.  I had been wanting to try some more interesting stuff and DVD's at the moment don't appeal to me as I am too impatient and quite like the book instructions - so I got your Volume 1 yesterday.  This morning I did my first creation - The Mermaid (picked by my toddler) - I didn't have quite the right colors but am really pleased with the result - as is my daughter!  I found your instructions great and comprehensive -  and ok it didn't take me five minutes maybe 15 but if I tried again think could do in 5 (especially if my helpful toddler wasn't around)  

Whoever wrote that email is just trouble making - please ignore them.

Thanks for your continuing support. Thelma I love the idea that I did this as a publicity stunt, ( ) If only....................

I got a reply this morning.
First here is my answer to him.

QuoteDear Mr ******, thank you for your email.
 
I can assure you I have never before had any complaints about my instructions. The feedback I have received has been overwhelmingly positive. I welcome any feedback on my work, both positive and negative, however I do not welcome abuse and intimidation, which is how your email came across. I hope you did not intend it this way and I am willing to give you the benefit of the doubt, but I do suggest you re-read some of the personal insults you directed at me.
 
The instructions are not aimed at beginners as it clearly states on my website http://www.Twistina.co.uk/cdroms.html
 
Given that it has been 5 months since you have received the PDF's and the fact that no-one else seems to have had a problem with these instructions, I will not be refunding the purchase cost. Due to the nature of the product purchased and intellectual copyright laws, it is not my policy to issue refunds especially after such a long length of time has elapsed. In addition, I feel I would be giving in to bullying, which does not sit easy with me.
I would suggest that in future a polite email explaining the difficulties you have had with a product might be more productive.
I wish you all the best in your twisting career.
 
Kind Regards Twistina

Now His

QuoteTwistina.
Many thanks for your email. I am disappointed that this has been your response, but not surprised - I have caught on to what kind of operation you are running. lol. I am rather more surprised that given you claim never to have had any complaints before (which I find hard to believe) you did not show any surprise at my complaint or so much as ask what exactly the issues with your instructions were. I suspect you know well. I dug your pdfs out of the bin and spent today compiling a list of more than a dozen issues with them (I stopped at a dozen) for future reference. I had expected you might be interested in knowing what they were but given your email clearly not.


It is unfortunate that you felt intimidated and bullied by my complaint. Unfortunately, I can't be responsible for your emotions. Perhaps you should inform readers of your website of your fragile emotional state so they are aware in contacting you. However, I am sorry but I don't feel much sympathy given the cause for my complaint.



I note in your email that it is on your website that the instructions are not suitable for beginners. I have two responses to this:

(i) At the point of sale i.e. The part of your website where the instructions are ordered from, there is no such warning. Nor is there such a warning on the instructions. I don't believe the onus rests on the purchaser to inspect every inch of every page for obscure 'outs'.

(ii) I am not a beginner. I have been modelling for just over two years now. And I am telling you that not only did my beginner friend have issues with your supposedly 'step by step' instructions (which actually are anything but) but I had the same issues. You are actually being disingenuous in describing the instructions as step by step. They aren't. In areas you have combined several steps into one, and barely explain any of them. The fact that I am a relatively experienced modeller of two years and I haven't a baldy what you are one about speaks volumes.    



You have also drawn attention to intellectual and international copyright laws which mean a refund is impossible (apart from the fact you don't like giving them anyway lol). My response on reading that was incredulous Twistina. Have you purchased the copyright to Winnie The Poo and Tigerr from Walt Disney? Or Spider Man? Just because you have altered the names in some cases does not mean you aren't infringing copyright. If you have purchased them, then congratulations. If not, then I don't see how you can hold international copyright on these images or characters. I am sure Disney's international copyright lawyers (who I suspect are just as clued in on the issue as you) would disagree with you. I hope to drop Disney UK a line to let them know. My gut feeling is that you actually have no right anyway to sell instructions to create these copyrighted characters, or indeed images of balloon art which depict what is clearly these copyrighted characters in the first place.



It is unfortunate you have a non-refund policy Twistina. That isn't much of an excuse. If I sold instructions for anything online which did not match their description, then I think the onus would be to refund the purchaser, otherwise it is a breach of trading standards. I will also be dropping them a line in the coming days too as well as your domain regulators.



