I promised that I would make sure everyone knew when I launched my kite competition. So, if you can't find the link in the original thread, here it is!

It started today!

All the details are on my website, and everyone is welcome to enter:

Kite Competition

Entires are just $10 a go!

People are probably still posting to your "for sale" thread, so I'll post here to be different... Just bought 2 spots!!!... Hope it sells out sooner than Dec. 31.

Have you posted it to any other venues or forums? Kitecrowd, kiteforum, extremekites... Etc.?

Ps... If wifey lets me I'll buy more squares as time goes by ...

So sad that you have to stop the competition for the kite because of a couple of DICKHEAD'S that have sent you nasty email 's!!!!!!!!!
Your kite building videos are amazing and brilliant to watch and the finished kites are amazing to see in the air!!!!!!
If I was you I'd have name and shamed them on here Kieron!

Quote: Originally posted by alasdair macleod

So sad that you have to stop the competition for the kite because of a couple of DICKHEAD'S that have sent you nasty email 's!!!!!!!!! Your kite building videos are amazing and brilliant to watch and the finished kites are amazing to see in the air!!!!!! If I was you I'd have name and shamed them on here Kieron!

:puzzled: Huh? :puzzled:

ATB,
Sam

Hi indigo_wolf
This what Kieron posted on Racekites forum:-


( I have decided to cancel the competition.

I have not taken this decision lightly, and do so with a heavy heart, however, the combination of the clear lack of interest and extremely negative feedback have made my mind up for me.

The fact that only 12 tickets have sold over the course of the three weeks since launching the competition suggests that there isn't enough interest to make it viable. However the principle deciding factor, in my decision to cancel the competition, is the volume of abusive emails I've begun to receive since I launched the competition.

It seems that there is a vociferous minority out there who think I am some sort of demon.

I have been accused of being a "money grubbing freak" and a "thief" who is only interested in taking "Amercian hard won Dollar" [SIC] by stealing someone else's designs.

I've been told that I'm an "arrogant c*&t" because I'm asking $10 a ticket, and asked "how dare you charge more than min wage?"

I've been told, quite categorically, that I'm not allowed to profit from this, and that I must give all the proceeds to charity, otherwise "I wont buy a number, and I'll tell everyone I no not to neither" [SIC].

I'm sorry, but I am not prepared to put up with abusive emails of that nature. I do not feel that I have to justify my choice of ticket price, nor do I feel that I am being greedy. It is not my intention to "profit" from Bill Watterson's comics, or Ozone's kites, however, my circumstances meant that I needed to raise some money and this seemed to me like a reasonable and fair way to do so given the amount of effort involved in making this kite.

Obviously I was wrong, as it is clear that there is a significant minority out there who seem to think I'm some sort of criminal scumbag.

As a result I have refunded the full cost of the 12 tickets that have already been purchased, and can only apologise to those people who did support the idea and who will now be disappointed.)

He also posted this exact same thing here on the thread he had in the "for sale" forum but a couple of members got to arguing over the ASSUMED political agendas, it was reported and subsequently deleted... Absolutely not helpful.

Alasdair, I completely agree with your sentiment, and am completely bummed about how Kieron was treated... It was indeed shameful.

Quote: Originally posted by Kieron

It seems that there is a vociferous minority out there who think I am some sort of demon. I have been accused of being a "money grubbing freak" and a "thief" who is only interested in taking "Amercian hard won Dollar" [SIC] by stealing someone else's designs. I've been told that I'm an "arrogant c*&t" because I'm asking $10 a ticket, and asked "how dare you charge more than min wage?"

Shameful... There's no other words to describe it.

Quote: Originally posted by Kieron

Obviously I was wrong, as it is clear that there is a significant minority out there who seem to think I'm some sort of criminal scumbag.

Absolutely not,... You were not wrong, don't be fooled by the words of others.


So many here have so much appreciation and respect to you Kieron, ... This is absolutely a shame.

I agree 100% with the above. Kieron, having met you at NABX and seeing your work up close and personal.....also having known what kind or craftsmanship and raw talent it takes to build the art that you do, I can only imagine the torn feeling inside about having to sell one of them. $10.00 per ticket is a bargain for this type of artwork production. Please don't let the whining of the few self centered spoiled A-holes reflect onto those that personally know you and your work.

Haters will hate no matter what anyone says or does. Ignore them and be happy.

Wow, I didn't know any of this was going on. I can't believe anyone would fault Kieron or consider him a thief for making these kites from scratch. They are made from the ground up using the Frenzy as a template and it has always been noted as such. Also, he isn't trying to call it a Frenzy and selling it by the dozens. If I remember correctly, it seems that he had blessing from Ozone to make his kites.

As to lack of response on the tickets I'll say I didn't want to buy in because I was afraid my inadequate calculations would significantly reduce my chances below the odds of pure chance of the blocks I purchased. Put another way, I was certain that I myself would be responsible for losing, instead of someone else just getting lucky on buying the right block.

thanks for your input Bob, its good to know (if you"re right) that he had Ozone's blessing.

