Beatles links thread | Page 2 | Fab forum

That first image I'd not seen before. Always nice to see new pics of The Beatles.

Just a word of warning – I strongly recommend anyone here steers clear of the following links, unless just out of curiosity:

http://www.buyabbeyroad.com/
http://twitter.com/buyabbeyroad/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/…..3218732244

Why? It has all the hallmarks of an opportunistic scam. Let me count the ways:

1. The use of PayPal allows whoever's behind it to take money anonymously. No accountability whatsoever.
2. Apart from a mention of a 'preservation trust' there's no explanation of where the money goes or would be held. Is this a private venture, a registered charity (and if so, in which country), or what?
3. What happens to the money if their fundraising efforts are unsuccessful? Will it be returned to donors or, as I suspect, remain in the pocket of whoever's behind this?
4. Why are no individual people's names or postal addresses mentioned anywhere on the site, Facebook page or PayPal account? The only contact address I've been able to find is buyabbeyroad@gmail.com
5. If (and it's a big if) they raised around £30 million in $1 donations (from around 47,270,000 people), what would happen to the building? Would it remain a private studio, be turned into a museum, or be owned by whoever's behind this spurious and seemingly highly dodgy venture?

Go and have a look by all means, but I strongly suggest you avoid this at all costs (those costs being "at least $1.00 each"). Still, I've got to admit a degree of grudging respect for whoever managed to spot a cash-making opportunity and exploit it so quickly.

Thanks for replying.

1.) How would you suggest we process donations when your own site accepts donations via PayPal?  Should we use a 20th century technology such as snail mail?  Or would you suggest contributors stop by our own homes to make their donations?

No, of course not. I myself use PayPal on this site in case people want to thank me for the work I've done. However, the difference here is that you're an unknown quantity – nobody knows who you are, you haven't made any efforts to detail what your plans are, and the whole thing reeks of a personal money-making scheme. PayPal makes all those things easy through anonymity, but you need to be accountable if you're raising funds for a public purpose.

2.) Buy Abbey Road is currently a private venture based in the United States, but we are seeking legal advice and services to establish it as a charitable organization. Please be aware this process can take an inordinate amount of time and money to complete – if you would like to contribute your legal advice and services on a pro-bono basis, please contact us immediately at info@buyabbeyroad.com.

You really should have done this before soliciting money from people. It still looks like a scam, however honourable your intentions.

3.) If we are unsuccessful in our efforts to purchase Abbey Road, 100% of the funds raised will be donated to a children's charity (with 501c3 status).  Information regarding this donation (when submitted) will be made public.

You'll never raise £30 million (or whatever the true sale price is). You *must* know this. As I said earlier, you'd need more than 47 million people to donate a dollar. So why should people bother with your currently-non-existent charitable organization private venture, rather than just giving directly to an unnamed children's charity (and why don't you even name which charity you'll be giving the money to, as you sure as hell aren't going to buy Abbey Road)?

4.) We have often read it is not wise to publish your postal/home address or full name on the Internet – the reasons are obvious.  If you feel this would be a wise move, feel free to prominently post your full name and address here on this forum.

I do this site largely anonymously for work-related reasons (ie I'd rather my employers didn't know), but if you really cared you could probably find out who I am – it's no big secret and I often tell PR and publishing companies my real name and address. But what you're doing here is asking people to sink money into an anonymous PayPal fund with no contact details, with vague promises that it'll be used for good purposes. You're intentions may well be good but you don't half come across as a scammer.

Again, you should have considered this before asking people for money. The speed in which you set up the fund site/Facebook/Twitter account suggests you're looking at this more as a money-spinner rather than a truly altruistic venture. Am I wrong? I don't know – I have no idea who you really are, 'Craig'.

5.)  Please note we intend to preserve Abbey Road Studios in its current state, without any major renovations or changes.  Whether it will be operated as a public studio or a museum of sorts is unknown at this time – there are many details to be analyzed and finalized.  Unfortunately, we have had less than 24 hours to organize our efforts.

See above about the speed thing. Why the rush? And, having been to Abbey Road, I can tell you it's a big place that will need a lot of work to maintain. Have you thought about the costs? Probably not, as we don't even know what the official sale price is yet. Are you equipped to run a museum or studio? What would you do with the staff? Do you have even the first idea what you're proposing? Probably not – it's been less than 24 hours and that's a lot of valuable PayPal promotional time. Why bother with logistics?

It would be wonderful if Sir Paul himself purchased the Studio, but does anyone think this likely when he managed to let the Beatles catalog slip through his fingers in the early 1980's?

Sir Paul would have nothing to gain himself by buying Abbey Road, though I do know he donates a huge amount each year to charity (ie for no personal gain). It's not the same as the Beatles catalogue slipping through his fingers in the 1980s – I'm sure he wouldn't let that happen again. So what's the alternative? Give money to a private venture called 'Craig' who vaguely promises to do some good with it?

Get your house in order if your intentions are good. If not I'll conclude that you're only in it for the money.

http://www.wornby.co.uk/Produc…..nnon.aspx/

Has anyone seen this design before? The rather badly-written description says: "The image used on this shirt was apparently used as a promotional poster and invitation to the concert. Number 3 Savile Row was the Headquarters, who year's late famously went into battle with Apple, over the computer company's involvement in music."

Presumably the concert was the rooftop one, but it seems more likely it was used, if at all, as a general Apple Corps advert. Either way, it's a very cool t-shirt.