It is unfortunate that giving a refund to an unhappy customer does not sit well with you. The shame is that your emotional state has nothing to do with the law. The law says that your product must fit the description and must be fit for purpose. It is clear to me that your product meets neither of these criteria. Indeed, I have not seen anywhere on your website that states a no refund policy.



I have given the matter thought today in anticipation of your email and I feel it is my moral obligation to warn people of not only purchasing this misleading products and additionally the poor customer service your response to my complaint has provoked, be it through word of mouth, internet forums etc.



I have also been advised to file a small claim against you to recover the money as a matter of principle and again using that as a vehicle to again warn people against your business. I am confident that your product is not as promoted. I'll be coming back to you on this.



Once again Twistina, I want to re-affirm my statements made in my previous email of complaint. I think promoting these instructions as easy to follow, step by step guides is deceitful and dishonest and in doing so, you may be making a small fortune but I strongly believe you are doing our art a dis-service and dis-couraging people from getting involved. And as a business person you are not honorable.  



I honestly believe you should be ashamed of yourself and stop using your emotional sensitivity/fragility as an excuse for poor business practice and customer service.



*******

WOW!
Once again, I must say, my first thought is that this is the individual who was removed from this forum.  
It is my own personal believe that he is mentally unstable, and not in the fun sort of way some others of us might be .

Please, Please do not take his insults to heart.   If it is the same person that was in fact asked to stay away from the forum, he seems to delight in up-setting others and in arguing just for the sake of arguement.

As we have all said, we find you to be an inspiration and a truly wonderful kind hearted soul.  

Much love and friendship sent your way,

Simply Shonna

Hi Christine

Hmmm - it's tricky, because I guess it depends how you want to play it...
 
I do feel for you, but if it was me (ie, this is only what I would do!) I think I'd just refund and walk away now, but I'd make it clear that it is in no way an agreement with or even acknowledgement of his points or criticism, and I was doing it purely because I am so busy with my balloon art and regular customers that I simply haven't got the time nor the inclination to get into a drawn out fight with him.
   
It does sound to me like he's probably not going to give up until he gets his refund, unfortunately, but it's really up to you...

--Neil

WOW.... jealousy just pure JEALOUSY is all I can read from him Christine...

IGNORE HIM... The more you write the more he will respond (says she who has got herself a similar position but with a committee and an administrator rather than a single person)...

Have just been on your website... it clearly states as follows:-

These show Impressive Balloon Sculptures That Can Each Be Made In About Five Minutes! (With Practice!)
These are not for complete beginners but if you know the basics of balloon twisting, the step by step instructions and hundreds of colour photos will guide you to make some really striking balloon art. There are some very popular parodies of famous characters too!

It says pictures and instructions...

It says not for complete beginners, but if you know the basics of balloon twisting..
................................................

[b]Right picked up soap box[/b] - apologies....

Balloon Twisting in the last 5/15 years has changed and advanced by the input and sharing nature of people from all walks of life joining the industry and sharing their skills... I know you bought with you the skills of crafting with cakes and icing and adapted them to this art, regardless of what others bought to the table...

When we started in 1990 you could learn the basic dog, rabbit, teddy, sword and simple flower and EARN as a balloon modeller... and I am afraid to some this is STILL the art of a balloon modeller and its what they ask for when looking to book one... But although if required we can all produce these models and on busy events probably still do.. we all DO so much more nowadays..

BUT in the range of work that I do, I meet 'entertainers' and there are lots of them, that would NEVER come to a Care and Share day, because they would be giving away their knowledge when the limit they have got to is the All Wind and Twists book ( Nothing against the books, it was the first books we bought too but that was all that time ago, I think most of us have bought the set) - a great book for learning the very very basic - I have stood and watched the same acts and you can see they think they have achieved the ultimate skill and have just not quite  (you all know what I mean) recreated the models in book 1... I have also worked and watched some amazing Entertaining balloon modellers who entertain the people and the crowd and just do the same models but do them well and do them good, and others that will create amazing models but will never use more than 1 or 2 balloons. These people can do more and have learnt the art but choose not too...its allowed...

