Is Dominic Anfiteatro Ripping Me Off?

[Guest guest]

I bought Kefir from this group a long time ago. Long story short me Kefir

production got out of hand and I ended up giving all my grains to a friend who

lives out of state.

A few months ago I decided I wanted to start my Kefir production back up. This

time I placed an order, along with three other people, with Dominic Anfiteatro

after reading his Kefir site:

http://users.sa.chariot.net.au/~dna/kefirpage.html

To make another long story short it has been almost 4 months and I still have

not gotten my order from Dominic. I sent him about $100 via Western Union and

was told that the order would ship within a week. Since that time I have been

told that the order didn't ship because:

1. Dom was in the hospital from a dog bite.

2. After almost 2 1/2 months Dom is still in the hospital because of a staff

infection.

3. Order was shipped by Dom's wife (Never arrived)

$. Second order was shipped bu Dom's sister (never arrived)

4. Order was shipped by Dom. When it didn't arrive Dom told me that people we

stealing stamps at the post office and my shipment probably had the postage

stolen.

5. Dom then told me that he was going to ship another order and when I contacted

him again a week later I was told that the weather was to cold and Kefir

production was slow. He said he would ship me order the following week.

6. I have contacted him twice since then and gotten no reply.

I have been nothing but nice and polite through this whole deal, never uttering

a harsh word. Has anyone else ever delt with Dom? I did research before placing

the order and could find nothing that would lead me to believe that Dom would

cheat me. I have already had to refund the money to the other people who went in

on the order with me so I'm out $100. I've asked for a refund and Dom said he

couldn't do that because of " all the money he had spent on shipping " .

I am beyond frustrated and if I don't get a reply within the next 48 hours I am

going to start being less than nice to Dom.

[Guest guest]

What a bummer but I am blown away that someone would buy grains for $100!!!

I sell mine for $17 and mail priority in a glass jar with milk in it so you

get kefir delivered to you!! I have no extra right now and actually 2 people

on this list are waiting for some but I just can't understand paying that

much for kefir grains! Mine are beautiful too and I bet people here can tell

you that they make great kefir...here is a picture of my grains.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/kaje62/DSC08889-1.jpg?t=1281846249

and I don't say that I am going to send and then not do it. I feel bad for

you.

On Sat, Aug 14, 2010 at 7:53 PM, <headchangestudio@...> wrote:

>

>

> I bought Kefir from this group a long time ago. Long story short me Kefir

> production got out of hand and I ended up giving all my grains to a friend

> who lives out of state.

>

> A few months ago I decided I wanted to start my Kefir production back up.

> This time I placed an order, along with three other people, with Dominic

> Anfiteatro after reading his Kefir site:

>

http://users.sa.chariot.net.au/~dna/kefirpage.html<http://users.sa.chariot.net.a\

u/%7Edna/kefirpage.html>

>

> To make another long story short it has been almost 4 months and I still

> have not gotten my order from Dominic. I sent him about $100 via Western

> Union and was told that the order would ship within a week. Since that time

> I have been told that the order didn't ship because:

>

> 1. Dom was in the hospital from a dog bite.

>

> 2. After almost 2 1/2 months Dom is still in the hospital because of a

> staff infection.

>

> 3. Order was shipped by Dom's wife (Never arrived)

>

> $. Second order was shipped bu Dom's sister (never arrived)

>

> 4. Order was shipped by Dom. When it didn't arrive Dom told me that people

> we stealing stamps at the post office and my shipment probably had the

> postage stolen.

>

> 5. Dom then told me that he was going to ship another order and when I

> contacted him again a week later I was told that the weather was to cold and

> Kefir production was slow. He said he would ship me order the following

> week.

>

> 6. I have contacted him twice since then and gotten no reply.

>

> I have been nothing but nice and polite through this whole deal, never

> uttering a harsh word. Has anyone else ever delt with Dom? I did research

> before placing the order and could find nothing that would lead me to

> believe that Dom would cheat me. I have already had to refund the money to

> the other people who went in on the order with me so I'm out $100. I've

> asked for a refund and Dom said he couldn't do that because of " all the

> money he had spent on shipping " .

>

> I am beyond frustrated and if I don't get a reply within the next 48 hours

> I am going to start being less than nice to Dom.

>

>

>

>

>

--

Kathy-jo

c. 612.386.4240

ebay store: http://stores.ebay.com/Uptown-rags

http://finance./group/MNBlueSkyGuideExchange/

[Guest guest]

Wow , that's quite a litany of excuses you got from Dom. I can see Dom

is getting quite creative.

Don't feel bad though - you're in good company. I sent Dom $240 in December

of 2008 for some tooth-saving paste, and have not received it to this day.

At least you're getting excuses from him - mostly he just ignores my emails.

Many people have sent Dom money and received nothing in return. He used to

have a PayPal account but it was closed - I can guess why. It's unfortunate

that people are hesitant to talk about it and to blast Dom openly for what

is frankly his outrageous dishonesty.

As long as we keep our mouths shut, what incentive does Dom have to make

good on our orders? I would encourage everyone who's been ripped off by Dom

to complain loudly and openly on this list and anywhere appropriate.

Dean

_____

From:

[mailto: ] On Behalf Of

Sent: Saturday, August 14, 2010 7:54 PM

Subject: Is Dominic Anfiteatro Ripping Me Off?

I bought Kefir from this group a long time ago. Long story short me Kefir

production got out of hand and I ended up giving all my grains to a friend

who lives out of state.

A few months ago I decided I wanted to start my Kefir production back up.

This time I placed an order, along with three other people, with Dominic

Anfiteatro after reading his Kefir site:

http://users.sa.chariot.net.au/~dna/kefirpage.html

To make another long story short it has been almost 4 months and I still

have not gotten my order from Dominic. I sent him about $100 via Western

Union and was told that the order would ship within a week. Since that time

I have been told that the order didn't ship because:

1. Dom was in the hospital from a dog bite.

2. After almost 2 1/2 months Dom is still in the hospital because of a staff

infection.

3. Order was shipped by Dom's wife (Never arrived)

$. Second order was shipped bu Dom's sister (never arrived)

4. Order was shipped by Dom. When it didn't arrive Dom told me that people

we stealing stamps at the post office and my shipment probably had the

postage stolen.

5. Dom then told me that he was going to ship another order and when I

contacted him again a week later I was told that the weather was to cold and

Kefir production was slow. He said he would ship me order the following

week.

6. I have contacted him twice since then and gotten no reply.

I have been nothing but nice and polite through this whole deal, never

uttering a harsh word. Has anyone else ever delt with Dom? I did research

before placing the order and could find nothing that would lead me to

believe that Dom would cheat me. I have already had to refund the money to

the other people who went in on the order with me so I'm out $100. I've

asked for a refund and Dom said he couldn't do that because of " all the

money he had spent on shipping " .

I am beyond frustrated and if I don't get a reply within the next 48 hours I

am going to start being less than nice to Dom.

[Guest guest]

Sorry, this isn't the first time I've heard that Dom has taken someone's money

and not sent the goods! Marilyn's grains are EXCELLENT and she ships promptly!

Roy

On Aug 14, 2010, at 7:53 PM, wrote:

> I bought Kefir from this group a long time ago. Long story short me Kefir

production got out of hand and I ended up giving all my grains to a friend who

lives out of state.