Though all if this happened about a month (ish) ago, it is still incredibly frustrating. I completely recognize the carnal enjoyment that some of us might get out of knowing the identity of those who felt it necessary to "be a hater" as Kent said. However the truth is that doing so would be of no consequence and would not help the situation at all... it would simply turn into a session of name calling, back biting, and genuine ugliness.

Here is the truth of the matter:... our kiting friend, Kieron was attempting to sell something of great value (both personal value as well as intrinsic value) in order to fund a business venture in order to both support himself (as income) and a cause (4 people 6 leg; aka 4P6L) which he held great affinity for and put a great deal of effort into. Subsequently due to a lack of intellectual honest, brain power, or a genuine desire to rid mankind of his own free will, someone took it upon himself to act like a fool to shut our friend's ambitions down.

Though I only contributed to the goal a whopping $20, which was refunded to me, I would gladly give it back WITHOUT the hopes of winning the super sweet kite, mainly for the satisfaction of knowing that A. I was helping to contribute to a cause that i think is pretty cool (4P6L) and B. To stick it to those who are foolish enough to believe that they can act like a bully and get what they want.

Am I the only one?

Anyone out there want to join in the venture capitalist advance to overthrow foolishness?

just thinking out loud.

Quote: Originally posted by RedSky

Wow, are these emails from an anti-capitalist movement ? Two faced, cynical, arrogant and highly envious individuals, opposed to success and ambition of others. I'm imagining adolescent 30-somethings sending those emails. I think its time they grew up. I'm with you soliver. I'm not a foil flyer but I'll happily buy a few tickets just to stick it to 'em. Kierons call.

While I most definitely would support your depiction of our likely culprits, this is the kind of talk that will really only serve to stir the pudding, and we should not "go there" in order to avoid looking like the bully-ism we would claim to stand up against, and also because it doesn't serve the purpose (it's not helpful), and is only likely to get this thread ALSO shut down by admin.

Let us PLEASE not get into political diatribe,... If it is our hope to help our friend, we can serve him best by not getting the conversation deleted by avoiding politically charged speech.

I'm game 100% for refunding my refund... Anyone else?

RedSky, I agree with your sentiments, plus I hope you get back your enthusiasm for this great sport. I hope this thread stays open and Kieron sees that a lot of people support him and respect his hard work and talent.

I have just received a very kind and polite email from a member of this forum, who expressed his sympathy and regret regarding the ending of the competition, and made a very generous offer to "refund the refund". I want to take a moment to say how very grateful I am that their are such unselfish people out there; people who, although they have never met me personally, are prepared to show their support in a genuinely kind and helpful way. Thank you.

In my reply to the email I wrote a couple of things that perhaps stand repeating here...

I know that there were a number of people who though that I should persevere with the competition anyway, regardless of the negativism, thereby showing those with hateful intent that I could ignore and rise above their malice, but if truth be told, it would have been impossible for me to do so whilst remaining positive. I felt that my sanity would be better preserved by pulling the competition and moving on.

I decided not to become involved in the debate that followed, and not to name and shame, because I thought that no useful purpose would be served, and it would risk the issue spiralling out of control. I’m aware that a few people found my silence a bit frustrating, but I thought it better to say nothing, than risk opening a very public can of worms.

That being said I do want to publicly name and praise those people who did show me their support, and who have, in this thread above, made an unselfish offer to return their competition entries in a manner that embodies the kindness of spirit that it is a privilege to witness. Thank you all.

I will however decline the offer, as generous as it is, because I am actually now in a position to start my new business with almost all that I need. I think that it would be a shame to stifle such generosity however, and so if you wish perhaps you could instead make a small donation directly to the charity I supported during the 4 People 6 Legs expeditions project?

Wings for Life - 4 People 6 Legs project

Thank you all.

Kind regards,

Kieron

Done.

#@%$#!s will be #@%$#!s and there is nothing worse then a keyboard warrior. over my years in kiting ive had hateful messages and threats that at the time hurt but looking back I realised that I didn't let the actions of some idiots deprive me of my own enjoyment of this sport. afterall, the internet is not real life and the people that know me and kite with me think im an alright guy.

@keiron ithink the idea of selling one of your kites was good but people have had better results with a straight lottery. my friend sold a bandit dos for 25£ a ticket and it only took him a month to sell the amount that was needed then used the national lottery to decide the winning number so there could be no issues over fairness

Redsky, keep your enthusiasm. I like your videos, advice, and humor.

I agree RedSky... Sorry if that came across wrong

Kieron, u2u sent.

It doesnt surprise me a bit, there are some very proud idiots sucking more than their fair share of oxygen.
You, Kieron, are one of the reasons why this sport is as great as it is. Take it from me, things could be a lot worse. But then again trust me when I say things should be a lot better.
you have done nothing to be ashamed of and you should be as proud as a new papa.

Quote: Originally posted by soliver

I agree RedSky... Sorry if that came across wrong

not at all. it made my blood boil reading Kieron's experiences and i may have over reacted. brings back bad memories. thanks IMK, ssayre...too kind.