Forum Thermomix
Welcoming Center, Management and General Chat => Chit Chat => Topic started by: Mom2three on July 14, 2009, 05:32:53 am
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I thought some of you here may know how long it takes for Thermomix Australia to respond to your emails? I sent 1 on Sunday and 1 on Monday (after I saw website problems)???
I know the common thing is to phone, but with 3 noisy kidlets, its hard to find an "in business hours" time when its quiet enough to phone, the same reason why I was trying to find out if I could purchase without a demo, then demo would be lost on us I'm afraid :-)) Too many noisy kidlets to pay attention for more than a minute to the poor person doing the demo! ;D
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drives me crazy when emails aren't responded to immediately. even if they sent an auto reply that said something about diverting your email to someone local and could take up to a week blah blah blah.
my second demo was done with 8 kids or maybe more here, and while it was noisy and distracting it was fine, easier with more to entertain each other lol
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Most of the consultants are mums too so they are used to kids. You could probably arrange an evening one when the kiddies are all tucked up. Failing everything else I call in my secret weapon..............my husband...............he's a clown............no, I mean it, a professional one, make up, balloons, "parp" "parp" horn included!!!
As for how long it takes for them to respond, I have no idea, sorry!
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Brazen, your probably the closest to me, only about 3 hours away :D I'm in Bega!
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LOL well there you go, i can bring my three to entertain your three ;)
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Little hint Karen ;) ;) ;) - don't threaten your potential clients before you get the demo.
Just spring the little tackers on them when you turn up for the demo and THEN say "if you don't each buy a Thermomix then I am leaving them here !!! "
See, I am into sales - ;D ;D ;D ;D
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LOL what a great idea thermomixer! (though you scared me, i was wondering what i'd said that was so threatening ;))
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I thought some of you here may know how long it takes for Thermomix Australia to respond to your emails? I sent 1 on Sunday and 1 on Monday (after I saw website problems)???
Good question - did you use the Contact Us page of the Thermomix website or just send an email to info@tmxoz (whatever) ? You should have received an automated confirmation from the Contact Us page. An email to HQ may take some time, hopefully not too long.
It is sad to think that there was national TV coverage and all the cities seem to have carried advertising also and then there "appears" to be no strategy for follow-up. The demonstrators/consultants are the ones I feel REALLY sorry for at this time.
I would have expected team members to be ready to get onto the Masterchef froum ready to cross promote the machine after it had received some exposure - why not capitalise?
Can't see any follow-up there - more negative comments than positive and no demonstrators appear to have joined. JaneZee - if you go back to the login and put your email address in and try to enter there will be a line near the bottom saying - resend confirmation email. Try again and you may be able to get in and put some positive comments in there. (goes for anybody wishing to get onto their forums - it seems to be difficult, but can be done - I did)
I know the common thing is to phone, but with 3 noisy kidlets, its hard to find an "in business hours" time when its quiet enough to phone, the same reason why I was trying to find out if I could purchase without a demo, then demo would be lost on us I'm afraid :-)) Too many noisy kidlets to pay attention for more than a minute to the poor person doing the demo! ;D
I purchased without a full demo, but think that you would be better to either have a delivery demo or get to a Back to basics class to see how it is done. It would be great to have a DVD with info (like Kitchen Aid have for their machine), but until that day - really better to see it in action as it is a big investment and we want you to succeed.
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PMSL.
Good idea about the "sales strategy" ;D
Well looks like we are moving anyway! Our house has been "officially" sold! We will still be in Bega though.
I sent an email through the website on Sunday, upon which I forgot some questions, and found out the site was down, so emailed on the Info@ one the second time I think!
We are getting a loan to pay off all our credit cards :-)) So hopefully that will be approved (sick of having credit cards all over hte place, all wanting money at the same time!) If that does go ahead, then all bar one CC will be cut up and cancelled, and hte last one will have the limit go down to just cover the Thermomix & Access!! Yey!
I looked into the financing, and interest on it was pretty dear (the same as cash advance on CC) so thought it was just easier to do it this way! So should know on Thursday!