>

> A few months ago I decided I wanted to start my Kefir production back up. This

time I placed an order, along with three other people, with Dominic Anfiteatro

after reading his Kefir site:

> http://users.sa.chariot.net.au/~dna/kefirpage.html

>

> To make another long story short it has been almost 4 months and I still have

not gotten my order from Dominic. I sent him about $100 via Western Union and

was told that the order would ship within a week. Since that time I have been

told that the order didn't ship because:

>

> 1. Dom was in the hospital from a dog bite.

>

> 2. After almost 2 1/2 months Dom is still in the hospital because of a staff

infection.

>

> 3. Order was shipped by Dom's wife (Never arrived)

>

> $. Second order was shipped bu Dom's sister (never arrived)

>

> 4. Order was shipped by Dom. When it didn't arrive Dom told me that people we

stealing stamps at the post office and my shipment probably had the postage

stolen.

>

> 5. Dom then told me that he was going to ship another order and when I

contacted him again a week later I was told that the weather was to cold and

Kefir production was slow. He said he would ship me order the following week.

>

> 6. I have contacted him twice since then and gotten no reply.

>

> I have been nothing but nice and polite through this whole deal, never

uttering a harsh word. Has anyone else ever delt with Dom? I did research before

placing the order and could find nothing that would lead me to believe that Dom

would cheat me. I have already had to refund the money to the other people who

went in on the order with me so I'm out $100. I've asked for a refund and Dom

said he couldn't do that because of " all the money he had spent on shipping " .

>

> I am beyond frustrated and if I don't get a reply within the next 48 hours I

am going to start being less than nice to Dom.

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I can vouch for that!  Super grains.  Some of them went to S Africa.

 

d'Entremont

 

" Dreams are illustrations from the book your soul is writing about you. "

-Marsha Norman

________________________________

From: Roy <curlyw2kids@...>

Sent: Sun, August 15, 2010 10:08:24 AM

Subject: Re: Is Dominic Anfiteatro Ripping Me Off?

Sorry, this isn't the first time I've heard that Dom has taken someone's money

and not sent the goods!  Marilyn's grains are EXCELLENT and she ships promptly! 

Roy

On Aug 14, 2010, at 7:53 PM, wrote:

> I bought Kefir from this group a long time ago. Long story short me Kefir

>production got out of hand and I ended up giving all my grains to a friend who

>lives out of state.

>

> A few months ago I decided I wanted to start my Kefir production back up. This

>time I placed an order, along with three other people, with Dominic Anfiteatro

>after reading his Kefir site:

> http://users.sa.chariot.net.au/~dna/kefirpage.html

>

> To make another long story short it has been almost 4 months and I still have

>not gotten my order from Dominic. I sent him about $100 via Western Union and

>was told that the order would ship within a week. Since that time I have been

>told that the order didn't ship because:

>

> 1. Dom was in the hospital from a dog bite.

>

> 2. After almost 2 1/2 months Dom is still in the hospital because of a staff

>infection.

>

> 3. Order was shipped by Dom's wife (Never arrived)

>

> $. Second order was shipped bu Dom's sister (never arrived)

>

> 4. Order was shipped by Dom. When it didn't arrive Dom told me that people we

>stealing stamps at the post office and my shipment probably had the postage

>stolen.

>

> 5. Dom then told me that he was going to ship another order and when I

>contacted him again a week later I was told that the weather was to cold and

>Kefir production was slow. He said he would ship me order the following week.

>

> 6. I have contacted him twice since then and gotten no reply.

>

> I have been nothing but nice and polite through this whole deal, never

uttering

>a harsh word. Has anyone else ever delt with Dom? I did research before placing

>the order and could find nothing that would lead me to believe that Dom would

>cheat me. I have already had to refund the money to the other people who went

in

>on the order with me so I'm out $100. I've asked for a refund and Dom said he

>couldn't do that because of " all the money he had spent on shipping " .

>

> I am beyond frustrated and if I don't get a reply within the next 48 hours I

am

>going to start being less than nice to Dom.

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

The order was actually for 4 x dry kefir cultures and a kombucha culture. I had

3 other people place this order with me and that's why I ordered so many

cultures. Also $15 of that total was the Money Gram fee I had to pay to send the

money.

>

> >

> >

> > I bought Kefir from this group a long time ago. Long story short me Kefir

> > production got out of hand and I ended up giving all my grains to a friend

> > who lives out of state.

> >

> > A few months ago I decided I wanted to start my Kefir production back up.

> > This time I placed an order, along with three other people, with Dominic

> > Anfiteatro after reading his Kefir site:

> >

http://users.sa.chariot.net.au/~dna/kefirpage.html<http://users.sa.chariot.net.a\

u/%7Edna/kefirpage.html>

> >

> > To make another long story short it has been almost 4 months and I still

> > have not gotten my order from Dominic. I sent him about $100 via Western

> > Union and was told that the order would ship within a week. Since that time

> > I have been told that the order didn't ship because:

> >

> > 1. Dom was in the hospital from a dog bite.

> >

> > 2. After almost 2 1/2 months Dom is still in the hospital because of a

> > staff infection.

> >

> > 3. Order was shipped by Dom's wife (Never arrived)

> >

> > $. Second order was shipped bu Dom's sister (never arrived)

> >

> > 4. Order was shipped by Dom. When it didn't arrive Dom told me that people

> > we stealing stamps at the post office and my shipment probably had the

> > postage stolen.

> >

> > 5. Dom then told me that he was going to ship another order and when I

> > contacted him again a week later I was told that the weather was to cold and

> > Kefir production was slow. He said he would ship me order the following

> > week.

> >

> > 6. I have contacted him twice since then and gotten no reply.

> >

> > I have been nothing but nice and polite through this whole deal, never

> > uttering a harsh word. Has anyone else ever delt with Dom? I did research

> > before placing the order and could find nothing that would lead me to

> > believe that Dom would cheat me. I have already had to refund the money to

> > the other people who went in on the order with me so I'm out $100. I've

> > asked for a refund and Dom said he couldn't do that because of " all the

> > money he had spent on shipping " .

> >

> > I am beyond frustrated and if I don't get a reply within the next 48 hours

> > I am going to start being less than nice to Dom.

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

>

>

>

> --

> Kathy-jo

> c. 612.386.4240

> ebay store: http://stores.ebay.com/Uptown-rags

> http://finance./group/MNBlueSkyGuideExchange/

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I wish I had returned to this group instead of going to Dom. I had heard that

his grains were really nice and I thought I would give them a try.

So, has anyone ordered grains from Dom and actually gotten them?

>

> > I bought Kefir from this group a long time ago. Long story short me Kefir

> >production got out of hand and I ended up giving all my grains to a friend

who

> >lives out of state.

> >

> > A few months ago I decided I wanted to start my Kefir production back up.

This

> >time I placed an order, along with three other people, with Dominic

Anfiteatro

> >after reading his Kefir site:

> > http://users.sa.chariot.net.au/~dna/kefirpage.html

> >

> > To make another long story short it has been almost 4 months and I still

have

> >not gotten my order from Dominic. I sent him about $100 via Western Union and

> >was told that the order would ship within a week. Since that time I have been

> >told that the order didn't ship because:

> >

> > 1. Dom was in the hospital from a dog bite.

> >

> > 2. After almost 2 1/2 months Dom is still in the hospital because of a staff

> >infection.

> >

> > 3. Order was shipped by Dom's wife (Never arrived)

> >

> > $. Second order was shipped bu Dom's sister (never arrived)

> >

> > 4. Order was shipped by Dom. When it didn't arrive Dom told me that people

we

> >stealing stamps at the post office and my shipment probably had the postage

> >stolen.

> >

> > 5. Dom then told me that he was going to ship another order and when I

> >contacted him again a week later I was told that the weather was to cold and

> >Kefir production was slow. He said he would ship me order the following week.

