Update on Paperchase

 

I have decided not to go any further with this situation, although I would still wish to see a CEO reply in due course.

There are other things to be involved in at this time.
Thanks for reading and considering actions.

Paperchase reply....and my response so far

Frances

Dear Mr Robertson

Thank you very much for your email letter to Paperchase.

Thank you

But I wrote to the CEO and still await a reply.

We, of course, welcome feedback from our customers and consider all points of view, as such I do appreciate you bringing your feelings on this matter to our attention. We do not wish to cause offence to any of our customers and take a complaint such as yours most seriously. Complaints about our Novelty range - and specifically the more humorous aspect of it - are extremely rare. 

You have caused offence and continue to as you purely acknowledge the complaint and you have not said what action you will take as a company.

I was told that one person on the telephones, they receive at least two complaints a day regarding the inflatable Jesus.  Is there a set pattern of hear the complaint acknowledge and do nothing?

 We do carry a very wide range of product and try to cater for most tastes and, while we do not imagine for one moment that we satisfy everyone, our range certainly has broad appeal.

The particular product you have highlighted, the Inflatable Jesus, was bought to celebrate the season, not to offend in any way; please be assured that we have no intention of trivialising Christian beliefs or teaching.

How does buying an inflatable Jesus celebrate the season.?

Surely this does more than trivialise faith.

If I was selling inflatable toys of your best friend would you like it?

This is a misrepresentation of Jesus. Its mocking.

How would you like it if we used dolls to mock your best friend?

I appreciate you have questioned the decision making process and would like to reassure you that myself, with my Buying team, Duncan, Timothy and Nick are all informed on the range of the products that we sell.

Havent you a real conflict of interest in this matter….that is why I wrote to The CEO .

It would be good to hear what he has to say and what action the company may or may not   take.

Once again please accept our apologies for the offence caused and I sincerely hope you continue to shop with us in the future

I await the CEO reply to specific questions asked>? Regards Brian

Best regards

Frances

and same day

Stacey H (Paperchase) 29 Nov, 15:06 GMT Dear Mr Robertson, Hope you are well and apologies for the delay in responding to you. Firstly, please allow me to extend my sincere thanks for forwarding on your complaint as requested when you called us on the 19th Nov. As advised at the time, full details of your complaint were shared with the appropriate people and a full response will be provided from our product director in due course via email. I would like to take this opportunity to apologise once again for the offence you have been caused but also thank you for the time taken to relay back your thoughts on the matter. Sincere apologies once again.  Kind regards, Stacey Hill Paperchase Customer Services

need to chase Paperchase ...

Paperchase and offensive product

I called last week to Paperchase Perth. I like their products but appreciate there are less for the gentleman. I have bought  several times and tend to look in every time I am in the High Street.

I was surprised to see the following inflatable Jesus on sale. ( seemingly it was on sale last year)

I came home and phoned the company to see if there was some sort of vetting of products before they go on sale. I was advised that the buyers have the say on what is sold.

So I e mailed complaints ---Not that I am in the habit of doing such things.

Its now 7 days since the e mail and apart from a return acknowledgement have heard nothing.

So here is my open letter to the CEO Duncan Gibson

To Duncan Gibson CEO, or Timothy Melgund Deputy Chair or Nick Woods Chair

Paperchase Products Ltd and associated companies

(Via Pete Burns and then E Commerce manager/Director and Stacy Hill)

I have been a regular customer and browser to Paperchase over the years and was shocked when I saw the gifts on offer in the store in Perth Today.

(how I missed them last year I don’t know)

Inflatable Jesus

I found the product known as the inflatable Jesus not funny, bad taste, and offensive.

I wondered currently if your compliance department or some such overseers managed to let the Buyers slip this through and spoil your reputation. What were you thinking?

Would Judith Cash like this product?

Would Timothy’s father have liked it?

I wondered how you would have dealt with complaints for an inflatable Mohammad, or an inflatable Hindu doll or the like for any religious group.

It is not for me to audit your product from research to shop front but I have concerns that this product got to the shelves and no one saw fit to consider the offence it may cause let alone the corporate responsibility and corporate reputational risk in making this product available.

I am not in the habit of complaining and I thought the staff fielding the complaints call did a good job but, I feel the corporate walls have meant I cannot get to you through the line very easily to make my concerns heard direct. This could also mean that the buyers have the final say on the product buying and placing. Is this a good thing? 

 I wonder what Primary Capital Ltd ESG would think about this product?

Please reconsider this product as a sales potential in light of the offence it makes.

A review of products might also help profitability as well.

How many more need to complain before action is taken?

Duncan, I would appreciate your reply in early course.

Regards

Brian Robertson

Perth

If you are likewise unhappy you could say so at the following 

Paperchase contact

The Soul of Scotland

I have come across this book in the Perth Library and although just started I am finding it refreshing and interesting as it tracks some of the ways in Christianity in Scotland.

The Soul of Scotland  by Harry Reid I came across very recently when I was looking for books on Office 365 and Share point. I remember using Share point back in 2002 in the office.

The Soul of Scotland  out in 2016 

I really must get back to sending you some research details like the Balchristies 
and others.