Hopefully they will get back to me and I can have a local person (hopefully :-)) ) that I can chat to, and get them in for a demo asap in our box-filled house! :P Then I can use the Thermomix as soon as we move into the new place! :D I don't think theres a big enoguh smiley in hte emoticon reportoire for what I am feeling! This will help my wrists soo much! Not to mention another hand with all the kiddies around!!!
Just so I know, what exactly from A-Z do I need to have for the Demo? (So I don't pack any of it :D) I know about the persihables, but anything like plates, bowls servers what have you, knives etc???
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consultants usually bring everything....littl bowls, spoons etc and the food is pretty much already pre organised ready to bring along to the demo....maybe just get some paper plates for the risotto and keep 1 knife or so out and a couple of serving spoons
part of the aim of the demo is that you dont have to do antyhing including copiuos amounts of prep and dishes
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Since MasterChef we have been inundated with queries, so anyone's guess as to how long this week for a response...if you want to purchase, leave a message to that effect and I suggest you may get priority!! hahaha ;D ;D
Things have gone completely nuts, so brace yourselves...or become a consultant and help us out!
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that's good news tenina :) tell them to make it priority #1 ;)
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Can't see any follow-up there - more negative comments than positive and no demonstrators appear to have joined. JaneZee - if you go back to the login and put your email address in and try to enter there will be a line near the bottom saying - resend confirmation email. Try again and you may be able to get in and put some positive comments in there. (goes for anybody wishing to get onto their forums - it seems to be difficult, but can be done - I did)
Thanks for that advice Thermomixer. I did what you said & just got the green light & have made 1 post under my alterego mojosgirl. Will try & put more in but good on you for posting so much & trying to keep up our end. As you say, we should have thought about it sooner. I was a bit late in coming to the whole MasterChef thing!!!
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It is sad to think that there was national TV coverage and all the cities seem to have carried advertising also and then there "appears" to be no strategy for follow-up. The demonstrators/consultants are the ones I feel REALLY sorry for at this time.
I would have expected team members to be ready to get onto the Masterchef froum ready to cross promote the machine after it had received some exposure - why not capitalise?
Can't see any follow-up there - more negative comments than positive and no demonstrators appear to have joined. JaneZee - if you go back to the login and put your email address in and try to enter there will be a line near the bottom saying - resend confirmation email. Try again and you may be able to get in and put some positive comments in there. (goes for anybody wishing to get onto their forums - it seems to be difficult, but can be done - I did)
I purchased without a full demo, but think that you would be better to either have a delivery demo or get to a Back to basics class to see how it is done. It would be great to have a DVD with info (like Kitchen Aid have for their machine), but until that day - really better to see it in action as it is a big investment and we want you to succeed.
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That's a fair call Thermomixer. I hadn't planned ahead enough to register with the site, and then on Friday night my internet played up - after trying for 2 1/2 hours on both the bigpond and the optus connections, and restarting the PC a couple of times I ended up giving up.
The idea of a delivery demo is to really brief the new owner on how to use the Thermomix and to get them up doing a dish or two to give them some experience. There is also some briefing time before and after to ensure the new owners are comfortable using their machines. I guess it's the best way of covering to ensure owners know how to use it correctly and aren't going to get stuck. In saying that I never had a delivery demo either - Being 2 1/2 hours from Melbourne no one was going to visit me and at that stage we didn't have any consultants in regional vic.
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As Tenina said, HQ website has been bombarded with enquiries. Just yesterday they had 128 apparently and they all need to gone through and sent out.
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I emailed Thermomix Tuesday last week and received an automated reply however nothing since then. I got in contact with a demonstrator through another member on this site.
I've purchased one over the phone with the consultant and have not actually seen a Thermomix in real life. Only on TV and on the net.
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Well I was contacted within hours! I completed the form in the arvo and had the state manager call me at about 6pm. I was shocked cause it was so quick!
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wow that's great narelle! was that just this week? perhaps they've been able to work out a more efficient system for the influx :)
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Well I was contacted within hours! I completed the form in the arvo and had the state manager call me at about 6pm. I was shocked cause it was so quick!
EXCELLENT - was that Fiona ?? Great to hear.