> >

> > 6. I have contacted him twice since then and gotten no reply.

> >

> > I have been nothing but nice and polite through this whole deal, never

uttering

> >a harsh word. Has anyone else ever delt with Dom? I did research before

placing

> >the order and could find nothing that would lead me to believe that Dom would

> >cheat me. I have already had to refund the money to the other people who went

in

> >on the order with me so I'm out $100. I've asked for a refund and Dom said he

> >couldn't do that because of " all the money he had spent on shipping " .

> >

> > I am beyond frustrated and if I don't get a reply within the next 48 hours I

am

> >going to start being less than nice to Dom.

> >

> >

> >

> >

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I am so sad to hear that apparently DOM has not been able to be

responsive in the business end of his life at this time, if what we are

starting to hear is true. It is illogical to think that here is a man

who has given so freely of all his well-researched kefir, (and other

ferments), knowledge, and that he would choose to be irresponsible. It

is almost indisputable that his websites have provided the basis for

most of the knowledge of kefirs and other cultures and ferments which is

not commercialized, which he worked so hard to keep from happening. I

understand that Marilyn's initial grains & instructions were from him,

(correct me if my understanding is not right, Marilyn, but I do believe

I have read that in your writings). The pedigree of his initial grains,

I understand, went from a lady he met years ago I believe there in

Australia, if I am remembering the way he tells it on his site. Hers

went back to the Caucasus, which is one of the root areas of the kefir

cultures.

His early work was not only with the kefirs and products, (cheeses,

recipes he developed for his cafe serving the homeless for years in

Adelaide, if I recall), but also with the products from his grandmother

such as the wood ash detergent, (recipe freely shared), and the

remineralizing toothpaste, as well as extensive early knowledge of

vinegars, and kombuchas and sharing that over the years. His research

is widely quoted. During all that time, developing the sharing websites

and forums, partaking of development research along those lines with

various groups, university, etc., he only asks for " donations " for the

investments he's made.

Ok ... so all those investments that all shared at other times and

places, does NOT replace the present investments which present buyers

are making, and not receiving. Each loss of investment is both a

personal and shared loss among the community which has especially

trusted him, and I am sure that did not mean for his group's $100

to be a " donation " , which is what it apparently seems to be at this

point, unless DOM does get it together, gets after the post-office for

lost stamps, or if others are ripping him off when he is hospitalized

and out of " control " of his business and funds, that he gets the

wherewithal to recoup his losses so as not to pass them along. If that

sequence is true, (dog bite, hospitalization, then probably the staph

infection FROM the hospital, more time sick and/or recuperating, his

wife trying to keep things going and mailing ... to have them not

actually sent on their way for whatever reason ... and then the weather,

and probably suffering kefir grains from lack of adequate attention at

that time, so no current ability to raise new stamp money and healthy

grains to send???), then what can one conclude? It seems to me, I can

only conclude and hope that he will soon be able to send and

others their grains .. and if needed that some wealthier person than I

send him what he needs for postage stamps to send them out, (perhaps a

postal " trust " set up with someone there to see to it that the stamp

money arrives at the post office, and even, perhaps that someone get

proofs of stamping (certified/registered) so there can be no dispute

that the post office did not have someone untrustworthy there.) We've

heard some strange postal employee tales over the years ... e.g.,

carriers getting tired of deliveries & stashing the mail in attics,

cars, etc. where they are found years later .. (wonder if that happened

how long the kefir grains could survive?), besides the usual " going

postal " type incidents.

So, if we take apparent, but unproven, facts, that DOM has not

previously had a reputation for greedy commerce, that he is still

sharing his websites' knowledge JUST asking for donations, (how much

does it take to just maintain them?), that he has been unable for the

chain of events he told to " deliver " right now, ... then, can we

assume that he is going to try to make it " right " as soon as possible?

How long might that be? Oftentimes when things START to sequentially

fall to pieces in a person's life, they go like dominos unless

intervention to again get the momentum going back to " straight " !

I only know I wish all parties involved, and his friends, and DOM

and all his family, the best of my wishes. For and his friends

.... my personal " line " of kefir grains came from Marilyn and back...

they were wonderfully healthy and grew beyond my wildest expectations,

(see http://photobucket.com/Joyce-KefirMannaColony for pics of the 7 1/2

or more inch one). When I had foot and ankle surgery, my husband tried

to keep it going the best he could as well as waiting on me hand and

foot, literally, for about 5-6 mos. when I could not put any weight on

it, (I reinjured it when I finally got a walking boot & 4th day after it

was off, so back to almost square 1 for awhile) .. so my kefir was

suffering but I was able to oversee the division of it, sent some out to

others who have reported good luck with it also, and froze several

" chunks " of it in milk, and kept a " little " for myself for fresh. Well,

as kefir has a way of doing ... its growth is wonderful.

I've not " unfrozen " any until recently, (1 1/2 yrs. later according to

the date I had on the bag), but my sister wanted some and said she would

probably share with her daughters too. So I got some out and was very

surprised it " rejuvenated " as soon as it did, and was soon eating me out

of house and home so sent a major share of it along the way to her,

keeping only a tiny bit. I told her it would probably take 3-4 days to

get to tasting good & to pour it off in the meanwhile. She got it in 2

days, decided it tasted too good to throw away even that first batch,

and now calling me daily asking what to do with it all. Seems she won't

be seeing her daughters for some time yet, and isn't for sure they will

get into the culturing. So, until she gets more into the various ways

to use it, I advised her reluctantly to refreeze some.

Which gets me to my point here. I still have some still-frozen kefir

grains which should be rejuvenated and shared but I don't want to do

that until I've got " takers " for it since I can't afford the milk to do

it all up and keep it all going and be non-wasteful with it. If it will

help , or others, if I know there's a good home for it if I

reconstitute it and pass it along, I will do that as part of the legacy

of DOM's earlier freely-sharing which has so blessed my life, my

family's life, and the quality thereof. But, there will have to be

patience as I would not want to send them on their way until I am sure

they are balanced and growing again and that the rejuvenation has worked

as well as my Sister's rejuventated chunks of grains. I would still

have to have postal reimbursement, ($4.95) and another $5 for the

reconstituting milk as I am so cash-strapped right now it is pitiful,

having just received a settle-up bill on electric of $428 which they've

agreed to let me pay in 3 payments, and my car air-conditioner had to be

fixed to the tune of $225 which has thoroughly strapped me. So there

goes budget!!

Of course, I would not have to have that up front when I first start

rejuvenating some, but when I go to send .. if that will " help " anyone

else get started.

Joyce M. Simmerman

[Guest guest]

Joyce, et al,

After posting my initial message on this group I've been contacted by email by a

few people who have had the same problem with Dom, some as far back as 2008 (and

still have not gotten their order). I did do a small amount of research into Dom

before placing the order and I did not find any evidence that he did not ship

orders. Now that I dig deeper this may be a bit more of a widespread problem

that I would have first thought.

I did get a reply from Dom this morning that stated that he had shipped another

order last Friday, but I'm not holding my breath. This is the 5 or 6 order he

has " shipped " and none has arrived yet.

I run a webstore and 2 Ebay store and ship international all the time. I know it

doesn't take that long for a package to make it from one country to another even

with standard shipping. Granted I have no clue about the general health of the

Australian postal system but I have ordered from that country several times with

absolutely no issues besides the odd duty fee. And if the Aussie penalties were

any thing like the US federal laws about tamping with the mail, the I don't

think anyone would risk such a long prison term for stealing a stamp.

