Forum Thermomix
Welcoming Center, Management and General Chat => Chit Chat => Topic started by: Buttercups on October 08, 2012, 03:52:01 am
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Wanting to get thoughts\opinons. I'd really love to know what you think
I really want to get the full-steam ahead cookbook however it seems I have to have a demo.
There's a part of me that is annoyed that after spending thousands I'm expected to have a demo - and to what purpose for thermomix to try to sell to my friends\family a machine that they've made clear they aren't interested in. All for me to get a book that will give me some recipes to get full use of the machine.
My quandary is this, my demonstrator is lovely and helpful. My family\friends are not interested\not going to buy a thermomix. My initional demonstration was interesting only to me and not to friends\family. Unfortunately I invited more than the minimum group - I should have saved some up for subsequent demos :)
How wrong is it to have a demonstration, knowing that I'm wasting a lovely persons time\money for the sole purpose of me being able to buy a book, especially seeing that my friends\family would mostly ignore her.
I find it goes against what I feel is right, I'm thinking of asking head office to assign me someone awful so I won't feel bad about wasting their time. Or do I suck it up and have a waste-of-time demo?
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Hi Buttercups
It is a pain when you want something as simple as a cook book and you need to have an entire evening/afternoon free just to get one, are you able to buy them if you go to a demo? or do you have to hold the demo because if you can buy one from another persons demo ask your consultant to buy one at the next one she does, otherwise I have no ideas sorry
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Buttercups the book is not worth worrying about in my opinion. There are far better recipes on this forum and available free online. Go to "Recipe book Reviews" and there is the list of contents and see whether you think you will benefit. There are other books available that for your money will be better spent.
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Hi Suzanne, that's a good idea to ask her to get it if she's doing another demo somewhere.
Hi CreamPuff, thanks for the review it sounds good. The problem is I've never used the varoma and really not sure about it. I figured some tried and true recipes would help me to become more confident. I'll definitely browse the forum again and pick some things to try. Bonus of the forum is that if I get stuck I'm sure someone will have some great advice :)
I could buy the book on ebay for $80 now or join a bidding war, which doesn't attract me at all.
Maybe I should buy a full set of all the books, pick my favourite recipes and then on-sell the books on ebay, the way some of the prices are going I could make a fortune :-))
I'm just too lazy to bother though ;D
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i agree with CP
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Buttercups i have emailed you the recipe cards that you get when u have a varoma demo
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Thank you Fundj, I really appreciate that ;D
I'm determned to master the Varoma!!!
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Buttercup, it took me 18 months to have a varoma demo, and I just taught myself.
It is bad that you have to have another demo, just for a book. That is HO model for their business, to get more referrals.
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I was a bit nervous about using the varoma at first too but now use it quite a lot, this forum makes everything seem so easy plus I only invited 3 people to my initial demo and they either already have a tmx or a tc and I told my demonstrator this beforehand so she didn't need to try and 'sell' it if you you know what I mean :)
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Buttercup, we can all understand your quandary and I agree with the others - the book really is not necessary to have in your collection. There are quite a few recipes from that book posted on this forum in the early days by Thermomixer - if I get time I will make a list of them and send the links to you. He translated them from the Italian copy of the book.
To use your varoma, you only need to follow a recipe and in our All-in-One Meal section (http://www.forumthermomix.com/index.php?board=54.0) you will find lots of recipes. There are a few pizza recipes up the top of that section right now but beneath them you will find so many recipes using the varoma - that is what an all in one recipe is all about. Have a bit of a browse and you will see what I mean.
I thought Obbie had one of the Full Steam Ahead cookbooks she wanted to sell - if you still wanted to go ahead and buy one perhaps you could contact her.
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Buttercups have a look at the "All in one" thread ... you will find many successful meals there using your varoma to get you started and then you won't look back.
Baf's chicken and veg (http://www.forumthermomix.com/index.php?topic=1063.0)is always a winner!!!
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Great minds JD :D
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Thank you ladies, I really appreciate the suggestions and Obbie has contacted me which is really nice.
You are all so lovely - thank you.
