offshore

As KB has said, this specific, is surely a matter for other places. However in the spirit of open discussion, which we do not seek to quash- When you read the promotion in your local news, for "Slimming Tea", which doesn't work, or "100% pa return on investment", which you never get, do you contact the newspaper, and ask them to protect you? And would they be one bit interested? No way. Is the editor now the local police chief? Long bows r11co! Offshore

These forums are firstly set up, for discussion of watches. That the members want an ability to buy and sell, whether the items are new or used, is a given, (based on the history of these places) When a new seller appears, whether they are private individuals, and selling (or trading) one piece, or whether they ask the admin team, for an area to display a number of new pieces... the principle of Caveat Emptor, does, and will always operate. The admin teams of these forums, are here, for that reason, to administer the running of the discussion forum.... not to become the police force of the replica market place. In a perfect world, there would be no murders, no rapes, no theft, and no scams. Many communities, have tried many and varying methods, to negate, the imperfections of man. NONE have succeeded. Not since Adam! So it is indeed drawing a long bow, to expect the admin teams to firstly become some sort of a policing and enforcing body, and secondly to eradicate the sins of man, which no one has yet been able to achieve....since day dot! And even moreso here, in a virtual world. We are here to facilitate an interchange of thoughts and ideas. We are not here to arrest or prosecute the law breakers. Our best response to those who do not follow, either the simple rules of this forum, or the more widely held ideals, of what is right or wrong, is to remove those people from our little community. Which we do, when the offenders become known to us. Criminals remain at large, innocent people are jailed.... the best intelligene in the world, cannot, and willnot eradicate crime.....or sin in its many faces. CAVEAT EMPTOR Offshore

It appears that TT will not be in Oz till late in the year, so we may as well push on for an April->June time frame. @JM,.....Canberra.... FFS!!...more scammers there, than around these climes......AND..it's getting further south....at the time of the year we are talking, the blood of your northern neighbours would freeze in those parts Not to mention, we don't own jackets! No.......the consensus would say Sydney, unless we have a late "run" from other areas. My colleague CS, who may become involved in some logistics for us,(He didn't know that until now... but probably guessed ).... is to a degree otherwise disposed at this moment, so we will softly ..softly.. start to look at some alternatives...and come back in a month or so with some ideas. Any other starters, add your input here. Offshore

Sorry KB, can' stay and debate this one Gotta hussle to watch "Underbelly"........Ohh that's right, you guys are censored, from watching your own mini soap! No wonder one migrated! A

Down there? Toooooo many ice (bergs) A

So, inspired by the Brussells GTG, I am seeking some feedback, on a potential GTG, in sunny Australia. We have a bunch of members here, and three from the admin team, so I'm sure collectively, we may be able to arrange something. This will hopefully give us some ideas to move futher down the path. Offshore

All you guys in the EU, and particularly Stephane, and Andy, needs a large 'hats off' and many congrats, for the event you put together, and were part of! We, in the other hemisphere, have watched the birth of an idea, it's implementation, and finally the results, with absolute delight for you guys, and a little sadness that we could ony be part involved as observers. However your obvious huge enjoyment, and wonderful reporting, has given back to our members, a little of your fun time. Thanks Stephane, Andy, and the group who supported and attended. We all are better for the experience......and hopefully it has encouraged more meetings of like minded friends in the future. I do know it certainly has encouraged me to try to "bolt" something together, for our "Down Under" group, (and visiting friends), later this year. Watch this space....... Offshore

I had a discussion with this company recently...can source direct from factory at a fairly sizeable discount from retail. Anyone needing a cost, give me a PM. Offshore

Totally agree...assume it isn't..and find out! There is only one way to know...TEST IT. Offshore

Stephane, Stop being a tease.... Us mere mortals, from the other side of the planet, await this little soiree', with not a touch of envy. Maybe we need Richard Branson, as our patrone'? WIS...... Virgins, a stocked bar, and subsidised travel... what a combination! Certainly the reports from this 'event" need a new thread. Have fun guys. Offshore

Actually, a little "trick", I have learned, is to use a very thin piece of film, and place it over the hands. Then use the puller, outside the film, capturing both the protective film and the hands. And if the film is too thick for the puller feet, sometimes 2 screwdriver tips acting as a lever, or even fine tipped tweezers, will lift them. But do not force the issue. Offshore