I also last year put up some stuff about  John Glass   which you might want to have a look at.

January Money Charity figures

The latest statistics from the money Charity can be found here.

How has the Christmas spend gone?
Are we saving more or borrowing more? 

The latest statistics from the money Charity can be found here.

Join the new project and improve your understanding ...of the bible

Been checking out this U tube and found it to be helpful. Bible project. Subscribe at the u tube page for updated videos.

1,000,000 subscribers

 

SETI@Home... help me or rather them.

I refer to my last post and using your PC be it apple or windows to help Berkeley University carry out calculations to seek confirmation as to any extra messages being beamed to us from outer space.

The actual electricity is minimal and if you have your machine all day then when you are not using it you could allow the university to use the processing power.

Its easy to set up and you can get the links from the last post here.
There are many worthwhile projects you you help. I an concentrated on this one.

Once you are set up , its easy, please join me in the team PerthScotlandSETI and we can track our cumulative credit.

Go on help someone today.

You do not have to live in Perth Scotland...

I will come to " you do not have to live in Scotland" in a minute.

Nothing to do with Church but...
Can you remember some years ago a University in USA was unable to purchase a super computer to carry out calculations of sorts and asked the public to have the ability to use their (when free) computers to help with the work. It has been some years now and the project works like a screensaver. When you are not working on your computer it is given over to the university to carry out various tasks. ( its not a big drain on your electric bill).

I am involved with SETI@Home.

If you want to join me in my group where we record our "credit" then once signed up go to teams and join "PerthScotlandSETI". You do not have to live in Perth Scotland to link into the Group. It simple pulls the "credits" together a s a total.

This project is looking for ...well you read and find out.

The project does not interfere with your day today computer work and simply suspends work while you are carrying out your activities.

SETI@Home

IOS 12.1.1

If you have updated your I pad to operating system 12.1.1 then you now are able to have face time with multi users. I have tried it and it works well. Other users like Messenger and Google hang outs are just as good.

Highland challenge

I am still concerned for those in the highlands of Scotland who feel isolated with regard to Christian fellowship and getting together with like minded people.

Its not all about big venues and large worship meetings but it is good to engage with like minded folks.

Is there a need for a communication that helps?

Barter books got a lot of views.

Hi Everyone

 Barter books got a lot of views. As Did Alexander Duff this week.

 Nice of you to stop by.

Cambridge papers

Here is a link to the recent Cambridge papers, in this case a look at persecution.

Cambridge Papers Pitfalls in combatting persecution by Judd Birdsall

Keep the Focus backstage

I don't know how many years they have been playing and touring , but I do remember them on Old Grey Whistle Test back in 72, Focus were in Scotland this week touring playing new material from their Focus eleven album out 16 November. 

At Kinross they played Silvia, Hocus Pocus, Focus 2 Focus 3, ...New tracks Who's calling? Mare nostrum , Mazzel and Focus 11- that I remember. 

2 and a half hour set was really good. and Thjs van Leer the keyboard and flute player and vocals of sorts ...and yodelling was the entertainer signing autographs and making himself available to the public.  Sound was good for this small venue and the atmosphere was good. My group, containing fans and non fans all loved the night.  The drum solo near the end by Pierre van der Linden the other founder was amazing and better than Cozy Powell! dare I say.

  

Gig dates 

The band

Conflict of interests... might be topical... again

Taking care, with “Conflicts of Interest”

Trustees have a duty to act in the best interests of the charity and its beneficiaries. They must avoid situations where their personal interests or their duties conflict with their duty to the charity unless they have been authorised. The duty also extends to conflicts that arise because of persons connected with them. 

Conflicts of interest can occur in many ways.

A conflict of interest can occur when a trustee stands to benefit personally from the charity - for example, if they or a connected person receive a grant from the charity as a service user or a payment for a professional service. 

Conflicts of interest may come in a number of different forms:

• direct financial gain or benefit to the trustee, such as:
• payment to a trustee for services provided to the charity
• the award of a contract to another organisation in which a trustee has an interest and from which a trustee will receive a financial benefit
• the employment of a trustee in a separate post within the charity, even when the trustee has resigned in order to take up the employment
• indirect financial gain, such as employment by the charity of a spouse or partner of a trustee, where their finances are interdependent
• non-financial gain, such as when a user of the charity’s services is also a trustee
• conflict of loyalties, such as where a trustee is appointed by the local authority or by one of the charity’s funders, or where a friend of a trustee is employed by the charity

Trustees cannot receive a benefit from the charity unless it is allowed under the law or by the charity’s governing document: such authorisation might involve approval from the Charity Commission.

A conflict of interest can also occur when a trustee has a conflict of loyalties between the charity and their personal or other interests – for example, if they are a member of a local authority that funds the charity or a trustee of a competing charity.

Any conflict of interest should be carefully managed. It is good practice for trustees to agree a conflict of interest policy record and regularly record conflicts in a register, and note them in board minutes.

Having a Policy makes it clear the parameters of authority and encourages transparency.