I will check out the all-in-one meals, I've not used the varoma yet and it's been close to a year - I'm feeling a bit nervous, I think I'll just have to jump in and try it - after all every fail teaches me something to not do next time :D
I was feeling bad about the thought of wasting my demonstrators time so it's nice to have you all to fall back on! Maybe I'll have to try a desert, if it doesn't work out I can always make it into a trifle :P
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Buttercups I can't ever remember making a single recipe from the Full Steam Ahead book. To be honest I rarely use most of the TM books. I am more likely to use recipes from here or from one of Tenina's books.
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Buttercups, don't buy it. There are plenty of general books about using steamers. Use the info here and ask for help until you get going. It really is very easy. If you live close to me I would be prepared to give you a hand. I am in Victoria, You can PM me if local.
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Well after all the praise that I gave my consultant it seems she is off the radar now too :(
Contacted her twice regarding my varoma demo that I wanted to have before the 10th of this month so that I could get my second bowl and blades for half price as well as learning more about using the varoma. Guess what? No reply to my emails >:(
Very disappointing!
Uni could you please email me the recipe cards also if it's not too much trouble? My email address is on my personal information page :)
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Well after all the praise that I gave my consultant it seems she is off the radar now too :(
Contacted her twice regarding my varoma demo that I wanted to have before the 10th of this month so that I could get my second bowl and blades for half price as well as learning more about using the varoma. Guess what? No reply to my emails >:(
Very disappointing!
Uni could you please email me the recipe cards also if it's not too much trouble? My email address is on my personal information page :)
email address is hidden MF
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MF, because she didn't respond you should contact HO and even if you can't now have the demo before the 10th Oct, they should give you a rain check. Send copies of your emails to them to verify the dates you requested a varoma demo from your gone missing demonstrator and ask for their help. In her defence, she may be on holidays.
You are the only person who can see your email address MF, it is hidden from view for the rest of us because you ticked the box.
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Sorry I didn't know it was hidden. Thanks for that info Judy. :)
I will contact them as i told my consultant as soon as that offer was advertised that I wanted the second bowl and blade set and wanted to have the varoma demo.
Is it ok if I PM you my email address Uni?
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i have sent it MF
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Hi Buttercups,
Don't worry about hosting a demo just to learn about using the Varoma, I had a demo (fortunately I had some friends who were interested) for the same reasons as you want one and found that the demo didn't really show me much and I've never used the cookbook!
Some of the recipes are in the EDC (pizza and fruity dream), if you have the salad and lemon pudding recipe (I found the lemon pudding one through google) and this forum, you really don't need to bother!
The recipes that helped me gain confidence in using the Varoma are:
Bafs chicken
http://www.forumthermomix.com/index.php?topic=1063.0
Nigella's Pasta & meatballs
http://www.forumthermomix.com/index.php?topic=9710.0
And Quirky Jo's fried rice
http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com.au/2009/08/thermomix-fried-rice.html
Sorry I didn't hyperlink, I'm using my tablet and it's tricky!
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In my opinion The Full Steam Ahead is a waste of time. It is particularly unatrractive but....... If you want it I will send you mine for free. You can pay the postage.
Anyone want Meat on the Menu? Same deal.
Gert
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Hi Gert ;)
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Watch ya up,to obbie? Anything to SHARE yet?
Gert
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Yes, I was wondering the same thing.
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Hi Gert, I've just IM'd you.
Reading through the forum this afternoon I've realised two things.
One, I'm clearly not the first and only who feels this way about the demonstrations. It sounds like a lot of us treat out demonstrators better than HO does :-)) We'd rather miss out than rip off the demonstrators by having them attend when we know it's a waste of their time.
Secondly, if any of you ladies are in Sydney and want to hold a class I'm totally signing up!
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where about in syd are u in i am in concord
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Hey Gert, when are you going to pop in, and say HI to us...... Share the love Gert....
It will be good. :) :) :) :)
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I'm in Ryde, sounds like I'm pretty close :)
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Buttercups I've been waiting for uni to hold a class too!
I really wish there was someone in Sydney doing thermomix classes - I don't want to do another back to basics I want a pastry/desserts class, a pasta class, a bread making class, a macaroon making class .....
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Buttercups I've been waiting for uni to hold a class too!
I really wish there was someone in Sydney doing thermomix classes - I don't want to do another back to basics I want a pastry/desserts class, a pasta class, a bread making class, a macaroon making class .....
