memory4teachers

[verygrumpy]

Thanks KiwiMatt. How long ago was that?

[solitaire89]

I'd forgotten all about these guys - we all signed up here too ages ago... All teaching and support staff. And, like everyone else - nothing. I'm guessing it would have been about the beginning of 2009 ish, but don't quote me on it. Equally so, we've had nothing at all from them, no spam, no nothing. Curiouser and curiouser!

[kiwimatt]

over 2 years now we aren't holding our breath for them here ....... only positive thing i can say is that staff emails haven't been spammed as of yet

[verygrumpy]

Cheers Solitaire & Kiwimatt, mmmmmm? They said it was 5 year project but seems it may fall into a grave before then!

[GrumbleDook]

On advice from ICO I have now made a DPA request to the company about my information, how it is used, who has access to it and how it would be removed if I request it. This was made on Monday after repeated requests for a representative of the company to address concerns I have in my professional capacity.

 

If (and probably when) the reply period expires I will be able to lodge a formal complaint and take it further.

 

It is not as if I have not made frequent attempts to contact them and would welcome any direct contact details if you have the, @verygrumpy.

[browolf]

no sticks here either

[verygrumpy]

Hi GrumbleDook and others

 

Sadly we use the normal contact line to reception and ask for relevant departments -

MEMORY4TEACHERS

112-114 Station Road

Edgware

Middlesex

HA8 7BJ

 

Tel: 0208 951 0000

Fax: 0208 951 5666

 

.... but I have just done a quick search about data protection/controller via Data Protection and Freedom of Information Advice - Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) i.e Information Commissioners Office, and found this interesting info. Registration Number: Z1783649

 

Date Registered: 01 July 2009 Registration Expires: 30 June 2010

 

Data Controller: RGS EUROPE LIMITED

 

Address:

TISH LEIBOVITCH

249 CRANBROOK ROAD

ILFORD

ESSEX

IG1 4TG

 

Other Names:

 

MEMORY 4 TEACHERS

MEMORY 4 STUDENTS

MEMORY 4

 

Keep everyone posted for everyone's sake. Good luck.

[browolf]

if u google that name which is pretty unique it seems to be the name of accountants at teh same address.

 

also check this doc http://www.chigwellbusiness.co.uk/BL%2060%20secs%20email.pdf

[verygrumpy]

Nice one Browolf.

[007maths]

I am new to this forum, so have called myself 'verygrumpy' as I have found memory4 teachers pretty poor. My mate, who is also unhappy with M4T, is a director of a company who paid to be on the stick, and he has just received a renewal invoice! He was told his upfront cost last year was for the whole 5 years and now is being chased for what he paid last year as an annual payment!! My mate says 'the contract is pretty vague but who wants to go to court!'! Do other teachers actually use the stick for its intended purpose? Are you guys happy with it? Does it do what it says on the tin? Does anyone know know what M4T said they would do for teachers, and have they delivered? Do you guys ever read their emails to teachers? Have you got your sticks - I haven't?? Would love to know your experiences guys and gals as I am 'verygrumpy'!!

 

Quite a few at the school i'm at received them a couple of months ago. The software was terrible and couldn't be used on school computers (restrictions, not the software). As a result I think most people (at the school) have formatted the usb drives, to replace smaller ones they had before (M4T drives sent were 4Gb).

[verygrumpy]

Thanks 007, seems like your colleagues aren't the only ones who have done this!

[OverWorked]

I got a stick from them at BETT 2010. Haven't used it though.

[verygrumpy]

Thanks Overworked. Let us all know how you get on with the stick when you aren't over worked!

[BatchFile]

Thanks TR. How long have they been waiting?

 

Hmmm... not sure... 18 months or so??

[GrumbleDook]

Just had a good chat with James @ Memory4Teachers who is keen to respond to concerns ... most of which are down to delivery. The influx of requests from non-UK folk has proven to be a problem and the time to verify folk has been an issue. The quantity required has been larger than expected (even for legit requests rather than false ones from overseas) and so they have been sourcing new stock. Once the stock is in place there will be an EG specific process for those people waiting ... and I will help with sorting that out.

 

Over the coming weeks I'll also be back in contact with them about some of the data protection concerns (mainly getting them to improve processes which they are keen to do) and they are getting the unsubscribe link sorted on their emails for those who have been waiting for that. More news to follow.

[GrumbleDook]

And after a long wait ... nothing. They were not at BETT, I have requested to subscribe and still get the emails (the unsubscribe reports back there is no email address found ... I must be getting the newsletters due to my powers of telepathy then), I never got a formal response back about the the Data Protection query and the following blog post just points the the other problems, What You Should Know About Memory4Teachers « Teaching Science ... so ... from 1st March I will be doing everything I can to make sure people, including their sponsors / advertisers, know about this.

 

I know they still lurk so perhaps they will suddenly want to get in contact and publicly explain themselves without hiding behind poor excuses, inept sales drone or a plea to our understanding about how difficult it is to manage things like this.

 

As far as I am concerned ... M4T ... it is game over and you can go home.

[Zoom7000]

Granted I got my USB at BETT 2010, however, how they have treated everyone else who registered who couldn't make it to BETT to collect their USB has been pathetic. Hope you succeed in kicking their butt Tony!

[GrumbleDook]

As if by magic I have not received their Feb newsletter ... I am presuming one went out.

 

I have not had a response to any emails so now ringing them. Voicemails left so see what happens.

[GrumbleDook]

Just been on the phone with Simon from Memory4teachers and he is keen to still work on making all this more positive. I am unsubscribed from emails now, my data is limited to just the unsubscribe list (to make sure I get no further materials) and we have had a good chat about the difference between what gets piled into a standard ICO entry and realistically what information is used for.

 

No doubt we will chat again later in the week and I'll pass on news when I have it, but they do seem to want to get things going again for people.

I've put a new poll up in a new thread to help get an idea of who does or doesn't have one.

http://www.edugeek.net/forums/educational-software/72185-have-you-received-your-memory4teachers-usb-stick.html

[typewriter]

And? I have no interest in subtlety, or in your reputation, and I'm at perfect liberty to reply to you. My only interest is in making sure nobody else thinks the last relevant posts are either genuine or impartial.

 

The company behind memory4teachers has not behaved well, they've failed to deliver on multiple promises, they have failed to respond to emails, they have mis-used their mailing lists despite registrants opting-out of them and I am awaiting legal advice about whether they are in breach of contract*. They are an embarrassment to their content providers and sponsors.

 

You're not doing much better either, for somebody who's stopped posting and requested their account be removed... I've been prepared to let you turn over a new leaf but once again, you've persuaded me that there is no point. I'm not prepared to derail this thread though; if you have something to say, tell me in private.

 

*note: I'm not opening a debate on this last point, and I'm not going to discuss it until I've received said advice, so don't ask.

 

Hi There

 

Seem to have been stung by this scam! I am interested to hear is any partners were successful in not paying memory4teacher or memory4students due to not receiving the services sold to them. Or any partners who have not had to continue with the auto renew contract.

 

Also I would like to hear from any students who applied and received a memory stick.

 

Thanks