I hope I am wrong in all my growing assumptions. If my order arrives next week I

would more than happily relay the message and hope to restore some of Dom's

credibility. As of now, I'm not holding out much hope of ever getting my order

from Dom.

>

> I am so sad to hear that apparently DOM has not been able to be

> responsive in the business end of his life at this time, if what we are

> starting to hear is true. It is illogical to think that here is a man

> who has given so freely of all his well-researched kefir, (and other

> ferments), knowledge, and that he would choose to be irresponsible. It

> is almost indisputable that his websites have provided the basis for

> most of the knowledge of kefirs and other cultures and ferments which is

> not commercialized, which he worked so hard to keep from happening. I

> understand that Marilyn's initial grains & instructions were from him,

> (correct me if my understanding is not right, Marilyn, but I do believe

> I have read that in your writings). The pedigree of his initial grains,

> I understand, went from a lady he met years ago I believe there in

> Australia, if I am remembering the way he tells it on his site. Hers

> went back to the Caucasus, which is one of the root areas of the kefir

> cultures.

>

> His early work was not only with the kefirs and products, (cheeses,

> recipes he developed for his cafe serving the homeless for years in

> Adelaide, if I recall), but also with the products from his grandmother

> such as the wood ash detergent, (recipe freely shared), and the

> remineralizing toothpaste, as well as extensive early knowledge of

> vinegars, and kombuchas and sharing that over the years. His research

> is widely quoted. During all that time, developing the sharing websites

> and forums, partaking of development research along those lines with

> various groups, university, etc., he only asks for " donations " for the

> investments he's made.

>

> Ok ... so all those investments that all shared at other times and

> places, does NOT replace the present investments which present buyers

> are making, and not receiving. Each loss of investment is both a

> personal and shared loss among the community which has especially

> trusted him, and I am sure that did not mean for his group's $100

> to be a " donation " , which is what it apparently seems to be at this

> point, unless DOM does get it together, gets after the post-office for

> lost stamps, or if others are ripping him off when he is hospitalized

> and out of " control " of his business and funds, that he gets the

> wherewithal to recoup his losses so as not to pass them along. If that

> sequence is true, (dog bite, hospitalization, then probably the staph

> infection FROM the hospital, more time sick and/or recuperating, his

> wife trying to keep things going and mailing ... to have them not

> actually sent on their way for whatever reason ... and then the weather,

> and probably suffering kefir grains from lack of adequate attention at

> that time, so no current ability to raise new stamp money and healthy

> grains to send???), then what can one conclude? It seems to me, I can

> only conclude and hope that he will soon be able to send and

> others their grains .. and if needed that some wealthier person than I

> send him what he needs for postage stamps to send them out, (perhaps a

> postal " trust " set up with someone there to see to it that the stamp

> money arrives at the post office, and even, perhaps that someone get

> proofs of stamping (certified/registered) so there can be no dispute

> that the post office did not have someone untrustworthy there.) We've

> heard some strange postal employee tales over the years ... e.g.,

> carriers getting tired of deliveries & stashing the mail in attics,

> cars, etc. where they are found years later .. (wonder if that happened

> how long the kefir grains could survive?), besides the usual " going

> postal " type incidents.

>

> So, if we take apparent, but unproven, facts, that DOM has not

> previously had a reputation for greedy commerce, that he is still

> sharing his websites' knowledge JUST asking for donations, (how much

> does it take to just maintain them?), that he has been unable for the

> chain of events he told to " deliver " right now, ... then, can we

> assume that he is going to try to make it " right " as soon as possible?

> How long might that be? Oftentimes when things START to sequentially

> fall to pieces in a person's life, they go like dominos unless

> intervention to again get the momentum going back to " straight " !

>

> I only know I wish all parties involved, and his friends, and DOM

> and all his family, the best of my wishes. For and his friends

> ... my personal " line " of kefir grains came from Marilyn and back...

> they were wonderfully healthy and grew beyond my wildest expectations,

> (see http://photobucket.com/Joyce-KefirMannaColony for pics of the 7 1/2

> or more inch one). When I had foot and ankle surgery, my husband tried

> to keep it going the best he could as well as waiting on me hand and

> foot, literally, for about 5-6 mos. when I could not put any weight on

> it, (I reinjured it when I finally got a walking boot & 4th day after it

> was off, so back to almost square 1 for awhile) .. so my kefir was

> suffering but I was able to oversee the division of it, sent some out to

> others who have reported good luck with it also, and froze several

> " chunks " of it in milk, and kept a " little " for myself for fresh. Well,

> as kefir has a way of doing ... its growth is wonderful.

>

> I've not " unfrozen " any until recently, (1 1/2 yrs. later according to

> the date I had on the bag), but my sister wanted some and said she would

> probably share with her daughters too. So I got some out and was very

> surprised it " rejuvenated " as soon as it did, and was soon eating me out

> of house and home so sent a major share of it along the way to her,

> keeping only a tiny bit. I told her it would probably take 3-4 days to

> get to tasting good & to pour it off in the meanwhile. She got it in 2

> days, decided it tasted too good to throw away even that first batch,

> and now calling me daily asking what to do with it all. Seems she won't

> be seeing her daughters for some time yet, and isn't for sure they will

> get into the culturing. So, until she gets more into the various ways

> to use it, I advised her reluctantly to refreeze some.

>

> Which gets me to my point here. I still have some still-frozen kefir

> grains which should be rejuvenated and shared but I don't want to do

> that until I've got " takers " for it since I can't afford the milk to do

> it all up and keep it all going and be non-wasteful with it. If it will

> help , or others, if I know there's a good home for it if I

> reconstitute it and pass it along, I will do that as part of the legacy

> of DOM's earlier freely-sharing which has so blessed my life, my

> family's life, and the quality thereof. But, there will have to be

> patience as I would not want to send them on their way until I am sure

> they are balanced and growing again and that the rejuvenation has worked

> as well as my Sister's rejuventated chunks of grains. I would still

> have to have postal reimbursement, ($4.95) and another $5 for the

> reconstituting milk as I am so cash-strapped right now it is pitiful,

> having just received a settle-up bill on electric of $428 which they've

> agreed to let me pay in 3 payments, and my car air-conditioner had to be

> fixed to the tune of $225 which has thoroughly strapped me. So there

> goes budget!!

>

> Of course, I would not have to have that up front when I first start

> rejuvenating some, but when I go to send .. if that will " help " anyone

> else get started.

>

> Joyce M. Simmerman

>

[Guest guest]

I don't know anything about Dom - except that he has an interesting

website with lots of info (bad design and too many typos - but web is

what I do so I'm picky ;-)) But I will say that the WK grains i got

from lin have been super - active right form the start. Rumor is

that Dom's prices are absurd. lin is quite reasonable. So, my noob

opinion is there is no reason to send to Oz (presuming you are in North

America or Europe) based on practical matters alone.

Ev

On 8/15/2010 10:08 AM, Roy wrote:

> Sorry, this isn't the first time I've heard that Dom has taken someone's money

and not sent the goods! Marilyn's grains are EXCELLENT and she ships promptly!

>

> Roy

>

[Guest guest]

I have to say that I really object to the " enabling " behavior by some

individuals here and on the other list in response to the many, many reports

of Dom's serial dishonesty.

The first time I reported on the other list that I had sent Dom money and

received nothing in return, many people responded that they too had been

cheated by Dom. But incredibly, just as many were hostile to ME that I had

the temerity to question the scruples of the iconic Dom!