I'll second that!!! :D
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Uni to start doing classes.... watch this space :D
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I'm seriously in Uni :)
Any way I can help I'm happy to do so!
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Buttercups I am more than happy for you to have my book too, but you would have to wait until mid November.
Don't waste your time or money..
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Couldn't find an email address to send complaint about varoma demo to HO.
Sent a contact enquiry from their website to them telling them of my issue and asked them to send me their email address.
I am not holding my breath >:(
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You think they care ????
You will get the standard answer. POLICY!
Gert
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Thanks Cookie, Gert is going to send me hers. Once I've read through I'm thinking I can pass it on, it'll be fun to share with other newbies here. All I want is to learn how to use the Varoma properly, I've never really used a steamer, and to really maximinse my thermie.
It's a shame that HO won't offer proper hands-on varoma classes or anything more than the back to basics, so I'm quite serious about signing up with Uni if she starts, I'd love to get more out of this machine :)
If Uni's not interested and someone wants to do so in Sydney I'm totally interested in everything that Snappy said "I really wish there was someone in Sydney doing thermomix classes - I don't want to do another back to basics I want a pastry/desserts class, a pasta class, a bread making class, a macaroon making "
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It is not easy to find people doing THERMOTHINGY cooking classes. It all has to be officially done or you get the tonne of bricks .
There are some being done . Pretty much secret demonstrators business. All WOFM. You will need ask around.
Gert
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Yes Gert as I said not holding my breath!!'
Not happy >:(
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Couldn't find an email address to send complaint about varoma demo to HO.
Sent a contact enquiry from their website to them telling them of my issue and asked them to send me their email address.
I am not holding my breath >:(
Ring them MF Free call 1800 004 838
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Thanks JD will do that tomorrow as I was out all afternoon today. :)
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Buttercups I just purchased Cyndi O'mearas (sp?) healthy eating tm book $15 from HO and there are some great tips and recipes for using your varoma in there.
I have never had my varoma demo, I don't agree with it either and have taught myself how to use it, mostly from the recipes posted here :-*
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When I started doing bread classes using the tMX, I was told that there was a problem with insurance. HO would not insure me if I held them in my home. they said they would hire a venue, I could have up to 30 people and charge some large amount, I think it was $200 a person. What a joke.
The classes I have held, are hands on, 8 people, they pay the cost of the ingredients, usually $20 /30 . They take home all the bread they make.The class run from 10 .00 to 3.00. We work in pairs with 4 machines. I take the risk of insurance. I am also in control of how often I hold classes.
The demand is great. There is a desperate need as people want to learn more about their machine.
More than 1/2 the people who attend are consultants.
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it is a joke achookwoman a few months ago i saw and add on the net for pizza making class at $100 for an 2 hour class
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. . . and yet people seem to pay that . . . Uni! What are you waiting for?!?!? ;D ;D
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Uni could do bread classes, pasta classes. :)
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i could never ask for that type of money GF, i think a fair price would be the cost of the ingredients plus $20
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The demand is great. There is a desperate need as people want to learn more about their machine.
More than 1/2 the people who attend are consultants.
You bet the demand is great. But what demonstrator is going to do it for nix? HO is not interested in doing much more than the Back to Bloody Basics as that is the seller demo class. They ain't gunna sell many at an advanced class with owners. The demonstrators don't get paid for that. They provide the food , the time, the venue . No gain in providing service for the punters . That is why there are some quietly doing paid demos. Naughty but nice. Sushhhhh.
Gert
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i could never ask for that type of money GF, i think a fair price would be the cost of the ingredients plus $20
I know, Uni --- people would break down your door!! (I would!! ;D) All teasing aside, why don't you think about something like this?
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Uni, I am a cooking class junkie. I pay between $60, Tenina, good value, Rodney Dunn in tassie, $300 for the day. $100 for Victoria Market ones ., 2 in Paris , a waste of time and money.$400 The Andrew Feilke class , organized by TMX and held in their Melb showroom was very professional , and worth every $. I think it was $65.
Uni that is a bit expensive, unless it was something very special.
The logistics of running a class are very important. It takes me two days to get everything ready. I print off all the recipes and make TMX stuff for Morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea. I do it because I enjoy it, but also to help my friend who is a consultant and a real sweetie.