In 5 years around a number of forums, I would not have a cumulative 10,000 posts! That is just an amazing achievement TT! Probably what a lot don't recognise, is that posts which we make in our admin area, also tally on this board. So you can just see, from Ken, and TT's numbers, the level of contribution, these guys make to this forum. It really is the level of effort from those contributing to admin teams, which help make this and other forums, the wonderful sources of information, which we all enjoy so much. Congrats mate ...and all those others, who give so freely of their time and knowledge. Offshore

Hope you guys have an awsome GTG. Only wish Oz was a little closer! Don't forget the pics. Offshore

Glad it's sorted MB. Offshore

Actually TT, they didn't get the right shot for "Feeding baby" This is how we do it in Oz. JK. Although Steve did cop some flack for that one! Offshore

Interesting article in todays paper here in Oz. http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0...3-27197,00.html It would appear that those feeling disenfranchised by ebay are biting back. Be interesting to see the drop in adds next week. Offshore

Absolutely, just as ebay debit attached accounts for sellers fees! @gavidoc, a big difference between "freezing" a bank account, and debiting it. This is why my "attached" accounts, both ebay and PP, are kept with low balances, and I can transfer from another account to cover bills when they arrive, or have funds to make payments. My PP account is emptied as soon as funds arrive, and those funds shifted to another account which is "unattached" My PP "attached" account, is a "Debit" CC account, to give me a charge back option if needed on a purchase gone wrong. Bugger PP they won't do anything but grab whatever money is availble. You really need to be on top of all this, or PP will be on top of you! Offshore

Just added a better shot- Try one of those for size- That's a serious headache! Offshore

Bundy!

Indeed KB, As it happens, during my little Christmas soiree', I visited the Cascade Brewery, just in an information seeking role of course. It was pointed out that the base of all good beer is the water, and its quality. Cascade obtain theirs from the melting snows of Mt Wellington, which looms high over the city of Hobart. A wonderful tour of the brewery was followed by an invitation to sample a few brews. Whilst Pale Ale is high on the list, their Draught, Lager, and many others(now forgotten) were also wonderful. Probably was a good thing "the bride" was with me, as it is indeed a winding road down the mountain, and I fear my senses were somewhat dulled, (not to mention the breath testing station, set up on a semi permanent basis, 1/2 way down the mountain!) Tasmanians have an amazing concept of tourism and promotion. The tour is free, as is the "tasting", and it is, as much as you want! However you sign a guest book, and are not permitted more than 2 tours per year. Apparently some of the local lads were doing evening "tours"......every evening! Offshore

Sorry N! didn't see that. (Although paying me would be a great gesture! ) Have sent them an email to get a cost. Thanks. Offshore

So what we are suggesting here, is scanning the microfiche, and then blowing each page up in an editing programme? Seems feasable, although i would have thought the level of magnification required would distort the images (I use Irfanview) But certainly worth a shot. Hope one of my scanners is hi res enough to achieve a result- Thanks guys. @ Narikka, Thanks. I had contacted a couple of similar companies here, but @$1-$2 per image, it is uneconomical. One company even suggested I buy a specialised scanner @$3500, complete the job, and resell it Good for some.. but this is really only a hobby project. Worst comes to worst, i can buy a microfiche reader pretty cheaply on ebay or at a local auction house, for my own home use. (would be just another bit of kit taking up an already crowded work area and gathering dust for most of the time however) And if i had the scanned images on CD, maybe others could then benefut fom them. Thanks guys, will come back with a wrap up. Offshore.

Yes, certainly my understanding too, David, at least here in Oz! I keep a savings account, with Visa debit , as my Paypal and ebay attached account. Monitor it to have +/- $20 in it, and top it up from my main account as I need to fund either ebay or PP. When I receive funds, I immediately remove them from PP, and once they hit that account, then transfer back to my primary, A bit of messing around, but the b******ds are not getting my hard earned! Offshore

I have an opportunity to get a bunch of rare and valuable watch info, on micrifiche. Have been exploring the possibilities of transferring it to CD or hardrive, but keep running in to roadblocks. Commercial services here in Oz are out of the question, and Govt, and Uni resources seem limited. Best I have found so far is to copy to paper @ 10c copy, and then scan to hardrive/CD. As I would have 18 microfiche, with 180 images(average) each (3240 copies) ie $324, and then have to scan them all, for my purpose this is not economical. So....anyone with any clues? Thanks, Offshore

Or her Mum!