Yes, Dom puts out much information for free on his great website. But let's

not forget that website serves a commercial purpose - it's what makes people

trust him and send him money for goods they ultimately never receive.

20 months ago I sent him money for goods I still have not received. First

it was the heat wave. Then something else, then he ran out of excuses and

just stopped answering my emails. He's done the same to so many others -

the dog ate his homework, he's in the hospital for months on end with this

and that, it's too hot, it's too cold, they're stealing my stamps, blah blah

blah.

It beggars the mind that anyone could still believe any of these lies for a

moment.

The man is dishonest. Period. If it were important to him that he fulfill

his commitments, then it would not take him 20 months (in my case, longer in

the case of others) to fulfill them. He would have responded to each of my

emails, honestly explaining what the problem was and when he would remedy

it. And at some point he would have succeeded.

Dom's behavior leaves no doubt that he is a dishonest individual who is

cheating people. I have no fear of saying that publicly, as truth is an

absolute defense.

Dean

_____

From:

[mailto: ] On Behalf Of Joyce M. Simmerman

Sent: Sunday, August 15, 2010 11:52 AM

Subject: Re: Is Dominic Anfiteatro Ripping Me Off?

I am so sad to hear that apparently DOM has not been able to be

responsive in the business end of his life at this time, if what we are

starting to hear is true. It is illogical to think that here is a man

who has given so freely of all his well-researched kefir, (and other

ferments), knowledge, and that he would choose to be irresponsible. It

is almost indisputable that his websites have provided the basis for

most of the knowledge of kefirs and other cultures and ferments which is

not commercialized, which he worked so hard to keep from happening. I

understand that Marilyn's initial grains & instructions were from him,

(correct me if my understanding is not right, Marilyn, but I do believe

I have read that in your writings). The pedigree of his initial grains,

I understand, went from a lady he met years ago I believe there in

Australia, if I am remembering the way he tells it on his site. Hers

went back to the Caucasus, which is one of the root areas of the kefir

cultures.

His early work was not only with the kefirs and products, (cheeses,

recipes he developed for his cafe serving the homeless for years in

Adelaide, if I recall), but also with the products from his grandmother

such as the wood ash detergent, (recipe freely shared), and the

remineralizing toothpaste, as well as extensive early knowledge of

vinegars, and kombuchas and sharing that over the years. His research

is widely quoted. During all that time, developing the sharing websites

and forums, partaking of development research along those lines with

various groups, university, etc., he only asks for " donations " for the

investments he's made.

Ok ... so all those investments that all shared at other times and

places, does NOT replace the present investments which present buyers

are making, and not receiving. Each loss of investment is both a

personal and shared loss among the community which has especially

trusted him, and I am sure that did not mean for his group's $100

to be a " donation " , which is what it apparently seems to be at this

point, unless DOM does get it together, gets after the post-office for

lost stamps, or if others are ripping him off when he is hospitalized

and out of " control " of his business and funds, that he gets the

wherewithal to recoup his losses so as not to pass them along. If that

sequence is true, (dog bite, hospitalization, then probably the staph

infection FROM the hospital, more time sick and/or recuperating, his

wife trying to keep things going and mailing ... to have them not

actually sent on their way for whatever reason ... and then the weather,

and probably suffering kefir grains from lack of adequate attention at

that time, so no current ability to raise new stamp money and healthy

grains to send???), then what can one conclude? It seems to me, I can

only conclude and hope that he will soon be able to send and

others their grains .. and if needed that some wealthier person than I

send him what he needs for postage stamps to send them out, (perhaps a

postal " trust " set up with someone there to see to it that the stamp

money arrives at the post office, and even, perhaps that someone get

proofs of stamping (certified/registered) so there can be no dispute

that the post office did not have someone untrustworthy there.) We've

heard some strange postal employee tales over the years ... e.g.,

carriers getting tired of deliveries & stashing the mail in attics,

cars, etc. where they are found years later .. (wonder if that happened

how long the kefir grains could survive?), besides the usual " going

postal " type incidents.

So, if we take apparent, but unproven, facts, that DOM has not

previously had a reputation for greedy commerce, that he is still

sharing his websites' knowledge JUST asking for donations, (how much

does it take to just maintain them?), that he has been unable for the

chain of events he told to " deliver " right now, ... then, can we

assume that he is going to try to make it " right " as soon as possible?

How long might that be? Oftentimes when things START to sequentially

fall to pieces in a person's life, they go like dominos unless

intervention to again get the momentum going back to " straight " !

I only know I wish all parties involved, and his friends, and DOM

and all his family, the best of my wishes. For and his friends

.... my personal " line " of kefir grains came from Marilyn and back...

they were wonderfully healthy and grew beyond my wildest expectations,

(see http://photobucket.com/Joyce-KefirMannaColony for pics of the 7 1/2

or more inch one). When I had foot and ankle surgery, my husband tried

to keep it going the best he could as well as waiting on me hand and

foot, literally, for about 5-6 mos. when I could not put any weight on

it, (I reinjured it when I finally got a walking boot & 4th day after it

was off, so back to almost square 1 for awhile) .. so my kefir was

suffering but I was able to oversee the division of it, sent some out to

others who have reported good luck with it also, and froze several

" chunks " of it in milk, and kept a " little " for myself for fresh. Well,

as kefir has a way of doing ... its growth is wonderful.

I've not " unfrozen " any until recently, (1 1/2 yrs. later according to

the date I had on the bag), but my sister wanted some and said she would

probably share with her daughters too. So I got some out and was very

surprised it " rejuvenated " as soon as it did, and was soon eating me out

of house and home so sent a major share of it along the way to her,

keeping only a tiny bit. I told her it would probably take 3-4 days to

get to tasting good & to pour it off in the meanwhile. She got it in 2

days, decided it tasted too good to throw away even that first batch,

and now calling me daily asking what to do with it all. Seems she won't

be seeing her daughters for some time yet, and isn't for sure they will

get into the culturing. So, until she gets more into the various ways

to use it, I advised her reluctantly to refreeze some.

Which gets me to my point here. I still have some still-frozen kefir

grains which should be rejuvenated and shared but I don't want to do

that until I've got " takers " for it since I can't afford the milk to do

it all up and keep it all going and be non-wasteful with it. If it will

help , or others, if I know there's a good home for it if I

reconstitute it and pass it along, I will do that as part of the legacy

of DOM's earlier freely-sharing which has so blessed my life, my

family's life, and the quality thereof. But, there will have to be

patience as I would not want to send them on their way until I am sure

they are balanced and growing again and that the rejuvenation has worked

as well as my Sister's rejuventated chunks of grains. I would still

have to have postal reimbursement, ($4.95) and another $5 for the

reconstituting milk as I am so cash-strapped right now it is pitiful,

having just received a settle-up bill on electric of $428 which they've

agreed to let me pay in 3 payments, and my car air-conditioner had to be

fixed to the tune of $225 which has thoroughly strapped me. So there

goes budget!!

Of course, I would not have to have that up front when I first start

rejuvenating some, but when I go to send .. if that will " help " anyone

else get started.

Joyce M. Simmerman

[Guest guest]

Hi , and everyone else who hasn't received their order from Dom,

I have heard of others, not on this list, who also had not received their order,

as well as myself (I'd been waiting 18 months). I got similar excuses, then no

response. I decided to call around the Australian government agencies, and none

of them had heard of a complaint against Dom. I decided it was important for me

to lodge a complaint, so at least if enough of us complained someone in

authority might do something.