The industry we are in these days is so diverse in its art - you would not know if someone who has been twisting for 2 years has mastered the basic skills or not..

So maybe the words could be changed to
SO IF YOU HAVE GONE PAST THE BASICS..  but its not that important
................................................

With regards to Small Claims - the account has to be £50 or more and will cost him £30 to action it.. So ignore him its BS.. and if he does it, let us know and we can word the response together - see him in court I am sure we could fill it, but it wont happen...

With regards to trading standards - Ignore him he wont do it its BS and if he does and if you get a letter (most they will send they have bigger fish to fry) respond honestly to them... again we will help with your response to him if need be.. but your honest reply will justify you...

With Regards to Disney... I am sure they like us to promote the BRAND and I am sure they would not respond to him... again I believe its BS...

He is just trying to Bully you to give him your work, knowledge and skills for FREE.. do not refund him...

Isn't it strange Bullies ALWAYS know who to bully and who they can get away with doing it too... what was it I was told Yesterday with regards to my predicament!!! " they should learn the lesson Pam never to take on a Scouse  woman"  LOL..

By his response it looks like he is on here reading what we are saying... If you are.... SHAME ON YOU for your words and your threats...

If you are on here or not and believe what you say to be true and accurate.. then Graham Throw down the gauntlet - Invite him to a care and share day, invite him to give a lecture on the day.. come on  show us where its wrong.. do the lecture on Twistina's five minute wonders and show us... we will sit and watch and listen promise...

taking my soap box away[/b]

Chin up, what is it they say.. dont let the B

Pam
xx

Sorry Neil but I'm with Pam on this, do not refund money. You are happy with the instructions, many have made the models with no problems so sometimes we have to stand up to be counted and this is one just time, go girl be strong. We are all here to help if needed.

Yes I'm happy for anyone to come along and do a little lecture at the days, always looking for something new to brighten the days up. Christine can you PM me his name and email address and I will see if they are a member on the site, if not I will send him/her an invitation to join and then they can join in with this thread, they may find it interesting reading.

Twistina - I have recently dealt with a bully like him, and he eventually gave up after I continued to ignore him.  
Graham - I don't think it would be very productive to invite him here.  We like to be friendly & support each other here - that's what I like so much about Balloon Chat.
Just my 2c worth
Lisa

I thought that if they could see the way we have got behind Christine it may make him/her rethink and back off but I take your point on board.
Just so people know only members can see this thread

 8-) Don't Worry Twistina,  Only be HAPPY :lol: !
Don't give money back.
You are a GREAT ARTIST and your PDF are beautifull and well done.
The essential  : a lot of people Love your Work!

Pam,
I think what you have written is brilliant!

Once again, I am glad to be a part of this group.

Honestly I haven't gotten your instructional info yet Twistina, but I have met you in person on a few occasions and I have seen how many people you have made happy
at various conventions and jams.   You and your designs are truly inspirational.   Besides from that yahoo bullying you, I have never heard a bad thing spoken about
you by anyone I know in the balloon communities.   You are definitely highly regarded and loved.  

Shonna

Quote from: "Graham Lee"I thought that if they could see the way we have got behind Christine it may make him/her rethink and back off but I take your point on board.
Just so people know only members can see this thread

Please, oh please, oh please don't do this!  All you'll get is Daniel Twist back again.  This person is just trying to stir a pot.  

Christine, I would ignore him at this point.  You've said your peace, let it go and be happy.  We all love you!

I too would just ignore him now, do not refund the money and do not worry about his empty threats.

If you did want to be a little provocative then you could PM all the contributors of this thread his e-mail address and we could all mail him our thoughts directly.

I would be happy to... and I can be very direct :lol:

Troll, troll, troll!
Reassure yourself that he is not a dissatisfied customer, He is a cretin who gets pleasure out of winding someone up and getting them into as much back and forth tit for tat as he can get away with. Do not refund his money and do not reply to this email. You have given your response, leave it there. To reply would be fuel to the fire of his wankerdom! Trading standards and small claims my arse!