The cost should reflect if the class is hands on or not.
Yes Gert there is a 'Black Market' in classes. Love it.
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Yup chookie. Some people are clued in. Give the people what THEY want and you will reap the reward. Some demonstrators promote themselves as Independent Thermomix Comsultants and others really are .Go the girls!
Gert
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If anyone on here is running black market classes in Melbourne I would be interested in hearding about them - PM would be great.
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If anyone on here is running black market classes in Melbourne I would be interested in hearding about them - PM would be great.
Anyone in Sydney?? DITTO!!! :D
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Perth??? ;D
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I would come to Sydney from Albany if Uni was holding a class!!! ;D ;D ;D
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Go for it Uni, you should charge $50 to $60 for the class and the cost of ingredients so you are making some money and it doesn't become a chore :)
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I would be interested in the Melbourne ones too.
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we could do a black market class up here too.
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The other thing I really don't like about the HO classes is that you sit back and watch whilst the consultants do the cooking. I want a class I bring my TMX along to and cook myself.
Well that's about 5 of us in Sydney in this thread alone who want a class - I cant believe that ther is none to service this market!! If I actually knew how to cook I would set up a business. Just thought of another great class - a dinner party cooking one - but it starts in the afternoon and at the end we all sit down and eat dinner together! A class and a social event!
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Oh snappy that is such a great idea!! :D
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great idea Snappy
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My neighbour AmyA was just discussing this issue last week, she doesn't know another three people who would be interested in the Varoma Demo, she is already using it, so we have decided that we will have a cooking afternoon the two of us and have a dinner party at night, invite another couple of guests to join us.. should be fun.
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Good idea Brenda :) That's often the best way cooking with friends you pick up tips from them and they from you :)
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Chookie, if you are ever contemplating another cooking class I would dearly love to attend (hope I am not being too presumptious - you know where to find me to let me know). However, I can only guess at the work involved in arranging these classes so if I could help in any way I would be more than happy to do so as well.
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Marina, I will give it serious consideration.
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As long as you don't offer to make the coffees Marina - that would do Ral out of a job ;D
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Coffees are safe, Judy - I don't drink the stuff and am told that when I attempt to make it it is disgusting. Ral's job is safe!
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Marina, I will give it serious consideration.
Hmm if you did i think I could pop over at the same time and visit my DS and attend your class...
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Chookie I will come too....
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Would have to be on a Sunday, to suit Marina.
Could do something for just Forum members. No charge. Still thinking about it.
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l would be intrested too chookie , my dad lives in melbourne and l could see him too
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How amazing would that be!
You'll be inundated with people wanting to attend.
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Chookie we would all be happy to pay you for your time and expertise.
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Forgot to put, NO PRESSURE
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Keep us informed Chookie and let us know if there is anything we can do to help you along. But like Aussie Brenda, no pressure only if you would like to run something - maybe in lieu of Melbourne get together?
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Well after contacting HO about hosting Varoma Demo before October 10th in order to get m second bowl and blades set I woke up this morning to an email from my consultant whom I thought had vanished. She said sorry for not getting back to me in time but will notify me te ne t time this offer is available :-))
She also asked if my DH would be interested in hosting a basics demo in our offices as he had mentioned this briefly when he met her :o
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Mmm, that wasn't the answer you wanted MF :-X
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Well after contacting HO about hosting Varoma Demo before October 10th in order to get m second bowl and blades set I woke up this morning to an email from my consultant whom I thought had vanished. She said sorry for not getting back to me in time but will notify me te ne t time this offer is available :-))
She also asked if my DH would be interested in hosting a basics demo in our offices as he had mentioned this briefly when he met her :o
I know what. I would reply. Obviously no idea about customer service. There are good consultants bad consultants and then the hopeless. It seems to be a lucky dip.
Gert
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Not happy and not interested anymore. >:(
That's not customer service.
Will look on eBay or gumtree as not giving anymore money to HO
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I sent my consultant an email regarding my THERMOTHINGY getting serviced and still waiting.
Gert
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very rude of her to ask if DH was interested in a demo after such a long time with no contact
MF have i sent you the varoma demo recipe card ?
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Yes you did thanks Uni :)
And we will not have a demo in the office. I thought she was very rude asking,especially as I had been asking her for varoma demo for weeks and weeks.