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I emailed Thermomix Tuesday last week and received an automated reply however nothing since then. I got in contact with a demonstrator through another member on this site.
I've purchased one over the phone with the consultant and have not actually seen a Thermomix in real life. Only on TV and on the net.
I wonder how many others have done what you have ermy - not many I would think. Good on you, you obviously saw enough to want one and I hope it becomes your best friend in the kitchen.
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Quote from: ~Narelle~ on Today at 10:28:17 AM
Well I was contacted within hours! I completed the form in the arvo and had the state manager call me at about 6pm. I was shocked cause it was so quick!
EXCELLENT - was that Fiona ?? Great to hear
Yes it was the wonderful Fiona.
And no it wasn't this week it was about 5 weeks ago before the influx
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Well I have had a MC request for info passed on to me today so they are getting through. If you don't hear in a few days I would try again.......remember the sqeaky wheel principle.
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Hi Mum3Three (&Everyone),
I always reply to emails from Head Office within 24 hours. Maybe you could phone them on the 1800 004 838? It sounds like it the emails went to calculator heaven. Brazen and I are in Canberra if that helps. Would you like me to phone them to see if anyone is closer?
Cheers,
Karen
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Here in Germany you generally get an answer within 48 hours. I wrote last week to ask them if they had a vegetarian cookery book or were planning a "Rawlicious" booklet similar to the one offered in Australia. The answer was prompt. No, they weren't planning a raw cookbook or a vegetarian cookbook in Germany. If I want vegetarian recipes I just have to buy the books that Thermomix offers and see which recipes are suitable for vegetarians. And they kindly gave me the telephone number of my rep nearby. Now THAT'S what I call customer care. Not. I may sound a little peeved here, but I find the cookery books totally over-priced for what they offer.
I have the feeling that the German Thermomix is inflexible when it comes to their customers' wishes. The important thing is that they sell the machine. Full stop. I never had ONE phone call after I bought the TMX to see if I was OK using it. The recipes are all "meat and two veg" as the British call it and I'd welcome a healthier stance towards cooking with the TMX from the German company. It seems to me that the Australian Thermomix is really working WITH the buyers. I looked on youtube yesterday and there are even roadshows about raw food and the Thermomix ??? Why isn't Germany doing this?
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seems like we all want more than we have lol
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Hi Vivacity (and everyone :) ),
I'd be happy to send you over a copy of the raw and vegetarian cookbooks if you are interested in them.
Just email me offline for my details.
Best wishes,
Karen3
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True brazen, but I just want a little service - think I got more than you did - so should be thankful.
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Thanks for the info, Thermomixer. I was going to write an
irate neutral letter to Thermomix asking them why they were not doing as much as other Thermomix companies in other countries. They really should try out a new concept in their cookery courses, not just the 1) jam 2) bread 3) nuked salad 4) rice and meat 5) cream laden dessert. How about a local chef who offers a cookery course (without the order forms for new customers) for say 20 Euros (incl. food costs) and motivates us to try out new things with the TMX?
Well, it's interesting to know that you consider the organisation of a cooking demo to be a form of blackmail to get a book, because that's exactly how I feel. It's the same in Germany. There are two cookbooks that you cannot buy, you have to hold the demo at your house and then you are given one of them as a host present. Trouble is, I don't know anyone in my circle of friends who a) has the spare money at the moment to buy a TMX or b) would be interested in the TMX.
But I have come up with an ideal way to get my creative juices flowing. I'm going to save up for a TMX for my sister. Then we can experiment on new recipes with her TMX in London and mine over in Germany ;D
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:o I'm amazed to hear this as a new consultant, as we learn in our consultants training days 'customer service' is number one and a very good selling point for TMX. In the demo you actually say the words "with the price of the TMX you also buy a little piece of me!" Which I hate saying and have modified a little. ;) I have only been to 1 cooking class and herd of another that had local chefs preparing their own recipes in TMX and they are $20 to attend. I also thought it was a little funny not to be able to purchase to 'Full Steam Ahead' Book without the demo but I guess it generates more demo's and potential sales. I'm sure you could find a consultant who could get one for you if you feel that strongly about it. I hope I don't get into trouble for saying That. :-X
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Thanks Nay-nay - I could certainly get it by stealth, and thanks for your offer. I certainly hope you don't get in trouble for trying to provide customer service.
