Whilst I am in no way involved (I'm in the UK and would not know an
IMSAI from a busted banjo) I am apalled at what this guy did. Is it not
time to use the legal system to bring this guy to book?
The English and US legal systems parted company in the late 1700's so
I'm not sure how it would work.
Suffice to say, in the UK at this stage the court bailiffs would have
removed anything of value from his premisis and put it up for sale along
with his house and car (if he owned them). The proceeds to go to
repaying the swindled customers.
Rod Smallwood
-----Original Message-----
From: cctech-bounces at
classiccmp.org
[mailto:cctech-bounces at
classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Robert Stek
Sent: 02 October 2007 16:57
To: cctalk at
classiccmp.org
Subject: RE: IMSAI II - still viable OR has anyone else lost their
deposit?
I don't think he had any bad intentions in the beginning (some 6 years
ago), as I said in a related comp.os.cpm post, "Never assume malice when
incompetence will suffice." But his actions over the last two years
suggest a lot about his integrity now. I have now heard from four
individuals (in
24 hours), two of whom paid in full in advance, with the same basic
story:
after politely asking for updates, we are ignored despite repeated
attempts at communication - no updates, no explanation, no 'good faith'
offer of partial shipment (Howard Harte's super I/O board was produced,
though apparently by Howard directly), no 'good faith' offer of
anything, and certainly no offer of refund.
I am sure that the project has been a personal nightmare for him. It is
a shame to see someone who contributed so much to the development of the
microcomputer industry in its early days end up trying to sweep his
recent mistakes (and our money) under the rug while still pretending to
offer an IMSAI II (and other items) for sale on his website - it's not
only unethical but very probably fraudulent as well.
I've screwed up in my life (just ask my ex-wife!). But IMHO it's far
better to admit defeat and offer whatever atonement you can, than to
continue in the self-delusion that the IMSAI II will ever be built and
that a bunch of 'cry-babies' (my projection, not his words) who want
their money back are stopping forward progress by reducing working
capital.
rant := off
So, any there any others out there who are willing to admit that they
lost their front money? Or anyone who actually received any of his
other hardware offerings? Or who received a refund?
Bob Stek
Saver of Lost Sols
From: Grant Stockly <grant at stockly.com>
Subject: RE: IMSAI II - still viable OR has anyone else
lost their
deposit?
To: "General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic
Posts"
<cctalk at classiccmp.org>
Message-ID: <0JP900ENKGIGSQ80 at
msgmmp-1.gci.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii;
format=flowed
I've talked to him several times. Before the
Altair kit and
after. Very nice guy. I don't think he has any
bad intentions at
all. I will buy one the second they become available.
I have no
idea what the situation with them is, but I'd have
a hard time
thinking he was trying to defraud people or lie (of
course, I have
all my money). He has told me of the money,
engineering, and time he
has spent.
Possibly he just isn't a "business" man.
That's not a bad thing at
all, we all have our strengths! Engineers aren't
good with making
their own due dates... ; ) The Kenbak kit was
supposed to be done
by March. I just shipped the first 8 kits a week ago
today. ; )
When I started selling kits I decided in the beginning
not to collect
money until stuff was ready to ship. I wasn't
worried too much about
getting lazy, but it made me look forward to shipping
and work
towards that goal.
Grant