If our business offered customer service like this we would have gone under years ago!
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I've been a long time missing...... work, kids, blah blah.
Regardless, I've been popping in now and again as I absolutely love this forum. You are all so lovely and so sharing.
Chookie, I wanted to add that should you consider doing a class, I would love to come and learn and share the TMX love. My demonstrator is from Darraweit and my son and (almost) DIL live in Lancefield. I'm a bit further north but it really wouldn't be all that far for me to visit for the day. Oh it would be lovely.
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I'd be interested too chookie, but as AB says - no pressure!
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What a lovely over the top surprise I received today from Buttercups.
I sent Buttercups a couple of Thermomix Cookbooks a few weeks ago. I asked only for the postage which I really did't care much about anyway but she insisted on something.
Today I received her overly generous envelope. Plus her promise to pass them forward when she is finished with them.
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/11/01/py7avu4y.jpg)
How wonderful. I hope we can keep these books in circulation
Thank you Buttercups my extra secret Santa
Gert
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What a wonderful surprise Gert :D
So thoughtful :)
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What a wonderful surprise Gert :D
So thoughtful :)
Yes indeed it was. Should I open the chocolate?
Gert
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Its Lindt, yes open it and eat it...
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Lovely surprise Gert. Gorgeous proverb and yes eat it all!
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I have to put iti to the fridge for a bit as it is soft from being in the posited bag.
Gert
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Not many people have ethics any more, and yet when people do the right thing we are surprised.
That was Lovely Gert.
Also, I need to say Thank You Gert :-* for reminding me that I have a Lindt chocolate teddy bear to eat before the kids come here.. :D :D
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All this talk of Lindt chocolate has given me cravings ;D
Hope you enjoy it Gert and you too Robyn.
Think I may have to make a quick trip to the local shops ;D ;D ;D
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It was Yummy ;D
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Gert you are a very generous lady and deserve all the surprises that come you way - good ones that is ;D
Well done Bubbles.
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That's wonderful Gert, a surprise like that just makes your day x
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What a lovely surprise Gert. Lindt chocolate, YUM.
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Lucky lady Gert
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My DS ate 2 of my chocolates.... >:(
I told him I would eat his ice cream.....
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You didn't did you Obbie? :(
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No Kimmy, I don't eat ice cream at all.
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FYI there's a Full Steam Ahead book on ebay at the moment.
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I sold mine, and the traveling with thermomix too :)
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I have this book and have never used it.
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I saw an EDC go for $285 on ebay on Friday :o :o :o
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I saw an EDC go for $285 on ebay on Friday :o :o :o
OMG!!!!!
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Wow!!!! Do you know what the starting price was ? If it was put up at 99c or so then really its the responsibility of those bidding to have some common sense. It's not the seller who is at fault then for such crazy prices.
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I cant remember what the starting price was, but when I started "watching" it, it was around the $25 mark.
There is another one on there now, with a starting price of $180.
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OMG that is not fair. I don't mind people making a little profit but that is daylight robbery.
Reminds me of a toy car called frosty we were looking at buying DS4 for Christmas. It retails at $10 and he adores the character but it is a limited release and hard to find in stores. eBay was selling one for $3,000.
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i avoid eBay, it seems to be a market that anybody without any qualifications can make money eg. its a free for all. If you get something at an inflated market price and are happy that you got it (even if you were ripped off) so be it - cos eBay is an open market. You have to be happy and you really can't complain. On the other hand if you know more than the buyer you are in a good place and thats good luck, but the only problem is being able to distinguish an original from a fake and so many other variables.
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I never used mine, thats why i sold them with the TM21.
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I am heading to an unofficial raw food cooking/uncooking class tomorrow "featuring" the Thermo. $115 for 4 hours. I am writing it off as "research"! ;)
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Interesting! Look forward to your review.
Gert
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Hey! Yeah, I saw that EDC go on ebay for $285! Really...who would pay that much for a simple cookbook! I can't remember the starting price, but for it to go that high someone else much have been willing to pay $284!!! ???
If I want to have a giggle I look up ebay...there is always someone buying something for stupid prices on there!
(I hope I haven't offended anyone on here! please, please don't take offense!!!)
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LucyW please let us know how your "research" went.