I finally found someone at the Office of Consumer and Business Affairs in South

Australia who said he might be able to

help. He directed me to fill in an Unfair Trading Report - a downloadable, two

page form, at http://www.ocba.sa.gov.au/assets/files/unfairtradingreport.pdf and

send it in. It's called the Unfair Trading Report, and if anyone wants more

info, let me know.

Someone from their office contacted Dom, and he sent me my order within a week,

along with profuse apologies.

The important thing to me is that now that office has my complaint on file, and

if there is enough of us, perhaps they would do something more about him.

Perhaps it would be difficult if any of you are outside of Australia, but I

thought I'd share this as it's a fairly easy two page form that one could print

off from the internet, and it helped me feel better to think that I had played a

small part in doing what I could so that someone else might not have the same

experience I did. But it looks like it might take many of us for something to

happen.

Hope this helps someone. I feel really sad about it all, I still meet people

who rave about Dom, and I have learned to quietly state what happened to me, and

let it go, as people have seemed horrified that I would say anything negative

about the *king of kefir*.

Deb

>

>

>

> I am beyond frustrated and if I don't get a reply within the next 48 hours I

am going to start being less than nice to Dom.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Dean,

You may not have been referring to me, but just so there is no

misunderstanding, I hav eno intnetion of enabling anyone in any poor

behavior. My point, really, was that as info-packed as Dom's site it -

paying higher prices than necessary and going so far away (again,

presuming you live in the northern hemisphere) seemed like a waste.

Even more so if Dom - for whatever reason - cannot fulfill his orders.

Ev

On 8/15/2010 4:42 PM, Dean wrote:

> I have to say that I really object to the " enabling " behavior by some

> individuals here and on the other list in response to the many, many reports

> of Dom's serial dishonesty.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Find a weston price or freecycle group in the closest major city or a bulletin

board at a HFstore. These people will be happy to share grains with u. Kefir

grows and reproduces like crazy and we end up with too much. I have gotten

perfect top-notch grains from two of those sources here in los angeles. I've

already given away grains. Most people are very knowledgeable and give

instructions too. It will cost u the driving expense,

eco

[Guest guest]

For what it's worth...A few weeks ago when this topic was brought up on this

list I thought I'd try to help Dom out filling his orders. His wife answered

my email and declined any help. Here is a little background.

For many months now I have been getting orders from people who previously

did not receive their order from Dom so I knew there was a problem. Nor did

they get their money returned. That's the serious part. It's one thing to be

out of product, which I understand more than most people. (It is a chore to

keep on hand enough kefir grains to supply the need out there. It has become

a full time job for me. Not very many people would enjoy such a job.) To be

out of product is no crime, but stealing is. Still I hated the idea of bad

things being said about Dom on forums such as this one, who has done so much

good. So if the major problem was that he was out of product, I could help

him out. But I wasn't going to do it for nothing because kefir grains are

not free. My herd of kefir grains cost me hundreds of dollars every week to

feed. I'm including the cost to feed my herd of goats which feed the kefir

grains. The deal I proposed was a trade for his music CDs. I'd try to market

them to get my money back. They don't want my help.

To answer someone else's question. Yes, the kefir grains I now offer

originally came from Dom. I used to offer four other strains, then to

simplify I settled for just one strain. Dom had the reputation for having

good grains and it was a nice selling point. But really, any strain will do.

It is how you take care of them that makes them good or not. And just about

any kefir grains will recover even if they have been abused. They will go

back into pristine condition. And FYI, I got my kefir grains dried from Dom

and they must have been very, very old because it took me six full months to

get them to grow. And they made nasty tasting kefir for a long time. Anyone

else would have given up. Then out of the blue, they snapped out of it and

started doubling every 10 days, like other healthy kefir grains. That's why

I vowed never to sell dried grains. They were no good, so I thought. But

this is not true. I didn't know and jumped to confusion. Now I know by

experience that freshly dried kefir grains reactivate fast. I send dried

kefir grains all over the world. I am glad to be able to supply that need.

Marilyn

[Guest guest]

I think it must be something new. In the past (a few years ago) I ordered 2

separate times from him and he immediately sent my grains--one milk and one

water.

We don't know what is going on other than he's taking money and not filling

orders, which is bad. Why? Doesn't matter. If for whatever reason he is

sick, or the grains have died, or whatever the reason is that he's changed,

all he has to do is NOT cash the checks people have sent him, or paypal a

return. It's keeping the money that is wrong, when you are not fulfilling

orders. But it wasn't always this way.

Samala,

-------Original Message-------

Dom's behavior leaves no doubt that he is a dishonest individual who is

cheating people. I have no fear of saying that publicly, as truth is an

absolute defense.

[Guest guest]

This has been going on for about two years from what I can tell. Prior to

that Dom had a functioning PayPal account and apparently fulfilled orders in

a satisfactory manner.

Dean

_____

From:

[mailto: ] On Behalf Of

Sent: Sunday, August 15, 2010 10:34 PM

Subject: RE: Is Dominic Anfiteatro Ripping Me Off?

I think it must be something new. In the past (a few years ago) I ordered 2

separate times from him and he immediately sent my grains--one milk and one

water.

We don't know what is going on other than he's taking money and not filling

orders, which is bad. Why? Doesn't matter. If for whatever reason he is

sick, or the grains have died, or whatever the reason is that he's changed,

all he has to do is NOT cash the checks people have sent him, or paypal a

return. It's keeping the money that is wrong, when you are not fulfilling

orders. But it wasn't always this way.

Samala,

-------Original Message-------

Dom's behavior leaves no doubt that he is a dishonest individual who is

cheating people. I have no fear of saying that publicly, as truth is an

absolute defense.

[Guest guest]

>

> For what it's worth...A few weeks ago when this topic was brought up on this

> list I thought I'd try to help Dom out filling his orders. His wife answered

> my email and declined any help. Here is a little background.

>

that is really most generous of you Marilyn...kudos

> To answer someone else's question. Yes, the kefir grains I now offer

> originally came from Dom. I used to offer four other strains, then to

> simplify I settled for just one strain. Dom had the reputation for having

> good grains and it was a nice selling point. But really, any strain will do.

> It is how you take care of them that makes them good or not.

which is why i am revisting the protocols and reading here. two years ago we

got milk grains, gifted, from a local fellow. never could get them to

reproduce, they were puny little things when they arrived. matthew tended them

lovingly. made nice kefir however. when the ice storm hit, no elec or phone

for 2 weeks, mid jan, kefir was the last thing on our minds during or after.

the entire area was declared a disaster area. living in the woods, campfires

for cooking etc, not a disaster here but impacted our food donation pick ups

etc...and just never got back to kefir. about a month ago got some grains from

Rae on the other kefir list...beautiful grains. everyone has their best ways

for taking care and i'm taking it all in. want very much to sample Joyce's

strain and have written with my intentions. would just love to experiment with

diff strains for the joy of seeing nuances. plus we have over 200 beast in

residence at our sanctuary and finding ways to increase yield is a plus. water

grains i bought from ebay from couple that obviously love their grains...they

are reproducing like guppies. then again, water grains are like that *smile*

i need to have several kefir starters going. right now i have our milk grains

in organic milk produced by a small creamery (not Horizon), pricey, but our

source for goat milk has retired and the other sources are a long drive. when i

get enough grains to try diff mediums need to see if some will be happy in

braums milk, no bgh, and then finally if any will grow in cheap regular milk.

how well they will do in bgh milk have not a clue. that would enable me to serve

it to some beast that presently are on the waiting list. milk cost wise i just

can't afford presently serving kefir to all that i would love to do so. have

started putting it in the rats and primates dinners and boy are they

flourishing.

i really do appreicate this group Marilyn. i hope word spreads as to the

problems with Dom's orders so those wanting to try kefir are not so disappointed

they give up the exploration. i really don't have funds to throw away on

product that never arrives and am sure i'm not the only one.

a fyi, i made a mirror of Dom's site just in case it goes down. His energy is

so sporadic that it seemed like a prudent thing to do. i'm mailing a copy to

so we will have several back ups should the need arise. sure parts of the

site are hokey but it is still the best collection in one place of kefir

information. anyone can make a mirror of the site using this open source

(free) program

http://www.httrack.com/

xxx

rose

[Guest guest]

Sorry if any of you get this twice, I wasn't a group member when I first posted

this so I think it went directly to Deb.