It is not for me - I have the Spanish and Italian versions, could buy one from Spain, or even obtain one from eBay.
Nay-nay, I would agree about getting more sales if I constantly received info from HQ or my consultant about obtaining a copy by doing a Varoma demo.
BIG PROBLEM there - I have only once in 2 years received anything about the Full Steam Ahead ccokbook and varoma demos. So, if they are hoping to increase sales by not telling anybody about the book, then YES their scheme may work. Not sure how....
Hope I don't get you into trouble.
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There really needs to be a 'sarcastic tone' emoticon. :D
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In the demo you actually say the words "with the price of the TMX you also buy a little piece of me!" Which I hate saying and have modified a little. ;)
I have modified it as well ;D No-one is buying a piece of me!!!! I am however "always available to help should you have any problems or questions" ;)
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I received 2 'newsletters' from thermomix this morning!
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Me too Cookie - twas a surprise.
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what were they about? i haven't had one yet
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Fathers day and a couple of recipes. One to celebrate South Africa (Hi Shayla lol) joining Thermomix. Want me to forward it to you?
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oh yes please, do you have my address?
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what were they about? i haven't had one yet
OMG - I thought that I had subscribed you before? You have hit the Unsubscribe button?
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i found that i had received one in my consultant email address but not my personal email address, so not sure if they intentionally took me off or not.
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If I had anything to do with the promotion of Thermomix machines I would recognise this site as being a major contributor to sales not only in this country but internationally as well. I would be forwarding free copies of recipe books and key incentives to the Moderators of this site, and other prime contributors and keeping them in the loop of the latest goings on with Thermomix. I am puzzled as to why these people are not receiving this recognition for their contribution, even if not out of respect then from a marketing perspective?
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Gee - we love your thinking CreamPuff :-* :-* :-* :-* Don't think it will happen. Consultants are not allowed to have an internet presence !!! (some do .... but they are not supposed to !)
Not sure if it is an Australian TMX, DSAA, or Vorwerk International directive. :( :( :( Sad but true - did you read your contract brazen ??
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Gee - we love your thinking CreamPuff :-* :-* :-* :-* Don't think it will happen. Consultants are not allowed to have an internet presence !!! (some do .... but they are not supposed to !)
Not sure if it is an Australian TMX, DSAA, or Vorwerk International directive. :( :( :( Sad but true - did you read your contract brazen ??
Is this really true??? I have not heard this before! :o
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Ohhh there goes my blog I was just building.. :-)) :'( ( I didn't read the contract :-)) or that bit). Funny - we are consultants, BUT running our own business....
Will stop there before I get into trouble. ;)
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Check your contract Nay-nay - think it is Clause 12 of what you will do?
Sorry to be the purveyor of sad news - especially after encouraging you to set up a blog ILB.
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That's okay *sniff*sniff* :'( I was actually looking forward to it, promoting local activities and posting recipes. Oh well. Will just stick to emails I guess. :)
Recently after a few conversations with someone (who will remain un-named) it appears that much of what Thermomix in Australia can do is controlled by the BIG HQ in Switzerland. I'm not sure to what extent, however I was surprised to hear what I did. It's a fairly complicated/structured (?? I don't have a business background) set up based on the number of sales in that country as to how much support is offered by HQ O/S.
So as much as many people get frustrated, annoyed, fed up etc. I think it may also be worth considering that here, HO's hands may be tied on some things.
If I had anything to do with the promotion of Thermomix machines I would recognise this site as being a major contributor to sales not only in this country but internationally as well. I would be forwarding free copies of recipe books and key incentives to the Moderators of this site, and other prime contributors and keeping them in the loop of the latest goings on with Thermomix. I am puzzled as to why these people are not receiving this recognition for their contribution, even if not out of respect then from a marketing perspective?