A conflict of interest policy sets out the procedure to be followed if a trustee declares an interest. It should include a register of interests where trustees disclose outside interests and those of connected persons that might potentially conflict with their role as a trustee.

If a trustee has a conflict of interest which creates a real danger of bias (or could be perceived to do so) they should withdraw from the relevant part of the meeting where the relevant decision is to take place.

The Companies Act 2006 brought in new statutory duties for trustees of charitable companies. These include duties to avoid conflicts of interest, not accept benefits from third parties and declare an interest in a proposed transaction. These duties include a duty to avoid conflicts of loyalty.

Trustees of charitable companies must ensure they are properly disclosing and authorising conflicts of interest in line with their statutory duties.

• Register of conflicts of interest
• Policy regarding how to deal with themⁱ

i The policy might include that the person with the conflict would not be able to discuss the item or not be able to vote on a decision relating to the conflict. Of course they could provide information to allow the remaining trustees to make an informed decision.

Elephant debt etc

 Bit of another stramash in the USA as James S MacDonald and his associated church take legal action against some bloggers namely Elephant debt.

For a good summary of the situation see tallskinnykiwi a new blog site for Andrew Jones.

I do not know what was said in the article but MacDonald, by taking action, some would indicate too early, indicates his concern over the topics written.

Its unfortunate that this action has taken place and for bloggers around the globe it does threaten the freedom of speech.   

I would not support down right lies or mis information but likewise we do need freedom to express views.

Christianity today and its news on the subject

"The site ( Elephant Debt) has culled stories of alleged mismanagement at Harvest since 2012, including claims of as much as $70 million in mortgage debt and a lack of accountability from its elder board."

I hope its not another leadership problem where governance is thrown out the windows to meet certain aims.

Visit to Barter Books and not the first time! Reformation was fairly costly.

Took some time out at Alnwick on our way back from Harrogate last week.  "Barter books" is a book shop with several years of upgrading and innovative work in selling books and providing a shelter for readers and those who just want a change from the daily routine. It is based in the railway station. Apart from a bit of lunch we never bought anything. I could have.! Saw this book with its price tag near the other book keenly priced. 

For today's reflection 

Its simple. Consider any book that has had an impact on you r thinking, life and or outlook.
The book could be Harry Potter, Clockwork Orange, Pride and Prejudice or a business book.

What was it that triggered the alertness?
is it still valid? ...Or is it superseded by later events and readings.


 Now what book in the Bible are you avoiding which might want to talk to you or minister to you.>?

Have you read...The Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard and considered his pointers to live in heaven now !...here on earth.

Actually I read the following some years ago and thought it A WONDERFUL STATEMENT.

"The aim of God in History is the formation of an all-inclusive community of loving persons with God himself included in the community as its prime Sustained and most glorious Inhabitant."


-The Renovare Spiritual Formation Bible.

Which side are you looking from...

A Post from 12 years ago has been getting a fair reading of late.

The post from 2006 is here.

This may be to do with some questions I posed on the Free Church friends face book page where there had been a lot of communication about baptism from a free church/various/Presbyterian prospective- as you would expect.

 I came from a Reformed background where baptism was administered to children/ babies not of the age of understanding.  In my youth I was moved to the position of believers baptism as in one believes first thereafter as a testimony in public baptism comes second. Now doctrine and influence, past, experience, and Westminster confession can all play a part in your understanding of the subject but when the Spirit of God convicts you then it overshadows teaching.  I quickly add if it is of God then it will not be contrary to the Bible.

I have heard several times that the jailer and his family were baptised so therefore it is all right to baptise children (not of the age of understanding). Yet if the jailer is working he is not now in the army, ...is he retired from the army therefore older therefore his children may well have been of the age of understanding?

Then there is the thought from the non Presbyterian if baptism is for the child /baby then what about circumcision why are the reformed churches not carrying out this act?

No doubt there is a response to this question  even although the basis of there stance is steeped in the old testament and the Westminster confession.

I have not come across many baptistic people defending the stance they take or the understanding they have on baptism. Of course maybe I have just missed them. Regarding the Westminster Confession we need to be on our guard that we do not hold the Westminster confession at a par with the Bible which we believe is the word of God. There has been many arguments about the inclusion of the Apocrypha and one danger was that it would be seen as part of the word of God and not a simple record of a part of Gods people travels.( See Haldane brothers and there stance against the Bible Society ( British and Foreign ).

Needless to say I have an issue with one part at least of the Westminster confession CHAPTER 28.

In short.

Those that believed were baptised... faith then public profession.

There will be those too who are dogmatic in the mode be it sprinkling or Full immersion. 

I am no scholar but the word implies dipping as far as I can see.

Of course we can make allowances for those infirmed etc.

Previous fairly recent post about my baptism. Summer 2018

Finally you may have hear of the person who asked two people to face each other and he laid an apple on the table (one side was eaten the other whole.)

He asked in general what do you see one said an eaten apple the other said a whole apple.  In this case they were both wrong and seeing things from a particular viewpoint.

Windows updates September

The usual  Windows 10 updates around the second Tuesday of the month are available in the usual manner.

(To see how to get these updates see here.)