Hi Deb,

Thank you so much for posting the link to the complaints form. I ordered Kefir

grains from Dom in January 2010 and I too have had a string of excuses (family

ill with Pneumonia, bitten by dog, close friend/family member died).

I was suspicious to start with because of the payment via Western Union, but

having searched for negative reviews all I could find were glowing reports of

praise for Dom. I have thought many times about whether I should say something,

but didn't want to speak badly of someone with such a great reputation if he

genuinely couldn't fulfill his orders because of illness. I should have realised

of course that any genuine seller would have put some kind of message on their

site letting people know that they were eperiencing delays, he certainly

shouldn't be taking new orders. I finally thought to search for other people

ordering more recently and found this thread.

Well, you can add me to the growing list of dissatisfied customers. Although to

his credit Dom did send me his ebook which came free with the hard copy I

ordered.

My order:

Comprehensive Kefir Book--

* 1 autographed hard copy [with free e-book] Total cost: $15.00

* Dry Milk Kefir-Grains and Dry SKG combo. Total cost: $55.00

Kombucha Starter--

* with any other culture. $15.00 extra

GRAND TOTAL $85.00 USD

The last reply from him on 02 August was as follows:

" Hello again Chris

Firstly I want to say a very big heartfelt thank you for your wonderful

patience.

I'm so very sorry I have still not been able to post your order.

I have been VERY unwell and consequently it has put me behind in my orders.

I do however intend fulfilling all back-orders as soon as possible.

I'm hoping to be all up to date (all being well and no more rushed to hospital

episodes!!) within the next 2 to 3 weeks.

Dom. "

If he can send you your order he can certainly send me mine.

Chris

>

> Hi , and everyone else who hasn't received their order from Dom,

>

> I have heard of others, not on this list, who also had not received their

order, as well as myself (I'd been waiting 18 months). I got similar excuses,

then no response. I decided to call around the Australian government agencies,

and none of them had heard of a complaint against Dom. I decided it was

important for me to lodge a complaint, so at least if enough of us complained

someone in authority might do something.

>

> I finally found someone at the Office of Consumer and Business Affairs in

South Australia who said he might be able to

> help. He directed me to fill in an Unfair Trading Report - a downloadable, two

page form, at http://www.ocba.sa.gov.au/assets/files/unfairtradingreport.pdf and

send it in. It's called the Unfair Trading Report, and if anyone wants more

info, let me know.

>

> Someone from their office contacted Dom, and he sent me my order within a

week, along with profuse apologies.

>

> The important thing to me is that now that office has my complaint on file,

and if there is enough of us, perhaps they would do something more about him.

Perhaps it would be difficult if any of you are outside of Australia, but I

thought I'd share this as it's a fairly easy two page form that one could print

off from the internet, and it helped me feel better to think that I had played a

small part in doing what I could so that someone else might not have the same

experience I did. But it looks like it might take many of us for something to

happen.

>

> Hope this helps someone. I feel really sad about it all, I still meet people

who rave about Dom, and I have learned to quietly state what happened to me, and

let it go, as people have seemed horrified that I would say anything negative

about the *king of kefir*.

>

> Deb

[Guest guest]

Hi Deb and others,

I " d like to file a complaint as well. It's been only 3 months for me but it

still is very disappointing. Hopefully, Dom will have a chance to redeem himself

at some point. Anyway, for now I'd like to find out if I can email my complaint

as opposed to sending it from the US and investing more money into this. Thanks,

Olga

-- In , " deb22au " <deb22au@> wrote:

> >

> > Hi , and everyone else who hasn't received their order from Dom,

> >

> > I have heard of others, not on this list, who also had not received their

order, as well as myself (I'd been waiting 18 months). I got similar excuses,

then no response. I decided to call around the Australian government agencies,

and none of them had heard of a complaint against Dom. I decided it was

important for me to lodge a complaint, so at least if enough of us complained

someone in authority might do something.

> >

> > I finally found someone at the Office of Consumer and Business Affairs in

South Australia who said he might be able to

> > help. He directed me to fill in an Unfair Trading Report - a downloadable,

two page form, at http://www.ocba.sa.gov.au/assets/files/unfairtradingreport.pdf

and send it in. It's called the Unfair Trading Report, and if anyone wants more

info, let me know.

> >

> > Someone from their office contacted Dom, and he sent me my order within a

week, along with profuse apologies.

> >

> > The important thing to me is that now that office has my complaint on file,

and if there is enough of us, perhaps they would do something more about him.

Perhaps it would be difficult if any of you are outside of Australia, but I

thought I'd share this as it's a fairly easy two page form that one could print

off from the internet, and it helped me feel better to think that I had played a

small part in doing what I could so that someone else might not have the same

experience I did. But it looks like it might take many of us for something to

happen.

> >

> > Hope this helps someone. I feel really sad about it all, I still meet

people who rave about Dom, and I have learned to quietly state what happened to

me, and let it go, as people have seemed horrified that I would say anything

negative about the *king of kefir*.

> >

> > Deb

>

[Guest guest]

After 23 months of Dom giving me every excuse in the book - but mostly

ignoring my emails - I filed an unfair trading report with the Australian

government. They took it seriously and did succeed in getting Dom to send

me what I had ordered - but no apologies. You should absolutely file a

report - no need to wait 2 years as I did.

Dean

_____

From:

[mailto: ] On Behalf Of opelecky

Sent: Tuesday, March 08, 2011 5:36 PM

Subject: Re: Is Dominic Anfiteatro Ripping Me Off?

Hi Deb and others,

I " d like to file a complaint as well. It's been only 3 months for me but it

still is very disappointing. Hopefully, Dom will have a chance to redeem

himself at some point. Anyway, for now I'd like to find out if I can email

my complaint as opposed to sending it from the US and investing more money

into this. Thanks, Olga

-- In

<mailto:%40> , " deb22au " <deb22au@> wrote:

> >

> > Hi , and everyone else who hasn't received their order from Dom,

> >

> > I have heard of others, not on this list, who also had not received

their order, as well as myself (I'd been waiting 18 months). I got similar

excuses, then no response. I decided to call around the Australian

government agencies, and none of them had heard of a complaint against Dom.

I decided it was important for me to lodge a complaint, so at least if

enough of us complained someone in authority might do something.

> >

> > I finally found someone at the Office of Consumer and Business Affairs

in South Australia who said he might be able to

> > help. He directed me to fill in an Unfair Trading Report - a

downloadable, two page form, at

http://www.ocba.sa.gov.au/assets/files/unfairtradingreport.pdf and send it

in. It's called the Unfair Trading Report, and if anyone wants more info,

let me know.

> >

> > Someone from their office contacted Dom, and he sent me my order within

a week, along with profuse apologies.