I'm with you on this one Cream Puff. A number of customers have had a look on the internet (including this site) and it's been thanks to this that they have made their decision (I always promote this site at demos for the recipes, support etc. - which reminds me I still need to clean up those hints and tips I'd posted... :-)) oops). This is a really valuable site - even for consultants to chat, compare notes, pick up new recipes, demo formats, hear feedback from customers on cooking classes etc. Not to mention for customers. ;D
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I'm happy to be the bunny who contacts grace to see why it may be so - don't think that Tenina knows as she has been linking to websites run by consultants.
I was looking at getting into being a consultant and so had a look through what you can and can't do !!
Not sure if they worry about people monopolizing business or what - but happy to try to get some ideas - coz I really think the more that there is on the internet the better.
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I am flabbergasted that consultants can't have a 'net' presence. This site and other blogs has helped me MORE than the IRL information. The cooking classes have been great but it's here that the tried and true stuff for families can be found.
In this day and age, the www is where it's at. Without the www I wouldn't have a TMX, would never have heard of it. I certainly didn't hear about it from any 'official' site either.
Regardless of where this directive comes from, I think they are only hurting themselves.
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no i didn't read the contract (of course not lol)
but.... one of the other consultants-in-training did ask Grace about a web presence and Grace encouraged it. the consultant came back on the second day and told grace she'd set up the domain name bit and Grace was fine with it...
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Hey - that sounds promising - thanks
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Interesting reading this as I found this the other day.... you will need to google translate it.
http://rosaarda.blogspot.com/2009/09/nos-mudamos.html (http://rosaarda.blogspot.com/2009/09/nos-mudamos.html)
I couldn't get on this forum the next day after I found it and had a panic attack and even emailed Brazen lol
We were going to have a net presence as well and now I am not sure what to do :-)) :o ???
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I couldn't get on this forum the next day after I found it and had a panic attack and even emailed Brazen lol
I couldn't get on all day either and had the same panic - that we'd been squashed!! :D
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Yes it was scarey. I thought OMG what will I do if the forum disappears? I'm addicted.
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Thanks faffa - I read Rosa's blog - but hadn't seen that sad news. Looks like my blog might be under threat??
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interesting. luckily i don't use the thermomix name in my blog name, address or email address, yay!!!
hope this forum is safe though...
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Except the group blog !!!! - A Little Bit of (...................) Magic www...............magic.blogspot.com ?????
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ahh yes, which we hardly use :-[ oops, this forum took over!
you might have to migrate your blog too ?
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Yeah - just ridiculous - I have sent a message to the head of TMX in Spain - will see if she responds.
Will contact poor Grace too
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Because I don't know how to translate the spanish blog, don't have a clue what you are all talking about? When did you all have trouble accessing this forum?
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I think I had trouble Sat morning (yesterday). Kept timing out and saying it may be a server problem or too busy (the one I thought likely!! ;D). But then again, I'm on just about every day and my memory is baaad. Is this when others had trouble?
JD there's a thread about translating tools (I did a search under main forum) - have a look and give it a go - it's quite handy and I bet you can do it ;D ;D ;D if I can ;).
Ali
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JD - the forum was difficult to access for much of Saturday and the blog says that all blogs, usernames and passwords containing Thermomix are being banned in Spain.
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Thanks Thermomixer, couldn't find how to translate the Spanish site. I was busy cleaning, etc Saturday but anytime I came to check on the forum, I could access it and wasn't surprised there weren't many postings as I presumed everyone else was busy for Father's Day preparations too.
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i didn't even notice it was down!
judy, just go to www.google.com then under 'more' or 'other' or whatever it say (jsut to the right of the maps etc) click that and it will drop down with options including translate. you just click that, paste in the URL and then off you go :)
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Thanks Karen, off out to lunch now so will try it tonight.
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Good news from Spain for all those with blogs - seems that there were some people in Spain abusing the Thermomix and Bimby names with their websites and so Vorwerk Spain has started to clamp down on them.
A message from the head of Thermomix in Spain says she looks favourably on our "friendly" blogs, and I think Grace is more positive than negative (as long as we behave). ;) ;)
So ILB - you can probably continue on and get it up and running. ;D ;D
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great news thermomixer, thanks for looking into it for us!
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Great news. Thank you Thermomixer!