IMSAI II - still viable OR has anyone else lost their deposit?

[Rod Smallwood]

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