> >

> > The important thing to me is that now that office has my complaint on

file, and if there is enough of us, perhaps they would do something more

about him. Perhaps it would be difficult if any of you are outside of

Australia, but I thought I'd share this as it's a fairly easy two page form

that one could print off from the internet, and it helped me feel better to

think that I had played a small part in doing what I could so that someone

else might not have the same experience I did. But it looks like it might

take many of us for something to happen.

> >

> > Hope this helps someone. I feel really sad about it all, I still meet

people who rave about Dom, and I have learned to quietly state what happened

to me, and let it go, as people have seemed horrified that I would say

anything negative about the *king of kefir*.

> >

> > Deb

>

[Guest guest]

Hi All,

I wish I had joined this group before I ordered my grains from Dominic. I live

in New York, and I don't know that the Australian govt complaint form will help

for people like me who live outside of Australia.

I ordered my grains 3 weeks ago, beginning of March, this year. Dominic was

responding to all my emails within the same day, with confirmation of price,

address etc, and after the money was sent via western union, I received no

responses from him, despite numerous emails to see what was happening.

However, this may be helpful to others in my situation, like Olga, - I posted my

complaint to Dominic's group Kefir_making-owner . I used

another email address because I thought Dominic would delete it before it was

posted. However, it was accepted by another moderator, and is now posted on that

group. After that, Dominic immediately sent me an email asking me about my order

details. So hopefully, now that everyone on the user group sees it, it will

motivate Dominic to send me my grains.

Good luck!

Rose

> > >

> > > Hi , and everyone else who hasn't received their order from Dom,

> > >

> > > I have heard of others, not on this list, who also had not received their

order, as well as myself (I'd been waiting 18 months). I got similar excuses,

then no response. I decided to call around the Australian government agencies,

and none of them had heard of a complaint against Dom. I decided it was

important for me to lodge a complaint, so at least if enough of us complained

someone in authority might do something.

> > >

> > > I finally found someone at the Office of Consumer and Business Affairs in

South Australia who said he might be able to

> > > help. He directed me to fill in an Unfair Trading Report - a downloadable,

two page form, at http://www.ocba.sa.gov.au/assets/files/unfairtradingreport.pdf

and send it in. It's called the Unfair Trading Report, and if anyone wants more

info, let me know.

> > >

> > > Someone from their office contacted Dom, and he sent me my order within a

week, along with profuse apologies.

> > >

> > > The important thing to me is that now that office has my complaint on

file, and if there is enough of us, perhaps they would do something more about

him. Perhaps it would be difficult if any of you are outside of Australia, but

I thought I'd share this as it's a fairly easy two page form that one could

print off from the internet, and it helped me feel better to think that I had

played a small part in doing what I could so that someone else might not have

the same experience I did. But it looks like it might take many of us for

something to happen.

> > >

> > > Hope this helps someone. I feel really sad about it all, I still meet

people who rave about Dom, and I have learned to quietly state what happened to

me, and let it go, as people have seemed horrified that I would say anything

negative about the *king of kefir*.

> > >

> > > Deb

> >

>

[Guest guest]

During the two years that passed between the time I sent Dom money and the

time he sent my goods, I complained many times on the Kefir group, after

which I often received promises from him and his wife to finally fulfill my

order. All promises went unfulfilled until finally I complained formally to

the Australian authorities. I'm also in the US, yet the Australian

authorities took my complaint seriously, contacted Dom, and extracted a

promise from him that he would finally send my goods, which he did.

So I would strongly encourage you to complain formally, which serves two

purposes. It draws the authorities' attention to Dom's unfortunate habit of

taking people's money and not sending their goods, and it also may well get

him to finally send the goods you paid for.

Dean

_____

From:

[mailto: ] On Behalf Of fernandez_rose

Sent: Sunday, March 27, 2011 9:09 PM

Subject: Re: Is Dominic Anfiteatro Ripping Me Off?

Hi All,

I wish I had joined this group before I ordered my grains from Dominic. I

live in New York, and I don't know that the Australian govt complaint form

will help for people like me who live outside of Australia.

I ordered my grains 3 weeks ago, beginning of March, this year. Dominic was

responding to all my emails within the same day, with confirmation of price,

address etc, and after the money was sent via western union, I received no

responses from him, despite numerous emails to see what was happening.

However, this may be helpful to others in my situation, like Olga, - I

posted my complaint to Dominic's group

Kefir_making-owner

<mailto:Kefir_making-owner%40> . I used another email address

because I thought Dominic would delete it before it was posted. However, it

was accepted by another moderator, and is now posted on that group. After

that, Dominic immediately sent me an email asking me about my order details.

So hopefully, now that everyone on the user group sees it, it will motivate

Dominic to send me my grains.

Good luck!

Rose

> > >

> > > Hi , and everyone else who hasn't received their order from Dom,

> > >

> > > I have heard of others, not on this list, who also had not received

their order, as well as myself (I'd been waiting 18 months). I got similar

excuses, then no response. I decided to call around the Australian

government agencies, and none of them had heard of a complaint against Dom.

I decided it was important for me to lodge a complaint, so at least if

enough of us complained someone in authority might do something.

> > >

> > > I finally found someone at the Office of Consumer and Business Affairs

in South Australia who said he might be able to

> > > help. He directed me to fill in an Unfair Trading Report - a

downloadable, two page form, at

http://www.ocba.sa.gov.au/assets/files/unfairtradingreport.pdf and send it

in. It's called the Unfair Trading Report, and if anyone wants more info,

let me know.

> > >

> > > Someone from their office contacted Dom, and he sent me my order

within a week, along with profuse apologies.

> > >

> > > The important thing to me is that now that office has my complaint on

file, and if there is enough of us, perhaps they would do something more

about him. Perhaps it would be difficult if any of you are outside of

Australia, but I thought I'd share this as it's a fairly easy two page form

that one could print off from the internet, and it helped me feel better to

think that I had played a small part in doing what I could so that someone

else might not have the same experience I did. But it looks like it might

take many of us for something to happen.

> > >

> > > Hope this helps someone. I feel really sad about it all, I still meet

people who rave about Dom, and I have learned to quietly state what happened

to me, and let it go, as people have seemed horrified that I would say

anything negative about the *king of kefir*.

> > >

> > > Deb

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I placed my order at the end of August 2008, and had been emailing him ever

since, with Dom supplying me with excuses on why the order hasn't been sent. He

stopped responding to emails after July 2009. All this time I thought I was the

only one who is in this situation, until I googled for " dom kefir scam " .

Having just discovered this thread yesterday, I proceeded to email Office of

Consumer and Business Affairs, Consumer Affairs for South Australia

(http://www.ocba.sa.gov.au/scams/contact.html).

Someone from the Dept. of Consumer Affairs got back to me and asked me to

provide them with further details.

I urge those who have been paid but yet to receive their orders from Dom to

complain to the email found in the link I mentioned. This deceitful Dom should

not be allowed to continue collecting payments until he gets his act together.

Liaw

>

> During the two years that passed between the time I sent Dom money and the

> time he sent my goods, I complained many times on the Kefir group, after

> which I often received promises from him and his wife to finally fulfill my

> order. All promises went unfulfilled until finally I complained formally to

> the Australian authorities. I'm also in the US, yet the Australian

> authorities took my complaint seriously, contacted Dom, and extracted a

> promise from him that he would finally send my goods, which he did.

>

> So I would strongly encourage you to complain formally, which serves two

> purposes. It draws the authorities' attention to Dom's unfortunate habit of

> taking people's money and not sending their goods, and it also may well get

> him to finally send the goods you paid for.

>

> Dean

>

> _____